LED Emergency Flare with Magnetic Retrieval Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ignition-type road flares pose safety hazards, are not reusable, and require continuous burning to maintain visibility, making them inefficient and unsafe for emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A battery-operated LED-based emergency signaling device with metallic bars for magnetic retrieval, housed in a deployment pack that can be easily deployed and turned on/off, providing a durable, water-resistant, and safe visual warning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional ignition-type flares are used, then visible warning signal is provided, but fire hazard and safety risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical combustion system (ignition-type flare) with an electrical lighting system (battery-operated LED). This substitution eliminates the fire hazard associated with combustion while maintaining the visibility function. The LED device provides illumination without producing flame, directly resolving the contradiction between visibility and fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from continuous burning (combustion) to pulsed electrical operation. The LED flashes on and off in a predetermined pattern, providing visible warning signal while consuming minimal energy and eliminating continuous heat generation that causes fire hazards.
2Illumination intensity
If ignition-type flares are used, then warning signal is provided, but safety risk to individuals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the dangerous ignition and combustion process with a safe electrical system. The battery-operated LED requires no ignition, produces no flame, and generates minimal heat, eliminating the safety risks to individuals handling or standing near the device while maintaining effective warning signal visibility.
3Illumination intensity
If combustible flares are used, then visible warning is provided, but risk of igniting surrounding materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the combustion-based warning system with an electrical LED system. This eliminates the generation of flames and high temperatures that could ignite spilled fuel or dry brush, while still providing effective visual warning through the flashing LED and enhanced reflection.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional flares are used, then emergency lighting is provided, but device cannot be relocated after ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-position combustion flare into a dynamic, relocatable electrical device. The battery-operated LED can be easily moved, picked up, and repositioned by individuals without safety risks, as it requires no ignition and produces minimal heat, directly resolving the contradiction between providing emergency lighting and maintaining relocatability.
5Duration of action of moving object
If flare burning rate determines usable time, then lighting duration is limited, but extending duration requires multiple flares
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the combustion-based timing mechanism with an electrical power system. The battery-operated LED can operate for extended periods on a single device, eliminating the need to use multiple flares to extend lighting duration. The pulsed operation mode further extends battery life while maintaining effective visibility.
6Device complexity
If disposable flares are used, then simple construction is achieved, but device is not reusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single-use combustion flare with a reusable electrical device. The battery-operated LED can be turned on and off, relocated, and used multiple times throughout the day, providing adaptability and versatility while maintaining simple construction through the use of basic electrical components.
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 offers a safe, efficient, and reusable visual warning system that can be easily deployed and recovered, reducing the risks associated with conventional flares and providing reliable emergency lighting without the hazards of fire.
Implementation Method 1
battery-operated light emitting diodes pulsed at a predetermined rate
Implementation Method 2
said diodes being placed adjacent reflective material to extend or direct the light pulsing from the diodes
Implementation Method 3
The emergency signaling device includes metallic bars to assist in magnetic recovery of the devices after use
Data Source
AI summary
A deployment pack containing a number of electric road flares is provided. The pack is attached to an emergency vehicle. The pack is adapted to deploy a single flare at a time. Each flare includes two, battery-operated, light emitting diodes (LEDs), pulsed at a predetermined rate. Each LED is placed adjacent reflective material to extend or direct the light pulsing from the LED. The pack provides battery charging means to each electric road flare while contained in the pack interior. The pack also provides means for activating each flare before it is deployed from the pack. Each flare contains two metallic roads providing means for flare retrieval by a magnetic pick-up tool.