Solar-Powered LED Vehicle Display for Night Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle decals and bumper stickers are prone to peeling and fading due to weather exposure and are not visible at night, failing to effectively display pride for schools, sports teams, or other associations.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated vehicle display device comprising a top cover, circuit board, bottom cover, and housing with a solar panel, where the circuit board includes an LED powered by the solar panel to illuminate the top cover, and a sensor to automatically turn the LED on and off based on light and motion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vinyl decals or bumper stickers are used to display pride for schools or sports teams, then the display is simple and inexpensive, but the decals are susceptible to peeling and fading due to weather exposure and are not visible at night
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is divided into separate functional components: a housing structure, a solar panel for power generation, an LED illumination system, and a decal display surface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the decal is protected from weather by the housing while the solar panel and LED provide nighttime illumination without affecting the decal's simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel automatically charges during daylight hours and the LED system automatically illuminates the decal during nighttime without requiring manual intervention. The device is self-powered and self-regulating, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems while ensuring reliable operation.
2Illumination intensity
If vinyl decals or bumper stickers are used for vehicle display, then the installation is simple, but the decals are not visible at night
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel captures sunlight during the day and stores energy in a rechargeable battery, automatically powering the LED illumination system at night. This self-powered approach eliminates the need for external power sources, complex wiring, or manual battery replacement, providing continuous nighttime visibility without increasing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system operates periodically - the solar panel charges during daylight hours and the LED illuminates during nighttime hours. This periodic operation pattern matches the natural day-night cycle, providing illumination exactly when needed while minimizing energy consumption by not operating during daytime.
3Reliability
If a solar-powered LED illumination system is added to protect decals from weather and provide night visibility, then the durability and visibility are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components that can be manufactured independently using standard manufacturing processes: injection-molded housing, adhesive-mounted solar panel, circuit board with LED, and pre-cut decal. This modularity simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining durability and nighttime visibility functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the decal from weather, mounts the solar panel, houses the LED illumination system, and provides structural attachment to the vehicle surface. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving weather resistance and night visibility.
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 device provides a durable, weather-resistant, and night-visible display solution that is easy to use and manufacture, overcoming the limitations of traditional decals and bumper stickers.
Implementation Method 1
the circuit board has at least one LED that is powered by the solar panel
Implementation Method 2
the circuit board has at least one LED that is powered by the solar panel for illuminating the top cover
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the field of displaying devices for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an illuminated vehicle display device primarily comprised of a top cover, a circuit board, a bottom cover, and a housing with at least one solar panel. The device can be attached via at least one fastener to the interior surface of a vehicle window, wherein the circuit board has at least one LED that is powered by a solar panel which illuminates the top cover. In differing embodiments, the top cover may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to: patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, numbers, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. and may further be shaped like said indicia.