Low-Profile Creeper Lighting With Protected Wiring and Tool Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanics face difficulties in illuminating confined spaces under vehicles due to obscured light, and tools and parts often fall off during maintenance, increasing labor time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained inspection device with integrated light sources, power supply, and storage features, including rotatable lights and embedded electrical connectors, is designed for improved illumination and tool accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanics hold lights in their mouth or place them on their chest, then the light can be moved to different places, but the light may roll off onto the ground adding unnecessary time and effort to find those items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source, power supply, and mounting mechanisms into a single integrated inspection device that attaches to the creeper frame. This merging eliminates the need to separately carry lights, tools, and power sources, while the integrated design with elastic bands and mounting brackets ensures stable attachment that prevents rolling off during movement.
2Ease of operation
If lights and tools are placed on the mechanic's chest, then they are easily accessible, but they often roll off onto the ground increasing labor time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates mounting brackets and elastic bands that are pre-positioned on the creeper frame to hold tools and lights in designated locations. This preliminary arrangement of holding mechanisms ensures that tools and equipment remain securely in place during movement, eliminating the need to repeatedly pick them up from the ground.
3Ease of operation
If electrical connectors are routed externally on the frame, then they are easy to connect and disconnect, but they are susceptible to wear or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent routes electrical connectors through the hollow frame structure, nesting the wiring within the frame's internal cavities. This protects the connectors from external wear and damage while maintaining accessibility through designated access points on the frame, allowing connection and disconnection without exposing the entire wire length to environmental hazards.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the inspection device includes integrated power supply and storage features, then it becomes self-contained improving convenience, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the creeper frame structure: the frame serves as structural support, contains routing channels for electrical connectors, houses mounting brackets for tools and lights, and provides attachment points for elastic bands. This multi-functionality achieves self-containment while minimizing the addition of separate components, thereby controlling overall device complexity.
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 reduces time lost searching for tools and parts by providing stable lighting and convenient storage during vehicle maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources may comprise any suitable source of light, such as incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, low-pressure sodium, light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like.
Data Source
AI summary
Maintenance and inspection devices, such as creepers, are provided that comprise a frame for supporting an individual and configured for coupling to one or more wheels. The device comprises or more light sources coupled to the frame and a power source housed within, or on, the frame. One or more electrical connectors extend through the frame to couple the light sources with the power source. Routing the electrical connectors through the frame of the inspection device protects the electrical connectors from wear or damage and inhibits removal of the light sources. The light sources may be pivotally coupled to the frame to allow the operator to adjust the angle of the light. The device may further comprise an actuator device for moving the frame between a substantially horizontal configuration relative to the ground surface and a substantially vertical or upright configuration. This allows the operator to direct the light in a more horizontal direction and/or easily store the inspection device after use.