Reflective Luminant Trim for Vehicle Door Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for enhancing vehicle visibility in dim lighting conditions, such as fog or darkness, are inadequate as they either complicate installation, are expensive, or fail to illuminate the car door effectively when closed or open, particularly with tinted windows.
Innovation Solution
A luminant trim is applied to the vehicle door and window frame, using reflective tape or electrically powered LEDs that can be easily installed and connected to the vehicle's electrical system, ensuring visibility both inside and outside the vehicle, regardless of the window's position, and providing various signaling options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If reflective material is placed in a rearwardly facing groove on the vehicle rear window reveal molding, then visibility to approaching vehicles is improved, but the reflective material is exposed to ultraviolet deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective material is nested within a rearwardly facing groove on the vehicle rear window reveal molding. The groove structure physically embeds the reflective material, protecting it from direct UV exposure while maintaining its visibility function when activated by ground level light from approaching vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary element between the reflective material and the external environment. It provides UV protection to the reflective material while still allowing the material to perform its light-reflecting function when needed, thus mediating between protection and functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If taillights are added to the top of the van rear edge, then visibility to oncoming motorists is improved when doors are open, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The taillights are positioned to serve multiple functions: they illuminate the van rear edge for visibility to oncoming motorists, and they remain visible when doors are open to indicate the open door condition. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling systems.
3Illumination intensity
If cyclops light is relocated to side-by-side lights on the inside adjacent corners of the doors, then visibility through the side lens is improved when door is open, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single cyclops light is segmented into side-by-side lights positioned on the inside adjacent corners of the doors. This segmentation allows each light to be seen through the side lens when the door is open, improving visibility while distributing the lighting function across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The side-by-side lights are positioned at specific local locations (inside adjacent corners of the doors) to optimize visibility through the side lens when the door is open. Each light location is strategically chosen to maximize its effectiveness for the specific viewing angle and door position.
4Illumination intensity
If reflective tape is applied to the upper and front portions of the interior of the window frame, then visibility through the window is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reflective tape is used instead of more permanent or complex lighting systems. The tape can be easily applied and removed, providing a cost-effective solution for enhancing visibility through the window without requiring complex manufacturing or installation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective properties of the tape are optimized to work with the window's optical characteristics. By changing the parameters of the reflective material (such as its position on the window frame and its reflectivity characteristics), the system achieves improved visibility through the window while maintaining simple installation.
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 significantly enhances vehicle safety by ensuring the car door is visible to approaching traffic in low-light conditions, serving as a vehicle door accident avoidance system, and can be easily integrated into existing electrical systems, making it cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
luminant component which, when illuminated, can be seen in the dark wherein said luminant component is applied to overlie at least a portion of said lower door flange of said door of said motor vehicle, so that said luminant component reflects light on the inside of the door
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle door having a lower door flange defined on the door adjacent to a door lower edge, between a lower portion of the side edges of the door, and a luminant component applied to overlie at least a portion of the lower door flange of the door, so that the luminant component reflects light to the inside of the door.