Track Lighting Adapter With Tool-Free Movable Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for establishing contact with electrical conductors in track lighting systems require the use of tools, which can be cumbersome and prone to loss or misplacement.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with moveable contact elements and an actuating element, such as a slider, allows for easy and tool-free connection and disconnection to electrical conductors within the track lighting system, maintaining a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotatable contact spring with a rotatable shaft is used to establish contact with power lines, then contact can be made with the conductors, but the operation becomes cumbersome requiring tools or coins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact establishmentVSAvoidtool requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The contact elements are designed to be movable between a retracted position and a contacting position, allowing the adapter to transition between different operational states. This dynamic design enables the contact elements to be pushed out to establish contact with the conductors and retracted to break contact, eliminating the need for tools while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter incorporates a release mechanism that allows the contact elements to be actuated directly by the adapter structure itself without requiring external tools. The release mechanism enables the contact elements to be pushed out or retracted through the adapter's own components, making the system self-servicing and tool-free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If contact elements are moved into a contacting position to connect with conductors, then electrical connection is established, but the adapter requires more space for the moving mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidadapter size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact elements are designed to nest within the adapter body when in the retracted position. The movable contact elements can be pushed out from the adapter to establish contact with the conductors, and then retracted back into the adapter, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall volume required for the moving mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact elements move in a direction perpendicular to the main body of the adapter, extending outward to make contact with the conductors. This dimensional approach allows the contact elements to achieve electrical connection without increasing the primary volume of the adapter, as the movement occurs in an extended dimension rather than expanding the core structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12504157B2Adapter for use in a track lighting system, and lighting arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 H4X

AI summary

An adapter for use in a track lighting system is designed to be inserted into a track. The track has an electrical conductor means with conductors, the adapter has contact elements, and when the adapter is in an inserted state, contact can be made with the conductors by means of the contact elements. The contact elements can be moved into a contacting position, in which they protrude from the adapter so that they can be connected to the conductors, and into a non-contacting position, in which the adapter can be retracted into or removed from the track. The movement of the contact elements between the contacting position and the non-contacting position can be brought about by an operator by means of a moveably arranged actuating element of the adapter.