Multi-Purpose Life Jacket With GPS And Strobe Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flotation devices lack the capability to efficiently locate and assist individuals in distress, particularly in outdoor environments, as they do not provide reliable electronic location means, multi-colored lighting, and essential survival tools, often resulting in delayed or unsuccessful rescues.
Innovation Solution
A GPS locatable multi-purpose life jacket system featuring a vest with a global positioning transmitter, multi-colored strobe and flash lighting, removable floatation collar, and integrated survival tools, designed for easy activation and visibility, including inflatable chambers and waterproof components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flotation devices are used, then basic floatation function is provided, but electronic location means and multi-colored lighting are missing resulting in delayed rescue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (floatation, GPS location, multi-colored lighting, survival tools) into a single integrated life jacket system. The floatation device serves as the base structure while integrating the GPS transmitter, light assembly with multiple LED colors, and survival tool compartments, allowing all features to work together from one unified device rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The life jacket is designed as a multi-functional device that provides floatation support, electronic location tracking via GPS, visibility enhancement through multi-colored lighting (red, yellow, green, blue LEDs), and storage for survival tools. This universal design allows a single device to address multiple rescue needs simultaneously, improving rescue effectiveness without requiring multiple separate devices
2Reliability
If GPS transmitter and multi-colored lighting are added to flotation device, then location and visibility are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective components such as LED-based multi-colored lighting instead of more expensive lighting systems, and integrates the GPS transmitter as a compact module. The use of standard electronic components and modular design allows for more affordable manufacturing while maintaining reliable location accuracy and visibility functions
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple survival features are integrated, then survival capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The life jacket is divided into functional segments: the floatation body, GPS transmitter module, light assembly with separate LED components, and multiple pockets for survival tools. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, manufactured, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced survival capability through the combination of features
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
Enhances the chances of quick location and rescue by providing a reliable means of location transmission, visibility, and essential survival tools, improving the likelihood of survival in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
global positioning transmitter which transmits the wearers location
Implementation Method 2
multi-colored light having red, yellow, green and blue lights
Implementation Method 3
removable floatation collar attached about the neck opening
Data Source
AI summary
The GPS locatable multi-purpose life jacket system is a survival vest having usefulness in a wide variety of unfortunate situations. The vest has a GPS transmitter that transmits the wearer's location and has a multi-colored light having blue and red strobe lights visually indicating the location of the distressed wearer in a dark environment, and a white light for using as a flash light in dark locations. A removable floatation collar is attached about the neck opening which may be automatically inflated via a CO2 cylinder, to act as a life jacket, if water submersion is detected for more than thirty seconds. The red and blue lights of the multi-colored light may also be automatically activated, but can also be manually activated. The vest has pockets for carrying an I.D. card, means to start a fire, and tools for emergency survival.