Reflective Fire Hose Coupling Levers for Low Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighters face difficulties in locating locking levers of fire hose couplings in low visibility conditions, particularly at night or in smoke-filled environments, due to the lack of visibility, which complicates the assembly and disassembly of fire hoses while wearing firefighting gloves.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of high-visibility locking levers with light-reflecting surfaces made of super reflective, photo luminescent, or phosfluorescent materials on fire hose couplings, allowing for easier identification and operation in poor visibility conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional locking levers are used on fire hose couplings, then the coupling mechanism remains simple and cost-effective, but the levers become difficult to locate in low visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-visibility coloring and light-reflecting surfaces to the locking lever to enhance its visibility in low-light conditions. The lever incorporates reflective materials and bright colors that make it easily locatable without adding mechanical complexity to the coupling structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light-reflecting surfaces and high-visibility coatings as intermediary elements on the locking lever. These intermediaries enhance the lever's visibility by reflecting ambient light and emitting phosphorescent glow, allowing firefighters to locate the lever easily without modifying the fundamental coupling mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If firefighters rely on tactile sensation to locate locking levers in poor visibility, then no additional materials are needed, but operation becomes difficult when wearing firefighting gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever incorporates high-visibility colors and light-reflecting surfaces that make it easily distinguishable visually. This allows firefighters wearing gloves to locate and operate the lever through visual identification rather than tactile exploration, significantly improving ease of operation in low-visibility conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If high-visibility materials are added to locking levers, then visibility in poor conditions improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever uses composite materials combining standard metal or plastic lever body with integrated light-reflecting surfaces and high-visibility coatings. These materials can be applied through standard manufacturing processes such as coating, printing, or molding, minimizing the impact on manufacturing ease while achieving superior visibility.
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 firefighters to visually locate and operate the locking levers without removing their gloves, simplifying the assembly and disassembly of fire hoses, enhancing safety and efficiency in low-light environments.
Implementation Method 1
These high-visibility levers have a light-reflecting surface that may be made of a super reflective, photo luminescent or phosfluorescent material.
Implementation Method 2
These high-visibility levers have a light-reflecting surface that may be made of a super reflective, photo luminescent or phosfluorescent material.
Implementation Method 3
These high-visibility levers have a light-reflecting surface that may be made of a super reflective, photo luminescent or phosfluorescent material.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire hose coupling, such as a quarter-turn Storz-style coupling, has a substantially annular body having a first end connected to a fluid-carrying conduit and a second end for connecting to another coupling. The fire hose coupling also includes at least one locking lever movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The lever locks the annular body of the coupling to the other coupling. The locking lever has a light-reflecting surface to improve visibility of the lever. This facilitates assembly and disassembly of the couplings in conditions of poor visibility.