Flexible Rod Lighting with Woven Nylon Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a portable and removable lighting solution that can effectively illuminate large, elongated areas such as tents, cabins, or pergolas, which existing lighting devices fail to address efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising a flexible rod interconnected with a light source, supported by a woven nylon structure that provides strength and light scattering, utilizing a pressure fit system and rubberized twist ties for secure attachment, with a rechargeable LED module oriented to project light along the rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a portable lighting device is designed to illuminate large areas, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into separate components: a compact lighting module containing the LED and battery, a flexible rod for positioning, and a woven nylon support for structural integrity. This segmentation allows the light source to remain portable while the support structure provides extended coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point light source to a linear light distribution along the flexible rod. By extending the light emission in one dimension (along the rod length), the system achieves large area coverage without proportionally increasing the device's bulk or weight.
2Strength
If a rigid support structure is used to provide strength, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible rod instead of a rigid support structure. The flexible rod maintains sufficient mechanical strength to support the lighting module while allowing the system to be bent, shaped, and adapted to various installation environments, thus preserving portability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of flexible rod and woven nylon support creates a composite structure that balances strength and flexibility. The woven nylon provides additional structural reinforcement while the flexible rod maintains adaptability, achieving both structural integrity and portability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a single directional LED is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but uniform light distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts single-directional point light emission into linear light distribution along the flexible rod. By extending the light source along the rod's length, uniform illumination is achieved across the illuminated area while maintaining LED energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The woven nylon support acts as an intermediary that diffuses and redistributes light along the rod. This intermediary material takes the directional LED output and transforms it into uniform omnidirectional illumination, solving the distribution problem without sacrificing energy efficiency.
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 system provides even and efficient lighting along a long, narrow area with minimal light source, offering flexibility and durability while maintaining light distribution through the woven nylon support.
Implementation Method 1
a support located outside of the rod, providing strength to the rod and light scattering of light provided by the light source
Implementation Method 2
the body includes a pressure fit system that captures the rod and the support holding the rod and the support in place
Implementation Method 3
the second interconnection device is a rubberized twist tie
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus includes a flexible rod having a long length in relation to a width of the flexible rod. The lighting apparatus further includes a support, running the long length of the flexible rod. The lighting apparatus further includes a lighting module interconnected with the flexible rod and the support, the lighting module including a light source, the light source oriented to project light down the flexible rod.