Molded Light Strand Socket Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric light strands face difficulties in maintaining light sources in a straight line during mounting due to sockets extending orthogonally to the cable, leading to uneven alignment.
Innovation Solution
A molded light strand design with sockets that have an elongated channel to secure the cable, allowing light bulbs to extend close to the cable, ensuring they are aligned in a linear orientation, and featuring contacts for electrical communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If sockets are secured to the cable with orthogonal extension, then electrical connection is established, but light sources cannot be maintained in a straight line during mounting
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having sockets extend orthogonally from the cable as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the orientation so that sockets extend parallel to the cable's longitudinal axis. This inversion allows light bulbs to be positioned in a straight line along the cable length, solving the alignment problem during mounting while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional orientation of socket arrangement from orthogonal (perpendicular) to parallel (longitudinal) relative to the cable. This dimensional reconfiguration transforms how sockets are spatially organized, enabling all light sources to align in a single straight line rather than radiating outward in multiple directions, thus improving mounting alignment ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sockets extend perpendicular to the cable, then cable can be routed through socket openings, but light sockets do not extend in the same direction relative to one another
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional orthogonal arrangement by orienting sockets parallel to the cable axis. This allows cable routing through openings in the socket body while maintaining directional consistency, as all sockets now extend in the same longitudinal direction rather than perpendicular directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs asymmetric socket orientation relative to the cable, with sockets positioned at specific angles and locations along the cable length rather than uniformly perpendicular. This asymmetric arrangement enables both cable routing flexibility and directional consistency, as sockets can be strategically positioned while maintaining parallel extension.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional socket designs are used with orthogonal extension, then manufacturing is simplified, but light sources are not held in linear orientation when mounted
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the socket orientation from orthogonal to parallel with the cable axis, the invention achieves linear alignment of light sources during mounting. The manufacturing process adapts to this orientation through molded socket assemblies that integrate the parallel extension geometry, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the desired linear light source arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the socket body, cable routing structure, and light source positioning into an integrated molded assembly. This combination ensures that sockets extend parallel to the cable while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through single-piece or pre-assembled units that incorporate all necessary features for linear alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric light strand is disclosed which comprises a cable comprising at least one wire, and a plurality of sockets secured to the cable. Each socket defines an internal cavity for receiving a sleeve portion a light bulb. Each internal cavity defines a central axis. Each socket comprises a plurality of contacts configured to provide electrical communication between the at least one wire and a corresponding one of the sleeve portions. Each central axis extends in an orientation non-perpendicular to a corresponding portion of the cable secured to the corresponding socket.