Compact Multifunction LED Lighthead for Emergency Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency vehicles require multiple distinct warning light modules mounted on various surfaces, complicating manufacturing and visibility, as traditional lightheads are designed for specific functions and emission patterns, necessitating multiple units to meet diverse lighting standards.
Innovation Solution
A compact multifunction LED lighthead with a thermally conductive base, vertically oriented PC boards, and a support structure that allows multiple LEDs to emit distinct light patterns in different directions, using optics to enhance visibility and meet various lighting standards in a single unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct warning light modules are mounted on various surfaces to meet diverse lighting standards, then lighting functionality and compliance are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distinct warning light modules into a single integrated lighthead unit. This single unit incorporates multiple LED arrays with different emission patterns (forward, backward, side-firing LEDs) and multiple lenses (collimating lens, diffuse lens, reflector) to provide various lighting functions including fog lighting, warning lighting, spot lighting, and ground lighting, thereby reducing the total number of separate lightheads needed while maintaining compliance with diverse lighting standards
Solution Approach 2:
The single lighthead unit is designed to perform multiple lighting functions simultaneously. By incorporating different types of LEDs (forward-firing, backward-firing, side-firing) and multiple optical elements (collimating lens, diffuse lens, reflector), the device can provide warning lighting, fog lighting, spot lighting, ground lighting, and scene lighting from one universal unit, eliminating the need for multiple specialized lightheads
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct warning light modules are mounted on various surfaces, then lighting coverage is improved, but mounting complexity and visibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple warning light modules into one integrated unit that can be mounted at a single location. The unified lighthead contains all necessary LED arrays and optical elements to provide comprehensive lighting coverage (forward, backward, side, and ground illumination) from one mounting position, significantly reducing the number of mounting locations required and simplifying installation while maintaining full lighting coverage
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional lightheads are used for specific functions, then lighting precision is improved, but device versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different LED types and optical elements to specific regions within the single lighthead unit. Forward-firing LEDs with collimating lenses provide focused beam patterns for spot lighting, backward-firing LEDs provide warning patterns, side-firing LEDs provide ground lighting, and diffuse lenses provide area illumination. Each local region maintains its specific lighting function while all regions coexist in one unified device, achieving both precision and versatility
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 provides a single, compact unit that replaces multiple lightheads, reducing clutter and enhancing visibility from various angles, meeting multiple lighting standards without drawing attention, suitable for unmarked law enforcement vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally conductive base parallel with a vertically oriented plane, first and second PC boards, a support... The first PC board is mounted in thermally conductive relationship to the base. The support is connected in thermally conductive relationship to the base
Implementation Method 2
at least first and second pluralities of LEDs, and a light-transmissive lens... A first plurality of LEDs are mounted in groups to the first and second support surfaces and configured to emit a first distinct light emission pattern
Implementation Method 3
an optic covers each group of the first plurality of LEDs. The optic is a wide-angle collimator having swept ends which creates a wider angle light emission pattern than is possible with LEDs alone
Implementation Method 4
A second plurality of LEDs are mounted to the second PC board and configured to emit a second distinct light emission pattern in a generally vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction lighthead for mounting to a vehicle includes several groups of LEDs arranged to provide distinct light emission patterns. Each group of LEDs and associated optics are selected and positioned to produce light emission patterns needed to meet lighting standards applicable to the vehicle. Such standards may require wide angle light emission, which is enhanced by supporting groups of LEDs that project away from the vehicle body, enhancing visibility of the lighthead from directions close to a plane defined by the body panel. The projecting support for the LEDs and optics for a wide angle light emission pattern may be employed to support LEDs arranged for ground illumination. Other groups of LEDs in the same lighthead may be arranged with optics to provide area illumination in support of arrest, search, triage or other emergency functions.