阅读说明：本技术 易于安装和维护嵌入式照明系统 (Easy to install and maintain recessed lighting system ) 是由 M·P·克罗森 V·S·D·吉伦 P·J·M·巴克姆斯 于 2018-06-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种灯条带和一种用于安装灯条带的方法。灯条带适于安装在导管中。灯条带包括：基板,其包括柔性材料；多个发光二极管LED,其被布置在基板上；强化元件,其被布置在基板上以使灯条带刚性化,使得灯条带适于推动或拉动通过导管；以及连接装置,其被布置在灯条带的一端处,并且被配置为至少临时地连接用于拉动灯条带通过导管的拉线。(A light strip and a method for mounting a light strip are provided. The light strip is adapted to be mounted in a conduit. The lamp strip includes: a substrate comprising a flexible material; a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) arranged on the substrate; a stiffening element disposed on the substrate to stiffen the light strip so that the light strip is adapted to be pushed or pulled through the conduit; and a connection device arranged at one end of the light strip and configured to at least temporarily connect a pull wire for pulling the light strip through the conduit.)

1. A light strip (100), the light strip (100) adapted to be mounted in a conduit (300), the light strip comprising:

a substrate (110) comprising a flexible material;

a plurality of light emitting diodes, LEDs, (120) arranged on the substrate;

a stiffening element (130) arranged at the base plate to stiffen the light strip such that the light strip is adapted to be pushed or pulled through the conduit; and

a connection device (140) arranged at one end of the light strip and configured to at least temporarily connect a pull wire (200), the pull wire (200) for pulling the light strip through the conduit,

wherein the stiffening element comprises a plurality of rigid members (610) and a plurality of hinges (621, 622); wherein the hinges are arranged to connect the rigid components and are arranged in alternating directions in a plane.

2. The light strip of claim 1, wherein the stiffening elements are metal wires embedded in the substrate.

3. The light bar strip of claim 2, wherein the metal wires are adapted to act as low-ohmic interconnects for electrical connection of the LEDs.

4. The light strip of claim 1, wherein the stiffening element is a transparent semi-rigid strand, wherein the strand is more flexible when pulled through the conduit than when pushed through the conduit.

5. The light strip of claim 1, wherein the connection device is a clamping mechanism, a wire loop, or an opening in the substrate.

6. A lamp mounting kit comprising:

the light bar strip of any of the preceding claims;

a conduit for enclosing and guiding the light strip, the conduit being at least partially transparent to allow light from the plurality of LEDs to pass through.

7. The kit of claim 6, wherein the cross-section of the catheter is asymmetric.

8. The kit of any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the cross-section of the catheter is rectangular.

9. The kit of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the light output region of the catheter has at least one of: beam shaping function, fresnel shape, reflector, conventional lens or TIR lens.

10. The kit of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the catheter is installed in a permanent structure.

11. A method for installing the light strip of any of claims 1 to 6, comprising:

arranging a pull wire in a section of a conduit in which the light strip is to be installed, the conduit being installed in a permanent structure such that the pull wire extends through the section of the conduit;

connecting the pull wire to one end of the light strip at one end of the section of the conduit;

pulling or drawing the pull wire or pull wire through the catheter such that at least a portion of the light strip is disposed in the section of the catheter.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

connecting the light strip to a power source in a junction box located in the permanent structure at one end of the section of the conduit.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of mounting light strip in buildings and the like.

Background

Flexible LED strips find application in the home segment market, for example, to enable unobtrusive recessed lighting or to embed light strip strips in architectural elements or furniture. However, for professional applications, there may be uncertainty in the amount of time required to install and maintain a lighting installation.

Typically, the light strips are glued to the underlying substrate using, for example, double-sided adhesive tape. The use of double-sided tape to mount the light bar as if it were simple to look at has several disadvantages. For example, tape sticks well only when the underlying surface is smooth and clean, and removing a taped light strip can be very difficult. Thus, maintaining or upgrading the light strip installation may be very difficult.

Another option for mounting LED strips is based on extruded aluminum profiles mounted using screw or click features. However, the use of aluminum profiles may be less easily scalable and not as flexible as the use of tape.

