Zipping traffic lights

Zipping two car lanes into one create traffic jams (even in Germany where there is a Zipping rule in action). Not waiting for automatic cars, we can help to comb the flow and fasten the narrow places...  (by spacing cars before they need to zip: people prefer to drive to the end making unnecessary stops).

All the components exist: laser cameras, led computer controlled set of lights..

As you may guess the system could be mobile - just unroll the lights before the road work... .

Iron induction adapter

With more available solar energy more and more induction cookers will find the place in the kitchen (they are much more efficient than heating spiral one). One of the problems - cooking only in iron pot. There are some external adapters like this (between the pot and cooker).

My simple idea is to have not external but internal iron adapter. It should have fan like shape to increase the contact surface and create slow spin in liquid. If not mistaken such adaptor would allow to cook in glass pot a bit faster than in iron one (due to larger contact area and convection facilitation). 

The smaller adaprors could be used even for tee 

Update: as always better research show that simple ideas should already be on the market. Accidently found:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/747044530/miito-the-sustainable-alternative-to-the-electric

 http://miito.de/#section-usp

The cons of their product buy extra induction heater,  no automatic switch off (probably).   

Soup magnetic stirrer

Looking for an automatic stirrer I found some existing examples:

With them you can't use a lid, they are massive and not easy to wash.  So my proposal is to create something we could see in chemistry -  magnetic stirrer:

Instead of stir bar the stir circle is used to increase the tork and to ease for magnet to reach the bottom place in a soup.
If it creates enough of speed and tork (I think so) sharp blades could make a blender in a pot. If so it would be even better than in my previous idea with a microvawe blender.

Benefits - tiny, easy to wash, stir or blend.  Cons - may not work with iron pot.

Microwave blender

Mixing several kitchen appliances sometimes make sense. For instance with heating blander it is much easier to cook mash soups and for sucklings.   Like this example Zauber ECO-580

But I found it a bit inconvenient to keep such a big extra machine in the kitchen.

So my offer it to use microwaves instead of heating spirals and put the motor to microwave itself:

The plate has a hole where we insert the cogwheel from the blanding container. The second more powerful motor shouldn't enlarge microwave oven too much, besides with some basic CVT (Continuously variable transmission) the second motor could be excluded.

Bike tube separator

A simple idea, so look for drawbacks (since it is not in use), however for city sharing bicycles and so on to reduce the amount of punctures (= service cost), I think, some extra separator between the tube and the tire could be installed. It is and independent from tire part which create a second shield, some hight to possible run on half-flat and extra elasticity. The separation shape could be just stripes or hexagons...  

Bins - plastic cup and so on

The common bin is not a space saver for plastic cups I suggested but then checked and here we are (just not so many know, including me).

 

There is non much to improve, I would probably add some hinge like handle and curved a side wall to get rid of the liquids... 

Speacking of bins usually they have tiny cover so if we want to put a plastic bag it is normally seen from the side. Just add some hight to the cap (with internal wall up to the top) to have enough space to cover the bag. 

If we have an internal bucket the two hinged handles with clips will do the same job.

Oscillating clothes rope

Of course,  dryer, open yard solve the wet clothes, but  in flat living people still dry on a rope ofthen somewhere inside of a building.
So to make the drying faster the wind is much better, if you don't have it (even in a yard) - create it by shaking the rope itself.  Accelerometer plus computer will controll the resonance to optimaze the flow.

   The other side could have the same part, one rope is a sincronisation cable....

The other simple home clothes dryers could also be made shaking (like a cradle).

No tie - one cable in-ear headphones

Even though there are plenty wireless headphones the wired ones are still in huge demand. The problem (if you dont use a wire keeper) they tend to make ties very easily. So to reduce ties my idea is to get rid of the fork wire, insert a spring like direction gude and couple of clips.

 

Spin around the spring part and clip it in circle, than spin the rest around the circle. It should be enough to unleash it back quickly.

Smart TV Set

Amount of clicks does matter. Even thought there are separate single solutions for quite a while on the market I couldn't find 3 in one product (probably except of the expensive smart home solutions):  1 Smart TV + 2 Skype-Sip calling + 3 TV/desktop/nettop

 


I bet not many homes have any SIP-IP phones (yet they probably 10 years on the market), skype is ok - but you need to turn a comp...
So my solution is to have a Smart TV - nettop like specs with camera mic and always on applications. It should be paired with wireless universal infrared control and mouse keyboard and TV.

1 The comp is always on. When you got a call (either sip, or skype) your smart tv box is ringing, you take a remote control with mic and speaker (like a phone) and TV box send recorded IR signal to TV to turn on switch to HDMI, and start conversation. As you see the Comp not TV is the main product (it can turn on, switch, put picture in picture... depends on the TV itself) - TV is just a monitor (and comp is better to be separate product - it is developing faster than TVs).

