Side-Opening Power Track Layout for Low-Glare Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power tracks for mounting and powering electronic products, such as spotlights, often have openings that are not aesthetically pleasing and can be visible from typical user positions, leading to discomfort glare and an obtrusive appearance.

Innovation Solution

A power track with a sideways-oriented linear opening that faces parallel to the mounting surface, incorporating a linear light source and power track electrodes, which are designed to be less visible and integrated within the track, providing indirect illumination and blending with the installation surface's lighting effect, while allowing for flexible mounting and powering of multiple electronic products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional power tracks have openings for mounting electronic products, then the electronic products can be mounted and powered, but the openings are visible from user positions causing discomfort glare and an obtrusive appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting and powering electronic productsVSAvoidglare and obtrusive appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reorients the linear opening from a downward-facing configuration (visible to users below) to a sideways-oriented configuration parallel to the mounting surface. This dimensional change in opening orientation removes the opening from the user's line of sight while preserving its mounting function, thereby eliminating glare without compromising ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the linear opening is oriented downwards for easy access, then mounting is simple, but the opening is highly visible and creates glare

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to opening for mountingVSAvoidvisibility and orientation of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is reoriented from a vertical/downward orientation to a horizontal/sideways orientation parallel to the mounting surface. This changes the dimension in which the opening faces, making it invisible from below while maintaining accessibility for mounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the power track has visible openings and light sources, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the orientation of the linear opening to be parallel to the mounting surface rather than perpendicular, the design achieves a more aesthetically pleasing appearance from below without significantly complicating the manufacturing process. The opening simply faces a different direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces the visibility of the power track openings, minimizing glare and creating a more aesthetically pleasing installation by directing light towards the installation surface, thus enhancing the appearance and functionality of the power track system.

Implementation Method 1

a linear light source having LED nodes arranged within the linear opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4367435B1Power track
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4367435B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4367435B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4367435B1 patent drawingFigure 1e~2a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a power track (10) for mounting and powering an electronic product (12), the power track comprising: a mounting surface (14) comprising means (16) for surface-mounting the power track on an installation surface (18); a linear opening (20; 20') extending along at least a portion of the length (L) of the power track, the linear opening being adapted to receive a connector (22) of the electronic product to be mounted to the power track, wherein the linear opening is facing in a direction (24; 24') parallel to the mounting surface; and a linear light source (30; 30'; 46; 52).