Elevated Airfield Light Fixture Frangible Coupling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airfield and heliport light fixtures are cumbersome, require extensive machining, and have complex assembly and maintenance processes, which are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A simplified elevated light fixture design featuring a frangible coupling for secure ground attachment, a housing with integrated support components, a translucent or transparent lens, electronic components for power delivery, and a cap locking mechanism to secure the globe, reducing component count and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional light fixtures are used with multiple separate components (pedestal, lamp assembly, cover), then the fixture provides complete functionality, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pedestal, lamp assembly, and cover into a single integrated housing structure. The housing contains recesses that directly receive and secure the bulb and lens, eliminating the need for separate mounting components. This merging reduces the total component count while maintaining all necessary functions through integrated design features.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the lighting components, protects the bulb and lens, and incorporates mounting features. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what were previously multiple separate parts, reducing complexity while maintaining functional completeness.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional light fixtures require extensive machining of components, then precise fits and finishes can be achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a single monolithic piece rather than requiring assembly of multiple machined parts. This segmentation approach allows the entire structure to be manufactured in one piece using casting or molding processes, eliminating the need for extensive machining operations while maintaining precise fits through the manufacturing process itself rather than post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from mechanical machining processes to casting or molding processes for manufacturing the housing. This parameter change in the manufacturing method allows complex three-dimensional shapes and precise features to be achieved directly during formation rather than requiring subsequent machining operations, reducing both time and cost while maintaining precision.
3Productivity
If conventional light fixtures have complex assembly procedures, then proper component alignment can be achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-designed with built-in alignment features such as recesses and mounting structures that automatically guide and position the bulb, lens, and other components during assembly. This preliminary design of alignment features eliminates the need for complex adjustment procedures during assembly, enabling rapid installation while ensuring proper component alignment and stable composition.
4Ease of repair
If conventional light fixtures require extensive maintenance procedures, then component reliability can be maintained, but maintenance time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting components (bulb, lens) are designed as easily accessible, separable elements within the housing structure. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to quickly remove and replace individual components without disassembling the entire fixture, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining component reliability through easy access for inspection and replacement.
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 design enhances ease of assembly and maintenance while ensuring secure and efficient light emission, reducing the time and resources required for installation and repair.
Implementation Method 1
a frangible coupling designed to secure the fixture to the ground
Implementation Method 2
a lens designed to sit atop the housing when assembled that is transparent or translucent to allow light from the lighting components to pass through
Implementation Method 3
a cap to lock the globe atop the housing by engaging a component of the housing or a support component that is affixed to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an elevated light fixture that includes a frangible coupling designed to secure the fixture to the ground, a housing designed to be affixed to the frangible coupling and house and/or support additional features of the light fixture, a cap to lock the globe atop the housing by engaging a component of the housing or a support component that is affixed to the housing, lighting components designed to emit light such as an LED as well as a lens designed to sit atop the housing when assembled that is transparent or translucent to allow light from the lighting components to pass through, electronic components designed to deliver electricity to the lighting components such as a circuit card and a power cord, and support components that support the lighting and/or electrical components such as a parts retainer flange.