Luminaire Driver Interface for Tool-Free Replacement and Safe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drivers for light engines in luminaires are not easily exchangeable, making maintenance cumbersome and unsafe due to complex mechanical and electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A driver assembly with a single interface for both mechanical and electrical coupling, allowing for easy mounting and replacement by pressing the driver against a driver bracket, which automatically establishes and releases electrical connections, reducing the need for separate steps and tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drivers are mechanically and electrically connected to luminaires for driving light engines, then reliable power transmission is achieved, but driver replacement becomes cumbersome and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is divided into separate functional modules: a driver unit with circuit board, a connector assembly with electrical contacts, and a housing. This segmentation allows the driver to be disconnected as a complete module from the luminaire, enabling easy replacement while maintaining reliable electrical connections during operation. The connector assembly can be detached from the driver bracket without affecting the light engine or power supply connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver assembly is designed as a disposable or replaceable unit that can be quickly discarded and replaced when faulty or upgraded. The connector and housing are designed to facilitate rapid disconnection and reconnection, allowing maintenance personnel to replace the entire driver assembly without needing to recover or rewire individual components. This approach prioritizes quick replacement over component recovery.
2Strength
If separate mechanical and electrical connections are used for driver mounting, then secure coupling is achieved, but mounting and dismounting require multiple steps and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interface and electrical interface are merged into a single integrated connector assembly. The housing contains both mechanical mounting features (such as clips or latches) and electrical contacts in one unified structure. This allows both mechanical attachment and electrical connection to be established or broken simultaneously with a single action, eliminating the need for separate mounting steps and reducing the tools required.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical attachment between the driver and driver bracket, establishes electrical connections for power and signal transmission, and may include features for alignment or protection. This multi-functionality in a single component simplifies the overall mounting structure while maintaining secure coupling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates simple and safe installation and removal of drivers, enhancing maintenance efficiency and reducing the risk of short circuits or malfunctions through separate AC input and DC output areas with spring plate contacts.
Implementation Method 1
spring plate contacts...automatically couples the electrical interface of the driver to the electrical interface of the driver bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A driver for driving a light engine of a luminaire is provided. The driver comprises a driver assembly with a driver circuit for converting an input current provided by a power supply into an output current for driving the light engine, a housing for receiving the driver assembly, and a driver interface being detachably engageable with a driver bracket. The driver interface comprises a mechanical interface for mechanically coupling the driver to a mechanical interface of the driver bracket and an electrical interface for electrically coupling the driver to an electrical interface of the driver bracket in such a way that the input current from the power supply to the driver circuit and the output current from the driver circuit to the light engine can flow via the driver interface. Further, a driver bracket and a luminaire are provided.