2 The comp is always on. you want to check email turn a special key on keyboard and you in desktop mode (your proper remote laptop or TV built in nettop).




   

hinge sink

Looking for a caravan top plan (or any compact places), I thought a hinge sink could be a good space solution.  A pedal like mechanizm could lift up /down the sink. All the bending pipes already on the market.  

Kevlar mesh inside asphalt

Although Kevlar mesh in asphalt will not help against ice cracks and normal surface wearout, it still could keep the road from fast craking (like fiberglass plastering mesh prevent small wall cracking).

To put kevlar inside road surface - small asphalt dispenser track modification needed.

Road pothole machine

Currently to fix the road holes we milling old asphalt than put a new one. Here is my cutting expense solution.
Instead of ripping off,  my recipe is just clean, scan in 3d , heat very hot to melt some bottom layer, than put some tar, fine sand than new asphalt (just enough for the pot).

Since 3d image provide the shape of the hole the patching would be the same as in 3d printering (or even easier 2d) - just put calculated amount.
Low speed compactor at the end most probably just make initial compaction and road roller will finish behind.
Due to hole only filament the constraint asphalt supply is not essential.
The cutting drum only to even the road bumps.


Small research... some starting thinking in the same way
http://www.gizmag.com/automatic-road-repair/23000/

Cable-stayed u-bow bridge

With new materials, cable-stayed bridges have longer than ever span (1.1 km for now), however, still twice shorter as suspended.

My offer is to expand its capabilities with a bow like structure.

The main arc framework (1) could be essentially thinner than a concrete tower of cable-stayed bridges since it is under tension from both sides (internal stayed cables 2 and common stayed cables 4).

The main tensioning cables (2) keep the bow rigid in u like shape and extend the bridge span compare to common cable-stayed structures (5). Some extra support (3) redirects tension from the main arc.

Update 09/2018:
It's is nice to know that this idea was not too far-fetched:
Searching for new bridge forms that can span further

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180919083440.htm

Hybrid Cable-stayed-Suspension bridge

There are two main types of cable bridges cable-stayed bridged with tentioned cables and self suported base (like Pont de Normandie) and Suspension bridge (like Golden Gate) with long main cable and suspended cables. 

Cable-stayed are easier to build but they have shorter the span than Suspension bridges. Suspension requires huge anchores (in most cases) and more complicated to build (firs main cable than support). 

http://theconstructor.org/structures/classification-of-steel-bridges/2092/

The longest current cable-stayed Russky Bridge is actually 1.1 km

I offer to join them in hybrid mode to possibly get some extra benefits. 

Stayed cables (1) work for short distance. They are build in first place covering essential part of  the bridge. Futher from the base the angle makes them ineficient. 

The main suspended cable (2) takes the weight of the middle section of the bridge through short suspended cables (3).  The anchors (4) could be smaller and the main cable is thinner. 

 To make bridge a bit more rigid to the side wind vibration amplitude some short extra support (4) could be added to form structures like in extradosed bridges.

Hybrid Tank-Tankless Water Electric Heater

Thinking of optimizing consumer properties of electric water heaters I found some gas hybrid heaters, but no electric.

The Rinnai RH180  http://www.rinnai.us/hybrid-tank-tankless-water-heater/how-it-works
And more interesting  Grand Hall's Eternal Hybrid - which uses infrared heating and mixing electric valves

https://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/hybrid-water-heaters

The problem of the common tank electric heaters that water cools down when tank is near to empty: spiral heat all new coming water and usually too weak to heat it all quickly, besides spiral most probably is turning on after some hot water gone from the tank. 

The tankless heaters usually can provide only limited flow of water. 

My offer is to combine two chambers with electric valves 

Controller may actively direct the supply of hot water. From start from heater + tank, when tank is empty there could be some alarm and flow reduction to usual thankless mode (less hot water, but predictable constant proportion.  When tap is closed it full in the tank...  To keep it hot the extra loop to heater chamber could be added.

Even more add cold water mixture under computer control and precise temperature will be in outflow (the flow - not temperature will decrease when tank is empty).  

Instead of traditional electric spiral heating element (which rust and decrease efficiency) the modified magnetron could be used (like in microwave oven). 

  

Helioctopus

It is probably mainly a variation of my previous idea about swarms

http://ideatarium.blogspot.com/2014/09/quadcopter-swarms.html



To carry heavy loads (I mean part of a bridge, assembled homes....)  propeller only fan structure could be built.
The engine an the cockpit are in control ground vehicle (traditional cockpit with rest stuff is possible of cause, it is just one more sub-idea). Remote cameras, energy and so on by wire... with double connection (to jump over obstacles).