Accordingly, there is a need for systems, methods, and assemblies that provide improved mounting of LED strips.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to mitigate some of the above disadvantages. To this end, a light strip, a kit and a method as defined in the independent claims are provided. Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Thus, according to a first aspect, there is provided a light strip adapted to be mounted in a conduit. The lamp strip includes: a substrate comprising a flexible material; and a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) arranged on the substrate. The light strip may further comprise a stiffening element arranged on the base plate to stiffen the light strip such that the light strip is adapted to be pushed or pulled through the conduit. The light strip may comprise a connection device arranged at one end of the light strip and configured to at least temporarily connect (or attach) a pull wire for pulling the light strip through the conduit.

According to a second aspect, a method for mounting a light strip is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a pull wire is disposed in a section of the conduit in which the light strip is to be installed, the conduit being installed in a permanent structure such that the pull wire extends through the section of the conduit. The method may further comprise: connecting a pull wire to one end of a light strip at one end of a section of the conduit; and pulling the pull wire through the catheter such that at least a portion of the light strip is disposed in a section of the catheter.

With the light strip and method, the light strip can be installed in a conduit, or maintenance can be performed by pulling the light strip through the conduit via a pull line. The conduit may be pre-installed, for example, in a building, outdoors, or elsewhere where it is desired to install a light strip.

Mounting the light strip in the conduit according to the method allows for easy removal of the light strip and the light strip can be easily replaced as it is not attached to the conduit. For example, a light strip that has reached its useful life may be replaced, or the light strip may be replaced with a light strip having reduced power consumption.

It has been recognized that by installing light strip in a duct of a permanent structure, such as a building or simply a wall of a room, the light strip can be easily installed, maintained or removed by pulling the light strip through the duct by a pull cord. For example, when upgrading or removing a light strip, it is not necessary to upgrade the conduit because the light strip is separate from the conduit (the conduit is embedded in, for example, a permanent structure and the LED strip is inserted into the conduit).

This method of installation is also advantageous because the strip of light bars can be pulled through a conduit that is installed, for example, through a wall, ceiling, or other permanent structure. This allows for more flexibility in installation than previous light strip designs.

For example, the conduit may be placed in a tile wall or floor of a house. Because the patch may have a longer life than the light strip, having the light strip removable from the conduit when desired allows the light strip to be upgraded by pulling the light strip out of the conduit. Another light strip or a new light strip with similar properties can then be mounted using the method described above.

The guide tube may guide the light strip during installation to ensure proper positioning. The conduit, once installed, may also protect the light strip from, for example, dust, dirt, water, or weather.

In order to be able to pull the light strip over a longer length, the light strip may have one or more stiffening elements. The stiffening element may stiffen the light strip or the substrate, i.e. make it less flexible or stiff. By using the reinforcing element, the risk of over-stretching or breaking of the light bar strip is reduced.

In this specification, the term "conduit" may include any conduit or tube suitable for pulling a strip of light through the conduit. The catheter may be straight or curved and may be stretched for longer or shorter distances. The conduit may be pre-installed or permanently installed in a permanent or fixed structure, such as a wall or ceiling of a building or vehicle, or installed in an outdoor structure (such as a bike path) or other public space.

It should be understood that the following "flexible material" refers to a material having elastic properties.

The "pull wire" or "pull wire" may include any type of wire that may be pulled through a catheter. The withdrawal string may also be adapted to be pushed through the catheter so that it may be connected to the light strip at the other end of the catheter, rather than at the end where the withdrawal string is pushed.

The "stiffening element" may be any element suitable for stiffening the substrate (i.e. making the substrate less flexible). The reinforcement element may be located at the substrate and may, for example, be embedded in, arranged on or partially surrounding the substrate.

The term "rigidizing" may be understood as reducing the flexibility of the light strip. For example, by having a stiffening element, the substrate may be less flexible than itself. However, the base plate may still comprise a flexible material and show some elasticity so that the light strip may be pulled or pushed through the conduit even when not straight.

