Modular Traffic Cone with Internal Lighting for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic cones are bulky and inefficient for storage, and indoor cones are flimsy and unsuitable for outdoor use due to their design and material limitations.
Innovation Solution
A modular traffic cone assembled from a flat, translucent sheet and a dish, with a platform for a light, allowing for compact storage and enhanced visibility through the use of a light inside the cone, forming part of a traffic directing kit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional traffic cones are made unitary and weighted for outdoor use, then they provide sufficient structural strength and stability, but they become bulky and occupy large storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic cone is divided into multiple separable components: a collapsible conical body made of flexible material, a removable base, and an optional lighting assembly. This segmentation allows the cone to be disassembled for compact storage while maintaining full structural strength when assembled for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical body is designed with collapsible sides that can be compressed radially inward, transforming the rigid-appearing structure into a compact bundle. The flexible material allows the cone to dynamically change volume without compromising its structural integrity when deployed.
2Volume of moving object
If indoor traffic cones are made lightweight and folding for compact storage, then they occupy minimal storage space, but they become flimsy and unsuitable for outdoor use
Solution Approach 1:
The conical body is constructed from flexible material such as vinyl-coated polyester or nylon, which appears lightweight and compact when stored but provides sufficient durability and weather resistance when deployed outdoors. The flexible shell maintains structural integrity while allowing compact compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The cone uses composite construction combining flexible vinyl-coated polyester or nylon fabric with a rigid or semi-rigid supporting structure, creating a material system that is both compact when stored and durable when deployed for outdoor traffic direction.
3Illumination intensity
If traffic cones are made translucent with internal lighting, then visibility is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly serves multiple functions: it provides illumination for enhanced visibility, acts as a structural support for the translucent cone material, and can be removed or adjusted based on usage conditions. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the added lighting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting assembly is a separate, removable component that can be independently installed or removed from the conical body. This segmentation allows the basic cone structure to remain simple while adding lighting functionality only when needed, reducing overall system complexity.
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 modular design allows for efficient storage and increased visibility with the light-enhanced cone, addressing the bulkiness and flimsiness issues of traditional cones while providing a versatile kit for directing traffic.
Implementation Method 1
The frustoconical member (20) and the dish (40) may be formed from a translucent material so that the light (12) acts as a beacon
Data Source
AI summary
A modular traffic cone assembled from a flat sheet and a dish that stores in a minimum of space. In one embodiment, translucent traffic cone has enhanced visibility through a light seated on a platform inside the translucent cone. In one embodiment, the modular traffic cone is included in a traffic directing kit comprising a translucent flat sheet, a dish and a platform, the sheet, the dish and the platform forming the traffic cone. The kit may also include ballast and the light for seating inside the traffic cone. A method of assembly for the traffic cone and the kit is disclosed.