Vehicle Spotlight Mount for Cable-Free Night Vision Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing night vision systems for service vehicles require external cables for power and data transmission, which are prone to damage and obstruction, and lack integrated control mechanisms for the spotlight and night vision device.
Innovation Solution
A spotlight and night vision device mounting system that utilizes a handle with a processing device to provide power and control both devices wirelessly, eliminating the need for external cables and allowing simultaneous operation of the spotlight and night vision device through a single interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external cables are used to provide power and transmit data to the night vision device, then the device can be powered and controlled, but the cables are prone to damage and obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external cable from the system by integrating the power transmission function into the existing spotlight bar structure. The bar, which already connects the handle to the spotlight, is modified to also carry power to the night vision device, eliminating the need for separate external cables that are prone to damage and obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spotlight bar is given multiple functions: it serves as both the articulation mechanism for the spotlight and the power transmission conduit for the night vision device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cable routing and reduces the number of external connections required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate cable is provided to power the night vision device, then the device can operate independently of the spotlight, but the cable routing becomes complex and may damage the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power transmission paths for both the spotlight and night vision device through the same bar structure. The bar contains conductors that can simultaneously power both devices, simplifying the overall cable routing while maintaining the ability to operate each device independently through electronic control.
3Ease of operation
If the night vision device is mounted to the spotlight, then both devices can be controlled through a single interface, but the device requires a cable connected to the spotlight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable connection requirement from the mounting arrangement by using the existing bar structure as the power conduit. This allows the night vision device to be mounted to the spotlight and controlled through the same interface while eliminating the need for additional external cable connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A night vision system includes a thermal radiation night vision device for mounting on a spotlight on an exterior of a vehicle. The night vision device is to detect thermal radiation for objects within line of sight of the vehicle and to create a video with the detected objects. The created video may be communicated to a display device located within an interior region of the vehicle for displaying the video stream to a user driving the vehicle. The system includes an interface to easily and securely replace a portion of a frame of a spotlight mounted to the vehicle in order to secure the thermal radiation night vision device to the spotlight. This system can be powered and controlled via the existing interface originally intended for powering the spotlight. And this system is powered and controlled by the attached handle.