Vehicle Warning Sign Retractable Pole Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional warning signs for vehicles are inadequate in height, leading to reduced visibility for rear-coming vehicles, and existing solutions either require drivers to exit their vehicles to place signs or have complex gas-filled structures that are difficult to mount and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A warning sign structure with an activating mechanism connected to a vehicle's battery, featuring a stretching-retracting mechanism and a light emitting unit that can be manually or automatically extended to a high position, eliminating the need for drivers to exit their vehicles and providing a simple, easily maintainable solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a conventional triangular warning sign is placed on the ground, then the structure is simple, but the height is insufficient and rear-coming vehicles cannot see it clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a retractable pole mechanism that can extend and retract dynamically. The pole transitions from a compact stored state to an extended operational state, providing variable height adjustment. This dynamic structure allows the warning sign to achieve greater height when needed while maintaining a compact form when not in use, resolving the contradiction between height and structural simplicity.
2Length of stationary object
If an improved warning lamp structure is used to increase height, then visibility is improved, but the driver must exit the vehicle to place the sign on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an automatic deployment mechanism that activates when the vehicle's hazard lights are turned on. The control unit automatically triggers the retractable pole to extend and the warning sign to deploy, eliminating the need for the driver to manually exit the vehicle and place the sign. The system serves itself by using the vehicle's existing electrical system and hazard light signal to initiate the deployment sequence.
3Length of stationary object
If a floating warning sign with gas-filled bag is used, then height and visibility are improved, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to mount and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex gas-filled bag system entirely and replaces it with a mechanically simple retractable pole structure. By extracting the buoyancy-based floating mechanism and substituting it with a direct mechanical extension system, the design achieves the desired height without the complexity of gas filling, sealing, and pressure control systems.
4Device complexity
If a floating warning sign with insufficient gas is used, then the structure is simpler, but the bag cannot float and the position cannot be determined effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic/hydrostatic floating mechanism with a purely mechanical retractable pole system. Instead of relying on gas buoyancy forces, the system uses mechanical extension to achieve elevation. This substitution eliminates the need for precise gas filling while ensuring reliable positioning through direct mechanical support.
Data Source
AI summary
A warning sign structure includes an activating mechanism and a stretching-retracting mechanism movably joined to the activating mechanism. The stretching-retracting mechanism includes a retractable unit connected to the activating mechanism and a light emitting unit movably disposed on a top of the retractable unit. When the vehicle breaks down, the activating mechanism drives a stretching-retracting mechanism to stretch its retractable unit to an appropriate height manually or automatically and turns on a light emitting unit. The light emitting unit emits light in a high position to warn the rear-coming vehicles. The driver can also detach the stretching-retracting mechanism and use the stretching-retracting mechanism as a hand-held warning sign or a traffic baton.