Flexible Joint Navigation Light Pole for Boat Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation lights on boats are prone to breakage when passing under low-clearance structures due to their fixed, vertical mounting, requiring manual folding which can be forgotten, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A lighted pole with a flexible joint between the base and shaft, allowing resilient bending up to 90 degrees or more, automatically returning to a vertical position, and featuring a protective epoxy-coated LED light source, which can be manually pivoted for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed, vertical mounting is used for navigation lights, then the light provides stable navigation illumination, but the light is prone to breakage when contacting low-clearance structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible joint mechanism that allows the light assembly to dynamically change its orientation. The joint enables the light to automatically pivot away from vertical when contacted by an obstruction, transforming the static fixed mounting into a dynamic system that adapts to external forces and avoids breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible joint changes the positional parameter of the light assembly relative to the boat. When contact occurs, the joint allows the light to move from a vertical position to an angled or horizontal position, changing its spatial configuration to avoid damage while maintaining mounting security.
2Reliability
If a manual folding hinge is provided at the base of the pole, then the light can be folded down to avoid contact, but the user must remember to fold and return the light manually
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible joint creates a self-service system where the light assembly automatically responds to contact forces without human intervention. When the light contacts an obstruction, the joint automatically pivots the light away from the vertical position to avoid damage, and returns to vertical when the obstruction is removed, eliminating the need for manual folding and recalling.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible joint provides mechanical feedback from contact forces to the light assembly's position. The joint senses when contact occurs through the applied force and automatically adjusts the light's orientation in response, creating a closed-loop protective mechanism that operates without user awareness or action.
3Illumination intensity
If the light is mounted at the highest point on the boat, then the light provides maximum visibility for navigation, but the light is at greatest risk of contacting bridge bottoms or lift frames
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible joint enables the light assembly to maintain its high mounting position for optimal visibility while adding dynamic movement capability. When contact occurs, the joint allows the light to pivot away from the vertical, providing both the height advantage for navigation visibility and the protective movement capability to avoid breakage.
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 flexible joint protects the light source from damage by bending during low-clearance encounters and automatically returns to a vertical position, ensuring continuous functionality and eliminating the need for manual recall, while the epoxy coating enhances durability.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible joint comprises a spring
Implementation Method 2
The flexible joint allows for resilient bending of the shaft or pole about the joint
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation light pole and method of protecting the navigation light and pole by providing a flexible joint at a base of the light pole which allows the light pole to bend about the flexible joint when the light or light pole is hit, for example, by a low clearance structure such as a bridge or boat lift to prevent damage to the light pole or light.