Vehicle Rear Light Intensity Control for Towing Tasks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rear-mounted lighting systems, such as brake and backup lights, do not provide sufficient illumination for tasks like inspecting or unhooking towed items, especially in low-light conditions, as they are primarily designed for visibility to others rather than improving the operator's view behind the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rear-mounted light system that can increase the intensity of its emission to function as a spot or floodlight, utilizing a controller and actuator to adjust light output based on vehicle configurations, such as transmission and ignition settings, with a dedicated switch for enhanced illumination behind the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If existing vehicle rear-mounted lighting arrays (brake lights, backup lights) are used for illumination, then the vehicle can provide basic visibility warning to others, but the illumination intensity is insufficient for tasks like inspecting or unhooking towed items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the rear-mounted lighting arrays to serve dual purposes: traditional safety warning functions (brake light, backup light) and enhanced illumination tasks (spotlight, floodlight). The controller selectively activates different lighting modes based on vehicle state and user input, allowing the same hardware to adapt to diverse functional requirements without adding separate lighting systems.
2Illumination intensity
If the intensity of rear-mounted lights is increased to provide spot or floodlighting, then illumination for tasks behind the vehicle is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of light intensity based on real-time vehicle operating conditions. The controller adjusts lighting intensity and duration dynamically - activating high-intensity spot/floodlight modes only when the vehicle is in park mode and the operator requests illumination, while automatically deactivating when the vehicle transitions to drive mode or after a timeout period. This dynamic adaptation optimizes energy consumption by providing maximum illumination only when and where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors vehicle state (parking brake status, transmission gear, ignition state) and adjusts lighting output accordingly. The system receives feedback from sensors and user inputs (switches, buttons) to determine when to activate enhanced illumination modes, creating a closed-loop control system that balances illumination needs with energy conservation.
3Illumination intensity
If rear-mounted lighting arrays are used for illumination tasks, then visibility behind the vehicle is improved, but the lights may emit unnecessary light during normal vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate control elements (controller, switches, sensors) that mediate between the lighting arrays and activation conditions. These intermediaries filter and condition the activation signals based on multiple criteria (vehicle mode, ignition state, operator input) before allowing the enhanced illumination to activate, preventing unnecessary light emission during normal operation while enabling illumination when truly 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
Provides convenient and enhanced visibility behind the vehicle for tasks like towing and unloading by increasing the intensity of rear lights, while conserving battery power and avoiding unnecessary light emission during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle rear-mounted light source configured to emit light at a first intensity and at another intensity that is different from the first intensity
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle spot or floodlight system includes a vehicle rear-mounted light source such as a backup light array configured to emit light at a first intensity and at another intensity that is different from the first intensity. Emission of light at the another intensity is caused by an actuator operatively associated with the rear-mounted light source. A controller selectively allows the actuator to cause the emission at the another intensity. The controller allows the actuator to cause the emission of light at the another intensity only on receiving a signal indicating that the vehicle transmission is in a park or on receiving a signal indicating that the vehicle ignition is set on run, accessory, or off. The controller resets the actuator to off after a predefined time period when the ignition system is set on accessory or off, or when the transmission is placed in drive.