Vehicle Side-Mounted Direction Indicator with Shared Optical Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side-mounted direction indicators for vehicles lack the ability to provide additional space-saving and simple lighting functions that differentiate vehicle types or manufacturers, and do not offer unique informational lighting beyond conventional indicator lights.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a second lighting unit with a visual light-emitting informational lighting device that can be switched on/off based on vehicle signals, using a common optical unit with the first light source, and emitting distinct colors like blue, purple, or green to represent the vehicle type or manufacturer, which can be synchronized with door locking/unlocking signals for dynamic lighting sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second lighting unit with separate optical unit is added to provide additional lighting function, then the lighting functionality is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first light source and second light source on a common carrier plate, and assigns both to the same optical unit. This merging approach allows multiple lighting functions (direction indicating and brand identification) to be achieved within a single optical system, reducing device complexity and space occupation while maintaining functional versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate lighting units are provided for different functions, then the lighting versatility is improved, but the space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple lighting functions into a compact arrangement by placing first and second light sources on a common carrier plate that is integrated into the housing. The shared optical unit further consolidates the structure, achieving space-saving design while maintaining diverse lighting capabilities for direction indication and brand identification
Solution Approach 2:
The optical unit is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it directs light from both the first light source (for direction indicating) and the second light source (for brand identification). This multi-functional design allows a single optical component to handle diverse lighting requirements without requiring separate optical systems
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
Enables a compact, space-saving, and brand-specific visual representation of vehicles, providing unique informational lighting that distinguishes vehicle types or manufacturers, enhancing user interaction through color-coded locking/unlocking signals, and improving homogeneous illumination of the lens.
Implementation Method 1
a first lighting unit (9) for generating a side-mounted direction-indicating lighting function, which has a first light source (11) and a first elongated optical fiber (optical unit) (14) assigned to the former. The first light source (11) emits light of a yellow light color.
Data Source
AI summary
A direction indicator for vehicles, having a first lighting unit containing a first light source and an optical unit paired with the first light source for generating a direction indicating function and comprising a second lighting unit containing a second light source and an optical unit paired with the second light source for generating an additional lighting function. The first light source and the second light source are paired with the same optical unit, and the second lighting unit is designed as a light-emitting visual information lighting device. The second light source can be activated and/or deactivated depending on a vehicle signal which triggers a non-lighting function of the vehicle.