Side Marker Light Camera Mount for Towed Vehicle Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towing safety systems face challenges in providing comprehensive blind spot awareness due to compatibility issues with pre-installed video cameras, which can be costly and complex to install, and may compromise vehicle aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
An integrated towing safety system that combines a side marker light with a wireless camera, using an integrated mount that allows for easy attachment to the towed vehicle without requiring extensive modifications or complex installations, enabling drivers to select camera placement for aesthetically pleasing and reliable blind spot monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-installed video cameras are integrated into towed vehicles at manufacture, then blind spot awareness is improved, but compatibility issues with different tow vehicles and complexity of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side marker light assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both the traditional lighting function and houses a video camera for blind spot monitoring. The integrated mount structure allows the same assembly to function as both a light mounting and a camera mounting, making the system universally applicable to various towed vehicles without requiring separate installation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the side marker light and video camera into a single integrated assembly mounted on the towed vehicle. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate mounting systems and reduces installation complexity by using a unified structure that serves both lighting and surveillance purposes.
2Reliability
If aftermarket video cameras are retrofitted to towed vehicles, then blind spot awareness is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side marker light assembly serves dual purposes as both a lighting component and a camera housing, allowing retrofitted systems to utilize existing mounting infrastructure. This universality enables easy installation by repurposing the light assembly rather than requiring dedicated camera mounting hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing side marker light infrastructure to provide camera mounting functionality. By using the light assembly's mounting structure to also secure the camera, the system enables easy retrofitting without requiring additional mounting hardware or complex installation procedures.
3Reliability
If video cameras are installed on towed vehicles, then blind spot awareness is improved, but vehicle aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera is integrated within the side marker light assembly, combining two components into one unified structure. This merging allows the camera to be housed within an existing aesthetic element (the light assembly) rather than adding a separate, potentially visually intrusive camera component to the vehicle exterior.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated towing safety system configured to avoid compatibility issues, enable a driver to personally select video camera placement, and/or provide an aesthetically pleasing camera installation. The integrated towing system may combine the functionality of a side marker light with a wireless camera so as to provide blind spot awareness without unduly compromising vehicle aesthetics and/or without requiring extensive modifications and/or expensive or complex installation.