Boat Trailer Lighted Handle for Low-Light Boarding Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Boat trailer users face challenges in boarding and deboarding in low light conditions due to the lack of illumination associated with trailer steps, which can complicate balance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting handle that slides onto an existing handle tube of a boat trailer, featuring a handle body with light sources and a battery holder, providing enhanced grip and illumination without interfering with handling, and allowing easy battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If trailer steps are equipped with light sources, then illumination in low light conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handle tube with light sources, battery holder, and control electronics into a single integrated unit. The handle body encompasses both the gripping surface and the illumination components, eliminating the need for separate lighting devices and reducing overall system complexity while providing effective illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle tube serves multiple functions: it provides a gripping surface for users, houses the light sources for illumination, contains the battery holder for power supply, and includes a power switch for control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and reduces overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a handle tube is added to trailer steps, then grip and balance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handle function with the illumination function by integrating light sources and power components into the handle tube structure. This combination means that adding illumination does not require a separate device, and the handle tube itself becomes the integrated solution for both gripping and lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle tube is designed to serve as both a gripping aid and an illumination device. The same structural element provides mechanical support for gripping while housing the electrical components for lighting, thereby achieving multiple functions without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are integrated into the handle body, then illumination is provided without interfering with handling, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the handle assembly into distinct functional segments: the handle body for gripping, the battery holder for power supply, the light source array for illumination, and the power switch for control. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are positioned in specific locations on the handle body where they provide illumination without interfering with the gripping surface. The handle body exterior maintains smooth contours in gripping areas while incorporating light-emitting sections in appropriate locations, optimizing both functionality and manufacturability.
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
Enhances visibility and grip in low light conditions, facilitating safe and easy boarding and deboarding of boats by integrating illumination with the handle tube while maintaining ease of use and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more light emitting sources may be light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting handle provides illumination for the area around a boat trailer. The light emitting handle can be placed on a handle tube that is attached to the boat trailer or to steps on the boat trailer. The light emitting handle includes a handle body and a battery holder within the handle body. The handle body includes light sources that emit light into the ambient area. An interior surface of the handle body and an exterior surface of the battery holder define an annulus that can receive a portion of the handle tube allowing the light emitting handle to slide onto the handle tube.