Retractable Vehicle Lighting Assembly with Articulated Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auxiliary light bars for off-road vehicles are inefficient due to wind drag, environmental exposure, and height issues during normal driving, and existing solutions do not provide a means for retracting lights for protection when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional vehicle lighting assembly with a housing and pivoting/swiveling mechanisms, allowing light-emitting sources to be positioned vertically or horizontally and swiveled, coupled with motors and gear systems for controlled articulation, and a ball and socket joint for rotational support, enabling easy operation and protection when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light bar is attached to the exterior of the vehicle roof, then high intensity light beams are provided during low light conditions, but wind drag increases during normal driving reducing gas mileage
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar assembly is made dynamically retractable, allowing it to be extended when lighting is needed and retracted during normal driving to minimize wind drag. The assembly includes a housing mounted to the vehicle and a light bar that can be positioned in multiple states (retracted, extended, angled), enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If a light bar is attached to the exterior of the vehicle roof, then lighting is provided during off-road conditions, but the light is exposed to environmental abuse
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar assembly is nested within a protective housing structure that can fully enclose the light sources when retracted. The housing includes a front opening that can be covered by a protective cover, creating a nested configuration that shields the lights from environmental abuse while maintaining accessibility when needed.
3Illumination intensity
If a light bar is attached to the exterior of the vehicle roof, then auxiliary lighting is provided, but the overall height of the vehicle is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar assembly utilizes a retractable mechanism that allows the light bar to be pulled into the housing, reducing the vertical profile when not in use. The assembly can be positioned in a retracted state where the light bar is contained within the housing boundaries, minimizing the overall height increase during normal driving conditions.
4Illumination intensity
If a light bar is attached to the exterior of the vehicle roof, then lighting is provided during off-road conditions, but the light bar cannot be protected when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar assembly is nested within a protective housing structure that can fully enclose the light sources when retracted. The housing includes a front opening that can be covered by a protective cover, creating a nested configuration that shields the lights from environmental abuse while maintaining accessibility when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functional vehicle lighting assembly includes a controller, an housing, a plurality of light-emitting sources, a mechanism for selectively pivoting the light-emitting sources, and a mechanism for selectively swiveling the light-emitting sources along clockwise and counter clockwise directions when the light-emitting sources are adapted to the vertical position. The swiveling mechanism further includes a ball and socket coupling and a support beam with axially opposed proximal and distal ends directly coupled to the second beveled gear and one of the light-emitting sources respectively.