According to one embodiment, the stiffening elements may be wires embedded in the substrate. The wire may comprise a metal or other material, such as a composite material, that is more rigid than the substrate. Several embedded metal lines may be used to strengthen the substrate. Any type of wire that is stiffer than the base plate may be used, however, the base plate may still comprise a flexible material and exhibit some elasticity such that the light strip may be pulled or pushed through the conduit even when not straight. The metal lines may for example be embedded on the sides of the substrate, in the middle of the substrate or at another location. The wire does not have to be embedded in the entire length of the light strip, but it can be embedded in the entire length of the light strip.

The use of one or more metal wires to rigidify the substrate (and thus the light strip) also allows the wires to be pulled a longer distance, even if bends and angles are present. Having a more rigid light strip may also reduce the risk of the light strip tearing or overstretching it when pulled.

Furthermore, the metal wire occupies only a small amount of space, allowing for a more compact light strip.

According to one embodiment, the metal lines may be adapted to act as low-ohmic interconnects for electrical connection of the LEDs.

The use of metal wires as electrical connections may enable lower voltage losses. In this way, higher output LEDs and light bar strips requiring relatively higher LED currents can be used.

According to one embodiment, the stiffening element may be a transparent semi-rigid wire bundle, wherein the wire bundle is more flexible when pulled through the conduit than when pushed through the conduit. By wiring harness may be meant a structure that at least partially surrounds a light strip or substrate.

This embodiment may facilitate the installation of the light strip in the conduit, as the light strip may be both pushed and pulled. It may be beneficial to make the light strip rigid so that it can be pushed through the conduit. When pulling the light strip, it may be beneficial to make it less rigid but still protected by the wiring harness so that the light strip can be pulled through bends and angles.

According to one embodiment, the stiffening element may comprise a plurality of rigid parts and a plurality of hinges. The hinges may be arranged to connect the rigid components and may be arranged in alternating directions in a plane. This may also be referred to as a polymeric structure. For example, the substrate is flexible in one direction (e.g., up and down) and not flexible in another direction (e.g., side).

In this way, the light strip may be prevented from twisting when pushed or pulled through the conduit. Preventing the lamp strip from twisting may reduce the risk of the lamp strip turning in the wrong direction and may allow for improved optical performance.

In some embodiments, the stiffening element may be wider than the substrate and thereby have a portion that extends outside the substrate. The extension may be arranged to act as a guide feature to minimise friction and to help guide the light strip in the conduit. Optionally, the stiffening element may comprise a further guide feature.

The guide features of the light strip may be adapted to match the guide features of the conduit to further facilitate installation of the light strip in the conduit.

According to one embodiment, the connection means may be a clamping mechanism, a wire loop or an opening in the substrate. Other connection means, such as glue or snap connection means, are conceivable.

According to one embodiment, a lamp mounting kit is provided that includes a lamp strip and a conduit for enclosing and guiding the lamp strip. The conduit may be at least partially transparent to allow light from the plurality of LEDs to pass through, which allows light from the LEDs disposed on the substrate to pass through the conduit. Thus, the duct may be completely transparent, or comprise areas through which light may not pass, allowing further flexibility in how the light strips may be arranged.

According to one embodiment, the cross-section of the conduit may be asymmetric. The asymmetry may be, for example, an ellipse, a rectangle, a polygon, or another shape that is not completely symmetrical.

In the case of an asymmetrical conduit, the light strip can be guided in an electrical circuit, wherein the risk of twisting is reduced when pulled through the conduit. This reduces the risk of turning the LED in the wrong direction. Thus, the present embodiment ensures that the light strip emits light in the correct light output direction. The asymmetric cross-section may also help guide the light strip to the correct position to ensure correct light output.

According to one embodiment, the cross-section of the conduit may be rectangular. For example, a rectangular cross-section may have a short side that is shorter than the width of the light strip and a long side that is long enough to accommodate the light strip.

Since the light strip can be relatively flat, the rectangular cross-section of the conduit can further prevent the risk of the light strip being incorrectly positioned or twisted when the light strip is pulled through the circuit.

According to one embodiment, the light output region of the catheter may have a beam shaping function. That is, the catheter may have one or more light output regions, and one or more of them may have a beam shaping function. This embodiment may ensure that the correct light output from the lamp strip is provided without having to mount a beam shaping object to the strip, allowing for a more compact and easier to mount lamp strips.

According to one embodiment, the light output region may have a fresnel shape. With a fresnel shape at the light output area, the light can be directed in a particular direction while still making the light output area relatively thin.

