Temporary Work Light String With Variably Positioned Lamps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable temporary power cords are inflexible in lamp placement, require labor-intensive relocation, and have limited capacity for additional loads, with fixed lamp positions leading to inefficiencies in illumination and cumbersome repair processes.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electrical cord with variably positionable and replaceable lamps, supported by a dual-circuit design allowing lamps to connect to either circuit independently, enabling lamps to be positioned and replaced along the cord without splicing, and featuring self-healing insulation for easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If lamps are fixed at predetermined positions along the cord, then the cord structure is simple and stable, but the lamp placement flexibility is poor and relocation is labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelamp placement flexibilityVSAvoidcord structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cord is divided into multiple segments with insulation exposures at predetermined positions. Each segmentation allows independent lamp attachment at specific locations while maintaining the overall cord structure. The modular design enables flexible lamp placement without requiring complete cord redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulation exposures are pre-formed at predetermined positions along the cord during manufacturing. This preliminary action prepares the cord for flexible lamp attachment later, allowing users to attach lamps at needed positions without complex field modifications or splicing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If lamps are attached at predetermined positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but lamp replacement and cord reconfiguration become labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelamp replacement easeVSAvoidrelocation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Lamps are designed to be easily detached from the cord by removing them from the lamp holders at insulation exposures. This extraction capability allows quick lamp replacement and repositioning without tools or complex procedures, significantly reducing maintenance time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp attachment system transitions from fixed to dynamic/reconfigurable. Lamps can be attached, detached, and repositioned at different insulation exposures along the cord, enabling adaptive reconfiguration to match changing work requirements without permanent installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If the cord carries multiple electrical circuits, then the power capacity and load handling increase, but the cord insulation and electrical management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower capacityVSAvoidelectrical circuit management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cord contains multiple separate electrical circuits (hot, neutral, ground conductors) segmented along its length. Each circuit is independently insulated and managed, allowing high power capacity while maintaining organized electrical management through clear spatial separation of conductors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-circuit cord design provides universal power delivery capability, supporting multiple lamps and various electrical loads simultaneously. The standardized multi-conductor construction serves multiple functions including power delivery, control signaling, and equipment grounding in a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If self-healing insulation is used, then lamp attachment and disassembly become easier, but the insulation material requirements and manufacturing precision increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidinsulation exposure precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation material possesses self-healing properties that automatically seal around lamp attachment components after insertion. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for manual sealing or complex assembly procedures, allowing easy lamp attachment and disassembly while maintaining electrical insulation integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cord uses composite insulation materials combining rubber or thermoplastic elastomer with self-healing properties. These composite materials provide both the mechanical flexibility needed for lamp attachment and the automatic sealing capability that simplifies operation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established material science.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9557019B2Temporary work light string with variably-positionable and re-positionable readily-replaced lamp, optionally with integral hangers, that are optionally electrically connected to plural electrical circuits

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 MAHR CASEY JAMES

AI summary

A work light string removably physically mounts and electrically attaches lamps anywhere along it is length, with ready hand positioning and re-positioning of desired numbers of lamps at desired positions, and replacement of damaged lamps. The work light string can have one, or, more preferably two separate electrical circuit in which case each lamp and any external electrical load(s) can be powered by either circuit.