IR Lighting on Vehicle Deflector Panels for Night Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera monitoring systems in vehicles, particularly in heavy-duty vehicles, do not adequately address visibility issues in low ambient brightness conditions, leading to suboptimal image quality and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle equipped with a camera monitoring system that includes IR emitting light sources mounted on side deflector panels, providing improved image quality and safety by enhancing the captured image in low light conditions, while also being mechanically protected and cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lighting systems are mounted on the cab, then illumination is provided, but the light sources are vulnerable to damage from surrounding elements and do not provide broad area coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness and reliability of light sourcesVSAvoiddamage from surrounding elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is merged with the side deflector panel, combining two separate components into a single integrated assembly. The light source is mounted on the side deflector panel itself, so that the deflector panel serves dual purposes: aerodynamic function and lighting support. This integration provides mechanical protection while enabling broad area illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If light sources are mounted protruding from the cab, then broad area coverage is achieved, but the light sources become vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea covered by emitted beamVSAvoidmechanical protection against damages

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If additional mounting structures are added for lighting devices, then lighting functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting performanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side deflector panel is designed to serve multiple functions: its original aerodynamic purpose and now also as a mounting structure for the lighting device. By making the deflector panel multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining improved lighting performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 significantly improves image quality and safety by providing a broad, unobstructed light coverage, enhancing details and contrasts, and is robust and reliable, with the IR emitting light sources mounted on side deflector panels to protrude and cover a wide area, eliminating dark spots and utilizing existing vehicle components for a simplified and cost-effective solution.

Implementation Method 1

at least one lighting device which is mounted on a side deflector panel and which includes at least one IR emitting light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIR emitting: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3715226B1A vehicle comprising a wind deflecting assembly and a lighting assembly

Publication Date: 2021.03.31 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6b

AI summary

The vehicle (1) comprises: - a chassis (2); - a cab (5) mounted on the chassis and including two side walls (6); - two side deflector panels (20), each having a front edge linked to a rear portion of the corresponding side wall of the cab and a rear edge, and extending vertically over at least one portion of the height of the rear portion of the corresponding side wall of the cab; - a camera monitoring system (50), which includes a camera arranged on a supporting arm mounted on the cab, to provide a captured image of an area located rearward of the cab; - a lighting device (30) which is mounted on a side deflector panel (20) and which includes at least one IR emitting light source (37).