Oncoming Vehicle Alert Display with Segmented LEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snowmobile drivers on narrow trails with two-way traffic often lack awareness of the number of vehicles behind them, leading to safety risks due to unexpected oncoming traffic.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted device that uses LED segments to display the number of additional vehicles behind, with adjustable positioning and illumination patterns, including a user interface for control and a lens to direct light, enhancing visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display device is mounted on the vehicle to show the number of trailing vehicles, then oncoming drivers gain awareness of trailing vehicles, but the device adds complexity to the vehicle equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is segmented into multiple independent LED segments that can be individually controlled to display different numerical values. This segmentation allows the device to convey multiple pieces of information (number of trailing vehicles) using simple, discrete elements, reducing overall system complexity while improving information transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing unit that receives vehicle sensor data and translates it into visual display signals. This intermediary layer simplifies the connection between complex vehicle systems and the simple LED display, managing information flow while reducing direct system complexity.
2Reliability
If the display shows detailed information about trailing vehicles, then safety awareness is improved, but the energy consumption of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display operates using periodic updates rather than continuous operation. The LED segments are activated only when needed to update the displayed number of trailing vehicles, with periods of inactivity in between. This periodic action maintains safety awareness while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous display operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display uses high-brightness LED segments concentrated only in the specific regions needed to show numerical information. Rather than illuminating the entire display area continuously, only the necessary local segments are activated, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate safety awareness information.
3Loss of information
If the display is positioned to be visible to oncoming drivers, then information transmission is improved, but the display may be obscured by vehicle structure or lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The display is positioned in a three-dimensional space that optimizes visibility - mounted on the vehicle body at a height and angle that places it in a visual dimension accessible to oncoming drivers without obstruction. This spatial positioning in another dimension avoids the harmful effects of being obscured by vehicle structure or ground-level lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED segments are designed to emit light in colors that provide high contrast against various background conditions. The display can change color or intensity to maintain visibility under different lighting conditions, overcoming the harmful effects of ambient light and ensuring information transmission remains effective.
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
Enhances safety by providing real-time awareness of trailing vehicles, allowing oncoming drivers to adjust speed accordingly, reducing accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a display including a first group of segments and a second group of segments, wherein each of the segments comprises an LED
Implementation Method 2
a lens configured to cover the display
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments, an apparatus for mounting on a vehicle includes: a mount configured to attach to the vehicle; a body coupled with the mount, wherein the body includes an upward-facing side and an rearward-facing side; a circuit board positioned within the body; a processor mounted on the circuit board, wherein the processor is configured to receive power from a battery; a display mounted on the circuit board, and including a first group of segments and a second group of segments, wherein each of the segments comprises an LED, wherein the display is configured to receive power from the battery and to receive signals from the processor, wherein the signals dynamically control an illumination pattern of the segments, wherein the segments are mounted on the circuit board, wherein the first group of segments is configured to illuminate patterns of the segments corresponding to different numbers, wherein the second group of segments is configured to illuminate a pattern of the segments corresponding to at least one word; a power indicator mounted on the circuit board and configured to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a charge level of the battery; a lens configured to cover the display; and a user interface, wherein the user interface communicates with the processor and is configured to control the display.