Auxiliary Lighting Control Hub with Voltage Monitoring and Auto-Shutdown
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auxiliary vehicle lighting control systems lack feedback to users about system status, leading to potential electrical system drain due to accidental energization, and do not effectively manage battery voltage, causing power drain.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary vehicle lighting control system with a battery voltage monitor and shut-down function, a remote control unit, and an optional smartphone app that de-energizes lights when battery voltage drops low and includes a timer to prevent power drain from accidental activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If auxiliary lights are left energized without monitoring, then lighting function is maintained, but battery voltage drops below safe levels causing system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The control hub continuously monitors battery voltage and receives status information from auxiliary lights, creating a feedback loop that enables real-time detection of low voltage conditions and unconnected lights, automatically shutting down the system when thresholds are reached
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of battery voltage before complete depletion occurs, and implements preliminary shutdown actions when voltage reaches predetermined low thresholds, preventing catastrophic battery failure and ensuring safe operation margins
2Duration of action of stationary object
If system operates without connection status monitoring, then continuous operation is possible, but electrical system drain occurs from unconnected lights
Solution Approach 1:
The control hub receives connection status feedback from each auxiliary light circuit, enabling real-time detection of unconnected or improperly installed lights, and automatically de-energizes specific circuits or the entire system when anomalies are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own operational status and connection integrity, automatically identifying and isolating problematic circuits without external intervention, and providing user notifications through the remote control unit
3Ease of operation
If remote control is provided without timeout function, then user convenience is improved, but accidental energization causes prolonged power drain
Solution Approach 1:
The control hub implements periodic timeout monitoring that automatically de-energizes auxiliary lights after a predetermined period following remote activation, creating a periodic on-off cycle that prevents prolonged operation from accidental activations while allowing intentional extended use
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the duration and pattern of remote control activations, detecting abnormal or accidental usage patterns, and implements feedback-based timeout enforcement to automatically shut down the system when predetermined time thresholds are exceeded
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary vehicle lighting system is provided for use in a vehicle having an engine and an electrical system. The auxiliary vehicle lighting system has at least one auxiliary vehicle light; a control hub, connected to the vehicle electrical system and to each auxiliary vehicle light; and a system shut down function or program, connected to the control hub and configured to de-energize the auxiliary lighting system. The control hub is constructed and arranged so that upon illumination of the auxiliary vehicle lights and with the engine turned off, the vehicle battery voltage is monitored. If the battery voltage reaches a designated low voltage target, the system shut down function or program is activated, which de-energizes the auxiliary lights.