Low-Profile Creeper With Integrated Lighting and Protected Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanics face difficulties in illuminating confined spaces under vehicles due to obscured light, and tools and parts often fall off during maintenance, increasing labor time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained inspection device with integrated light sources, power supply, and storage space, featuring adjustable lighting and a frame with embedded electrical connectors to prevent light removal and tool loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanics hold lights in their mouth or place them on their chest, then the light can be moved to different places, but the light may roll off onto the ground adding unnecessary time and effort to find those items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source, power supply, and mounting mechanisms into a single integrated inspection device that attaches to the creeper frame. This merging eliminates the need to separately handle lights and tools, preventing them from rolling off while maintaining mobility through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device is designed to be self-contained with integrated power supplies and mounting features that automatically secure the device to the creeper. The device serves itself by having built-in attachment mechanisms that eliminate the need for separate mounting operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrical connectors are routed externally on the frame, then the light sources can be easily connected, but the connectors are vulnerable to wear or damage and light sources can be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connectors are nested within channels or cavities in the frame structure, with light sources inserted into receptacles that guide connectors into place. This nested design protects connectors from external damage while maintaining ease of connection through the guiding structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame incorporates flexible or resilient connector housings that allow for easy insertion while providing secure retention. The flexible materials enable simple connection operations while maintaining protective enclosures around the electrical connectors.
3Ease of operation
If the frame is designed as a low-profile creeper for accessing confined spaces, then the operator can work underneath vehicles, but the device cannot be easily stored upright against walls
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device incorporates adjustable or collapsible components that allow transformation between a low-profile operational configuration for working under vehicles and an upright storage configuration. The dynamic design enables the device to adapt to different spatial requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into segmentable components or includes collapsible sections that allow the device to be disassembled or reconfigured for upright storage against walls, while maintaining the low-profile structure needed for accessing confined spaces during operation.
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
Provides consistent illumination and easy access to tools, reducing the need to move lights and minimizing tool loss, thus enhancing efficiency and convenience during vehicle maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources may comprise any suitable source of light, such as incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, low-pressure sodium, light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the light sources each comprise an array of LEDs.
Data Source
AI summary
Maintenance and inspection devices, such as creepers, are provided that comprise a frame for supporting an individual and configured for coupling to one or more wheels. The device comprises or more light sources coupled to the frame and a power source housed within, or on, the frame. One or more electrical connectors extend through the frame to couple the light sources with the power source. Routing the electrical connectors through the frame of the inspection device protects the electrical connectors from wear or damage and inhibits removal of the light sources. The light sources may be pivotally coupled to the frame to allow the operator to adjust the angle of the light. The device may further comprise an actuator device for moving the frame between a substantially horizontal configuration relative to the ground surface and a substantially vertical or upright configuration. This allows the operator to direct the light in a more horizontal direction and/or easily store the inspection device after use.