Dynamic Vehicle Conspicuousness Control System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, are often not adequately recognized by drivers of larger vehicles during daytime driving, leading to safety concerns due to their inconspicuousness, especially in high traffic density areas and hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic control system that uses environmental sensors like cameras, infrared sensors, radar, and GPS to detect proximity to other vehicles and geographical hazards, triggering modulated lighting and sound signals to enhance visibility only when necessary, thereby increasing conspicuousness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If continuous flashing lights are used to improve vehicle conspicuousness, then visibility is enhanced, but energy consumption increases and the system becomes less adaptive to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of lighting signals based on real-time environmental sensing. The system adjusts lighting activation and intensity according to detected conditions such as ambient light levels, proximity to other vehicles, and geographic location, transitioning from static continuous operation to dynamic adaptive operation that optimizes visibility while reducing energy consumption during low-risk periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic flashing lights only when environmental sensors detect hazardous conditions, rather than continuous operation. The lighting activates in periodic flashes during high-risk situations (such as approaching intersections or when vehicles are detected nearby) and remains inactive during safe periods, creating a periodic action pattern that balances visibility enhancement with energy conservation
2Reliability
If modulated lighting and sound signals are activated continuously to maximize conspicuousness, then safety is improved, but the system complexity and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic environmental sensing and decision-making algorithms that determine when conspicuousness actions are warranted. Sensors continuously monitor environmental factors and the control algorithm automatically activates or deactivates lighting and sound signals based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention and reducing the perceived system complexity while maintaining high safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions and feed this information back to the control algorithm, which then adjusts the activation of lighting and sound signals accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains optimal safety performance by responding to real-time environmental changes while managing system complexity through automated decision-making
3Illumination intensity
If lighting solutions are used to improve recognition of small vehicles, then visibility at night is enhanced, but effectiveness during daytime driving remains poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of lighting based on ambient light conditions detected by sensors. During nighttime or low-light conditions, the system activates lighting signals with appropriate intensity and modulation patterns. During daytime, the system adjusts by either reducing intensity or switching to alternative conspicuousness methods such as sound signals or different visual patterns, thereby adapting to the ambient lighting environment to maintain effectiveness across different time periods
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for real time dynamic triggering of a conspicuous signal for a vehicle on a path of travel. A sensor array detects environmental factors presenting a predetermined risk to the vehicle. A decision module assesses the environmental factors and the associated risks and determines if the conspicuousness signal is warranted and a type of signal to be made. An actuating module actuates the conspicuousness signal based on the determining of the decision module.