Flexible Tail Light Panel Retrofit for Higher Rear Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aftermarket automotive rear tail lights often suffer from low visibility, which can negatively impact safety, particularly in older cars.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexible light panels and inner brackets that can be integrated into existing tail light housings and wiring, enhancing visibility through electroluminescent technology and red light overprints, while maintaining compatibility with existing vehicle structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional tail light assemblies are used in older cars, then compatibility with existing housing and wiring is maintained, but visibility of the rear tail lights is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible light panels with electroluminescent elements that can be bent and shaped to fit into existing tail light housings. These thin, flexible panels can be installed in curved or irregular spaces within the housing, providing enhanced illumination while adapting to the original vehicle structure without requiring complete housing replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes electroluminescent technology that changes the illumination parameters of the tail lights. By incorporating EL panels with red phosphor coatings and specific circuitry configurations, the system achieves significantly higher visibility and brightness output compared to traditional bulbs, while maintaining compatibility through adjustable installation parameters.
2Illumination intensity
If electroluminescent light panels are installed to improve visibility, then illumination intensity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light panel assembly is divided into modular components including separate EL panels, circuit board assemblies, mounting brackets, and wiring harnesses. This segmentation allows for easier installation and maintenance, as individual components can be replaced or adjusted without replacing the entire assembly, thereby reducing the practical complexity despite the advanced technology used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal mounting brackets and circuit board configurations that can be adapted to multiple vehicle models and housing types. The standardized interface designs and multi-functional components reduce the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for custom-designed parts for each application, making the complex electroluminescent technology more manageable.
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 improved rear light visibility, thereby enhancing safety by ensuring greater illumination and compatibility with existing vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible light panel can be a electroluminescent light panel
Data Source
AI summary
Rear tail light and turn signal assemblies are disclosed. The rear tail lights and turn signal assemblies are configured to work with existing housing and wiring and provide greater visibility, thereby improving safety. A tail light assembly comprises a housing defining an inner surface of the tail light assembly affixable to a body of a motor vehicle by a fastener, a light source positionable within an interior of the housing, a flexible light panel positionable over at least a portion of the light source, and one or more lenses positionable over the flexible light panel.