Detachable Tent Illumination Device with Alignment Coupler

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tents lack integrated, convenient, and reliable illumination solutions that do not interfere with folding and unfolding, and often suffer from misaligned conductive springs leading to open or short circuits.

Innovation Solution

A detachable illumination device for tent frames, featuring a casing with a battery pack, a coupler with electrically-conductive elastic members, and a cover that ensures proper electrical connection by preventing misalignment, connected to the hub via fasteners, threads, or magnetic forces, allowing easy attachment and detachment without affecting the tent's folding or size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lighting device is integrated with the tent, then illumination function is provided, but it interferes with the folding and unfolding of the tent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination functionVSAvoidfolding and unfolding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device is designed as a separate, detachable unit that can be independently attached to or removed from the tent hub. This segmentation allows the lighting function to be added without permanently integrating it into the tent structure, thus enabling easy folding and unfolding when the illumination device is detached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a lighting device is integrated with the tent, then illumination function is provided, but the folded tent is not compact and not easy to carry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination functionVSAvoidfolded tent size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By making the illumination device detachable from the hub, the tent can be folded and stored in a compact form without the illumination device. The lighting device can be attached only when needed, maintaining portability while providing illumination functionality when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If lighting devices are assembled using threads, then connection is achieved, but the conductive springs become misaligned resulting in open or short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection assemblyVSAvoidelectrical connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coupler component is introduced as an intermediary between the hub and the illumination device. The coupler includes positioning structures that guide and align the conductive springs with the battery terminals during assembly, preventing misalignment and ensuring reliable electrical connection while maintaining ease of threaded assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If the coupler is made detachable for easy battery replacement, then maintenance is improved, but electrical connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery replacementVSAvoidelectrical connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupler serves as a mediator that maintains reliable electrical connection through precision alignment features while allowing easy detachment for battery replacement. The positioning structures ensure that when the coupler is attached, the conductive springs are properly aligned with the battery terminals, providing both ease of maintenance and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides reliable, easy-to-use, and compact illumination that prevents misalignment of conductive components, ensuring proper electrical connections and easy battery replacement, without interfering with the tent's folding or size, and preventing wind and water leakage.

Implementation Method 1

one or more electrically-conductive elastic members for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

one or more electrically-conductive elastic members for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The illumination device is detachably connected to the hub by fasteners, threads, or magnetic forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11959299B2Detachable illumination device and tent having same

Publication Date: 2024.04.16 CAMPVALLEY XIAMEN LEISURE PRODS

AI summary

A tent frame includes a detachable illumination device with a casing to house batteries, a light source to emit light, a coupler and a first cover. The casing includes a first member. The coupler includes a second member, and one or more electrically-conductive members for electrically connecting the batteries. The second member is movable relative to the first member in a first direction to facilitate engagement/disengagement of the coupler with/from the casing. The second member is immovable relative to the first member in a second direction to prevent the one or more electrically-conductive members from misaligning with the batteries. The first cover is movable relative to the coupler in the first and second directions. When connected to the casing, the first cover pushes the coupler in the first direction toward the batteries and presses the one or more electrically-conductive members against the batteries to ensure electrical connection.