Integrated Signal Light Grab Handle for Fire Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firefighting apparatuses, such as fire trucks, require multiple holes for mounting signal and warning lights, which can lead to water and debris ingress, causing rust and compromising the integrity of the vehicle, especially in salted winter climates.
Innovation Solution
A signal light grab handle that integrates both a grasping surface and a warning light system, mounted to the truck's frame, eliminating the need for additional holes by housing the light's wiring within the handle and using a concealed hole, and featuring a controller for various illumination modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional signal lights are mounted on the truck, then warning illumination is provided, but multiple holes are required in the body panels which lead to water and debris ingress causing rust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal light mounting function with the grab handle structure. The signal light is integrated into the grab handle assembly, allowing both components to be mounted through a single hole in the body panel rather than separate holes for each component. This merging reduces the total number of holes and maintains vehicle integrity while providing warning illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The grab handle assembly serves multiple functions: it provides a grasping surface for personnel, houses the signal light, and contains the wiring conduit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces the overall number of holes required in the vehicle body panels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate accessories (lights and handles) are mounted on the truck, then specific functions are provided, but the number of separate mounting holes increases leading to increased leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The signal light and grab handle are combined into a single integrated assembly that mounts through one hole in the body panel. The housing contains both the light source and the handle structure, with wiring routed through an internal conduit. This integration reduces the number of separate mounting holes and minimizes leakage pathways while maintaining both warning illumination and grasping functions.
3Reliability
If conventional light mounting is used, then warning lights are provided, but seals around multiple holes degrade over time leading to rust and compromised components
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated grab handle assembly requires only one seal around the single mounting hole, compared to multiple seals that would be needed for separate light and handle mountings. This reduction in the number of seals minimizes potential failure points and reduces the risk of water and debris ingress over time.
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
Reduces the number of holes on the truck, enhancing its integrity by providing a dual-functional solution for illumination and grasping while preventing water and debris ingress, thus simplifying mounting and extending the vehicle's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The LED strip can include a primary axis of illumination, which optionally can be generally perpendicular to the plane in which the LEDs of the LED strip are disposed
Data Source
AI summary
A firefighting or rescue apparatus includes a frame, cab and/or body to which a signal light grab handle is mounted. The signal light grab handle is operable in a flashing mode in which the signal light grab handle emits illumination in a predefined flashing pattern, and a sleep mode in which the signal light grab handle emits no illumination. The signal light grab handle includes a light strip including a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs. This strip can be coupled to a wire that extends through upper and/or lower handle attachment brackets, and through an exterior outer panel of the apparatus. The signal light grab handle provides at least one of warning lights and signal lights to observers of the firefighting apparatus when actuated.