Attachable Boat Lighting Device with Embedded Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boat lighting systems are not compact enough to prevent accidental tripping and are not easily detachable, which can lead to damage and injury.

Innovation Solution

An attachable lighting device with a magnetic or hook-and-loop mechanism that includes a thin, flat receiving base embedded in the boat's surface, allowing for secure attachment and easy detachment, reducing bulkiness and the risk of tripping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lighting device is permanently mounted on the boat, then the visibility and signaling capabilities are maintained, but the device cannot be easily stowed and is prone to damage when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and signaling capabilitiesVSAvoiddetachability for stowing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is divided into separate components: a receiving base that remains mounted on the boat and an attaching base with the lighting assembly that can be detached. This segmentation allows the lighting assembly to be removed for stowing while the receiving base remains permanently installed to maintain mounting capability and ensure quick reattachment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism transitions from a static permanent mount to a dynamic system that allows both permanent installation of the receiving base and temporary attachment/detachment of the lighting assembly. This dynamic capability enables the device to be secured when needed and easily removed for stowing, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the receiving base is made thick and bulky for structural strength, then the attachment security is improved, but it creates tripping hazards and injury risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidtripping hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving base is designed as a thin, flat structure that provides sufficient attachment security through its mounting design rather than through thickness. This thin-profile base eliminates tripping hazards while maintaining the necessary structural integrity for secure attachment of the lighting assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing thickness (one dimension) to improve attachment security, the design shifts to improving security through the mounting mechanism and distribution of attachment points (other dimensions). This allows the receiving base to remain thin and flat, eliminating tripping hazards while maintaining strong attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the lighting device is easily detachable for stowing, then the risk of damage and injury is reduced, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachability for stowingVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with simpler magnetic attraction or spring-loaded clips. This substitution provides easy attach/detach functionality while minimizing mechanical complexity, allowing the lighting assembly to be easily stowed and retrieved without requiring complex tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-latching, requiring minimal user intervention. The lighting assembly automatically aligns with the receiving base and secures itself through magnetic attraction or spring clips, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining easy detachability for stowing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution provides a compact lighting system that can be stepped on without tripping hazards and is easily stowed when not in use, reducing the risk of damage and injury while maintaining visibility and signaling capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The attaching base may be attachable to the receiving base by magnetic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9944364B2Attachable lighting device for a boat

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 AMERICAN RADIONIC CO INC

AI summary

In some aspects of the disclosure, an attachable lighting device has a lighting assembly which includes a light housing, an attaching base, and one or more optical sources. The light housing is attached to the top of the attaching base and contains the one or more optical sources. The attachable lighting device has a receiving base which is attachable to an attachment surface of a boat. The attaching base is attachable to the receiving base.