Foldable Light Assembly Curved Profile Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable light assemblies for work vehicles lack a mechanism to efficiently transition between use and folded positions while maintaining stability and adjustability for various vehicle configurations.
Innovation Solution
A foldable light assembly with elongated components connected via a fastening component and resilient member, allowing for adjustable biasing forces to facilitate smooth transitions between use and folded positions, utilizing profiles with varying curvatures and alternating portions for alignment and spacing adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a foldable light assembly uses a simple hinge connection between elongated components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and control during transition between use and folded positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the curvature profiles along the elongated components. The first and second elongated components have different curvature radii at different portions, which changes the geometric parameters to achieve both smooth transitions and stable positioning. This resolves the contradiction by using parameter variation rather than complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature profiles in the elongated components to enable controlled movement. The varying curvature radii create natural pivot points and alignment features that provide stability during folding transitions without requiring additional complex stabilization mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the light assembly is designed to be foldable for easy storage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining secure attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action through the resilient member that is pre-loaded to provide biasing force. This ensures that when the light assembly is deployed, the components automatically move toward their secured positions without requiring additional adjustment actions, thus maintaining both ease of operation and attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member provides self-service by automatically exerting biasing force to maintain the elongated components in their secured positions. The system self-regulates to ensure reliable attachment without requiring external intervention, resolving the contradiction between ease of deployment and attachment security.
3Productivity
If a resilient member provides biasing force for automatic positioning, then the productivity of deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member enables self-service automatic positioning of the elongated components. The biasing force automatically drives the components to their secured positions during deployment, increasing productivity without requiring complex control systems or multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simpler resilient member-based biasing mechanism. This substitution achieves automatic positioning with fewer moving parts, improving deployment speed while minimizing the increase in device 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
Enables stable and adjustable positioning of the light assembly between use and folded states, ensuring secure attachment to work vehicles and easy deployment, with adjustable biasing forces for optimal alignment and spacing.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member provides a biasing force to move the first and second extending members towards each other when transitioning from the folded position to the use position
Implementation Method 2
a fastening component rotatably connects the first and second elongated components
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable light assembly includes a first elongated component rotatably connected to a second elongated component between a use position and a folded position. A light is attached to either the first or the second elongated components. The first elongated component includes an external surface having a first portion with a first profile and a second portion with a second profile, in which the first profile has less curvature than the second profile. The second elongated component includes a first extending member and a second extending member each with an internal surface having a third portion with a third profile and a fourth portion with a fourth profile, in which the fourth profile has less curvature than the third profile. In the use position, the third profiles are contiguous with the second profile. In the folded position, the fourth profiles are contiguous with the first profile.