Independent Camera Tilt Bracket for Priority Vehicle Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for priority vehicles that integrate image capturing devices with lighting devices often require tilting the entire lighting unit, which compromises the functionality of other components like emergency lights and sirens, and fail to allow independent adjustment of image capturing devices for optimal viewing angles based on vehicle height.

Innovation Solution

A fastening and tilting system that includes an adjusting screw, intermediate support with internally-threaded slots, and a perimeter adapter with a stepped shape, allowing image capturing devices to be securely fastened and tilted independently without interfering with other lighting functionalities, using pivoting means and threaded lugs to maintain desired angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire lighting device is tilted to adjust the viewing angle of image capturing devices, then the correct viewing angle for image capturing is achieved, but the functionality of other lighting components (emergency lights, priority lights, signal lights) is compromised or rendered useless

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angle accuracyVSAvoidfunctionality of lighting components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the image capturing device from the lighting device, allowing the camera to be independently tilted while the lighting device remains stationary. This is achieved through a dedicated mounting bracket with adjustment mechanisms that decouple the camera's angular positioning from the lighting device's orientation, enabling each component to function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image capturing device is extracted from the integrated lighting device structure and mounted separately on an adjustable bracket system. This extraction allows the camera to be positioned and tilted independently at the perimeter of the lighting device without affecting the functionality of emergency lights, priority lights, and other lighting components that remain in their original positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If image capturing devices are located on the perimeter of the lighting device, then space is optimized, but the fastening system must not interfere with other lighting functionalities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket system is designed to nest around the perimeter of the lighting device, with the image capturing device mounted on the bracket. This nested configuration allows the camera to be positioned at the perimeter for optimal space utilization while the bracket structure is designed to clear and not interfere with emergency lights, priority lights, and other lighting components, maintaining a clean integrated appearance without functional conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the image capturing device is tilted independently, then the correct viewing angle is achieved for different vehicle heights, but the fastening mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to vehicle heightVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including tilt adjustment and height adjustment capabilities. These mechanisms allow the image capturing device to be positioned at various angles and heights to accommodate different vehicle types and mounting scenarios. The bracket uses adjustable arms with pivot points and locking mechanisms that provide flexibility while maintaining structural integrity and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3795426B1System for fastening and tilting image capturing devices to lighting devices of priority vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 FEDERAL SIGNAL VAMA
  • EP3795426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3795426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3795426B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system is disclosed for fastening and tilting image capturing devices to lighting devices of priority vehicles. The system comprises: an adjusting screw (12); an intermediate support (11) which in turn comprises an internally-threaded adjusting support (13); a perimeter adapter (9) with a stepped shape joining one end of the intermediate support to a lighting device (1); fastening means (16) which fasten the perimeter adapter and the end of the intermediate support to the lighting device; a tilting plate (14, 19) fastened to an image capturing device (4,5). The tilting plate additionally comprises: pivoting means (14a, 18) tipping on slits (11c) comprised on the other end of the intermediate support; and a protrusion (19a) joined to the head of the adjusting screw, which is configured to tilt the image capturing device at a predetermined angle by means of the thread of the adjusting screw on the adjusting support.