Extending Light Bar With Movable Arms for Trailer Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lights can be obscured when hauling flat decks or tall trailers, posing safety risks due to reduced visibility for other traffic.

Innovation Solution

An extending light bar with movable arms and a power source, allowing lights to be positioned in various configurations to enhance visibility, featuring manual or actuator-driven extension and retraction, and optional locking mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traffic cones and flares are used to warn traffic, then visibility is improved, but safety and ease of operation deteriorate due to danger of placement and retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extending light bar is automatically deployed and positioned by the vehicle's own power source and actuation system, eliminating the need for operators to manually place hazardous warning devices. The system serves itself by using the vehicle's electrical system to power the lights and extend the arms to optimal positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Illumination intensity

If fixed light bars are used on vehicles, then visibility is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when vehicles carry flat decks or tall trailers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light bar system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one with extendable arms that can be positioned at various lengths and angles. This allows the lights to adapt to different vehicle configurations and cargo types, maintaining visibility regardless of whether the vehicle is carrying flat decks, tall trailers, or other loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The light bar is divided into multiple extendable segments or arms that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each light source to be placed in the most effective location for visibility, adapting to different operational requirements and cargo configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If extending arms are made movable to improve visibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual mechanical adjustment systems with automated actuation mechanisms controlled by the vehicle's electrical system. This substitution reduces the complexity of manual operation while maintaining the adaptability of the extending arms, allowing them to be positioned easily through electrical control rather than manual mechanical adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250269788A1Extending light bar

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 GRAHAM YENELL

AI summary

An extending light bar has a support body with a first extending arm that slidably engages support body. First extending arm is movable between a first extended position and a first retracted position. In the first extended position, a second end of the first extending arm moves towards a first support end of the support body. At least one light is positioned on the first extending arm and a power source is provided for providing power for the at least one light.