Flexible Directional Warning Light for Curved Vehicle Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid directional warning lights for vehicles face challenges in conforming to curved surfaces due to their large footprint and heat generation, limiting bendability and requiring additional mechanical adapters.
Innovation Solution
A flexible directional warning light with bendable components, including a bendable optic, backing, circuitry, and segmented heatsink, allowing it to conform to both flat and curved vehicle surfaces without specialized bezels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid directional warning lights are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The warning light device is divided into multiple segments including a first segment with a first warning light and a second segment with a second warning light. These segments can be independently positioned and oriented, allowing the device to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining structural integrity of each segment. The segmentation enables flexibility in mounting configurations without compromising the stability of individual light modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow the warning light device to dynamically adapt to different surface geometries. The device can be mounted in various orientations and positions on both flat and curved surfaces, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining structural stability through robust mounting mechanisms.
2Reliability
If electronics for controlling flashing warning signal are added, then warning functionality is improved, but bendability deteriorates due to large footprint and rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system is distributed across multiple segments rather than concentrated in a single rigid unit. Each segment contains its own warning light and control electronics, allowing independent operation and flexible positioning. This segmentation enables the device to maintain bendability while providing reliable flashing warning functionality through distributed control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates flexible mounting structures and thin-film electronics that allow the warning light segments to be positioned on curved surfaces. The flexible substrates and thin-film circuitry maintain electrical connectivity while accommodating bending and conforming to non-planar vehicle surfaces, preserving both functionality and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized bezels or mechanical adapters are used for curved surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting functionality is merged directly into the warning light device structure itself, eliminating the need for separate specialized bezels or mechanical adapters. The integrated mounting structure allows direct attachment to both flat and curved surfaces, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility across different mounting locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning light device is designed with universal mounting capabilities that enable installation on various surface types without requiring location-specific adapters. The same basic device structure can be mounted on flat surfaces, curved surfaces, and different vehicle locations, simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for multiple specialized components.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single type of device is used for both flat and curved surfaces, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but heat dissipation capability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent warning light modules, each with its own heat dissipation path. This segmentation allows heat to be distributed across multiple smaller thermal zones rather than concentrated in a single large module, improving overall heat dissipation efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized segment production.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible mounting structure and thin-film components allow the device to maintain optimal thermal contact with the vehicle surface regardless of surface geometry. By conforming to curved surfaces, the device ensures consistent thermal coupling for effective heat dissipation, while the same structure works on flat surfaces, maintaining manufacturing simplicity across all applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a directional warning light designed to bend along its longitudinal axis up to about 30° per side so as to conform to curved vehicle surfaces. Flexible components of the disclosed embodiments allow the bending and include a bendable optic, bendable base, and bendable circuit substrate.