Integrally Lighted Tow Bar with Embedded Lighting Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tow bars used for coupling towing vehicles to loads are difficult to see, posing safety concerns for other motorists and pedestrians, as they lack integral lighting, and existing solutions are either power-intensive, prone to electrical issues, or poorly secured, leading to limited visibility and potential disorientation.
Innovation Solution
An integrally lighted tow bar with lighting strips connected to its arms, which are housed in channels and connected to the towing vehicle's electrical system, providing visibility indicators for the towing vehicle's mode of operation, such as braking, turning, or hazard lights, and housing electrical and tow cables within the tow bar's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a tow bar is used to couple a towing vehicle to a load, then the towing function is achieved, but the visibility of the tow bar to other motorists and pedestrians is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting function directly into the tow bar structure by integrating light strips into channels formed in the tow bar arms. This combination eliminates the need for separate mounting systems and electrical connections, achieving improved visibility while maintaining simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The tow bar is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical coupling of vehicles and integrated lighting indication. The light strips are connected to the towing vehicle's electrical system to indicate various operational modes (braking, turning, hazards), making the tow bar a multi-functional device that enhances both towing capability and safety visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If auxiliary lights are mounted on the towed vehicle, then visibility is improved, but the lights are vulnerable to separation from vibration and bumps
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is merged into the tow bar structure itself through channels formed directly in the tow bar arms. The light strips are received and secured within these integrated channels, eliminating vulnerability to separation from vibration and bumps that plagues externally mounted lighting solutions.
3Ease of manufacture
If wireless slave lights with batteries are used, then installation is simplified, but the battery life is limited and power consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system leverages the existing electrical infrastructure of the towing vehicle, connecting the light strips to the vehicle's electrical system through the tow bar's electrical cable. This approach eliminates battery requirements entirely, providing unlimited operation duration and significantly reducing power consumption compared to wireless battery-powered solutions.
4Illumination intensity
If existing lighting solutions are used, then some visibility is provided, but side marker lights are not effectively positioned to indicate the presence and outline of the tow bar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements lighting with local quality by positioning light strips at specific locations on the tow bar arms to indicate different aspects of the tow bar's presence and operation. Side marker lights are effectively positioned to outline the tow bar, while additional lights indicate operational modes, creating a comprehensive visual indication system that enhances clarity for motorists and pedestrians.
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
Enhances visibility for other drivers and pedestrians by illuminating the tow bar area, reducing the risk of accidents and electrical issues, while ensuring the lights are securely attached and powered by the towing vehicle's system.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting strip comprises a plurality of lighting elements. The lighting elements illuminate indicative of a mode of operation of the towing vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A tow bar assembly for towing a load with a vehicle providing a lighted region to warn other motorists on the road that the load is being towed and provide indications of the mode of operation of the towing vehicle. The integrated lights may be connected to the towing vehicle control signals indicating a turn signal, braking, or reverse. The tow lights also clearly display the tow bar that may otherwise be difficult to see at night and that the tow bar is towing a load.