Annular Lighting Mast Cage with Snap-Fit Closure Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing annular cages for lighting masts require factory fitting due to thermo-lacquering issues, necessitating disassembly and separate treatment of the mast and cage, which complicates the process and risks damage to the powder coating.
Innovation Solution
An annular cage design featuring a top face with an annular plate that can be threaded onto the mast, with bars and elastically deformable closure elements that snap-fit into place, allowing pre-assembly at the factory and final assembly on-site without disassembly of the top and bottom faces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cage is pre-assembled at the factory with top and bottom faces sandwiching the LED strip, then the assembly is secure and stable, but the thermo-lacquering treatment becomes problematic requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into three main segments: top face, bottom face, and intermediate closure elements. The intermediate closure elements are designed as separate snap-fit components that can be installed after thermo-lacquering, while the top and bottom faces are pre-assembled at the factory. This segmentation allows the LED strip to be securely sandwiched between top and bottom faces during pre-assembly, while the intermediate sections can be independently installed post-treatment without requiring disassembly of the faces.
Solution Approach 2:
The top and bottom faces of the cage are pre-assembled at the factory with the LED strip sandwiched between them before thermo-lacquering. This preliminary assembly ensures secure mounting and stable composition. The design anticipates the subsequent thermo-lacquering process by making the intermediate closure elements separable, allowing the pre-assembled faces to remain intact while enabling access for final closure element installation after treatment.
2Temperature
If the cage is disassembled for separate thermo-lacquering treatment, then the treatment can be performed, but the powder coating may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cage closure system is segmented into pre-assembled faces and separate intermediate closure elements. This allows the main cage structure to be treated thermally without complete disassembly, while the intermediate elements can be installed after treatment. The segmentation enables the powder coating to be applied intact to the pre-assembled faces, avoiding damage from disassembly and reassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate closure elements act as intermediaries that can be installed after thermo-lacquering treatment. These elements bridge the gaps between the pre-assembled faces without requiring the faces to be disassembled. By using snap-fit intermediate closures, the design allows thermal treatment to be performed on the pre-assembled structure while protecting the powder coating from damage during the treatment process.
3Strength
If traditional sandwiching of closure elements is used between cage faces, then secure mounting is achieved, but tool-free assembly post-thermo-lacquering is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical sandwiching system (requiring tools and assembly between faces) is replaced with a snap-fit elastic deformation system. The intermediate closure elements are designed with elastic material properties that allow them to be deformed and snapped into place without tools. This substitution maintains secure mounting strength through elastic retention while enabling easy tool-free installation after thermo-lacquering on the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure elements are made from elastic materials that change their physical parameters (deformation characteristics) to enable tool-free assembly. By utilizing elastic deformation, the closure elements can be temporarily deformed during installation and then return to their original shape to secure the opening. This parameter change allows the closure elements to be mounted without tools while maintaining strong, secure mounting equivalent to traditional mechanical systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables thermal treatment of the mast with the cage partially assembled, preventing damage and simplifying the assembly process by allowing tool-free, snap-fastening of closure elements post-thermo-lacquering, ensuring secure and vandal-resistant installation.
Implementation Method 1
each closure element being formed by an elastically deformable transparent or translucent part that can be snap-fitted to the rest of the cage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an annular cage (1) for a light pole (20), said cage (1) being suitable for surrounding the long pole body (21) and housing a strip of light-emitting diodes. Said cage comprises an upper face (2) formed from an annular plate that can be slipped over the pole, a lower face (3), bars (4) extending between said upper (2) and lower (3) faces, and closing elements (5) that can each close an opening (6) formed by the free space between two bars (4), each closing element (5) being formed by an elastically deformable transparent or translucent part that can be coupled to the rest of the cage (1) by snap action.