Back-Mounted Locomotive Signaling Device with Accelerometer Orientation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signaling devices for locomotive machines, such as bicycles and motorcycles, fail to effectively indicate changes in direction or braking, especially when incorrectly mounted, leading to potential accidents due to miscommunication with other road users.
Innovation Solution
A signaling system with a transmitter connected to primary signaling lights and a receiver with integrated secondary signaling lights, featuring an accelerometer to detect lateral movement and automatically correct the orientation of secondary lights to match the primary lights' direction, ensuring accurate indication of the machine's direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the signaling device is mounted on the back of the user, then the user is more visible to other road users, but the device may be incorrectly mounted causing reversed direction indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer continuously monitors the device orientation and provides feedback by comparing the detected direction with the signaled direction. When a mismatch is detected (reversed mounting), the system activates warning indicators to alert the user, enabling correction of the mounting error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of mounting correctness before actual signaling begins. The accelerometer checks the device orientation and validates the mounting position in advance, preventing incorrect signaling from the start.
2Illumination intensity
If reflective strips or brightly colored patches are used, then the user is more visible, but these devices do not indicate braking or changes in direction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines passive visibility enhancement (reflective strips and bright colors) with active signaling functionality (direction indicators and braking lights) into a single integrated device. This merging ensures both high visibility and accurate movement indication are achieved simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If traditional indicators are positioned at the rear of the motorcycle, then the setup is simple, but it may not suffice to effectively alert other road users
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling device transitions from a two-dimensional rear-mounted arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration that includes back-mounted indicators facing rearward. This dimensional change allows signaling in multiple directions simultaneously, improving alert effectiveness while maintaining simple operation.
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 system provides immediate detection and correction of reversed signaling, enhancing safety by ensuring correct indication of lateral movements without requiring the user to look behind, thus preventing accidents caused by incorrect mounting.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic means include an accelerometer and means for interpreting the measurements of the accelerometer making it possible to detect a right or left lateral variation in direction of movement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a signalling device (1) designed to be removably placed on the back of a user of a locomotive engine, the device (1) including electronic means for signal processing and for controlling the switching-on and/or switching-off of the at least one secondary signal light (3d, 3g) synchronously with the switching-on and/or switching-off of a primary signal light present in the machine. Electronic means are built into an accelerometer and means for interpreting measurements of the accelerometer allow the detection of a lateral variation, to the right or left, of the direction of movement, the means for controlling the at least one secondary signal light (3d, 3g) comprising means for verifying that the at least one secondary signal light (3d, 3g) indicates the lateral right or left direction followed by the user and the machine.