According to one embodiment, the light output region may have at least one of a reflector, a conventional lens, or a TIR lens, which allow for the directing of light while making the light bar strip relatively compact.

According to one embodiment, the conduit may be installed in a permanent structure. The permanent or fixed structure may be, for example, a wall, a floor, a ceiling, a window or another area in a building or vehicle, an outdoor structure (such as a bicycle path) or another public space.

Since the service life of such a permanent structure may be longer than the service life of the light strip, it is advantageous that the light strip can be easily serviced or removed. If the light strip breaks or requires maintenance, the light strip can be removed and replaced without having to replace the conduit, allowing the lamp to be incorporated into such a structure and reducing the need for re-construction.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the method may further comprise: the light strip is connected to a power source in a junction box located in a permanent structure at one end of the section of conduit.

The junction box is easily accessible and allows for removal, installation, and replacement of the light strip. The junction box may be embedded in a ceiling or in plaster of a wall, for example. The junction box and the conduit connected thereto may not necessarily be proximate to the portion of the conduit where light is emitted by the light strip, but may need to be connected thereto in order to pull the light strip through or out of the conduit.

The junction box may also include a power source to which the light strip may be connected. The junction box may also serve as a junction box for other conduits and thus as a power source for other light strips. Since there is no need to provide a power supply for each light strip, there may be a centralized box for multiple light strips, further facilitating maintenance and installation.

It is to be understood that any features in the embodiments described above for the light strip according to the first aspect may be combined with the method according to the second aspect of the inventive concept disclosed herein, and vice versa.

Other objects, features and advantages of the inventive concept will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present inventive concept may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

Drawings

The above and additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept will be better understood by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals will be used for like elements unless otherwise specified.

1A-1C are schematic views of a light strip, conduit, and pull wire according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a catheter installed in a permanent structure according to one embodiment;

fig. 3 is an overview of a method for installing a light strip in a conduit according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a stiffening element according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic views of a stiffening element according to one embodiment;

all the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only parts that are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

Detailed Description

Detailed embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

Embodiments of the inventive concept relate generally to a method and a light strip adapted to be installed in a conduit. The light strip 100 will be described with reference to fig. 1A. The light strip 100 may include: a flexible substrate 110 and a plurality of light emitting diodes 120 (LEDs) arranged on the substrate 110. The light strip may have a width W₁。

The flexible substrate 110 may be a material having elastic properties, such as an elastomer, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Polyurethane (PUR), silicone flexible polymer (such as a combination of PC and silicone).

The light strip 100 may also include a stiffening element 130. As illustrated in fig. 1, the stiffening elements 130 may be wires 135 comprising a metal or other material that is more rigid than the substrate. The metal lines 135 may also serve as low ohmic interconnects for electrical connection of the LEDs 120. The metal line 135 may comprise a metal or a mixture of metals or other compounds such that the conductivity or resistance of the line is suitable for the connection of the LED 120.

Other strengthening elements may be envisaged as an alternative or in combination with the metal wires, for example as will be described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B.

The light strip 100 may also include a connection device 140, such as a clamping mechanism, a wire loop or opening, or another device suitable for connecting the draw wire 200. In the example depicted in fig. 1A, the connection means 140 is a wire loop.

The light strip 100 may also include means for connecting to a power source. The power source may be, for example, a battery or a land-based power source.

Fig. 1B shows a schematic view of a catheter 300 in which a light strip 100 (such as the one described with reference to fig. 1A) may be installed. The conduit may have a width W_cHeight H_cAnd length L_c. Height H_cMay be smaller than the width. Height H_cAnd width W_cMay be adapted to receive a light strip. For example, height H_cMay be smaller than the width of the light strip in order to prevent the light strip from twisting within the conduit 300. The catheter 300 may have two side openings 340, 350 through which the pull line and light strip may be drawn.

The catheter 300 may for example be made of a plastic material, such as PVC, PC, PMMA or glass. The conduit 300 may be made from an extrusion of two or more materials having an optically transparent portion and a reflective portion. If the catheter comprises glass, the guide structure may be used to strengthen the catheter. The catheter 300 may be adapted to be mounted in a fixed or permanent structure, i.e. permanently mounted.

