Modular Illuminated Tree Trunk Sections for Uniform Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tall artificial trees with many lights consume excessive electrical energy due to optical losses in long fiber optics, leading to increased environmental impact and operational costs, while existing designs often lack safety features and flexibility in customization and assembly.
Innovation Solution
The construction of illuminated artificial trees by interconnecting multiple trunk sections with each section having its own multi-color LED light source optically coupled via limited-length fiber optics, powered through rotatable connectors that ensure safety by completing the circuit only when properly connected, allowing for customizable and energy-efficient illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used in the base of the tree with long optical fibers to illuminate the trunk and branches, then the tree structure can be simplified, but optical losses cause lights to be dim near the top of taller trees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tree into multiple trunk sections, with each section containing its own light source. This segmentation allows each light source to illuminate only its local section via short optical fibers, eliminating the cumulative optical losses that occur in tall trees with a single base light source. The modular approach maintains structural simplicity while ensuring consistent brightness throughout the tree height.
2Illumination intensity
If many lights are used throughout the tree to maintain brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but electrical energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using many lights throughout the tree, the patent segments the illumination system into a few discrete light sources positioned in individual trunk sections. Each light source illuminates only its local section, dramatically reducing the total number of lights required compared to illuminating the entire tree. This segmentation approach maintains adequate brightness while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing illumination only where needed in each trunk section rather than uniformly illuminating the entire tree. Each light source is positioned to illuminate its specific local area, eliminating the energy waste of illuminating regions that are already lit or do not require illumination. This localized approach reduces total energy consumption while maintaining visual effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If traditional electrical connectors are used between trunk sections, then electrical connection is achieved, but safety hazards exist from exposed contacts during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing connectors where the optical coupling occurs first, establishing the light path before electrical contacts are made. The optical fibers are positioned to engage in the initial connection stage, and only after this optical coupling is established do the electrical contacts complete the circuit. This sequence eliminates the safety hazard of exposed electrical contacts during the critical assembly phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber coupling acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the mechanical connection and electrical connection. The optical fibers are positioned to engage first, serving as a safe intermediary that establishes the connection without exposing users to electrical hazards. Only after this safe intermediary coupling is in place do the electrical contacts engage, eliminating the shock hazard from exposed contacts.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed orientation connectors are used between trunk sections, then electrical and optical alignment is simplified, but flexibility in tree configuration and customization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by designing connectors that allow rotational movement during assembly. The connectors are positioned and oriented such that they can rotate to accommodate different assembly angles and orientations. This dynamic capability enables users to configure the tree in various arrangements while maintaining proper alignment of both optical fibers and electrical contacts, thereby providing flexibility without sacrificing alignment simplicity.
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
This approach results in consistently bright, energy-efficient, and safe artificial trees that can be customized and assembled safely, reducing environmental impact and operational costs while maintaining brightness across taller structures.
Implementation Method 1
each tree trunk section having an emitter of light visible externally to the tree trunk section and optically coupled to a light source within the tree trunk section
Implementation Method 2
each light source may be a multi-color LED. The light source may be powered through rotatable male and female connectors mated between tree trunk section ends
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to illuminated artificial trees constructed by interconnecting more than one artificial tree trunk section based on electrically connecting and rotationally coupling each tree trunk section to at least one other tree trunk section, each tree trunk section having an emitter of light visible externally to the tree trunk section and optically coupled to a light source within the tree trunk section, and each light source operably coupled to an external controller and power supply. In an illustrative example, each tree trunk section may have a light source optically connected by limited-length optical fiber to a light emitter within the tree trunk section. The light source may be a multi-color LED. The light source may be powered through rotatable male and female connectors mated between tree trunk section ends. Various examples may advantageously provide a consistently bright and tall tree with reduced energy consumption.