Linear electrode systems for module attachment with non-uniform axial spacing

• US 10,680,383 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2018
• Issued: 06/09/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apex Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apex Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Rudisill, Charles Albert, Whittle, Daniel John
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US16/149,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20190036272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 439110, 439111, 362225, 362285, 362220, 362391, 362392, 362648
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/34 Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element telescopic mounting of lighting devices F21V21/22
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/771 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/645 by exchangeable elements on case or base
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0274 for an electrical connector module

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.

Claims

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.

2. The electrode system of claim 1 wherein the removable module attachment region comprises:

the first front face;

the second front face;

the first rear face; and

the second rear face.

3. The electrode system of claim 1 wherein the magnetic structure comprises:

a magnet with opposing first and second pole faces;

wherein the first pole face is proximate the electrical interface and the first strip electrode; and

a ferromagnetic pole piece;

wherein the ferromagnetic pole piece is proximate to the second pole face of the magnet;

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.

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.

5. An electrode system having a removable module attachment region comprising:

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.

6. The electrode system of claim 5 wherein the first electrode is a line electrode having a local centerline of sinusoidal shape.

7. The electrode system of claim 5 wherein the removable module attachment region of the electrode system comprises two substantially planar areas;

and

wherein the first electrode crosses over the electrode system longitudinal axis between the two substantially planar areas.

8. The electrode system of claim 5 wherein the first and second electrodes overlap at a first overlap node and a second overlap node.

9. The electrode system of claim 8 wherein the first electrode lies above the second electrode at the first overlap node and the first electrode lies below the second electrode at the second overlap node.

10. The electrode system of claim 5 where the electrode system comprises localized electrode forming means comprising reduced cross-sectional areas.

11. The electrode system of claim 5 further comprising:

a third electrode;

a fourth electrode; and

wherein the first electrode is electrically connected with the third electrode; and

wherein the second electrode is electrically connected with the fourth electrode.

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.

13. The electrode system of claim 5 further comprising a module;

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.

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.

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.

16. The electrode system of claim 11 wherein the third electrode comprises a strip electrode comprising:

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.

17. A kit of parts for assembling an electrode system with a removable module attachment region having non-uniform axial electrode spacing comprising:

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.

18. The kit of parts for assembling an electrode system with a removable module attachment region having non-uniform axial electrode spacing of claim 17 wherein the first electrode and the second electrode have the same shape;

and wherein the non-uniform axial electrode spacing results from a relative translation or rotation between the first electrode and the second electrode prior to the mechanical attachment of the first electrode to the second electrode.

19. The kit of parts for assembling an electrode system with a removable module attachment region having non-uniform axial electrode spacing of claim 17 further comprising a bendable tab configured to change the orientation of module attachment wherein one end of the tab is configured for mechanical and electrical connection to the first electrode.

20. The kit of parts for assembling an electrode system with a removable module attachment region having non-uniform axial electrode spacing of claim 17 wherein the first electrode and the second electrode comprise wire electrodes;

and

wherein the attachment means comprises a node connector having wire channels wherein the wire channels are sized and oriented to hold the wires in an overlapping configuration.