Integrated lighting and power for cabinetry and connectors for same
A cabinet system with integrated lighting and power includes a first illumination zone associated with a cabinet, a first connector, a first light strip, and a driver. The first connector has a first port defining a first axis and a second through port with open opposite ends and defining a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The first light strip has an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, a plurality of illumination elements along the length of the substrate, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The traces include a positive and a negative power trace, a first trace connected to the illumination elements, and a second trace not connected to the illumination elements. The first end is configured to be received in any one of the first port or the opposite ends of the second through port. The driver is coupled to a power source and has a lead with a slide connector configured to slide onto the first light strip. The illumination elements are selectively controlled by controlling power to the positive and negative power traces and the first trace to selectively illuminate the first illumination zone.
1 . A connector for an integrated light and power system for cabinets, the connector comprising:
a body having a stem part defining a first axis and a head part integrally carried on a proximal end of the stem part and defining a second axis oriented orthogonal to the first axis;
a first port disposed in a distal end of the stem part and having a depth into the body, N number of electrical contacts across the first port, and an opening at a surface of the body; and
a second through port extending through the head part and having open opposite ends, a length between the open opposite ends, and N number of electrical contacts across a width of the second through port and positioned between the open opposite ends;
wherein the first port is oriented parallel to the first axis and the second through port is oriented parallel to the second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and
wherein the N number of electrical contacts of the first port and the second through port comprises at least four electrical contacts configured and arranged to contact a positive power trace, a negative power trace, a first trace not connected to a plurality of illumination elements, and a second trace connected to the plurality of illumination elements of a light strip.
2 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first port and the stem part are oriented defining a first plane that is parallel to the first axis, and wherein the head part and the second through port are oriented defining a second plane that is parallel to the second axis.
3 . The connector of claim 2 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are neither perpendicular nor parallel with one another.
4 . The connector of claim 2 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are oriented about 45 degrees relative to one another.
5 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first port and the second through port are each configured to selectively receive therein a first end or a second end of an elongate substrate of a light strip, and wherein the elongate substrate of the light strip is a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate that is substantially rigid.
6 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first port is a blind channel formed in the distal end of the stem part of the body.