Telescopic power supply track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply systems for shelves, such as those used in supermarkets, face issues with adjustable shelf widths requiring frequent adjustments in wire lengths, leading to exposed and unsightly power supply conductors with hidden safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic power supply track with a strip-shaped power supply base and a sliding power taking module featuring conductive strips, electrical contacts, and elastic piece structures for secure and adjustable power delivery, reducing the need for excessive wire lengths and improving aesthetics and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the shelf width is adjusted, then the installation position of luminaries changes, but the wire length must be adjusted which increases cable management time and exposes power supply conductors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of shelf widthVSAvoidcable management time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply track is designed as a telescopic structure that can dynamically adjust its length. The track includes movable sections with sliding mechanisms that allow the track to extend or retract according to the shelf width adjustments, eliminating the need for manual wire length adjustments and maintaining continuous power supply connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply track is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently adjusted. Each segment contains conductive strips and electrical contacts that maintain electrical connection during telescopic movement, allowing the track to adapt to different shelf configurations while maintaining continuous power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the wire length is adjusted to meet luminaire installation position requirements, then the power supply can be connected, but the power supply conductors become exposed which creates safety hazards and aesthetic issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection convenienceVSAvoidsafety hazards from exposed conductors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply track is enclosed in a protective housing that covers all conductive elements. The telescopic sections include movable protective covers that follow the track's extension and retraction, ensuring that conductors remain enclosed and protected throughout the entire range of motion, eliminating exposed wires while maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection mechanism is integrated into the telescopic structure itself. The conductive strips and electrical contacts are built into the track's moving parts, combining the power delivery function with the mechanical adjustment function, so that wire management and structural adjustment become a single unified operation rather than separate steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If fixed length rails are used in power supply systems, then the structure is simple, but the rails cannot be adjusted to different shelf widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidadjustability to shelf width
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The track incorporates telescopic mechanisms with sliding sections that allow the track length to change dynamically. The movable sections include electrical contacts that maintain connection during movement, enabling the track to adapt to different shelf widths while preserving a relatively simple overall structure based on modular segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic track uses a nested structure where movable sections are housed within the main track body. The conductive strips and electrical contacts are nested within protective housings that slide along the track, allowing compact storage when retracted and extended configuration when needed, maintaining simplicity while providing adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 telescopic power supply track simplifies installation, reduces bare wire exposure, and enhances safety by allowing adjustable power delivery without the need for extensive wire management, while maintaining a clean and secure appearance.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical contact is an elastic piece structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3772245B1Telescopic power supply track
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 SELF ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3772245B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3772245B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3772245B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention discloses a telescopic power supply track comprising strip-shaped power supply base and a power taking module, the power taking module comprises a rod-shaped housing, a second external terminal, and two electrical contacts, provided on the rod-shaped housing away from the second external terminal and are respectively set against the two conductive strips to realize the positioning and electrical connection of the power taking module; and two strip-shaped conductive members, arranged in the hollow structure of the rod-shaped housing, and the two ends of the strip-shaped conductive member are respectively electrically connected to the second external terminal and the two electrical contacts. The invention solves the problem of the long lead in the shelf in the prior art and the need to reserve the lead, reduces the time of the short line, increases the beauty and improves the safety.