License Plate Frame Angled Emergency Lighting Heat Sink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency lighting systems on vehicles, particularly around the rear license plate, do not effectively enhance visibility and safety due to limited field of view and heat management issues with high-power LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A license plate frame with integrated emergency lighting elements, including LEDs and optics, arranged at non-perpendicular angles to increase visibility, and fabricated from heat-conductive materials like aluminum to serve as a heat sink for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If emergency lighting elements are arranged perpendicular to the license plate plane, then the structure is simple, but the field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements are arranged at non-perpendicular angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the license plate plane, creating an asymmetric configuration that expands the field of view in multiple directions rather than straight back, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple structure and wide illumination coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are oriented at angular deviations from the perpendicular axis, adding angular dimensionality to the light distribution pattern. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows light to reach areas that would be invisible with perpendicular-only mounting, achieving wider field of view without proportionally increasing structural complexity
2Illumination intensity
If high-power LEDs are used to increase brightness, then illumination intensity improves, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aluminum license plate frame, which would normally just be a structural component, is utilized as a heat sink to dissipate the heat generated by high-power LEDs. The harmful heat is converted into a manageable thermal dissipation system, allowing high-power LEDs to operate efficiently without overheating
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal interface material or thermal paste is applied between the LED and the aluminum frame to facilitate efficient heat transfer. This intermediary substance acts as a thermal conductor that bridges the gap between the heat-generating LED and the heat-dissipating aluminum frame, resolving the temperature contradiction
3Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are mounted at angled orientations, then field of view increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements are integrated directly into the license plate frame structure itself, merging the mounting function with the frame's structural role. This integration eliminates separate mounting brackets or complex assembly fixtures, making the angled orientation achievable without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The aluminum frame serves multiple functions: structural support for the license plate, heat sink for the LEDs, and mounting substrate for the lighting elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby easing manufacturing despite the angled lighting configuration
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 significantly enhances rear visibility and safety of emergency vehicles by providing a wider field of view and reliable operation of high-power LEDs, while maintaining a stealthy appearance and ensuring durability.
Implementation Method 1
the frame can be fabricated from aluminum or other heat conductive material to serve as heat sink for higher power LEDs and other heat generating electronic components
Implementation Method 2
The emergency lighting elements can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and corresponding optics
Data Source
AI summary
A license plate frame assembly a housing and a first plurality of lighting elements. The housing is adapted for mounting to a vehicle and has first and second generally opposed pairs of side members defining a central aperture dimensioned for a vehicle license plate to be visible therethrough. Each of the first pair of side members defines a first plurality of lighting element apertures therein. The first plurality of lighting elements is arranged in the housing under the first plurality of lighting element apertures, and mounted in the housing such that light emitted thereby from the first pair of side members is oriented along intersecting first axes at acute angles relative to a plane of the vehicle license plate.