Collapsible Safety Triangle Structure for Fast Nighttime Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety triangles are not easily recognizable from a distance, are cumbersome to carry and store, and pose a risk when setting up in emergency situations, especially at night, due to their large size and weight, leading to potential secondary accidents.
Innovation Solution
A portable, multi-purpose safety triangle designed to be easily set up and carried, featuring a collapsible tripod with adjustable supports, a frame with accommodation space, and integrated components like an umbrella and light emitter, allowing for various functions such as hazard image display and flashlight functionality, enhancing visibility and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the safety triangle is made large in size, then it can be easily recognized by drivers at a distance, but it becomes heavy and difficult to carry and store
Solution Approach 1:
The safety triangle uses a flexible material for the sign unit that can be wound around the assistant supports, allowing the large visible surface to be collapsed into a compact form when not in use, significantly reducing carrying volume and weight perception
Solution Approach 2:
The assistant supports are designed to be adjustable in length and can be rotated about rotary axes, allowing the triangle to dynamically change between a large deployed configuration for visibility and a compact wound configuration for storage
2Illumination intensity
If the safety triangle is made large in size, then it can be easily recognized by drivers at a distance, but it occupies more space and is inconvenient to stow
Solution Approach 1:
The sign unit is wound around the assistant supports in a nested configuration, with the flexible material wrapping around the support structure multiple times, allowing the large triangular surface to be stored within the volume of the support assembly itself
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable assistant supports enable the triangle to transition from a large two-dimensional display surface to a compact three-dimensional wound package, optimizing storage space while maintaining visibility when deployed
3Ease of operation
If the driver goes to set up the safety triangle on the road, then the triangle can be properly positioned, but the driver is exposed to risk of secondary accidents especially at night
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member automatically provides restoring force to extend the assistant supports when the frame cap is opened, allowing the triangle to self-aspect into its deployed configuration without requiring the driver to manually position each component, reducing exposure time to traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The triangle is designed to be compact and storable near the driver seat, allowing it to be readily accessible and quickly deployed before the driver exits the vehicle or immediately upon stopping, minimizing the time spent in hazardous conditions
4Volume of moving object
If the safety triangle is made portable and small-sized, then it can be easily carried and stored, but it may not be visible enough from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material allows the sign unit to form a large triangular display surface when deployed, while the ability to wind it around the supports creates a compact portable form, reconciling the contradiction between size for visibility and compactness for portability
Solution Approach 2:
The triangle transitions from a compact three-dimensional stored form to a large two-dimensional displayed form through the winding and unwinding mechanism, effectively gaining display area when needed while maintaining small volume during storage
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 portable safety triangle allows for safe and easy setup by drivers, providing increased visibility and functionality, reducing the risk of accidents by being easily recognizable and storable, thus improving emergency preparedness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member whose both ends are respectively connected to the first assistant support and the second assistant support, the elastic member providing a restoring force to the first assistant support and the second assistant support
Data Source
AI summary
A portable multi-purpose safety triangle includes: a tripod including: a sign unit; and a support unit which supports the sign unit and is configured to be selectively set in one of a folded state and an unfolded state; and a frame including: a frame body having an accommodation space for accommodating the tripod therein; and a frame cap selectively coupled to the frame body. The support unit includes: a first assistant support and a second assistant support that support the sign unit; an elastic member whose both ends are respectively connected to the first assistant support and the second assistant support, the elastic member providing a restoring force to the first assistant support and the second assistant support; and a main support that supports the elastic member. The sign unit includes a flexible material such that the size thereof is changed according to the state of the support unit.