Surface Contact Electrodes for Thin Body Light Sources

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing efficient electrical connections between thin body light sources, such as OLED panels, and a power source in confined spaces is challenging due to limited space for conventional wire connectors and wire paths, especially in thin body luminaires with transparent structures where wire and connector visibility is an issue.

Innovation Solution

An electrical interconnect system with large area surface contact electrodes on the back side of thin body light sources and a connector circuit with conductive contact terminals and resilient contacts, embedded or applied within the thin body support structure, allowing for efficient connections without the need for bulky wire connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wire connectors and wire paths are used in thin body luminaires, then electrical connections can be established, but the available space is insufficient and the connectors are difficult to locate and hide

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidspace availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector circuit is integrated directly into the thin body support structure, merging the electrical connection function with the structural support function. This eliminates the need for separate wire connectors and paths, resolving the space conflict while maintaining reliable electrical connections between thin body light sources and the power source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector circuit is implemented as a planar circuit board that engages with the back side of thin body light sources, utilizing the z-dimension (thickness direction) to establish connections without requiring lateral space for wire routing. This dimensional approach allows reliable connections within the confined thickness of thin body luminaires

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the thin body support structure is made transparent, then the sleek design is achieved, but the wires and connectors become visible and unobtrusive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethin body profileVSAvoidwire visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector circuit is merged with the thin body support structure itself, so that the support structure serves dual purposes: providing mechanical support and containing the electrical connections. This integration eliminates visible wires and connectors, maintaining the aesthetic transparency of the support structure while achieving reliable electrical connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the contact surface area is increased, then the connection reliability is improved, but the space required is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact reliabilityVSAvoidcontact area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Large area surface contact electrodes are implemented on the back side of thin body light sources, utilizing the z-dimension (thickness direction) to provide extensive contact area without increasing the lateral footprint. This allows reliable electrical connections to be established within the confined space of thin body luminaires by distributing contact area across multiple dimensions

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

Facilitates easy and efficient electrical connections within thin body luminaires, minimizing the use of loose wires and ensuring reliable contact despite manufacturing tolerances, while maintaining a sleek and unobtrusive design.

Implementation Method 1

Resilient electrical contacts associated with each of the contact terminals of the thin body support structure provide a resilient electrical contact between the contact terminals of the connector circuit and the electrodes of the thin body light source or sources when the thin body support structure for the connector circuit and the thin body light sources are operatively engaged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9052102B2Electrical interconnect system for thin body structures

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

An electrical interconnect system is comprised of at least one and suitably a plurality of thin body light sources, such as OLED panels, to be electrified. The thin body light source or sources have a thin profile and include a back side provided with surface contact electrodes for energizing the thin body light sources, which can be relatively large area electrodes for providing a relatively large contact surface area. A connector circuit supported by a thin body support structure is provided for making desired electrical connections between thin body light sources or to a voltage or current source when the thin body support structure is brought into engagement with the thin body light sources.