Recessed Fender Turn Indicator Hidden Until Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack an integrated and efficient system for providing clear side turn signals that are both visually distinct and integrated seamlessly with the vehicle's design, particularly on the fenders.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a side turn indicator with the vehicle fender, which includes a light source positioned in a recessed portion, an overlay or lens, and a housing, allowing the indicator to be hidden when inactive and visibly distinct when active, with synchronized flashing lights for clear direction indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a side turn indicator is integrated with the vehicle fender, then the turn signal visibility and integration with vehicle design is improved, but the structural complexity of the fender increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side turn indicator is merged with the vehicle fender by integrating the light source, housing, and overlay directly into the fender structure. The housing is coupled with the fender body, and the overlay is coupled with the housing, creating a unified assembly that combines aesthetic design with functional turn signal indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator components are nested within the fender structure. The light source is positioned in a recessed portion of the fender, the housing encloses the light source, and the overlay covers the housing, creating a nested arrangement that integrates the indicator seamlessly into the fender while maintaining visibility when activated.
2Shape
If the light source is positioned in a recessed portion of the fender, then the aesthetic design is improved by hiding the indicator when inactive, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion is pre-formed in the fender body during the fender manufacturing process, before the housing and light source are installed. This preliminary creation of the recessed area allows for easier subsequent assembly of the indicator components while maintaining the aesthetic benefit of hiding the indicator when inactive.
3Illumination intensity
If an overlay with lettering is used to cover the light source, then the visual distinctness when active is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay includes lettering that is illuminated by the light source, creating visual contrast and distinctness. The coating on the overlay may match the fender color when inactive, but when the light source activates, the lettering becomes visually distinct, providing clear turn signal indication.
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 solution provides a clear and integrated side turn signal that is both hidden when not in use and prominently visible when active, enhancing safety by clearly indicating the vehicle's turning direction without compromising the vehicle's aesthetic design.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may be configured to direct light to the overlay. The light source may be configured to direct the light to the lettering.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle fenders for vehicles include a side turn indicator. A vehicle fender may include a recess portion, and the side turn indicator, including a light source, may be disposed in the recessed portion. The vehicle fender may hide, or otherwise obscure, the light source when the side turn indicator in an inactive mode (e.g., not illuminated). However, when the light source is in an active mode (e.g., the side turn indicator is illuminated), light from the light source is visible through any structure of the side turn indicator and the side turn indicator is visible to present an indication to which the vehicle may turn. Further, the side turn indicator, when illuminated, is generally no longer hidden/obscured by the vehicle fender.