Automated system for manufacturing an LED light strip having an integrally formed connector
First Claim
1. An integrally formed single piece light strip comprising:
- a continuous length of substrate populated with a plurality of light circuits;
a plurality of bus elements spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance and adhered to said substrate in electrical communication with the plurality of light circuits in a light strip circuit configuration to form an electrical current flowpath; and
a plastic material extruded around said substrate and said plurality of bus elements that completely encapsulates said substrate and said plurality of bus elements, wherein the substrate matches the plastic material, the substrate melting into the plastic material as the plastic material is extruded around the substrate and that becomes integrated with said substrate to form a voidless protective housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrally formed single piece light strip and light strip manufacturing system. The light strip also includes a substrate populated with a plurality of LED light circuits. A plurality of bus elements are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance and are in electrical communication with the plurality of light circuits. A plastic material is extruded around the plurality of light circuits and the substrate to completely encapsulates the bus elements and the plurality of light circuits to provide a protective housing. In one embodiment, an electrical connector is also integrally formed as part of the light strip to eliminate the need for separate connectors. The light strip is manufactured in a cost efficient manner, and is impervious to moisture penetration, thereby allowing the strip to be used in a variety ions and environments.
137 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An integrally formed single piece light strip comprising:
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a continuous length of substrate populated with a plurality of light circuits; a plurality of bus elements spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance and adhered to said substrate in electrical communication with the plurality of light circuits in a light strip circuit configuration to form an electrical current flowpath; and a plastic material extruded around said substrate and said plurality of bus elements that completely encapsulates said substrate and said plurality of bus elements, wherein the substrate matches the plastic material, the substrate melting into the plastic material as the plastic material is extruded around the substrate and that becomes integrated with said substrate to form a voidless protective housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification