Foldable Beacon Post for Watercraft Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small personal watercraft, such as canoes and kayaks, face challenges in visibility to others, potentially creating hazards due to the lack of effective beacons for announcing their presence.
Innovation Solution
A foldable beacon post system that can be easily installed and removed, comprising four rigid members connected by an elastic cord, which can support a lamp or flag, and is designed to be compatible with various vehicles including watercraft, bicycles, and small wagons, providing enhanced visibility through 360-degree light distribution and a projecting flag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a beacon is installed on a small watercraft to improve visibility, then visibility and safety are improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon post is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and extended to a full extended configuration for visibility. The post includes a base section, intermediate section, and top section that can be independently positioned, allowing the beacon to be segmented for easy storage while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon post transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic telescopic structure that can change its configuration between extended and retracted states. This dynamic capability allows the post to adapt between providing maximum visibility when needed and minimizing profile during storage or transport, resolving the contradiction between visibility requirements and device complexity.
2Reliability
If a fixed beacon post is used to ensure stability and visibility, then reliability is improved, but the ease of operation and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon post is segmented into telescopic sections with locking mechanisms that allow for quick assembly and disassembly. The base section includes a mounting interface that can be easily attached to or removed from the watercraft, enabling simple installation while maintaining structural stability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic design allows the post to be dynamically adjusted between extended and retracted states, providing ease of operation for installation and removal while maintaining reliability when in the extended operational state. The dynamic structure enables the user to deploy or stow the beacon as needed without permanent installation.
3Ease of operation
If a telescopic post with multiple sections is used to improve ease of storage, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic post sections are nested within each other in a compact configuration for storage, with the intermediate section sliding into the base section and the top section sliding into the intermediate section. This nesting arrangement minimizes the storage footprint while maintaining structural integrity, providing ease of storage without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The post is divided into three main telescopic sections (base, intermediate, and top) that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified structure, balancing ease of deployment with manageable structural complexity.
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 beacon system effectively increases the visibility of small watercraft and other vehicles, enhancing safety by providing a practical and easy-to-use solution for announcing their presence, while being easy to deploy and stow, with minimal manual effort required.
Implementation Method 1
The several rigid members may be united by an elastic cord extending through the members
Data Source
AI summary
A beacon has an associated post that is supported in relation to a watercraft. The beacon may comprise four major separable elongated members all mutually joined by an elastic cord extending along the longitudinal axis of the beacon. When separated, the four major separable members may fold in the compact configuration, thus enabling compact stowage. The beacon may comprise an internal light source, a flag or pennant, and reflective films to signal presence of the watercraft to others. The flag may be formed as a receptacle for receiving and storing the separable elongated members for stowage.