Modular Lighted Work Mat for Vehicle Undercarriage Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanics working on a vehicle's undercarriage lack adequate lighting, leading to shadows and difficulties when using point light sources like flashlights, which are cumbersome and inefficient for illuminating the underside of vehicles without a lighted work pit.
Innovation Solution
A modular lighted work mat with embedded LEDs, connected wiring, and a power source, allowing the mat to be expanded to fit various vehicle sizes, providing even illumination by being positioned under the vehicle's undercarriage and featuring a ramp for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a point light source like a flashlight is used to illuminate the vehicle's undercarriage, then the mechanic can see the work area, but the light source casts shadows that interfere with the mechanic's ability to work properly
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple individual LED lights arranged in a grid pattern across the work mat surface. Each LED acts as an independent point source, and collectively they create distributed illumination that eliminates shadows by providing light from multiple angles and positions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system transitions from a single-point light source (flashlight) to a two-dimensional array of light sources embedded in the work mat. This dimensional expansion allows light to be emitted from across the entire work area rather than from a single location, fundamentally changing the illumination geometry to eliminate shadows.
2Illumination intensity
If a flashlight is used as the light source, then the mechanic can illuminate the work area, but the mechanic must hold the flashlight which is cumbersome and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The work mat itself becomes the light source through embedded LEDs that are activated by a foot pedal or switch. The system serves itself by providing illumination without requiring the mechanic to manually hold or position any lighting device, thereby eliminating the cumbersome aspect of using a flashlight while maintaining adequate lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting function is merged with the work mat structure by embedding LEDs directly into the mat surface. This combination creates an integrated system where the work surface and light source become one unit, eliminating the need for separate handheld lighting devices and improving operational convenience.
3Area of stationary object
If the work mat is made larger to cover the entire underside of a vehicle, then lighting coverage is improved, but the complexity of assembling and adjusting the mat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The work mat is divided into multiple smaller modular panels that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together to cover the entire vehicle undercarriage area. Each panel contains its own embedded LEDs and can be connected to adjacent panels through interlocking edges or fasteners, allowing easy assembly and adjustment to match different vehicle sizes without requiring a single large complex mat.
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 consistent, shadow-free illumination of the vehicle's undercarriage, enhancing visibility and workability without the need for mechanics to lie on the ground or hold a flashlight, improving safety and efficiency during maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) embedded in a base
Data Source
AI summary
A modular work mat for a vehicle including a base, a plurality of light sources embedded in the base, wiring connecting the light sources; wherein the wiring is operatively connectable to a power source. The light sources preferably are LEDs. The base includes a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material and the LEDs are embedded between the first and second layers. The mat is connected via a power cord to a power supply and when the power supply is activated, the LEDs emit light through the first layer of the base. The work mat is placed on a surface so that the emitted light is able to illuminate a portion of the undercarriage or the entire undercarriage. The mat may be positioned beneath a portion of the vehicle's undercarriage or the vehicle may be driven onto the mat.