Spring Clip Connector for Reconfigurable LED Display Power Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power strip systems for LED lighting in product displays result in unsightly wire bundles and difficulty in reconfiguring or relocating lights due to fixed wire lengths and orientations, leading to potential errors in connection.
Innovation Solution
A spring connector system with asymmetrical legs and channels ensures secure, error-free connection of LED light units to a DC power strip, allowing for adjustable positioning and easy reconfiguration by ensuring proper orientation and maintaining contact without external force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wires are grouped and extended down along the vertical power strip to connect to outlets, then power can be supplied to LEDs at different shelf heights, but this results in unsightly wire bundles and makes it difficult to disassemble or reconfigure the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power connection function from traditional wire-based connections to a contactless power transfer system. The power strip contains conductive elements that extend vertically, and LED modules have corresponding conductive contacts that align with these elements when placed on shelves, enabling power transfer without physical wire connections between components
Solution Approach 2:
The power strip is segmented into multiple vertical channels with conductive elements at different heights, allowing independent power supply to multiple LED modules at different shelf levels. Each LED module can be independently connected or disconnected without affecting other modules
2Ease of operation
If wires are used to connect LEDs to power outlets, then power can be transmitted to lighting elements, but this creates an unsightly appearance and increases difficulty in relocating lights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wire harness from the connection system entirely. Instead of using wires to connect power outlets to LED modules, the system uses vertical conductive channels in the power strip that align with conductive contacts on the LED modules when placed on shelves, enabling power transfer without intermediate wiring
Solution Approach 2:
The LED modules self-connect to the power strip simply by being placed on the appropriate shelf level. The conductive elements automatically align and establish electrical connection without requiring manual wire connection or configuration by the user
3Adaptability or versatility
If a continuous vertical power strip with equidistant outlets is used, then power can be supplied to multiple shelf levels, but LEDs can only be connected at certain fixed locations
Solution Approach 1:
The power strip is divided into multiple vertical channels with conductive elements positioned at different heights corresponding to different shelf levels. This segmentation allows LED modules to be connected at multiple discrete locations along the vertical strip, with each channel providing independent power supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The power strip design provides universal power supply capability across multiple shelf levels through its vertical channel structure. Each channel can serve any LED module placed on the corresponding shelf, making the system adaptable to different display configurations and product arrangements
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 provides a secure, aesthetically pleasing, and easily adjustable power connection for LED lighting, enabling flexible placement and reconfiguration without the need for extensive wire management, ensuring reliable power supply to LED units at various heights.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second legs being configured with respect to the housing so as to be (a) deflectable in relation to the housing and one another by application of an outside force, and (b) biased to resiliently maintain a spacing between the first and second legs
Data Source
AI summary
A clip connector is configured to cooperate with a power strip for providing power to an LED display such that the clip connector is insertable into the power strip by a user compressing the first and second legs towards one another and first inserting the first leg into the first channel of the power strip and then inserting the second leg into the second channel of the power strip.