Color-Coded Start Fault Indicator for Outdoor Power Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of outdoor power equipment, such as riding lawn mowers, face challenges in receiving important information due to noisy environments and limited visibility of conventional small, black-and-white gauges, which often go unnoticed during operation.
Innovation Solution
An indicator system is introduced that includes an electrical system to detect predefined conditions, an illuminating element surrounding a display screen, and a computer system to illuminate the element in specific colors and display textual or graphical information based on detected conditions, alerting the operator to critical issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional small, black-and-white gauges are used to provide information to the operator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information visibility and operator awareness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded indicator lights (red, yellow, green) to convey different operational statuses and warning levels. This color-coding system immediately communicates critical information to the operator without requiring detailed analysis, significantly improving visibility and response time while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D gauge displays to a multi-dimensional information presentation system that combines color-coded lights, segmented display elements, and positional encoding. This adds dimensional layers of information delivery, making critical data immediately distinguishable from non-critical data.
2Loss of information
If conventional gauges are placed on the equipment, then the information can be provided to the operator, but the operator's focused attention on the task causes the gauges to go unnoticed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flashing and pulsing patterns in the indicator light system to create visual attention-grabbing effects. Critical warnings utilize rapid flashing patterns that naturally draw the operator's eye, ensuring information is noticed even during intense operational focus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses distinct color codes for different priority levels of information, with red indicating critical warnings that require immediate attention. This color differentiation creates an intuitive hierarchy that guides the operator's attention to the most important information first.
3Loss of information
If multiple detailed information displays are provided to the operator, then the information completeness is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of detection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the information display system into segmented functional zones: critical warning indicators, operational status indicators, and detailed information displays. Each segment serves a specific purpose and can be independently activated, allowing the system to present comprehensive information while maintaining clear detectability of critical conditions through dedicated indicator sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display system are assigned different functional qualities - critical warning areas use high-contrast colors and flashing patterns, while secondary information areas use steady, lower-priority indicators. This local differentiation ensures critical information stands out while comprehensive information remains available.
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 system effectively communicates important information to operators through color-coded alerts and detailed displays on a screen, improving operator awareness and response to operational conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the illuminating element comprises a light source that completely surrounds the perimeter of the display screen
Data Source
AI summary
A start fault indicator system for outdoor power equipment may include an illuminating element and circuitry to perform start condition checks to determine if a start fault has occurred. The illuminating element may be configured to illuminate a first predetermined color in response to detection of a start fault occurring, and illuminate a second predetermined color in response to determining that no start fault is outstanding, where the first and second predetermined colors are different colors.