Segmented Directional Warning Light for Curved Vehicle Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional warning lights for vehicles, particularly those using flexible materials, face challenges in achieving bendability due to the large footprint of electronics required for flashing modes and heat generation, which limits their ability to conform to curved surfaces without bulky adapters or specialized bezels.
Innovation Solution
A flexible directional warning light with bendable optic, backing, circuitry, and segmented heatsink allows for mounting on both flat and curved surfaces by bending up to 30° along its longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for cumbersome mechanical adapters and enabling a single device for various vehicle surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rigid directional warning lights are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but they cannot conform to curved vehicle surfaces without bulky adapters
Solution Approach 1:
The warning light device is divided into multiple segments that can be bent relative to each other. The circuit board is segmented with flexible regions, and the optical elements are arranged in segments that can accommodate curved mounting surfaces, allowing the device to conform to vehicle surfaces without bulky adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible circuit boards and flexible optical elements that can bend to conform to curved surfaces. The thin-film construction allows the warning light to adapt to both flat and curved vehicle surfaces, eliminating the need for specialized mounting hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible materials are used for bendability, then the light can conform to curved surfaces, but the large footprint of flashing electronics hinders bendability
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into rigid sections containing electronics and flexible connecting regions. This segmentation allows the electronic components to maintain their functional footprint while the flexible regions enable bending to conform to curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a purely planar circuit board to a three-dimensional flexible structure. The circuit board can bend along multiple axes, adding dimensional flexibility that accommodates curved mounting surfaces while maintaining electronic functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid structures are used, then heat dissipation is straightforward, but they cannot be mounted on curved surfaces without specialized bezels
Solution Approach 1:
The heatsink is divided into multiple segments that can be bent and positioned to conform to curved surfaces. Each segment maintains its heat dissipation functionality while the segmented structure allows adaptation to various mounting geometries without specialized bezels.
Solution Approach 2:
The heatsink structure is designed to be flexible and adaptable rather than rigid. The segmented heatsink can dynamically adjust to different mounting surfaces, maintaining effective heat dissipation across both flat and curved vehicle surfaces.
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 flexible design enhances the light's ability to conform to different vehicle surfaces, providing efficient heat dissipation and maintaining directional warning functionality across a wide range of mounting configurations while reducing the need for specialized adapters.
Implementation Method 1
a segmented heatsink
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a directional warning light designed to bend along its longitudinal axis up to about 30° so as to conform to curved vehicle surfaces. Flexible components of the disclosed embodiments allow the bending and include a bendable optic, bendable base, and bendable circuit substrate.