Marine Lantern Continuous Loop Suspension for Tension and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional lanterns suspended in marine environments can swing uncontrollably in high winds, and securing them under tension can lead to excessive mechanical strain on the handles and exterior housing.

Innovation Solution

A lantern design featuring a continuous loop cable running through the center of the housing, allowing for secure suspension under high tension from both top and bottom, without placing mechanical strain on the lantern's exterior housing and handles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lantern is secured under tension using a second handle or hook attached near the bottom of the exterior housing, then the lantern can be secured under high tension to prevent swinging, but large mechanical strain is placed on the handles and exterior housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring under tensionVSAvoidmechanical strain on handles and housing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A continuous loop cable acts as an intermediary element that passes through the housing rather than attaching to it. The cable distributes tension forces along its length and transfers them to secure attachment points (tree, mast, or other structures) outside the housing, eliminating concentrated mechanical strain on the housing and handles while maintaining reliable tensioned suspension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system is segmented into distinct functional components: the continuous loop cable for force distribution, the housing for protection, and external attachment points for securing. This segmentation allows the housing to remain free from mechanical strain while the cable and external points handle the tension loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If traditional inverted U-shaped handles are used for suspension, then the lantern can be freely hanging, but it swings uncontrollably in high winds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreely hangingVSAvoidswinging control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous loop cable serves as a mediator between the lantern and external securement points, enabling the user to apply tension to stabilize the lantern against wind-induced swinging while maintaining ease of attachment and adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12270529B2Marine lantern with continuous loop suspension

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

AI summary

A lantern that can be suspended under high tension includes a housing with a central longitudinal channel passing through the entire length of the lantern, and a continuous loop cable passing through the central channel with top and bottom portions of the loop positioned outside the channel. The lantern also includes a plurality of LED lights, an electric battery, an electronic controller circuit, and a button allowing a user to change lighting modes of the lantern.