Emergency Lighting Assembly Spool Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices for directing traffic around hazards on roadways lack a convenient and efficient mechanism to deploy and retract light ropes, and they do not offer flexible control over light color and sequence for effective traffic management.
Innovation Solution
A drum-based lighting device with a rotatable spool and locking mechanism allows for easy deployment and retraction of a light rope on the roadway, featuring a control panel for selecting light color and sequence, ensuring effective hazard visualization and traffic direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spool mechanism is used to deploy and retract the light rope, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of the spool, drum, and locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The light rope is wound around the spool which is rotatably disposed within the drum, creating a nested configuration where the rope is contained within the spool-drum assembly. This nesting allows the rope to be compactly stored and easily deployed by rotating the spool.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is biased to rotate in a first direction and is urgeable to rotate in a second direction, allowing the mechanism to automatically deploy or retract the rope based on the direction of rotation without requiring manual intervention for each action.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to control spool rotation, then the reliability of rope positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is movably integrated into the drum to selectively inhibit the spool from rotating, allowing the locking function to be extracted as a separate controllable feature rather than being built into the spool structure itself.
3Area of stationary object
If the light rope is made longer to cover more roadway, then the area of coverage is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in deployment and control
Solution Approach 1:
The light rope is wound around the spool which rotates within the drum, creating a compact nested storage system. This allows a long rope to be contained in a manageable package that can be easily deployed and controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool mechanism allows the operator to deploy only the necessary length of rope for the specific hazard situation rather than having to manage the entire length, enabling partial deployment for better control.
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 device enables rapid and flexible deployment of a light rope to alert motorists to hazards and direct them safely around the hazard, improving traffic safety and management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The spool is biased to rotate in a first direction and the spool is urgeable to rotate in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency lighting assembly includes a drum that has a chute extending into the drum. A spool is rotatably disposed within the drum. The spool is biased to rotate in a first direction and the spool is urgeable to rotate in a second direction. A locking mechanism is movably integrated into the drum to inhibit the spool from rotating and to facilitate the spool to rotate. A light rope is attached to the spool and the light rope can be pulled outwardly through the chute thereby facilitating the light rope to be positioned on the roadway. The light rope is illuminated when the light rope is turned on to visually alert motorists on the roadway to the hazard on the roadway. A clasp is attached to the light rope and the clasp is attachable to a support object for retaining the light rope in a desired position on the roadway.