The catheter 300 may have one or more light output regions 320, 330 to allow light from the LEDs of a light bar strip mounted in the catheter to pass through. The light output region 320 may be transparent or made of a diffusive material, or the light output region 330 may have a beam shaping function. The beam shaping function may be, for example, a fresnel shape, a reflector, a conventional lens or a TIR lens, or another beam shaping function for directing light from LEDs of a light bar strip mounted in a conduit.

The catheter 300 may also have a guide feature 310, the guide feature 310 for guiding the light strip to a predetermined location within the catheter. The guide feature may be a recess 310 or the guide feature may be an extension (not shown). The guide feature 310 of the catheter may be adapted to match the guide feature of the light strip 100.

The catheter 300 may have an asymmetric cross-section. The cross-section may be, for example, rectangular, elliptical, polygonal, or another shape. The asymmetric cross-section may help guide the light strip as it is pulled through the conduit 300, and may help reduce the risk of twisting or shifting the light strip.

Pull wire 200 or pull wire 200 (which may be the same type of wire depending on its function) may be used when installing light strip 100 in conduit 300, as shown in fig. 1C. The drawstring 200 may include a string 210 and a connection device 220. The thread 210 may be, for example, a thread or a rope. The wire or cord may be made of metal, plastic or another material. The withdrawal string 200 may be pushed through a catheter 300 (such as the catheter described with reference to fig. 1B) through an opening (e.g., opening 340) at one end of the catheter 300 such that one end of the withdrawal string exits the catheter through another opening (e.g., opening 350). The withdrawal string may then be connected to light strip 100 and then pulled back through catheter 300. Thus, the withdrawal string 200 may be longer than the catheter 300.

The connection means 220 may be any connection means suitable for connecting the light strip 100 to be mounted. Some examples are hooks, clips, openings, or one end to which the attachment means of light strip 100 can be attached.

The drawstring 200 may also have reinforcing elements, such as those described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B.

As an illustrative example, an arrangement 500 of catheters will be described with reference to fig. 2.

The catheter 300 may be installed in a fixed or permanent structure, i.e., the catheter 300 may be permanently installed. That is, the catheter 300 may be arranged to be immovable relative to the permanent structure. In this example, the permanent structure is a patch arrangement of the floor in the room. The arrangement includes patches 440 and catheter 300 arranged between two rows of patches. The conduit 300 may be arranged to have two ends 340 (the second end not shown in the figures) that may be used for installing, maintaining or removing the light strip 100. The conduit 300 can be arranged such that at least a portion of the light strip 100 arranged in the conduit 300 will be visible, i.e., at least some of the light generated by the LEDs 120 of the light strip 100 will pass through the conduit 300. The light output regions of the conduit 300 may be arranged such that light may pass through them.

Since the catheter may not be optically transparent over its entire length, the LED strip may be adapted such that only LEDs in the region of the catheter that allow light to pass through (i.e. LEDs close to the light output region or transparent or diffuse region of the catheter) are operable. In one example, this can be done automatically by embedding light sensors and bypass switches in the light strip that measure the amount of light reflected inside the conduit.

There may be a junction box at one or more ends or openings of the conduit 300. The junction box 400 may be disposed in the same room as the room in which light is to be provided by the light strip, or the junction box may be disposed elsewhere, such as in another room into which the conduit 300 extends. For example, the junction box may be embedded in the ceiling of a room, or the junction box may be embedded in the plaster of a wall.

The junction box 400 may be connected to several conduits. Junction box 400 may be adapted to receive a power supply 420 to which light strip 100 may be connected. The junction box 400 may further include a cover 410 for covering an opening of the junction box 400. The junction box may be disposed at one or both ends of the conduit 300.

A method 500 for mounting a light strip 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3.

The method 500 may include: the step of arranging 510 a drawn wire 200 in a section of a conduit 300 in which a light bar strip 100 is to be installed. The conduit 300 may be installed in a permanent structure and the conduit may have a junction box 400 at one end or opening through which the draw line 200 may enter or exit the conduit 300. The withdrawal string 200 may be pushed through the section of the catheter 300 at the other end 310 such that it exits on one end 320, and a portion of the withdrawal string 200 is disposed in the section of the catheter 300.

