Segmented Power Track Lighting for Flexible Module Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power track systems face challenges in maintaining flexibility and ease of reconfiguration due to the need to rearrange or replace linear light units when adding or removing lighting devices, which occupies large segments of the mounting rail.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling lighting nodes on a power track that involves acquiring light effect information and module property information to dynamically adjust lighting settings based on the presence and position of modules, enabling seamless reconfiguration without disrupting the predefined lighting effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If linear light units are installed to cover empty segments between lighting devices, then the entire length of the power track is utilized and additional illumination is provided, but the flexibility and ease of reconfiguration is reduced as large portions of the mounting rail are occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidreconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power track is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones along its length. Each segment can be individually controlled to provide illumination, allowing the system to illuminate only the necessary portions while leaving other portions available for future lighting device installation without requiring complete coverage by linear light units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination coverage is made dynamic and adaptable rather than static. The system can dynamically adjust which segments are illuminated based on current lighting device positions and future installation plans, enabling the illumination pattern to change over time as the power track configuration evolves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If linear light units are installed to fill empty portions of the power track, then full utilization of the power track is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as rearrangement or replacement of linear light units is required when adding or removing lighting devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower track utilizationVSAvoidreconfiguration simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power track is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the segments that currently need illumination, leaving other segments available for future lighting device installation without requiring physical rearrangement of linear light units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides dynamic control over illumination segments, allowing the illumination pattern to be adjusted electronically rather than requiring physical reconfiguration of linear light units. This enables full utilization of the power track while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If lighting nodes are permanently mounted and distributed along the mounting rail, then flexible reconfiguration is maintained, but the ability to provide continuous illumination across empty segments is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidcontinuous illumination coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the advantages of both permanently mounted lighting nodes and linear light units by integrating controllable illumination segments into the power track infrastructure. This combination allows permanently mounted nodes to maintain reconfiguration flexibility while integrated segments provide continuous illumination coverage where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power track system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a support structure for permanently mounted lighting nodes and as an integrated illumination system with controllable segments. This universal design enables the system to provide both flexible reconfiguration and continuous illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12543254B2Power track with integrated linear light source controlled based on inserted unit properties

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a power track and a method controlling integrated lighting nodes of a power track. The power track comprising an elongated mounting rail (210), the mounting rail being configured to power a set of modules (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) mounted to the mounting rail, and a plurality of permanently mounted lighting nodes (220) fixated to the power track so as to be distributed along the mounting rail. The method comprising the steps of: acquiring light effect information (step S1) indicating a predefined light effect to be realized by the lighting nodes; determining module property information (step S2), the module property information indicating at least one of lighting properties of a lighting module mounted to the mounting rail and a position of a module mounted to the mounting rail; and controlling the lighting settings of at least one lighting node (step 3a, 3b) based on the module property information and the light effect information so as to generate the light effect indicated by the light effect information.