Taillight Module Layout With Distributed Control for Failure Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing taillight systems on commercial vehicles and trailers require immediate maintenance if any light fails, leading to operational interruptions and increased costs due to redundancy. Additionally, existing solutions that compensate for failed lights by activating other lights can cause confusion for other road users.

Innovation Solution

A system of taillight modules arranged on the back end of a vehicle, with at least two modules on each side, each comprising a first lamp providing functions like brake, taillight, or turning indicator lights. The system includes independent control modules and power supply circuits, allowing any control module to operate even if another is defective, ensuring continuous safe operation without excessive redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant taillight modules are fitted to substitute faulty lights, then vehicle operation continuity is improved, but costs increase due to additional lights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle operation continuityVSAvoidnumber of taillight modules

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The taillight system is divided into multiple independent modules, each capable of providing essential lighting functions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain operation with fewer modules by distributing functions across multiple units, reducing the need for excessive redundancy while ensuring continuity if one module fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each taillight module is designed to provide multiple lighting functions (brake light, taillight, turn indicator) within a single unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate redundant modules for each light type, reducing the total number of components while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single control module controls all taillight modules, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases if the control module fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol module structureVSAvoidsystem operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control modules, each capable of controlling one or more taillight modules. This segmentation ensures that if one control module fails, the others can continue to operate, maintaining system reliability while keeping individual control units relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each control module is designed to handle specific local control functions for its assigned taillight modules. This local quality approach allows distributed control where each unit has autonomous capability, improving reliability without requiring a single complex centralized controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single power supply circuit supplies all taillight modules, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases if the power supply fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply structureVSAvoidlighting system continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power supply circuits, each supplying one or more taillight modules. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one power supply circuit does not affect the others, maintaining lighting continuity while keeping individual power supply units relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If detector activates turning indicator light to compensate for failed brake light, then brake light function is restored, but road user confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake light functionVSAvoidroad user confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments lighting functions into separate controllable modules, allowing the failed brake light function to be transferred to another taillight module rather than repurposing an indicator light. This maintains proper light function identification while restoring brake lighting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the indicator light perform the brake light function, the system activates a duplicate or redundant brake light function in another taillight module. This copying approach preserves the original function-indicator relationship while providing backup functionality, avoiding road user confusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4552926A1System of taillight modules arranged on a back and of a vehicle and vehicle comprising the system

Publication Date: 2025.05.14 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH

Figure 1~2

AI summary

A system (2) of taillight modules (3, 3') arranged on a back end (4) of a vehicle (1) comprises several taillight modules (3, 3'). At least two of the taillight modules (3, 3') are arranged on a left side of the back end (4) and at least two of the taillight modules (3, 3') are arranged on a right side. The taillight modules (3, 3') arranged on one side respectively comprise a first lamp (5) providing an identical function. The system (2) is supplied by at least one power supply circuit (6) and comprises at least two control modules (9). At least one first taillight module (3) on the left side and on the right side are controlled by a first control module (9) and at least one second taillight module (3') on the left side and on the right side are controlled by a second control module (9').