RV Exterior Lighting Control Module With LED Isolation Failsafe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior lighting systems for towed recreational vehicles are not fully integrated with towing vehicle systems, leading to potential feedback interference and increased risk of system shutdown, necessitating independent installation and lacking comprehensive directional illumination for safety and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A control module that receives conventional illumination signals from the towing vehicle through a trailer plug and supplements them with synchronized LED lighting, including a failsafe mode and diagnostic features to maintain functionality in case of faults, while allowing supplemental illumination for decoration and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supplemental LED lighting is integrated with conventional exterior lighting systems, then visibility and safety are improved, but feedback interference with towing vehicle controls may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an isolation circuit as an intermediary component between the supplemental LED lighting system and the conventional exterior lighting system. This isolation circuit prevents feedback interference from the LED drivers from affecting the towing vehicle's control systems while still allowing the two systems to operate in an integrated manner, thus resolving the contradiction between improved visibility and prevention of harmful feedback interference.
2Ease of manufacture
If combination lighting systems are used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but fault occurrence may result in complete system shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into independent functional modules: conventional exterior lighting circuits and supplemental LED lighting circuits. Each module can operate independently, and the system includes separate control pathways. When a fault occurs in one module, the other module continues to function, preventing complete system shutdown while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates protective circuitry and isolation components beforehand in the design to cushion against potential faults. The isolation circuit and separate control modules act as pre-established protective measures that prevent a single point of failure from cascading into a complete system shutdown, thereby maintaining reliability while keeping the system integrated and easy to manufacture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If independent supplemental lighting is installed, then feedback interference is avoided, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation circuit serves as a compact intermediary component that eliminates feedback interference while maintaining system integration. This approach avoids the need for completely independent lighting systems, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost compared to fully separate systems while still preventing harmful feedback effects.
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 enhanced visibility, safety, and aesthetic appeal by ensuring seamless integration and reliability of exterior lighting systems for towed vehicles, minimizing component weight and maintenance costs while maintaining conventional lighting capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
supplemental LED lighting
Data Source
AI summary
Exterior lighting systems are provided for towed vehicles, such as towed RVs, which includes a control module for receiving conventional illumination signals from the towing vehicle through a conventional trailer plug, and supplementing those conventional illumination signals with synchronized supplemental LED lighting. That supplemental lighting can include “constant-on” flashing LEDs indicative of operator intentions in the towing vehicle, either at locations adjacent conventional exterior lighting or other locations on the trailer. The control module can also support supplemental exterior illumination of the RV when the towed vehicle is stationary and in use for camping or advertisement. The control module includes a failsafe mode in the event of a fault in the supplemental lighting (so as to maintain conventional exterior lighting capability), diagnostic LED output for troubleshooting, and an automatic reset feature.