Safety Cone Illumination Housing with Reflective Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety and sports cones are difficult to see in low-light or no-light conditions, particularly in nighttime settings without a directional light source, as they lack effective illumination.
Innovation Solution
A safety or sports cone with a light-transmitting body featuring an integrated illumination device housing, including a light-emitting diode (LED) module, actuator, and battery, protected by a transparent shell, which can be activated and deactivated by pressing the housing cap, and includes a reflective platform to enhance visibility and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional cones use only passive reflective materials, then the cone structure remains simple and inexpensive, but the visibility in low-light conditions without directional light sources is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination device with the cone body by integrating the housing into the cone's top surface. The illumination device housing is formed as an integral part of the cone body, merging the lighting function with the structural form of the cone. This allows active illumination to be added without requiring a separate, complex mounting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device serves multiple functions: it provides active lighting for visibility in low-light conditions, and the transparent shell protects internal components while allowing light transmission. The housing cap serves both as a cover and as an activation mechanism when pressed. This multi-functionality adds visibility capabilities without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of repair
If the illumination device is accessible for battery replacement, then ease of maintenance is improved, but protection from contaminants and physical damage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing cap is designed to be removable to allow battery replacement before the device is needed, but once installed, it seals the illumination device housing. This preliminary preparation allows maintenance to be performed in advance rather than requiring frequent openings during use, reducing exposure to contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent shell acts as a protective barrier that seals the illumination device housing while allowing light to pass through. This thin film-like structure provides protection from contaminants and physical damage without completely sealing the device, as the housing cap can be removed for battery replacement.
3Ease of operation
If the housing cap can be pressed to activate illumination, then ease of operation is improved, but unwanted activation when cones are stacked occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ridges are positioned locally at specific locations on the illumination device housing, creating localized areas that prevent compression. This allows the majority of the housing cap surface to remain pressable for activation, while only specific localized areas (where ridges are present) resist compression to prevent unintended activation during stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire housing cap resistant to compression, the design inverts the approach by making specific localized areas press-resistant through ridges, while the rest of the cap remains pressable. This selective approach allows activation functionality while preventing unintended activation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a transparent shell protects the illumination device, then protection from physical damage and contaminants is improved, but light transmission may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent shell is designed as a thin, clear protective covering that encloses the illumination device components. The thin film structure provides physical protection and contaminant barrier while minimizing light absorption and scattering, thereby maintaining high light transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent shell is made of materials that combine protective properties with optical transparency. This composite material approach allows the shell to provide physical protection and contaminant resistance while simultaneously maintaining high light transmission for effective illumination.
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 cone provides enhanced visibility in low-light conditions, is durable, and resistant to physical damage and contaminants, maintaining functionality and aesthetics without altering its shape or usage.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) module
Implementation Method 2
A reflective platform increases the illumination intensity at the top of the cone
Data Source
AI summary
A safety or sports cone with controlled illumination is provided that is durable and easy to use. The cone has a light-transmitting body with an illumination device housing integrated into the top of the body that houses an illumination device that rests on a support ring and is accessed by a housing cap. The illumination device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) module, an LED actuator, a battery, and a battery housing. The illumination device is covered by a protective transparent shell. A reflective platform increases the illumination intensity at the top of the cone and provides additional protection from physical damage and contaminants. The illumination is activated and deactivated by pressing the center of the housing cap to affect the LED actuator. One or more ridges extending from the inner surface of the body below the support ring prevent unwanted activation of the illumination device during cone stacking.