Stowable Lighting Assembly for Vehicle Bumper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting systems for vehicles, such as those used in 'car' camping or tailgating, are large and occupy valuable storage space when not in use, necessitating a solution for easy stowage and deployment.

Innovation Solution

A stowable lighting assembly for vehicles, comprising a pivotably coupled post and lighting device that can be moved between a stowed position beneath or within the bumper and a deployed position, allowing for compact storage without occupying additional cabin or trunk space, and optionally serving as a license plate light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional lighting system is used for vehicle camping or tailgating, then adequate illumination is provided, but valuable storage space within the vehicle is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminationVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting assembly is merged with the vehicle bumper, integrating a function (lighting) that was previously separate into the existing bumper structure. This eliminates the need for dedicated storage space while providing illumination when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting assembly is nested within the bumper structure, with the post positioned within or beneath the bumper in the stowed position. This allows the lighting system to occupy no additional external space while remaining accessible for deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If a lighting system is designed for easy stowage, then storage space is freed, but the complexity of the stowable mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidstowable mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting assembly employs dynamic, pivotably coupled posts that can rotate between stowed and deployed positions. This mechanical flexibility allows simple transition between states without complex locking or actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting assembly is segmented into multiple pivotably coupled posts, allowing independent movement and positioning. This segmentation enables compact stowage while maintaining ease of deployment through simple rotational motion of individual segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the lighting assembly is stowed within the bumper, then storage space is optimized, but accessibility for deployment may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting assembly is pre-positioned within the bumper structure with pivotable connections already in place. This preliminary positioning allows for rapid deployment without requiring complex retrieval or assembly operations, maintaining ease of operation while optimizing storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10829035B2Vehicles and bumper assemblies having a stowable lighting assembly

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A bumper assembly includes a bumper and a stowable lighting assembly. The stowable lighting assembly includes a post and a lighting device. The post includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is pivotably coupled to the bumper. The lighting device is pivotably coupled to the distal end of the post. The stowable lighting assembly is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the post positioned within or beneath the bumper in the stowed position.