Floating Dock Light with Solar Power and Side Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floating docks are difficult to see in foggy and low-light conditions, and traditional wired lighting is impractical due to safety concerns and installation challenges, especially when docks are far from shore.
Innovation Solution
A dock light designed to mount into a void in a floating dock, featuring a housing with a translucent lens and a power source, including a rechargeable battery connected to a photovoltaic cell, and an automatic switch, which is securely fitted to prevent removal and allows for efficient charging and visibility enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional wired lighting is used on floating docks, then the dock can be illuminated, but high-voltage wiring close to water creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the traditional wired lighting system and places it directly into the dock structure itself. The light-emitting element is sealed within a waterproof housing that is integrated into the dock, eliminating the need for external wiring near water and removing the electrical safety hazard while maintaining illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waterproof sealed housing as an intermediary between the light source and the external environment. This housing contains the electrical components and protects them from water exposure, allowing the light to function safely near water without direct wiring exposure.
2Ease of operation
If floating docks are used for easy installation and removal, then dock mobility is improved, but special accessories are needed for lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting function with the dock structure itself. The light-emitting element is integrated into the dock's modular sections, combining two separate functions (dock structure and lighting accessory) into one unified component. This eliminates the need for separate lighting accessories while maintaining the floating dock's ease of installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the dock sections multi-functional by incorporating lighting capabilities directly into the standard dock modules. Each dock section can serve both as a structural component and as a lighting unit, eliminating the need for specialized accessories and simplifying the overall system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If floating docks are positioned far from shore, then docking flexibility is improved, but traditional wired lighting becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into self-contained modular units that are distributed throughout the dock structure. Each dock section contains its own light-emitting element, allowing the lighting system to function independently in each module without requiring connection to shore-based power sources, thus enabling deployment far from shore.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each dock section self-sufficient by integrating the light source directly into the module. Each section generates and contains its own lighting capability without requiring external wiring or power sources from shore, enabling the dock to be positioned anywhere in the water body.
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
Provides safe and effective lighting for floating docks, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions without the hazards of high-voltage wiring and ensuring easy installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable battery electrically connected to a photovoltaic cell that is mounted beneath the top wall
Implementation Method 2
A light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) is mounted in the internal housing chamber adjacent the lens
Data Source
AI summary
A dock light for mounting in a void in the side of a floating dock. The light has a housing with a floor, sidewalls, lens and lid defining a chamber. The chamber houses a power source, such as a battery and photovoltaic cell, and a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The lid is removably mounted to the sidewalls, and is flush with, or set beneath, the top surface of the dock when in an operable position. The lens extends from the void at a side opening when the dock light is in an operable position, and is flush with, or set beneath, the side surface of the dock. The light shines from the side of the dock, and is powered by collecting energy from the sun, thereby requiring little to no maintenance. The dock light is protected by the surrounding surfaces of the dock.