Motorcycle Kickstand Illumination via Auxiliary Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle lighting systems are inadequate for safe parking operations under low environmental lighting conditions, as they do not effectively illuminate the kickstand, potentially causing injury or balance issues for the driver.
Innovation Solution
A motorcycle equipped with an auxiliary lighting device, including an electronic control unit that activates a first auxiliary lighting device to illuminate the kickstand and a second auxiliary lighting device to light the ground area, both powered by the motorcycle's battery, with the electronic control unit managing their activation based on speed, ambient lighting, and driver presence to enhance visibility during parking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the motorcycle is equipped with standard lighting systems (headlight, rear light), then the motorcycle is visible to people in front and behind, but the kickstand area remains unilluminated during parking operations under low lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent lighting devices: a first auxiliary lighting device specifically for illuminating the kickstand area, a second auxiliary lighting device for ground illumination, and standard lighting devices for general visibility. This segmentation allows targeted illumination where needed without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The first auxiliary lighting device is positioned and directed to provide localized illumination specifically to the kickstand area, while the second auxiliary lighting device illuminates the ground area. This local quality approach ensures that lighting is provided precisely where needed during parking operations without unnecessary illumination elsewhere.
2Reliability
If auxiliary lighting devices are added to illuminate the kickstand and ground area, then safety during parking operations is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit is designed to control multiple lighting functions through a single control device. It can selectively activate the first auxiliary lighting device for kickstand illumination, the second auxiliary lighting device for ground illumination, or both simultaneously, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate control systems for each lighting device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes sensors that automatically detect ambient light levels and motorcycle speed, enabling the lighting system to activate automatically under appropriate conditions without requiring manual intervention from the rider, thereby improving safety while managing complexity through automation.
3Illumination intensity
If the lighting system is activated continuously to ensure visibility, then illumination is always available, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating the auxiliary lighting devices based on detected conditions such as low ambient light levels and motorcycle speed below a threshold. The electronic control unit monitors these parameters and activates lighting only when parking operations are likely to occur, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring illumination is available when needed.
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 auxiliary lighting system significantly improves the driver's ability to safely operate the kickstand during parking by providing necessary illumination, reducing the risk of injury and balance issues under low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first auxiliary lighting device (50) adapted to light the kickstand (10) or render it luminous
Data Source
AI summary
A motorcycle (1) including:—a motorcycle body (2,3,4) extending along a longitudinal axis (L-L) and having a front part (2), a tail part (4) and a central part (3) included between the front part (2) and the tail part (4);—at least two wheels (5,6) constrained to the motorcycle body (2,3,4), including a front wheel (5) and a rear wheel (6);—a traction engine (7) constrained to the motorcycle body (2, 3, 4) and operatively connected to at least one of the wheels (5, 6);—at least one headlight (12) fixed to the front part (2) and at least one rear light (14) fixed to the tail part (4);—at least one kickstand (100) adapted to be moved in order to selectively assume a resting operating position and a working operating position, wherein, in the working operating position, the kickstand has at least one end portion leaning against a ground portion being placed laterally and/or under the motorcycle body;—one first auxiliary lighting device (50) adapted to light the kickstand (10).