Socket-Plug Connector for Series LED Circuit Boards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting systems require complex and labor-intensive modifications to connect LED circuit boards in series, often involving soldering, which complicates the process of forming a continuous conductor track for powering LED light sources.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a socket and plug connection mechanism that allows for reversible and detachable insertion, interrupting the first conductor track and connecting the LED load to its end pieces, enabling easy series connection of LEDs across multiple circuit boards without additional components or complex modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LED circuit boards are connected using traditional conductor track modifications and soldering, then reliable electrical connections are achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the connection process into separate functional components: a socket integrated into the first circuit board and a plug integrated into the second circuit board. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and connected through simple insertion, eliminating the need for complex soldering operations while maintaining reliable electrical connections between the conductor tracks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The socket and plug act as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between two circuit boards. Instead of directly modifying and soldering conductor tracks together, the socket and plug serve as intermediate elements that provide a standardized, reliable connection interface, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring electrical reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conductor tracks are modified and connected through soldering, then continuous electrical paths are formed, but production time and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor track continuityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket and plug are pre-integrated into the circuit boards during manufacturing, with conductor tracks already routed to these components. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming soldering operations during assembly, as connection is achieved through simple plug insertion, thereby maintaining conductor track continuity while significantly improving production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical soldering process with a simpler mechanical insertion process. Instead of using heat and molten solder to create electrical connections, the system uses a plug-and-socket mechanical interface that provides both mechanical support and electrical connectivity, dramatically reducing production time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If LED light sources are connected in series across multiple circuit boards, then constant current power supply is optimized, but connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply efficiencyVSAvoidseries connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket and plug design provides universal functionality for connecting LED circuit boards in series. The same socket-plug interface can be used regardless of the number of circuit boards being connected, and the conductor tracks are designed to automatically form continuous series paths. This universal interface simplifies the connection process while maintaining optimized constant current power supply for LED strings of various lengths.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2916393B1System with electrical units
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2916393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2916393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2916393B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electrical connecting means (3) for connecting an electrical load to an electrical conductor (15) have a socket (4) and a plug (5) that can be reversibly inserted into the socket (4), wherein the connecting means (3) are designed such that when the plug (5) is inserted into the socket (4) the conductor (15) is interrupted and the load is electrically connected to the two end pieces of the conductor (15) formed by this interruption.