Roadside safety mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground cover mats lack integrated solutions for safe and illuminated tire changing at night, while also failing to provide adequate warning to oncoming traffic and protection from the elements.
Innovation Solution
A padded, weatherproof ground cover mat with semi-circular cutouts and removable lighting poles at the corners, powered by batteries or a vehicle charging port, offering both illumination for the work area and caution lights to alert traffic, ensuring user safety and comfort during roadside repairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ground cover mat is provided for kneeling comfort during tire changes, then user comfort is improved, but the mat lacks integrated illumination and warning capabilities for nighttime use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety functions (illumination, warning lights, ground protection) into a single integrated mat system. The mat incorporates light pole receivers that accept removable light poles with both work lights and caution lights, merging what would traditionally be separate tools into one unified device for nighttime tire changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a padded kneeling surface, protects against ground moisture and dirt, offers structural support for light poles, and enables both work area illumination and traffic warning capabilities through its integrated light pole receivers.
2Illumination intensity
If illumination is added to the mat for nighttime work, then work area visibility is improved, but the mat structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into removable light poles that can be independently attached to the mat at specific receiver locations. This allows the illumination function to be added without permanently complicating the mat structure, as the light poles can be removed or repositioned as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pole receivers act as intermediaries between the mat body and the light poles. These receivers provide a simple connection interface that enables illumination functionality without requiring complex integration into the mat structure itself.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the mat is made weatherproof to protect from elements, then protection from moisture and dirt is improved, but the mat material selection and construction become more restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The mat utilizes composite construction with a foam core layer for cushioning sandwiched between weatherproof outer layers. This composite structure provides both comfort and protection from environmental elements, combining materials with different properties to achieve multiple functions simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If light poles are made removable for easy storage, then transportability is improved, but the connection mechanism between poles and mat becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into separate removable poles that can be independently stored when not in use. The poles connect to the mat through discrete receiver mechanisms at specific locations, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without requiring complex integrated structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A roadside repair safety mat includes a mat body that is, preferably, a flexible closed foam core with an integral top and bottom cover made of a sturdy waterproof material. The mat body includes a semi-circular, cut-out to fit around a flat tire on a vehicle and has receivers that fit poles for lighting a work area around the tire and caution poles nearer the road to flash a warning, which allows the user to kneel comfortably on the padded mat and to work in a secure environment while changing a tire at night. The mat includes pouches to carry necessary tools and is flexible so that it may roll up with the light poles and fit in a vehicle trunk.