Variable Spoiler Lighting With Linked Lamp Motion and Night Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable spoilers on vehicles have difficulty in identifying their position and direction changes, especially at night, and do not effectively enhance aerodynamic performance or provide visual information to drivers and pedestrians.
Innovation Solution
A variable spoiler lighting apparatus with a rear lamp and spoiler that move and tilt based on driving modes, controlled by actuators and a controller, which includes a rack, pinions, gears, and links to adjust position and angle, and features a pattern portion for visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional variable spoilers are used to adjust vertical tilting angle, then aerodynamic performance can be improved, but visibility of spoiler position and direction changes deteriorates especially at night
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies illumination to the spoiler surface, causing it to emit or reflect light that changes with position and orientation. This allows the spoiler's state to be visually detected through light patterns, directly resolving the visibility problem while maintaining aerodynamic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the spoiler and the observer. The illumination system acts as a mediator that translates the spoiler's physical state into visible light patterns, enabling indirect observation of spoiler position and direction without affecting its aerodynamic function.
2Loss of energy
If rear lamp protrudes toward rear of vehicle to improve aerodynamic performance, then air resistance is minimized, but device complexity increases due to movable mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rear lamp and spoiler into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit. This merging reduces the number of independent movable mechanisms needed, as both components share the same actuation system and movement path, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining aerodynamic benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the rear lamp housing and the spoiler structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each component, simplifying the overall system while achieving both lighting and aerodynamic goals.
3Loss of energy
If spoiler and rear lamp move together along rail to enhance aerodynamic performance, then driving range is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to coupled movement control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic, mode-dependent control where the coupled movement of the spoiler and rear lamp is automatically adjusted based on detected driving conditions. The system transitions between different operational states (retracted/protruded, tilted/level) based on vehicle speed and mode, making the complex coupled operation transparent to the user while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a variable spoiler lighting apparatus for a vehicle including: a rear lamp (100), which is movably provided on a rear portion (1) of the vehicle and protrudable toward the rear of the vehicle depending on a driving mode, and to which a rack (101) is coupled; and a spoiler (200), which is movably provided on the rear portion (1), configured to move along with the rear lamp (100), and tiltable depending on the driving mode, wherein the rear portion (1) includes a rear body (10) accommodating the rear lamp (100) and the spoiler (200) and having a rail (11), to which the rack (101) is movably coupled, to guide a movement of the rear lamp (100).