Illuminated Mirror Head Assembly for School Bus Loading Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, especially larger ones like school buses and commercial vans, face challenges in providing adequate illumination to the ground area in front and to the side, making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, which can be critical for safe operation, especially at night or in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A downlighting/signal and illumination mirror head system is designed to provide additional lighting to the ground area under the mirror head and on the side of the vehicle, using configurations such as clam shells, lighting pods, and mirror heads equipped with LED lights, which can be activated when the vehicle is stopped or when pedestrians are detected, to enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional mirror heads are used without additional lighting, then the device complexity is low, but the illumination intensity in the passenger loading area is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mirror head and lighting device into a single integrated assembly. The lighting device is mounted on the mirror head structure, allowing the mirror head to serve dual functions: providing rearward visibility and illuminating the passenger loading area. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall system complexity while improving illumination intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror head assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It provides the primary function of rearward visibility while also serving as a mounting platform for lighting that illuminates the passenger loading area. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while enhancing illumination capabilities.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting devices are added to illuminate the passenger loading area, then the illumination intensity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is designed as a modular component that can be independently installed on the mirror head. The lighting assembly includes separate elements (light sources, housing, mounting structure) that can be manufactured and tested independently before integration. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, maintenance, and replacement while achieving the required illumination intensity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lighting configurations are provided (clam shells, lighting pods, mirror head lights), then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror head assembly incorporates adjustable and configurable lighting components that can be adapted to different operational requirements. The lighting device can be positioned and oriented to provide optimal illumination for various passenger loading area configurations. This dynamic adjustability allows a single integrated assembly to serve multiple applications without requiring entirely different systems for each configuration.
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 system significantly improves visibility for drivers by providing extra illumination to the passenger loading area, enabling them to better detect pedestrians and objects, thus enhancing safety during nighttime operations and low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
mirror heads equipped with LED lights
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror assembly for vehicle is disclosed. The mirror assembly includes three configurations of extra illumination to the passenger loading area in addition to the typical mirror function for providing the vehicle driver the rear and/or side view of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises two clam shells, and/or a lighting pod and/or two mirror heads that are supported by a supporting arm. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is mounted on the school bus through the clam shells. In addition, a side lighting device is mounted on the right side of the vehicle for providing extra illumination to the passenger loading area.