Side-view Mirror Brake Lights for Intersection Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle brake light systems primarily indicate braking actions only to vehicles behind and do not effectively communicate this information to drivers and pedestrians approaching from the side or forward, potentially leading to misunderstandings and increased collision risks at intersections.
Innovation Solution
The integration of side-facing brake lights into side-view mirror assemblies, powered by an electrical circuit and controlled by a CAN bus, which illuminate when the rear brake lights are activated, providing visible indication of braking to both sides and forward of the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If brake lights are mounted only at the rear of the vehicle, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the visibility of braking indication is limited to vehicles behind only
Solution Approach 1:
The brake light system is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations on the vehicle (rear brake lights and side-facing brake lights in the side-view mirrors). Each segment independently provides braking indication to different directions, collectively achieving comprehensive visibility without requiring a complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new spatial dimension to brake light visibility by incorporating side-facing brake lights in the side-view mirrors. This transitions the light emission from a single rearward direction to multiple dimensions (rear and side directions), enabling drivers and pedestrians approaching from side or forward directions to see the braking indication.
2Reliability
If additional side-facing brake lights are added to the side-view mirror assemblies, then braking indication visibility to side and forward approaching drivers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side-view mirror assembly is given multiple functions: it continues to provide its primary function of rearward viewing while also housing side-facing brake lights that provide braking indication to side and forward approaching traffic. This multi-functionality increases safety communication effectiveness without requiring entirely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the brake light function with the existing side-view mirror assembly structure. The brake light is integrated into the mirror housing, combining two functions (viewing and braking indication) into a single integrated component, which reduces the overall device complexity compared to having separate independent systems.
3Area of stationary object
If side-facing brake lights are integrated into side-view mirror assemblies, then the space utilization is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake light is nested within the existing side-view mirror assembly structure. The light source, housing, and mounting mechanisms are contained within the mirror assembly's existing space envelope, utilizing the available volume efficiently without requiring additional external space on the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A side-facing brake light assembly, including a left side-facing brake light incorporated into a left side view mirror and a right side-facing brake light incorporated into a right side view mirror, the left and right side-facing brake lights operable by an electrical circuit. Both the left side-facing and right side-facing brake lights are positioned and directed such that drivers and pedestrians on both the right side and the left side of the vehicle can see when the brakes of the vehicle have been applied, especially useful as the vehicle approaches an intersection. The side-facing brake light apparatus of the invention more effectively communicates the intention of the driver as he/she approaches the intersection, thereby increasing the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. The side-facing brake light apparatus of the invention helps to avoid serious collisions, property damage, and loss of life due to misunderstandings of other drivers and pedestrians.