Portable Lighting System with Suction Base and Slip Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems for paintless dent removal are difficult to position correctly and often fail to produce the desired illumination characteristics, leading to inefficiencies in dent repair.
Innovation Solution
A portable lighting apparatus with a bendable extension member and a base that includes a suction cup mount, allowing the light board to be securely positioned on a vehicle body panel, and featuring interchangeable LED strips and a battery-powered system with switchable light sources and a slip ring to prevent wire damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional lighting systems are used for paintless dent removal, then the lighting can be provided, but the systems are difficult to position properly with respect to the body panels
Solution Approach 1:
The extension member is designed to be bendable and adjustable, allowing the light board to be dynamically positioned at various angles and distances from the body panel. This dynamic structure enables the technician to easily adjust the lighting position to achieve the desired illumination angle while maintaining stable support through the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is divided into separate functional components: a base unit with mounting capabilities, an extendable arm with bending capability, and a light board. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the base for stable positioning, the extension for flexible positioning, and the light board for illumination - making the overall system easier to position and adjust.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting systems are used, then lighting can be provided, but the systems cannot produce light having the desired characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control elements including adjustable intensity settings and switchable light sources that allow the lighting characteristics to be changed during operation. This enables the same physical light board to produce different illumination patterns and intensities depending on the specific dent repair requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system allows change in key parameters including intensity level, color temperature, and illumination pattern by providing multiple light sources with different characteristics and adjustable controls. This parameter variability enables optimization of light properties for different body panel conditions and repair stages.
3Ease of operation
If the light board is made movable for flexible positioning, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the electrical conductors may twist or bind
Solution Approach 1:
A slip ring mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the base and light board, allowing rotational and flexing movements without twisting the electrical conductors. The slip ring maintains continuous electrical contact while accommodating the motion, preventing wire damage and enabling unlimited positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension member is designed with flexible characteristics that allow it to bend and move without compromising the electrical conductors embedded within it. The flexible structure accommodates movement while the conductors remain protected and functional.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different characteristics are provided, then illumination customization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources with different characteristics are integrated into a single light board unit that can be controlled through a common control system. This multi-functional design allows one physical component to provide various lighting modes (different colors, intensities, patterns) without requiring separate independent systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving versatility.
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
Enables flexible and efficient positioning of light sources with customizable illumination characteristics, reducing stress on electrical conductors and enhancing visibility for dent repair while allowing hands-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
the mount is a suction cup mount that can be easily attached to or removed from the body panel
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for lighting body panels of automobiles to facilitate repair of the body panels, where one embodiment is a portable lighting apparatus that includes a light board, a base and an extension member that connects the light board to the base. The light board is supported by the extension member, which is supported by the base. A battery in the base provides power through conductors in the extension member to light sources in the light board. The extension member has a conduit that holds the conductors therein and can rotate, thereby allowing the light board to rotate with respect to the base. A suction cup mount on the base enables the base to be secured to an automobile body panel, and the extension member allows the light board to be positioned as desired.