Plug-in Device Retaining Projection Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for elongated lights, such as light strips, face difficulties in aligning and connecting plug-in devices due to the lack of rigidity in conductor rails, requiring precise handling and alignment of multiple contacts, making the electrical connection cumbersome and challenging.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a plug-in device with a retaining projection and guide mechanism, allowing flexible alignment and pivoting, along with run-in bevels, to simplify the connection process by enabling easier alignment and insertion of plug-in devices, reducing the need for precise handling and improving the ease of electrical connection between adjacent current-carrying rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plug-in devices are used without retaining projections and guides, then the structure is simpler, but the alignment and connection of plug-in devices becomes difficult and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining projection acts as an intermediary element between the plug-in device and the connector. It provides a mechanical interface that guides the plug-in device into proper alignment with the connector, facilitating easy connection without requiring complex alignment procedures. The retaining projection translates the simple pushing motion into precise positional alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide mechanism introduces a new dimensional constraint by confining the retaining projection to move along a predetermined path. This guide path in the longitudinal direction ensures that the plug-in device aligns correctly with the connector during insertion, transforming a potentially complex multi-degree-of-freedom alignment problem into a simple one-dimensional insertion motion.
2Reliability
If precise handling and alignment of multiple contacts is required, then the electrical connection is more reliable, but the connection process becomes cumbersome and challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining projection and guide mechanism perform the alignment action preliminarily, before the actual electrical contacts engage. By pre-aligning the plug-in device with the connector through mechanical guidance, the system ensures that all electrical contacts will engage correctly without requiring the operator to manually align multiple contacts, thus maintaining reliability while simplifying the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide mechanism enables the plug-in device to self-align with the connector during insertion. The retaining projection automatically follows the guide path and engages with the connector's receiving structure, causing the electrical contacts to align and connect without external intervention. This self-aligning mechanism ensures reliable electrical connection while making the connection process trivial for the operator.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for realizing a luminaire elongated in a longitudinal direction X, the system comprising several support rails 3 elongated in a longitudinal direction X, several conductor rails elongated in a longitudinal direction X, several plug-in devices 1, 4 and at least one connector 2. The first plug-in device 1 has a plug-in body 100, wherein a retaining projection is provided on at least one side of the plug-in body 100 that bounds the plug-in body 100 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, which has an axis 10 via which it is connected to the plug-in body 100, and has two retaining areas that extend from the axis 10 along the longitudinal direction X for at least 5 mm away from the axis 10, wherein the connector 2 or one of the support rails 3 has a guide 22, wherein in the operating position the two retaining areas of the retaining projection are arranged in the guide 22.