Lighted Balloon Arch with Modular PVC Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative arches for ceremonies lack a unique, lightweight, and portable design that can be easily decorated with balloons and floral arrangements, and do not efficiently incorporate lighting for ambiance.
Innovation Solution
A lighted balloon and floral arch constructed from lightweight clear PVC plastic outer tubes, connected to form arches of varying lengths, with clear plastic inner tubes housing LED lights and powered by a 12-volt DC battery or 110 AC outlet, featuring a remote control switch box for lighting control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional decorative arches are used, then structural stability is achieved, but weight and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The arch is divided into multiple 5-foot clear plastic tube sections that can be connected end-to-end to form arches of various lengths (25 feet, 35 feet, and greater). This segmentation allows the arch to be lightweight and easily transported while maintaining structural stability through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The arch combines clear plastic tubes for the main structure with heavy metal base plates for stability. This composite material approach uses lightweight plastic for portability while incorporating heavy metal components at critical points (base plates weighing 20-25 pounds) to ensure the arch remains upright and stable during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If decorative elements are added to the arch, then visual appeal is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clear plastic tube structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, allows visibility of LED lights from all angles, and serves as a mounting surface for various decorative elements including balloons and floral arrangements. This universal design simplifies assembly by combining structural and decorative functions in a single integrated system.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting is integrated into the arch, then ambiance is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional incandescent lighting is replaced with LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology. LEDs provide the same or superior illumination intensity while consuming significantly less energy. The LEDs are housed within clear plastic inner tubes that run through the clear plastic outer tubes, allowing the arch to be illuminated with minimal energy consumption from a 12-volt DC battery or 110 AC outlet.
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 provides a visually appealing, easily assembled, and versatile decorative arch that can be used for various occasions, offering adjustable lighting options and stability through heavy metal base plates, enhancing the ambiance of events.
Implementation Method 1
a string of LED lights
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon and floral arch adapted for receiving balloons and floral arrangements thereon. The arch is made up of a plurality of light weight, clear plastic, outer tubes, typically in 5 feet sections. The outer tubes are joined together end to end and formed into an arch. The arch can be 25 feet, 35 feet and greater. The outer tubes are used to receive a light weight, clear plastic inner tube with a string of LED lights. Opposite ends of the arch are attached to a pair of heavy, metal base plates for holding the arch upright on a floor surface. The string of lights can be powered by a 12 volt DC battery or a 110 AC electrical outlet. The arch can also include a remote control switch box for turning the lights on and off and starting blinking lights, fast or slow.