Lighted Emblem with RF Filter Mitigating Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automobile OEM emblems wear out, are difficult to replace, and do not provide adequate visibility or safety, while also emitting harmful RF emissions.
Innovation Solution
A lighted accessory with a translucent housing, LED illumination, microcontroller, RF interference filter, and connection assembly that seamlessly replaces OEM emblems, mitigates RF emissions, and enhances vehicle visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If OEM emblems are used, then the vehicle maintains original aesthetic appearance, but the emblems wear out, break down, and degrade over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LED modules with long operational lifespans (typically 50,000+ hours) that can be easily replaced when depleted, effectively creating a disposable-like replacement system for the emblem while using durable components. This resolves the contradiction by making the emblem system replaceable rather than permanently degradable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static OEM emblem into a dynamic lighted emblem that changes its optical parameters (illumination state, brightness levels) to provide visibility and aesthetic functions simultaneously, while the electronic components are designed for extended operational durability.
2Illumination intensity
If OEM emblems are replaced, then aesthetic quality and visibility are improved, but replacement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighted emblem is designed as a segmented modular system with separate electrical connections, mounting interfaces, and LED modules that can be independently replaced. This segmentation enables easy replacement of the entire emblem assembly or individual components without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal mounting system that accommodates various OEM emblem types through standardized interfaces and adaptable mounting mechanisms, allowing the same replacement emblem design to fit multiple vehicle models and emblem configurations, thereby simplifying the replacement process.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting systems are added to emblems, then visibility and safety are enhanced, but RF emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RF shielding materials and electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering circuits as intermediary elements between the LED lighting system and the external environment. These intermediaries block and filter RF emissions while allowing the lighting function to operate normally, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility enhancement and harmful RF emission reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent channels the electrical energy that would otherwise generate harmful RF emissions through properly designed circuit pathways with EMI suppression components, converting the potentially harmful RF energy into useful light output through the LED conversion process, where the energy is transformed into visible illumination rather than radiated electromagnetic interference.
4Reliability
If lighted accessory is installed, then visibility and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (illumination, visibility enhancement, aesthetic display, and RF shielding) into a single integrated lighted emblem assembly, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighted emblem incorporates self-contained LED modules with integrated power management and control circuits that automatically regulate their operation, reducing the need for external control systems and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining enhanced safety and visibility functions.
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 a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and safe lighting system that improves vehicle visibility and safety while reducing RF emissions, compatible with camera and washing systems, and easy to install by plugging into a fuse box.
Implementation Method 1
a radio-frequency interference filter circuit (RFI circuit) to mitigate RF emissions
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in alignment with the translucent portions of the front side of the accessory
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted accessory and/or corresponding method of installation seamlessly replace an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lighting apparatus and/or accessory. The accessory includes a front side and back side with a circuit board positioned therebetween. One side of the accessory includes translucent portion(s). The circuit board includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are aligned with the translucent portion of the front side of the accessory such that when the LEDs are illuminated, light is emitted from the accessory. The circuit board also includes at least one microcontroller and a radio-frequency interference filter circuit wherein the microcontroller controls the LEDs and the radio-frequency interference filter circuit mitigates RF emissions.