Light Stake Socket With Reinforced Fingers for Uniform Bulb Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative light string installations are cumbersome and require significant time and effort to achieve a straight and secure arrangement, especially in unfavorable weather conditions, and there is a need for a device that can hold lights in a uniform and stable manner.
Innovation Solution
A light stake with a spike and socket design, featuring a solid-material periphery and flexible fingers, which provides increased base strength and rigidity for secure light bulb support, allowing easy insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional light installation methods are used, then lights can be installed outdoors, but the installation process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The light stake is divided into distinct functional segments: a spike for ground insertion, a connecting base for structural support, and a socket assembly for light bulb mounting. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates quick assembly and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting base acts as an intermediary element between the spike and the socket assembly, providing a stable transition zone that simplifies the overall installation process by pre-assembling key components before final ground insertion.
2Shape
If lights are installed to achieve straight and uniform orientation, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the installation process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The socket assembly is pre-configured with the connecting base and spike in a fixed geometric relationship during manufacturing, establishing the correct orientation and alignment before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during field installation.
3Strength
If the socket base is made stronger to support light bulb insertion and removal, then structural strength is improved, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The socket base features a solid-material periphery that concentrates material density and structural strength specifically at the critical regions where light bulbs are inserted and removed. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength without requiring complex structures throughout the entire base.
4Strength
If the fingers are made more rigid to hold the light bulb securely, then holding strength is improved, but ease of insertion and removal of light bulbs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are designed with dynamic characteristics, being rigid at their fixed ends for secure holding but flexible at their free ends to allow easy compression during light bulb insertion and release during removal. This dynamic design adapts the finger stiffness to the specific operational requirement at each location.
5Stability of the object's composition
If the socket base is made thicker to increase rigidity, then structural rigidity is improved, but the device requires more material and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The socket base incorporates a solid-material periphery that provides localized thickness and rigidity only where structurally necessary for supporting the light bulb mounting function. This approach achieves the required rigidity without uniformly increasing the base dimensions throughout, thereby avoiding unnecessary material usage and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A light stake for holding a light bulb includes a spike with a body extending along a spike axis between a top end and an insertion end, a connecting base at the top end of the body, and a socket having a socket axis. The socket has a socket base, a plurality of fingers, and a strengthening fillet. The socket base is perpendicular to the socket axis and with a solid-material periphery extending on all sides of the socket axis. The fingers extend from the socket base along the socket axis, with each finger extending between a fixed end near the socket base and a movable end. The strengthening fillet is at the intersection between the fixed end of each finger and the socket base, and increases the local thickness of each fixed end and of the socket base for increased rigidity of the fixed end.