The method 500 may further include: the step of connecting 520 drawstring 200 to light bar strip 100 at end 320 of conduit 300. The connection can be performed with connection means 220 of pull cord 200 and connection means 140 of light strip 100. Connecting means 220 of pull cord 200 and connecting means 140 of light strip 100 have been described with reference to fig. 1A and 1B.

The method 500 may further include: pulling 530 the pull line 200, and thereby the light strip 100, as the pull line and the light strip are connected via the connecting means 140, 220, such that at least a portion of the light strip 100 is arranged in a section of the catheter 300.

If the section of the conduit 300 in which the light strip 100 has been inserted has a junction box 400 at one of its ends, the method 500 may further comprise: the light strip 100 is connected 540 to a power supply 420 in the junction box 400 at one end of the section of conduit 300. Junction boxes 400 with power supplies 420 may be located at either end of the section of conduit 300.

If a section of conduit 300 does not have a junction box 405 at either end thereof, method 500 may include: the light strip 100 is connected 540 to a power source in or at one end of the conduit 300. For example, light strip 100 may be connected to a power source disposed within conduit 300, another light strip in another section of conduit 300, or another power source at one end of a section of conduit 300.

Referring to fig. 4, a reinforcing member 600 of light strip 100 is depicted.

The stiffening element 600 may include a plurality of rigid members 610 and a plurality of hinges 621, 622. The hinges 621, 622 may be arranged to connect the rigid members 610 and may be arranged in alternating directions. For example, hinge 621 may allow movement in the same plane as the light strip, or hinge 622 may allow movement orthogonal to the plane of the light strip. Hinge 621 can rotate 90 degrees with respect to hinge 622, i.e., light strip 100 can bend or move in one direction as allowed by hinge 621 and light strip 100 can bend or move in another direction as allowed by hinge 622, where the two directions can be orthogonal. The two directions are not necessarily orthogonal, other angles are also contemplated. The stiffening element 600 may also include more hinges that allow movement in other directions, and the hinges may be arranged such that the light strip can bend in any number of directions.

Width W of reinforcing element 600_rMay be smaller than the width W of the flexible substrate 110_s. Alternatively, the reinforcing elements may extend beyond the sides of the substrate 110. The extension may form a guide feature for the light strip. The guide features may be adapted to match guide features of a conduit in which the light strip is to be mounted.

The plurality of rigid members 610 may make the substrate 110 more rigid and prevent it from being twisted. The hinges 621, 622 may allow the substrate and the rigid member 610 to move in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction may be in one plane (e.g., a plane orthogonal to a line along the maximum area of the substrate) or in several planes (e.g., several planes orthogonal and parallel to a line along the maximum area of the substrate 110).

The rigid member 620 may be flat so as not to substantially increase the size of the light strip 100.

The reinforcing element 600 may be embedded in the substrate 110 or the reinforcing element may be arranged on one side of the substrate 110.

The stiffening element 600 may be used in combination with other stiffening elements, such as metal wires, or the stiffening element 600 may serve as the sole stiffening element.

It will be appreciated that the withdrawal string may also be equipped with a strengthening element (such as described with reference to fig. 4) in order to prevent the withdrawal string from twisting or to facilitate introduction of the withdrawal string into the catheter.

Referring to fig. 5A and 5B, an alternative embodiment of a stiffening element for a light strip is described.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate a stiffening element, which may be a transparent semi-rigid wiring harness 700. The wire harness 700 may be flexible (as shown in fig. 5A) when pulled, for example, through a conduit (not shown in fig. 5A and 5B) and may be rigid (as shown in fig. 5B) when pushed through the conduit. The wiring harness 700 may include structure such that the harness components 710 may be connected and stable when pushed together and may be extended and disconnected when pulled, allowing flexibility.

The wiring harness 700 may be used when pulling the light strip 100 through a conduit with the pull wire 200. However, instead of using the draw wire 200, a wire harness may also be used to push the light strip 100 through the catheter, as the light strip 100 may be stable when pushed.

Harness 700 may also be used with pull line 200 in the same manner as light bar strip 100, making it easier to push pull line 200 through a catheter.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

In addition, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.