Telescopic Light Signaling Device Using Lead Screw Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light signaling devices for ship bows rely on heavy hydraulic cylinders, causing soiling during maintenance and complicating electrical cable passage, and require manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A light signaling device with a telescopic rod structure using a series of lead screws and nut screws driven by an electrical gear-motor, eliminating hydraulic control and providing a direct passage for electrical cables through a tubular liner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinder means are used to control the telescopic rod, then the light signaling device can extend and retract, but the device becomes heavy and causes soiling during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic mechanical system with an electrical system. An electric motor drives a worm gear mechanism that rotates the telescopic rod, converting rotational motion to linear extension/retraction. This substitution eliminates heavy hydraulic cylinders and oil, significantly reducing weight while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic cylinder means and hydraulic oil from the system. By eliminating these components entirely and replacing them with a lightweight electric motor and worm gear assembly, the design achieves weight reduction and eliminates soiling issues associated with hydraulic fluid leakage during maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinder means are used, then the telescopic rod can be controlled, but the structure becomes complex and cable passage is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex hydraulic system with a simpler electrical drive system consisting of an electric motor, worm gear, and cable winding mechanism. This substitution reduces structural complexity by eliminating hydraulic cylinders, valves, and fluid management components, while providing a more straightforward control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic rod in the patent serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the light signaling means, acts as a cable conduit for electrical connections, and enables extension/retraction movement. By integrating the cable passage function into the rod itself rather than requiring separate hydraulic pathways, the design simplifies the overall structure.
3Device complexity
If manual operation is used, then the device is simpler, but the operation requires manual effort and is less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic control system where the electric motor autonomously extends or retracts the telescopic rod based on control signals. The worm gear mechanism provides self-locking capability, maintaining position without continuous power application. This self-service automation eliminates the need for manual operation while maintaining system simplicity, significantly improving productivity and response speed.
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 results in a lightweight, easy-to-maintain device with a convenient cable passage, eliminating the need for hydraulic systems and enabling automatic extension and retraction of the telescopic rod.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw (13, 17, 20), a nut screw (14, 18, 21) engaged with helical fit with said lead screw, a corresponding telescopic tubular section (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) connected, by means of respective support means (14.1, 18.1, 21.1), to said nut screw (14, 18, 21) and which is translated, in the axial direction, integrally with said nut screw, when said lead screw is set in rotation
Implementation Method 2
an electrical gear-motor means, integrated in said tubular liner (11) and arranged to set in rotation said first lead screw (13) and said second lead screw (17) and said third lead screw (20) selectively in the two opposite directions of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Light signaling device (10) for the bow of a ship, comprising, within a tubular outer liner (11), a support rod (15) with multiple telescopically extensible/retractable stages (15.1. 15.2, 15.3), characterized in that each of said telescopically extensible/retractable stages (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) includes, respectively: - a lead screw (13, 17, 20), - a nut screw (14, 18, 21) engaged with helical fit with said lead screw, - a corresponding telescopic tubular section (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) coaxial and connected, by means of respective support means (14.1, 18.1, 21.1), with respect to said nut screw (14, 18, 21) and which translates in the axial direction, integrally with said nut screw, when said lead screw is set in rotation, while it is prevented from rotating with the nut screw itself by means of linear guide means (16, 19, 22; 16.1, 19.1; 16.2, 19.2, 22.2); in that said lead screws (13, 17, 20) are integral to one another in rotation and receive the motion from electrical gear-motor means by transmission means (12, 12.1) kinematically connected to one (13) of said lead screws, and in that said lead screws (13, 17, 20) are tubular, coaxial and provided with external thread.