Rollable Signalling Device with Spring-Biased Extendible Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signaling devices for displaying warnings or traffic signs on vehicles or trailers are laborious to set up and require vehicle customization, leading to high refitting costs and limitations in versatility.
Innovation Solution
A rollable signaling device with vertically extendible and retractable arms, equipped with biasing mechanisms like gas springs, allowing for automatic deployment and compact storage, enabling easy transportation and use on various vehicles without customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid framed warning sign is mounted on a vehicle, then the sign is stable and visible, but the vehicle requires customization and refitting costs are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rollable screen that can be dynamically deployed and retracted, replacing the static rigid framed sign. The screen is mounted on a support frame with extendable arms that allow the display surface to be extended when needed and rolled up when not in use, providing both stability during operation and versatility for different vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is divided into multiple segments including extendable arms with telescoping or hingeable sections. This segmentation allows the structure to be compact when retracted and easily adaptable to different vehicle configurations, eliminating the need for permanent vehicle customization while maintaining structural stability when deployed.
2Reliability
If a rigid framed warning sign is used, then the sign is stable, but setting up the sign is laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates spring-biased laterally pivotable vertically extendable folding arms that automatically extend and pivot into position when deployed. The spring mechanism provides the force needed to extend the arms and position the screen without requiring manual effort, enabling rapid automatic deployment and reducing setup time while maintaining stability.
3Productivity
If a rollable screen with vertically extendible arms is used, then deployment is rapid and automatic, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses spring-biased mechanisms that act as counterweights to balance the weight of the extendable arms and screen. The springs are pre-loaded to provide the necessary force to extend the arms vertically and laterally pivot them into position, automatically counteracting gravitational forces and enabling rapid deployment without complex motorized systems.
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
The solution allows for rapid and automatic deployment of the signaling device, reducing setup time and costs, while maintaining compactness for easy transport and versatility across different vehicle types, suitable for both warning and advertising purposes.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing mechanism comprising a cable connected to one of the lower arm segment and the upper arm segment, and comprising a gas spring in the other one of the lower arm segment and the upper arm segment, the gas spring being arranged for exerting a tensile force on the strain cable, thereby forcing the vertical arm in the extended state
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A signalling device (102) for displaying warnings or traffic signs or for other display uses, arranged for attaching on a vehicle (100) or trailer, the signalling device (102) comprising a screen (104) with a display surface for a graphical indication (132), the screen (104) extending between a lower cross beam (120) and an upper cross beam (122). The screen (104) is rollable, and the signalling device (102) comprises a pair of vertical arms connecting the lower cross beam (120) and the upper cross beam (122). The vertical arms are extendible and retractable in a vertical direction (Z), so as to alter the signalling device (102) between a collapsed state in which the screen (104) is rolled up and the display surface is hidden, and a folded out state in which the screen (104) is unfolded and the display surface is fully shown. Each vertical arm (106) comprises a lower arm segment (108) laterally pivotably interconnected with an upper arm segment (110), and wherein the vertical arm (106) is extendible and retractable between a retracted state (QO) and an extended state (Ql), wherein each vertical arm (106) is provided with a biasing mechanism (200), arranged for exerting an upward total force (Fz) in the vertical direction (Z) on the upper cross beam (122), wherein the biasing mechanisms exert a sufficiently large vertical force for counteracting the combined gravitational pull on the screen, the cross beams, and the vertical arms, and sufficiently large for lifting the upper beam with both vertical arms. The biasing mechanism (200) is provided on inner sides (220, 222) of the lower arm segment (108) and/or upper arm segment (110), the biasing mechanism (200) comprising a strain cable (202) connected to one of the lower arm segment (108) and the upper arm segment (110), and comprising a gas spring (208) in the other one of the lower arm segment (108) and the upper arm segment (110), the gas spring (208) being arranged for exerting a tensile force on the strain cable (202), thereby forcing the vertical arm (106) in the extended state (Q 1).