Modular Lighting Units With Perimeter Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting units lack versatility due to fixed form factors and electrical connection configurations, limiting their adaptability to different applications and environments, and often require costly and time-consuming reconfiguration or replacement when components fail.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular lighting systems with conductor bus configurations that allow for flexible electrical connections along any portion of the lighting module, enabling modules to be coupled in various orientations and geometries, and allowing for easy reconfiguration and replacement of individual components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional lighting units with fixed form factors are used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but versatility and adaptability to different applications are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled in various configurations. Each module contains its own light sources and electrical connections, allowing the system to be segmented into standardized units that maintain manufacturing simplicity while enabling versatile assembly patterns for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting unit employs universal mounting interfaces and standardized electrical connections that allow the same basic module to serve multiple functions across different applications. The modular design with standardized connectors enables a single module type to be used in various configurations, achieving versatility without requiring multiple specialized designs.
2Device complexity
If lighting units with fixed electrical connection configurations are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different fixtures and orientations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system uses universal connectors and standardized wiring patterns that work across all module orientations and fixture types. The modular architecture with standardized electrical interfaces allows the same connection configuration to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for complex custom wiring while maintaining high adaptability to different fixtures and mounting orientations.
3Reliability
If entire lighting fixtures must be replaced when components fail, then system reliability is improved through complete replacement, but loss of time and increased cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into independent modular units with standardized interfaces. When a failure occurs, only the specific malfunctioning module needs to be replaced rather than the entire fixture, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost while maintaining system reliability through targeted component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables selective replacement of only the failed module while retaining and reusing functional modules in the system. This approach recovers working components, reducing waste and maintenance costs while maintaining high system availability through rapid module swaps.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of lighting units are used to meet different application needs, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular lighting system uses a family of standardized modules with universal mounting and electrical interfaces. Different application needs are met by varying the arrangement, quantity, and orientation of identical or compatible modules rather than using fundamentally different lighting unit types, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing overall system complexity and inventory requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods which provide a versatile lighting module which may be utilized alone or in combination with other lighting modules to provide any number of lighting unit configurations are shown. Lighting modules of embodiments herein are adapted to facilitate electrical connection, whether to one or more power supply and/or to one or more other lighting module, along any portion of the entire periphery of the lighting module. Accordingly, lighting modules may be coupled together in any orientation, geometry, and topology to cooperate as a light source having various desired characteristics according to embodiments herein.