Integrated Vehicle Pillar Module for PBV Lighting and Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles have separate drive, lighting, and sensing devices, making it difficult to integrate these components into purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) with high design freedom for various mobility applications.
Innovation Solution
A pillar module integrating a power device, lighting device, and sensing device into a single unit, allowing for movable and rotatable lighting units with interchangeable patterns, and a detection system to enhance spatial utilization and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drive, lighting, and sensing devices are separated as separate structures and systems, then each device can be independently designed and maintained, but it becomes difficult to apply these devices to purpose-built vehicles (PBV) with high design freedom for various mobility applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines drive, lighting, and sensing devices into an integrated pillar module assembly. The pillar body houses multiple functional units including drive units with motors, lighting units with LEDs, and sensing units with sensors, all integrated within a single modular structure that can be easily applied to various PBV configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar module is designed as a universal multi-functional component that can serve multiple purposes: structural support, propulsion (drive units), illumination (lighting units), and environmental perception (sensing units). This multi-functional design enables high adaptability to different PBV applications while maintaining a standardized integrated structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lighting units are integrated into the pillar body, then diverse lighting patterns can be created, but the structural complexity of the pillar body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent lighting units (first lighting unit, second lighting unit, third lighting unit) that can be individually controlled and positioned. Each lighting unit contains multiple LEDs that can be independently activated to create diverse lighting patterns, while the modular segmentation prevents excessive structural complexity by keeping each unit compact and self-contained
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting units are designed to be movable and rotatable within the pillar body structure. Switching actuators enable the lighting units to change their orientation and position dynamically, allowing diverse lighting patterns to be achieved without requiring a complex fixed structure for each possible lighting configuration
3Ease of operation
If lighting units are made movable and rotatable, then spatial utilization and aesthetic appeal are enhanced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lighting units are equipped with switching actuators that enable them to rotate and change orientation dynamically. This dynamic capability allows the lighting units to be positioned optimally for different spatial configurations and aesthetic requirements, enhancing versatility while using standardized actuator mechanisms to control complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If power, lighting, and sensing functions are integrated into a single pillar module, then design flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar module is segmented into distinct functional sub-units (drive units, lighting units, sensing units) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the complete pillar module. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized and manufactured using specialized processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining design flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar module employs universal standardized interfaces and mounting structures that allow different functional units to be integrated using common assembly procedures. This universality simplifies manufacturing by reducing the need for custom integration processes for each functional combination, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while preserving design flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
A pillar module (20) including: a pillar body (100), a drive unit (200) connected to the pillar body (100) and configured to support the pillar body (100) so that the pillar body (100) is movable, a first lighting unit (410) installed on the pillar body(100) and configured to create a first lighting pattern, a second lighting unit (420) disposed to be spaced apart from the first lighting unit (410) and configured to create a second lighting pattern, and a switching unit (300) connected to the first lighting unit (410) and the second lighting unit (420) and configured to selectively expose the first lighting unit (410) and the second lighting unit (420) to the outside of the pillar body (100). The pillar module (20) is configured such that a power device configured to move the vehicle, the lighting device configured to transmit an optical signal, and a sensing device configured to perform an interaction with a pedestrian at the periphery of the vehicle may be integrated into a single unit module, which makes it possible to fluidly apply the pillar module to mobility vehicles having various specifications and purposes.