Power Distribution System for LED Lighting

Abstract

A wiring and connection management system is disclosed. The system comprises a set of power distribution members that are attached to a substrate and are connected together, forming a power grid to distribute power across the substrate. The members include a number of connectors disposed at regular intervals along their lengths. Corresponding sets of cables and connectors on the substrate convey power from the members to areas on the substrate where power is desired. The substrate may be, for example, a shelving unit. The system provides a robust, flexible source of power that is easily installed with minimal training and is also easily maintained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power distribution member, comprising:
 a thin, elongate, rectangular, at least semi-rigid printed circuit board (PCB) having power and ground conductors formed on metallization layers thereof, the power and ground conductors spanning substantially the entirety of the length of the PCB;   a plurality of connectors mounted directly on one side of the PCB, spaced along its length, each of the plurality of connectors being connected to the power and ground conductors; and   attachment structure disposed on a second side of the PCB.   
     
     
         2 . The power distribution member of  claim 1 , wherein the connectors are surface mount connectors. 
     
     
         3 . The power distribution member of  claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of connectors are oriented differently than others. 
     
     
         4 . The power distribution member of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more magnets or a layer of adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . A power distribution and lighting system, comprising:
 a power distribution member, including
 a thin, elongate, rectangular, at least semi-rigid printed circuit board (PCB) having power and ground conductors formed on metallization layers thereof, the power and ground conductors spanning substantially the entirety of the length of the PCB, 
 a plurality of connectors mounted directly on one side of the PCB, spaced along its length, each of the plurality of connectors being connected to the power and ground conductors, and 
 attachment structure disposed on a second side of the PCB; 
   a power supply connected to the power distribution member through one of the plurality of connectors; and   at least one light-emitting diode (LED) light engine connected to the power distribution member through another of the plurality of connectors.   
     
     
         6 . The power distribution and lighting system of  claim 5 , wherein the connectors are surface mount connectors. 
     
     
         7 . The power distribution and lighting system of  claim 5 , wherein some of the plurality of connectors are oriented differently than others. 
     
     
         8 . The power distribution and lighting system of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more magnets or a layer of adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . A lighted shelving unit, comprising:
 a support structure;   at least one shelf attached to the support structure;   one or more LED light engines positioned to illuminate the at least one shelf;   a power distribution member, including
 a thin, elongate, rectangular, at least semi-rigid printed circuit board (PCB) having power and ground conductors formed on metallization layers thereof, the power and ground conductors spanning substantially the entirety of the length of the PCB, 
 a plurality of connectors mounted directly on one side of the PCB, spaced along its length, each of the plurality of connectors being connected to the power and ground conductors, 
 a cable connecting between one of the plurality of conductors and the one or more LED light engines, and 
 attachment structure disposed on a second side of the PCB, the attachment structure attaching the power distribution member to an area on the shelving unit; and 
   a power supply connected to the power distribution member through another of the plurality of connectors.   
     
     
         10 . The lighted shelving unit of  claim 9 , wherein the connectors are surface mount connectors. 
     
     
         11 . The lighted shelving unit of  claim 9 , wherein some of the plurality of connectors are oriented differently than others. 
     
     
         12 . The lighted shelving unit of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more magnets or a layer of adhesive.