Retractable Adapter for Linear Lighting Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional adapters for electrified tracks are not optimized for linear lighting apparatus, leading to gaps and interruptions in light continuity due to their design, which affects installation efficiency and adherence to the track.
Innovation Solution
A compact adapter with a retractable mechanism for electrical contacts and interface elements that allows for single-action insertion and extraction, enabling seamless installation of linear lighting apparatus without gaps or interruptions, by housing the adapter within the track and eliminating the need for separate lever spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional adapters are used for linear lighting apparatus, then the adapter can be installed on the electrified track, but gaps and interruptions occur in light continuity due to the adapter design and space required for fixing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electrical contact extraction function from a separate lever mechanism and integrates it into the interface element itself. The interface element, when pushed, directly extracts the electrical contacts from the adapter body through an inclined plane mechanism, eliminating the need for separate lever spaces and reducing the overall adapter footprint, thereby enabling continuous light installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements nesting by placing the electrical contacts inside the adapter body during storage and transport, then extracting them during installation. The interface element acts as a nested structure that, when actuated, extracts the electrical contacts from the adapter body through a compact inclined plane mechanism, minimizing the space required while maintaining full functionality.
2Ease of operation
If traditional adapters with separate lever spaces are used, then the electrical contacts can be extracted, but the installation space increases and adherence to the track is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the interface element and the lever mechanism into a single integrated component. The interface element itself performs the extraction function by directly engaging and extracting the electrical contacts through its inclined plane surface, eliminating the need for separate lever spaces and reducing the adapter volume while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface element serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical interface for installing the lighting apparatus, acts as the lever to extract the electrical contacts, and guides the extraction process through its inclined plane geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and minimizes the overall adapter volume.
3Productivity
If traditional adapters are used, then the electrical connection can be established, but multiple separate actions are required for insertion and extraction operations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are pre-positioned inside the adapter body in a retracted state. During installation, a single pushing action on the interface element simultaneously performs the insertion of the adapter into the track and the extraction of the electrical contacts, eliminating the need for separate actions and improving installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined plane mechanism on the interface element ensures continuous extraction of the electrical contacts as the interface element is pushed. This continuous action eliminates interruptions in the installation process, allowing the adapter to be inserted and electrically connected in a single continuous motion, thereby improving productivity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adapter (10) for supporting and electrically connecting a lighting apparatus (50) to an electrified track (60), particularly suitable for the support and the electrical connection of elongated lighting apparatus or linear lighting apparatus. The adapter (10) comprises a box-like body (11) at whose interior a mechanism (20) is housed for extracting and retracting at least one electrical contact (21,22,23) such that the box-like body (11) is able to assume a first compact configuration, wherein the at least one electrical contact (21,22,23) is substantially housed inside the box-like body (11), and a second configuration wherein the at least one electrical contact (21,22,23) is at least partially extracted from the box-like body (11), the box-like body (11) being associated with at least one interface element (12,13) for coupling to a lightning apparatus (55) and is characterised in that the at least one interface element (12,13) is movable between a first extracted configuration and a second retracted configuration with respect to the box-like body (11), wherein the retraction and extraction movements respectively determine the passage of the box-like body (11) from its first compact configuration to its second extracted configuration and vice versa.