The main difference is in propeller. 

It is very wide radius (to maximize lifting) with spinning circle motor and base. Due to large size of the circle-motor itself the permanent magnets could be light and thin (not sure). Fixed rotation angle - control like in quadracopters by changing individual fan speed. 

Coaxial fans could be used, but 3 clockwise to 2 back spinning fans (with calculated radius) looks better to me for now.   

Rubber gloves holder

Doubtfully on the wide use, some still could find a place for a simple rubber glove drier.

Thin plastic holder with fan and air channels dry the glove quickly with both sides. Stretch them on, press the button (fan will work for 5 min on batteries) - that's it - keep them there...  
Usually if you turn them out you may have one side dry only, looking for place where to put them wet...

Design could be more size type universal with narrow top orientation or peg / antipeg clamping.

Road track machine - factory

It could be a bit naive idea, but with all existing huge railway track laying machine and giant tunneling machine  why there is still no such thing for usual roads. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MKcTbYDP7w

tunnelling machines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z38JIqGDZVU

Even though it could be adopted for traditional rock + sand bedding and asphalt surface roads I suggest to have shallow water like small bridges (only small piles every 5 m)

Here is the monster:

Parallel car lift parking

May be there is something already, but as always didn't find so my car parking offer:

There are many different types of mechanical two or more story parking (most of them dependent), however, no those where cars are in parallel parking. (narrow ground garage). 

The yellow scissors are not the best solution, but could be cheap enough to exist. I am sure the bottom only mechanism could be designed (don't remember now how to draw it - like a top kitchen cabinet hinge). 

All turning wheels

With electronic actuators it is possible to create computer controlled turning mechanism for all the wheels of vehicles. (if not mistaken some car producers already working on it).  When all wheels are in control it changes the way a car may drive.  Just turn computer to special parking mode and voila:

Imagine a long bus like a caterpillar which can go behind the cabin. With computer guided control, no worries to cut the corner. But if necessary even slow parallel shift is possible.

 


Hey I found some conformation:
"An active multiple-axle steering system with integrated guidance ensures a safe journey." http://www.gizmag.com/go/6634/

Road surface

Asphalt road surface has cracking problem due to ice in winter. It tends to tear up in wheel paths.

To solve this issues my offer:
Instead of one monoliths layer of asphalt the composite concrete mash patches could be joined together.  Some road concrete blocks joined with string like tightening floor. Using the same idea but with road patches (50*100 cm for instance) we could easily just damaged parts.  

The cones like hole structure of the product will push the ice downward, and some extra mesh probably will make it more robust.    

Helicopter with rotating push rotor

The new Sikorsky S-97 model which uses the  push rotor to speed up the flight I am more and more sure that half turned back rotor as awkward it may look will find its way.

Coaxial counter-rotating main rotors stabilize the rotational torque of the helicopter to get rid of the traditional back rotor (as in Russian KA 52).  But the second row of blades with extra controls and transmission complicate the machinery, hence cost... 

My offer is to leave one traditional row of blades, but turn the back rotor with a counted angle. 

I think such attempts were made before, however, they probably used mechanical synchronization. Nowadays with all the quadrocopters and electronically changed fan speed it could be possible to precisely adjust the compensation speed. The part of the back rotor energy will push the helicopter forward  ( the main rotor will speed up or turn to "forward" as well). If not mistaken such helicopter will have to move forward from the beginning (slowly up and forward, without any runway) - if so it is noticeable but still acceptable restriction in many fields. 

If hovering is essential, the angle turning mechanism could be added. Just turn to traditional position... 

Benefits cheaper than S-97 and faster traditional.

      

 

Magnetic bath curtain

To solve the "water between the wall and a curtain when having shower" problem it is useful to have some magnets.
The insect mesh with two side magnets (one on the wall) is good, but I think if you insert a metal rod on the side of the curtain and a magnet on the wall it would be easier to grab, pull and clicked.

You may adjust the height of the rod to prevent the blind spot. They have holes in which you pin them to any curtain.
The elastic band from outside of the bath will prevent the bubbling inside effect (tightening between walls).

Compact size could be archived if make as foldable ruler.


PS the zipping solution seems to be unpractical to me.

Continuous zip

Most probably it should be somewhere on the market, however, basic research had no exact result.

Traditional zip is made from metal (now from hard plastic) - the chess cell order with small common surface of two parts lead to common zip issues (jamming, uncontrolled unzipping).

The simple solution is to use with some adaptation reclosable bag slider zip like this




In my opinion it is not to hard to find the right elasticity proportion to make the flat like zipper in a jacket.

Most probably the switch mechanism should be longer than normal zip (due to narrow angel of the tube). Inside the C half of the shape there should be the guide (internal walls) opening the them to U or <  like shape for easier connection.