Rear Safety Light Projection Module for Commercial Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial vehicles are at a high risk of rear-end collisions due to poorly perceptible standard rear lighting, especially when drivers are distracted or overtired, and assistance systems are not universally installed or used effectively.

Innovation Solution

A rear safety light arrangement with a projection module that generates an optical warning signal above the standard brake lights, adjustable to ensure visibility and integrated with the vehicle's brake system, providing an easily perceptible additional braking signal to following vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If standard rear lighting is positioned low on commercial vehicles, then it is easier to integrate with the vehicle structure, but it becomes poorly perceptible to following drivers, especially those in raised cabs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of rear lightingVSAvoidlighting arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from traditional low-positioned point light sources to a projection system that creates a two-dimensional light pattern on the vehicle's rear surface. This dimensional change allows the lighting signal to be positioned at optimal visibility heights while maintaining integration with the vehicle structure, solving the contradiction between visibility and structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection module acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's brake system and the following drivers. Instead of directly positioning lights at high visibility points, the system projects a visual representation of the braking signal onto the rear surface, mediating the communication between the vehicle's internal systems and external observers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a projection module is added to create visual warning signals, then the perception of braking situations is enhanced, but the device complexity and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against rear-end collisionsVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the safety lighting system into separate functional modules: a projection module for generating visual warnings and a connection unit for mounting. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly, as the modules can be installed separately and connected through standardized interfaces, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The projection module is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing it to be dynamically configured to achieve optimal projection angles and distances. This adjustability enables the system to adapt to different vehicle configurations and mounting positions, maintaining high safety performance while simplifying the assembly process through flexible positioning rather than requiring precise pre-alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If the projection module is positioned far from the vehicle rear, then the optical warning signal is more visible, but the support structure becomes more complex and vulnerable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical warning signal visibilityVSAvoidsupport arm structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the projection module's positioning parameters, specifically the projection distance and angle, to achieve effective visibility within a compact range close to the vehicle rear. By adjusting these parameters, the system attains sufficient optical warning signal visibility without requiring long support arms, thereby maintaining structural integrity and reducing vulnerability to damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If assistance systems are installed in commercial vehicles, then rear-end collision risk is reduced, but installation effort and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a simplified visual copy of the braking signal through light projection, rather than implementing complex electronic assistance systems. This approach replicates the essential safety function of collision avoidance by providing enhanced visual warning, achieving improved reliability with significantly reduced installation effort and cost compared to full assistance systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 rear safety light arrangement enhances the perception of braking situations for following vehicles, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions by allowing them to adjust speed and maintain a safer distance or brake in time.

Implementation Method 1

a projection module (2) with a light source for generating a light projection (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3663132B1Rear safety light arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 GUNTERMANN UG HAFTUNGSBESCHRANKT
  • EP3663132B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3663132B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Safety rear light arrangement comprising a vehicle (9), in particular a commercial vehicle and/or a vehicle combination with a rear of the vehicle (10) having a rear height (hF) of at least 150 cm, wherein the vehicle (9) has a braking system and standard rear lighting (22) cooperating with the braking system, further comprising a safety rear light (1) with a projection module (2) for generating at least one light projection (7) and with a connecting unit (3) designed for mounting on the vehicle (9), wherein the safety rear light (1) cooperates with the braking system of the vehicle (9) and is mounted on the vehicle (9) via the connecting unit (3) such that when a braking signal is issued by the braking system, the light projection (7) with at least one optical warning signal (8) is projected above the standard rear lighting (22) on the rear of the vehicle (10).