Transparent Fish Tape Case for Full-Length Glow Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fish tapes with light-emitting tips are not effective once the tip has passed the opening through which electrical wires or fiber optic cables are being pulled, limiting visibility during the pulling process.
Innovation Solution
A fish tape system featuring a donut-shaped case with transparent sidewalls and a luminescent fish tape that emits light when exposed to a light source, allowing for continuous illumination of the tape as it is deployed and reloaded, enhancing visibility during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light emitting tip is connected to the end of the fish tape, then visibility of the fish tape is improved, but the light emitting tip becomes ineffective once it has moved past the opening through which electrical wires or fiber optic cables are being pulled
Solution Approach 1:
The fish tape incorporates luminescent material that absorbs and stores light energy, then re-emits it as visible light. This photoluminescent property allows the tape to glow continuously after initial light exposure, maintaining visibility throughout the entire pulling process regardless of the tip's position relative to the opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminescent material is pre-loaded into the fish tape before deployment. When exposed to light sources during the pulling operation, the material charges up and emits light, providing continuous illumination without requiring active power sources or complex control mechanisms.
2Strength
If the case is made opaque for protection, then durability is improved, but the luminescent material cannot be energized by light passing through the case
Solution Approach 1:
The case is constructed with transparent or translucent portions specifically at locations where light needs to pass through to energize the luminescent material in the fish tape. Other portions of the case can remain opaque to provide protection, creating different optical properties in different locations based on functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent case material acts as an intermediary that allows light energy to pass through from external light sources to the luminescent material inside the storage compartment, enabling charging of the fish tape while the case maintains its protective enclosure function.
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 system provides improved visibility of the fish tape throughout the pulling process, ensuring better guidance and control of cables through conduits and enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The fish tape has a length extending from a first end to a second end, and the length of the fish tape includes a luminescent material that emits light after being energized by exposure to a light source
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of the case is transparent to allow the luminescent material to be energized by light passing through the portion
Data Source
AI summary
A fish tape system includes a fish tape and a case having a storage compartment that stores the fish tape for deployment from the case. The fish tape has a length extending from a first end to a second end. The length includes a luminescent material that emits light after being energized by exposure to a light source. At least a portion of the case is transparent to allow the luminescent material 22 to be energized by light passing through the transparent portion and into the storage compartment.