Linear electrode systems for module attachment with non-uniform axial spacing
First Claim
1. An electrode system comprising ferromagnetic material and having a removable module attachment region comprising:
- a first strip electrode having a first longitudinal axis comprising;
a first front face;
a first rear face;
a plurality of first edges;
wherein the first front face and the first rear face define a first thickness therebetween; and
wherein the first front face is oriented perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and has a lateral extent determined by the plurality of first edges; and
a second strip electrode having a second longitudinal axis comprising;
a second front face;
a second rear face;
a plurality of second edges;
wherein the second front face and the second rear face define a second thickness therebetween;
wherein the second front face is oriented perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis and has a lateral extent determined by the plurality of second edges; and
wherein the first front face and the second front face are essentially parallel; and
wherein the combination of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis determine a first electrode system axis midway between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis; and
wherein at least a portion of a first edge in the removable module attachment region is not parallel to the first electrode system axis; and
a module for mechanical and electrical attachment to the electrode system comprising;
a housing;
an electrical interface;
a magnetic structure; and
wherein the magnetic structure is operable to provide a magnetic attractive force between the electrical interface and the first strip electrode that is directed substantially perpendicular to a face of the first strip electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of electrode systems having non-uniform spacing between electrodes along the axial direction for track lighting and other linear systems are disclosed. These systems may be used to provide directional flexibility for removable lighting fixtures with an asymmetric light distribution by providing a range of module position and angular mounting options. Some embodiments include electrodes which overlap continuously or at a series of discrete crossover overlap nodes to provide lateral support without external spacers. Electrode segments may be electrically and mechanically attached at overlap nodes to create extended two- and three-dimensional structures with localized planar areas. Embodiments with preferential bending regions provide additional directional capability. Embodiments of electrode systems integrated into planar surfaces or combined into extended suspended arrays are disclosed Modules with magnetic connectors having complete magnetic flux paths for use with the electrode systems are also disclosed.
230 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrode system comprising ferromagnetic material and having a removable module attachment region comprising:
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a first strip electrode having a first longitudinal axis comprising; a first front face; a first rear face; a plurality of first edges; wherein the first front face and the first rear face define a first thickness therebetween; and wherein the first front face is oriented perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and has a lateral extent determined by the plurality of first edges; and a second strip electrode having a second longitudinal axis comprising; a second front face; a second rear face; a plurality of second edges; wherein the second front face and the second rear face define a second thickness therebetween; wherein the second front face is oriented perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis and has a lateral extent determined by the plurality of second edges; and wherein the first front face and the second front face are essentially parallel; and
wherein the combination of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis determine a first electrode system axis midway between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis; and
wherein at least a portion of a first edge in the removable module attachment region is not parallel to the first electrode system axis; anda module for mechanical and electrical attachment to the electrode system comprising; a housing; an electrical interface; a magnetic structure; and wherein the magnetic structure is operable to provide a magnetic attractive force between the electrical interface and the first strip electrode that is directed substantially perpendicular to a face of the first strip electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
wherein the magnetic attractive force is characterized by a magnetic flux circuit path including the magnet, the ferromagnetic pole piece and the first strip electrode; and wherein the magnetic flux circuit path is substantially perpendicular to the electrical interface at the first strip electrode.
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4. The electrode system of claim 3 wherein the ferromagnetic pole piece provides a magnetic flux circuit path between the second pole face of the magnet and the second strip electrode.
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5. An electrode system having a removable module attachment region comprising:
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a first electrode; a second electrode; wherein the electrode system comprises; a first portion in which the first electrode overlaps the second electrode; a second portion in which the first electrode does not overlap the second electrode; and a third portion in which the second electrode does not overlap the first electrode; wherein the electrode system has an electrode system longitudinal axis; and wherein the electrode system has non-uniform axial electrode spacing in the removable module attachment region. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
wherein the first electrode is electrically connected with the third electrode; and wherein the second electrode is electrically connected with the fourth electrode.
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12. The electrode system of claim 11 wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the fourth electrode are mechanically connected in a stacking orientation at an overlap node.
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13. The electrode system of claim 5 further comprising a module;
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wherein the module has an electrical interface comprising a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact; wherein the first electrical contact is attachable to the first electrode and the second electrical contact is attachable to the second electrode at a plurality of module attachment positions along the electrode system longitudinal axis; wherein each attachment position has an associated module rotation angle measured between the electrode system longitudinal axis and a line connecting the first and second electrical contact; and wherein the plurality of module attachment positions have a range of module rotation angles exceeding 60 degrees.
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14. The electrode system of claim 5 further comprising a heat sink interface wherein the heat sink interface is accessible through an aperture between the first electrode and the second electrode.
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15. The electrode system of claim 5 wherein the first electrode comprises a strip electrode having an electrode width bounded by a first edge and a second edge and wherein the first edge includes a plurality of protrusions.
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16. The electrode system of claim 11 wherein the third electrode comprises a strip electrode comprising:
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a first planar end; a second planar end; a central section connecting the first planar end to the second planar end; and wherein the central section comprises at least one of a bend or a twist.
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17. A kit of parts for assembling an electrode system with a removable module attachment region having non-uniform axial electrode spacing comprising:
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a first electrode having a first longitudinal axis; a second electrode having a second longitudinal axis; attachment means for mechanically holding the first electrode and the second electrode at a plurality of spatially separated overlap nodes to form an electrode system comprising a self-supporting module attachment region with non-uniform axial electrode spacing; and a module comprising an electrical interface for removable attachment to the first electrode and the second electrode after assembly into an electrode system with non-uniform axial electrode spacing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification