Luminaire Rail Coupling With Blocking Element Against Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Luminaire systems face issues with secure mechanical and electrical coupling due to deformation and loosening caused by forces and temperature fluctuations, leading to potential failure, especially with heavy components.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire system design featuring a support rail with a longitudinal current conducting profile and a coupling element that includes a blocking element with blocking portions to prevent lateral migration of side walls, ensuring secure mechanical and electrical coupling by maintaining contact even under transverse forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling element is actuated to establish mechanical and electrical coupling, then electrical connection is achieved, but forces during coupling cause deformation and loosening of the support profile
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is divided into functionally independent parts: a contacting element for electrical connection and a locking element for mechanical coupling. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function, reducing mutual interference and improving overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting element acts as an intermediary between the coupling element and the current conducting profile, establishing electrical connection through a dedicated interface that is mechanically decoupled from the support profile structure, thereby preventing force transmission that would cause deformation
2Strength
If locking elements interact with locking portions to mechanically couple components, then mechanical coupling is achieved, but forces lead to loosening or failure of the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is installed in advance to prevent the harmful migration of side walls before it can occur. By preemptively blocking the escape path, the system prevents the loosening and failure that would otherwise result from forces during coupling actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element replaces the need for complex interlocking mechanical structures by using a simple geometric constraint that prevents side wall migration through its blocking portions, simplifying the mechanical coupling system while improving reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If operating temperature fluctuations occur, then material behavior becomes more flexible, but tolerances fluctuate and weaken both electrical and mechanical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the coupling system by introducing the blocking element, which creates a tolerance-compensating structure. The blocking portions are designed with dimensions that maintain their blocking function across temperature-induced tolerance variations, ensuring coupling reliability despite material expansion and contraction
Data Source
AI summary
A luminaire system has a support rail comprising an elongated support profile and a current conducting profile arranged therein, as well as a component (electrical or electronic) with a coupling element for electrically and mechanically coupling the component to the support rail via an opening in the support profile. The luminaire system has a component with a coupling member that electrically couples and mechanically couples various components, said coupling member also having a blocking element.