Artificial Tree Power Connector for Rotation-Free Trunk Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of artificial Christmas trees is challenging due to the need for rotational alignment of trunk sections with electrical systems, which can be frustrating and time-consuming for users.
Innovation Solution
A power transfer system with a male end featuring a central prong and a channel prong, and a female end with a central void and a circular channel void, allowing for electrical connection without requiring precise rotational alignment, enabling the trunk sections to engage in various rotational configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical connection systems with prongs and slots are used in trunk sections, then electrical power can be transferred between sections, but rotational alignment becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional linear prongs and slots with a spherical connector head containing multiple electrical contacts and a corresponding spherical recess with multiple contact points. This spherical geometry allows the connector to achieve electrical connection through rotational movement rather than requiring precise linear alignment, thereby improving assembly ease while maintaining reliable electrical power transfer between trunk sections
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical connector design integrates multiple electrical contacts within a single connector head, allowing simultaneous establishment of multiple electrical connections. This multi-functional approach enables the single connector to handle both mechanical coupling and multiple electrical circuits, simplifying the assembly process while ensuring reliable power and signal transfer
2Reliability
If multiple attempts are made to align prongs with slots, then electrical connection can be achieved, but assembly time increases and user frustration grows
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical connector is pre-configured with multiple electrical contacts arranged in specific patterns within the connector head and corresponding contact points in the recess. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as the spherical connector rotates during insertion, electrical contacts will engage with contact points before the connector reaches its final position, establishing reliable electrical connection in advance and eliminating the need for multiple alignment attempts
Data Source
AI summary
A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.