Driving Intention Indicator Lamps for Vehicle Traffic Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indicator devices for cars do not effectively communicate a driver's intention to maintain saturation speed, mixed speed, or motionless state to surrounding drivers, leading to potential unsafe lane changes and traffic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system of indicator lamps (express, slow, and motionless) operated by the driver to convey their driving intention, with specific lamp placement and color schemes to inform rearward drivers of their speed intentions, reducing confusion and promoting safe and efficient driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If current indicator devices are used to show driving status, then basic turning and stopping information can be conveyed, but driver's intention regarding speed maintenance (saturation speed, mixed speed, motionless state) cannot be effectively communicated to surrounding drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator device is segmented into three distinct indicator lamps, each representing a specific driving intention state (saturation speed, mixed speed, motionless state). This segmentation allows clear communication of different driving intentions without requiring complex communication protocols, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each indicator lamp is assigned a specific function and position (first lamp for saturation speed, second for mixed speed, third for motionless state). This local quality assignment ensures that each part of the device communicates a specific aspect of driving intention, making the system both informative and structurally simple.
2Reliability
If driver's speed intention is clearly communicated to surrounding drivers, then unsafe lane changes and unnecessary passing can be prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator device uses the car's existing lighting system and simple switch mechanisms to convey driving intention, rather than requiring complex communication hardware. The driver operates familiar controls (turn signal switches, brake pedals) to activate the appropriate indicators, making the system reliable for safety while avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different colored lights (typically amber/yellow for saturation speed, red for motionless state) to convey different driving intentions. This use of color coding provides intuitive, immediate recognition for surrounding drivers, enhancing safety through clear visual differentiation without requiring complex electronic communication systems.
3Loss of information
If three indicator lamps are added to convey driving intention, then information completeness improves, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The three indicator lamps serve multiple functions: they indicate driving intention state, provide visual feedback to the driver, and can integrate with existing turn signal and brake light systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate communication devices, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the driving intention indication function with the existing lighting system of the vehicle. The indicator lamps can be integrated into the front and rear light assemblies, sharing mounting structures, wiring harnesses, and control circuits with turn signals and brake lights, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost despite adding functional capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may include a driving intention indictor device for a car. The indictor device preferably has right, middle and left indicator lamps and a switch. The right indicator lamp is provided on a right side of a car body in the width direction. The middle indicator lamp is provided at a central position of the car body. The left indicator lamp is provided on a left side of the car body. The position of the switch is selected by a driver in correspondence with switching between an express state in which the car always travels at a “saturation speed”, a slow state in which the car travels at “mixed speed”, and a motionless state in which the car is in a “motionless”.