Sequential Motorcycle Lamp Layout for High-Conspicuity Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Two-wheeled vehicle lamps, such as those on motorcycles, face challenges in ensuring high conspicuity due to limited space and number of light sources, which can result in inadequate light emission and reduced visibility, especially when compared to four-wheeled vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A two-wheeled vehicle lamp design featuring a first and second lamp unit with different luminous intensities, where the first lamp unit emits light sequentially with a time difference and the second lamp unit has higher luminosity, positioned outward of a third lamp unit, ensuring high conspicuity by creating a flowing light effect from one side to the other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the number and arrangement positions of light sources are limited due to small vehicle body space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the illumination intensity and conspicuity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidnumber and arrangement positions of light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp is divided into multiple lamp units (first lamp unit, second lamp unit, third lamp unit) with different functions and luminous intensities. Each lamp unit contains multiple light sources arranged in specific patterns, allowing the system to achieve high overall luminous intensity while maintaining a compact structure suitable for two-wheeled vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different lamp units are assigned different luminous intensities based on their functional requirements. The second lamp unit has higher luminous intensity than the first lamp unit, and specific light sources are positioned to illuminate different regions, optimizing both conspicuity and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If light sources are arranged to emit light sequentially with time difference, then the functionality and visual recognition are improved, but the duration of light emission is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidduration of light emission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light sources are configured to emit light sequentially with time differences in specific patterns. The first light sources emit light sequentially from one end to the other, creating a flowing visual effect that enhances functionality and driver awareness while maintaining controlled emission duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sequential lighting pattern is designed to draw attention and convey directional information before the vehicle completes its maneuver, ensuring the signaling function is fulfilled within the necessary time frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Illumination intensity

If the second lamp unit with higher luminous intensity is positioned outward, then the conspicuity is improved, but the likelihood of light being blocked by the rider increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidlight blocking by rider
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp units are positioned asymmetrically on the vehicle body. The second lamp unit with higher luminous intensity is placed at a specific location that balances conspicuity requirements with rider visibility, while the first lamp unit is positioned to provide additional illumination without being blocked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp units are arranged in multiple dimensions and orientations on the vehicle body, not just in a single plane. This spatial distribution ensures that high-intensity light sources are visible to other road users while minimizing obstruction by the rider's body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3981675B1Lamp for two-wheeled vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP3981675B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3981675B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first lamp unit 7 and a second lamp unit 8 arranged in a given direction are provided, luminous intensity of the second lamp unit in a lamp forward direction is set to be higher than luminous intensity of the first lamp unit in the lamp forward direction, and the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are turned on sequentially with time difference. Thus, since the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit having different luminous intensity and being arranged in the given direction are turned on sequentially with time difference, it is visually recognized that emitted light flows from one side to the other, and the light is emitted from both the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit that has higher luminous intensity than that of the first lamp unit. Thus, it is possible to ensure high conspicuity in addition to improvement of functionality.