Optical Coupling for Detachable Boat Navigation Lights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Detachable bow lights for boats suffer from corrosion of electrical contacts due to moisture exposure, leading to electrical failure in marine environments.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves transmitting light instead of electrical current across the coupling of the base and light conduit, using a light conduit assembly with a large diameter optical fiber or light pipe to conduct light, eliminating the need for electrical contacts and replacing the pole and bulb assembly with a light conduit assembly that redirects and emits light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical contacts are used to transmit power from base to pole, then electrical power transmission is achieved, but corrosion occurs due to moisture exposure leading to electrical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmoisture corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical contact system with an optical transmission system. A light source in the base emits light that travels through a light conduit (optical fiber or transparent rod) to illuminate the pole, eliminating electrical contacts entirely. This substitution of electrical transmission with optical transmission prevents corrosion while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light conduit acts as an intermediary between the power source and the light-emitting component. Instead of direct electrical contact, energy is transmitted through the intermediary optical medium, which is immune to corrosion from moisture and saltwater environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If detachable pole design is used, then storage convenience is improved, but electrical contact corrosion problem persists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidelectrical connection durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable pole design is retained for ease of storage, but the electrical contact mechanism is replaced with an optical coupling system. The light conduit can be easily connected and disconnected at the base, maintaining storage convenience while eliminating the corrosion issue associated with electrical contacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If weather covers are provided for electrical contacts, then corrosion protection is attempted, but water intrusion still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidelectrical contact functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attempting to protect electrical contacts with weather covers that fail to prevent water intrusion, the patent eliminates the need for protected electrical contacts entirely by using an optical transmission system that is inherently resistant to moisture and corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach prevents corrosion and ensures reliable navigation lights by maintaining light transmission efficiency while withstanding marine conditions, enhancing the durability and functionality of detachable bow lights.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting light instead of electrical current across the coupling of the base and light conduit. It further replaces the combined pole and light bulb assembly with a light conduit assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

a mechanism to redirect and emit the transmitted light out of the light conduits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight redirection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8172437B2Light coupled detachable bow navigation lights for boats

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 BURKE JOHN

AI summary

An apparatus that improves the usable life and reliability of detachable bow lights for boats. It replaces electrical energy coupling by light energy coupling, thereby eliminating electrical contact corrosion problems.