Retractable Turn Warning Sign With Rotating Backlit Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wide-turns signs and labels for large vehicles are often ineffective, difficult to install, not portable, and inconvenient, failing to provide a clear safety message to nearby drivers effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable, easy-to-install, and retractable sign device with an axially rotatable sign member, actuator assembly for wireless and manual control, integrated lighting for attention capture, and backlit caution labels to enhance visibility and communication of the vehicle's intention to turn right.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wide-turns signs and labels are used, then the vehicle can indicate its turning intention, but the signs are ineffective, difficult to install, not portable, and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The sign member is designed to be rotatable between a retracted position (parallel to the vehicle body) and an extended position (perpendicular to the vehicle body). This dynamic configuration allows the sign to be portable and easy to store while maintaining effectiveness when deployed. The actuator assembly enables automatic or manual rotation to deploy the sign only when needed, resolving the contradiction between portability and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member integrates multiple functions: it provides structural support for the sign member, houses the actuator assembly, enables rotation between retracted and extended positions, and facilitates both manual and wireless control. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components, making the system easier to install while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the sign member is extended outward to warn oncoming vehicles, then the safety message is clear and visible, but the device complexity increases with actuator assembly and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly can be controlled wirelessly via wireless communication module or automatically based on vehicle turn signals, reducing the need for manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting turn signal activation and automatically deploying the sign member, or by accepting simple wireless commands, thereby maintaining high visibility while minimizing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions are merged into a single actuator assembly that can respond to multiple input sources (wireless commands, automatic turn signal detection). The mounting member combines structural support, actuation, and control housing into one integrated unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the extended sign's visibility and clarity.
3Ease of operation
If the sign member is retracted close to the vehicle body, then the device is portable and easy to store, but the visibility and warning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sign member dynamically transitions between retracted and extended positions based on operational needs. When retracted, it maintains portability and storage convenience close to the vehicle body. When extended, it achieves optimal visibility and warning effectiveness. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either portability or visibility depending on the situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sign member is deployed periodically or on-demand based on turning events rather than remaining constantly extended. The actuator assembly rotates the sign to the extended position when a turn is detected or commanded, maintains it there during the maneuver, then retracts it afterward. This periodic deployment maintains portability while ensuring visibility is maximized during critical moments.
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle sign device is intended to provide users with a signaling device that allows vehicle drivers to better alert oncoming vehicles of the intention to turn right. The device is an easy-to-install, portable, convenient, and retractable sign device designed to make it easy to send a clear safety message to nearby drivers. To accomplish this, the device includes an axially rotatable sign member attached to the vehicle with the help of a mounting member. The mounting member includes an actuator assembly to control the motion of the sign member both wirelessly and manually. Further, the device includes a plurality of lighting members integrated onto the sign member that progressively flashes and helps in gaining better attention from nearby drivers. Furthermore, the sign member has caution signal labels that are backlit for efficiently communicating caution. Thus, the device is a more visible way to warn other drivers quickly and efficiently.