Offset Contact Points in Segmented Housing for Lighting Rail Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for connecting electrical conductors and contact elements in lighting systems, such as track lights, require multiple components and significant space due to different raster patterns for connection terminals and taps, limiting flexibility and increasing installation complexity.

Innovation Solution

A device with a front and rear housing part, where a step between the parts allows for offset contact points, enabling flexible electrical contact and simplified installation by eliminating the need for additional connections and reducing the overall height, allowing for easier access and integration in rail systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection terminal and tap are connected to individual conductors with different raster patterns, then electrical connection can be guaranteed, but installation effort increases and device space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the connection terminal and tap into a single integrated device with a common housing structure. The front housing part contains connection terminals while the rear housing part contains taps, both accessible through the same device body. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and reduces installation complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connections for multiple conductors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device serves multiple functions within a single unit: it provides both connection terminals for power/control lines and taps for further electrical connections to light sources. The housing structure universally accommodates different conductor types and routing requirements, allowing the same device to handle various electrical connection scenarios without requiring component changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If connection terminal and tap are connected to individual conductors with different raster patterns, then electrical connection can be guaranteed, but device space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoiddevice space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a nested structure where the rear housing part is positioned within or adjacent to the front housing part, sharing common structural elements. The contact points and electrical connection elements are arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations, allowing multiple connection functions to occupy minimal spatial volume while maintaining proper electrical isolation and connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If rear housing part is narrower than front housing part, then contact points in step area are accessible, but housing structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact point accessibilityVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into distinct front and rear parts with different cross-sectional dimensions. The front housing part has a larger width to accommodate connection terminals and provide overall structural support, while the rear housing part is narrower to specifically expose contact points in the step area for easy access during installation and maintenance. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3084898B1Device for contacting electrical conductors and/or electrical contact elements, as well as lamp or electrical device
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3084898B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3084898B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3084898B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a device 1 for contacting electrical conductors and/or electrical plug connectors, said device comprising at least one front housing part 2 and a rear housing part 3, wherein the front housing part 2 and the rear housing part 3 are formed as one unit, wherein at least one first electrical contact connection is provided in the front housing part via contacting points 7, and at least one additional electrical contact connection is provided in the rear housing part 3 via contacting points 9, wherein a step 6 is formed between the front housing part 2 and the rear housing part 3 on one side of the device 1, and wherein contacting points 8 are provided in the region of the step 6 for the purposes of electrical contacting. The invention also relates to a lamp or an electrical device having a device of this type.