Strain Relief Accessory With Snap-On Wireless Module Mount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Providing wireless connectivity for independent lighting applications with lighting drivers outside of an enclosure is costly and bulky due to the need for separate strain relief or remote enclosures for wireless communication modules, regardless of whether they are active or passive.

Innovation Solution

A strain relief accessory with a base member and cover members that includes a wire-bound communication interface and integrated power supply, allowing for a snap-on engagement of a communication module without a dedicated power supply, simplifying wiring and positioning, and enabling wireless connectivity using a wire-bound to wireless interface conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate remote enclosure is used for the wireless communication module, then wireless connectivity is achieved, but manufacturing expense and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless connectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing expense and installation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wireless communication module with the strain relief accessory by providing a receptacle in the cover member that receives and integrates the communication module. This combination eliminates the need for a separate remote enclosure, reducing both manufacturing expense and installation effort while maintaining wireless connectivity functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strain relief accessory is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides strain relief for termination wires, protects the wiring connections, and simultaneously houses the wireless communication module through its receptacle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an active wireless communication module with dedicated power supply is used, then wireless connectivity is achieved, but cost and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless connectivityVSAvoidcost and bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables passive wireless communication modules to function by having them draw power from the lighting driver's integrated power supply through the strain relief accessory's electrical connections. This self-service approach eliminates the need for a dedicated power supply in the communication module, reducing both cost and bulk while maintaining wireless connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a passive wireless communication module is used without dedicated power supply, then cost is reduced, but the module cannot function independently outside enclosures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidindependent functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strain relief accessory acts as an intermediary that enables passive wireless communication modules to function independently. It provides both the mechanical mounting (receptacle) and electrical power connection (through the lighting driver's power supply) that passive modules need, allowing them to operate outside traditional enclosures while maintaining low cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Volume of moving object

If wireless communication module is integrated into strain relief accessory, then space efficiency is improved, but antenna exposure may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidantenna exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cover member to include an opening or window that exposes the wireless communication module and its antenna. This segmentation allows the antenna to be exposed for optimal wireless signal transmission while the module itself remains integrated and space-efficient within the strain relief accessory structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4092317B1Strain relief concept with provision for wireless module

Publication Date: 2023.10.25 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2~3

AI summary

Disclosed is a strain relief accessory (1) for an independent arrangement of a lighting driver (2) devoid of an enclosure. The lighting driver (2) comprises a wire-bound communication interface (21) and an integrated power supply (22). The strain relief accessory (1) comprises a base member (13) including strain relief members (14, 15), and cover members (11, 12). The strain relief members (14, 15) are arranged at opposite end portions of the base member (13) for a strain relief of termination wires (23, 24) of the lighting driver (2). The cover members (11, 12) are configured for a snap-on engagement of the lighting driver (2) and for a protective coverage of the strain relief members (14, 15) and the termination wires (23, 24). One (12) of the cover members (11, 12) comprises a receptacle (121) for a snap-on engagement of a communication module (3) for a conversion between the wire-bound communication interface (21) and a wire-less communication interface of the communication module (3). This avoids a number of disadvantages that are usually implied when providing so-called "independent applications" with wireless connectivity.