Motor Vehicle Flashing Light with Moving Symbol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flashing lights in motor vehicles lack effective means to enhance directional signaling and vehicle-specific individualization, limiting their information content and visual appeal.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a symbol on the luminous surface of the turn signal light that moves or is displayed in a way to indicate the turning direction and vehicle type or manufacturer, using a combination of LED groups or light-emitting elements to create a running light effect, which can include alphanumeric characters or pictograms, to enhance signaling and individualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a conventional flashing light is used to indicate direction change, then the basic signaling function is achieved, but the information content and visual appeal are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation contentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The luminous surface is divided into multiple independently controllable LED groups arranged in a row, allowing each group to be activated sequentially to create a running light effect. This segmentation enables the transmission of additional information (direction, vehicle type) without requiring a completely different device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically controls the activation sequence of LED groups to create moving light patterns that convey directional information. The running light effect dynamically transitions between different LED groups, providing visual information about turning direction while maintaining a relatively simple static structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple LED groups are used to create a running light effect, then directional signaling is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of LED groups
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple LED groups serve multiple functions: they indicate turning direction through sequential activation, can display vehicle type information through specific patterns, and maintain the basic turn signal function. This multi-functionality justifies the increased number of LED groups by making them versatile information carriers rather than dedicated single-purpose components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If symbols are displayed on the luminous surface to indicate vehicle type, then vehicle-specific individualization is achieved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle individualizationVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions (LED groups) of the luminous surface are assigned different functions: some groups display directional information while others display vehicle type symbols. This local differentiation allows the system to convey multiple types of information simultaneously without requiring a completely complex control system, as each region has a specific role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic flashing patterns to display symbols indicating vehicle type. By alternating between different activation patterns (running light for direction, symbol display for vehicle type), the control system can convey multiple information types using the same physical components through temporal variation rather than spatial complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 improves the signaling effectiveness and information transmission by clearly indicating the turning direction and vehicle type or manufacturer, providing a more engaging and informative visual display.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of LED groups, each comprising at least one light-emitting diode, are arranged in a row

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3446922B1Flashing light and method for operating a flashing light of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3446922B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3446922B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3446922B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a flashing light of a motor vehicle and to a flashing light for a motor vehicle. According to the invention, a luminous surface of the flashing light is controlled to signal a change of direction of travel in such a way that a running light effect is achieved, wherein at least one symbol is displayed on the luminous surface to achieve the running light effect.