Integrated Bulb-Holding Gutter Clip for Rigid Light Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gutter clips for mounting light bulbs on outdoor structures, such as gutters and shingles, suffer from rigidity issues and bulb alignment problems due to the presence of a neck and spacing between the bulb holder and support arm, leading to play or wiggle of the light bulb.
Innovation Solution
A clip design with a bulb holder directly attached to the support arm, eliminating the neck and enhancing rigidity, and an elastically deformable cantilever beam to secure objects, providing improved alignment and retention of light bulbs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the bulb holder is spaced away from the support arm with a neck connecting them, then the clip allows some flexibility, but the rigidity is reduced causing play or wiggle of the light bulb
Solution Approach 1:
The bulb holder is merged with the support arm into a single integrated structure, eliminating the neck and spacing that caused flexibility and instability. This integration directly improves rigidity and reduces play or wiggle of the light bulb while maintaining alignment stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cantilever beam is elastically deformable to generate retaining force, then the clip can secure objects of varying sizes, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cantilever beam's elastic deformability allows it to change its physical state (deformed vs. undeformed) to adapt to objects of varying sizes. The beam can be deformed to expand the gap for larger objects and returns to its original state for smaller objects, providing versatility without requiring multiple different clip designs.
3Strength
If the bulb holder is directly attached to the support arm, then the rigidity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bulb holder and support arm are merged into a single monolithic structure that can be manufactured as one piece using injection molding. This integration improves rigidity while actually simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps required.
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 solution improves the rigidity and alignment of light bulbs, reducing play or wiggle and enhancing the clip's ability to securely hold bulbs on various outdoor structures, while also being more resistant to colder temperatures and varying sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The cantilever beam is elastically deformable to generate a force retaining the object in the clip
Data Source
AI summary
A clip for holding a light bulb for display on a gutter, shingle, or other structure includes a base, a support arm extending from an end of the base to a second end of the support arm, and a cantilever beam extending from the second end of the support arm towards the base. The cantilever beam and base define a clip mouth for receiving the structure into the clip. A bulb holder is rigidly attached to the support arm and defined a through-hole to receive the light bulb held by the clip. The bulb holder is attached to the support arm between the cantilever beam and base.