Blinker Light Charging Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles require separate and additional lighting devices to indicate the ongoing charging process and state of charge of the energy storage device, which is inconvenient and requires additional integration and routing of LEDs.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing an existing blinker light on the vehicle, equipped with LEDs that can change color and frequency to signal the charging process and state of charge, eliminating the need for additional indicating devices by controlling the blinker light to flash or remain constant based on the charging status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate additional lighting devices are installed to indicate charging process and state of charge, then the indication function is achieved, but the device complexity and integration effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blinker light is designed to perform multiple functions: its original signaling function and the new charging status indication function. By making the blinker light universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate indication devices, thereby reducing device complexity and integration effort while maintaining reliable charging status indication
2Loss of information
If additional indicating devices are provided on the vehicle side, then the charging status can be signaled, but the number of components and routing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging status indication function with the existing blinker light system. Instead of adding separate indicating devices, the blinker light is repurposed to display charging status through its existing lighting capabilities, thereby reducing the number of components while ensuring complete charging status information is conveyed to the user
3Device complexity
If existing blinker light is used for charging indication, then the number of components is reduced, but the ability to provide distinct light signals for different charging states must be achieved through control
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the blinker light's operation mode based on charging status. During charging, the blinker light operates in a first mode (e.g., continuous illumination or specific flashing pattern), and when charging is complete, it switches to a second mode. This dynamic adaptability allows distinct light signals for different charging states using the same physical component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the blinker light (illumination duration, flashing frequency, intensity) to differentiate between charging states. By modifying these parameters rather than using different physical devices, the system achieves versatile signaling capability while minimizing component count
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
Enables simple and efficient visualization of the charging process and state of charge without additional hardware, using existing blinker lights to provide multiple light signals through color and frequency changes, enhancing user feedback without the need for extra components.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting device, such as a small LED or the like, may, for example, be provided adjacent to the terminal device to visualize this by a light signal
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes an energy storage device which can be charged by connecting a charge cable to a vehicle-sided terminal device, and an optical lighting device which indicates the ongoing charging process or at least the complete charge status of the energy storage device. A blinker light provided on the side of the vehicle on which the terminal device is located, is used as lighting device.