Tank Trailer Rear Lighting Through a Translucent False Bulkhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tank trailers have limited visibility of signaling lights due to their placement at specific locations on the rear end, which can be obstructed by surrounding vehicles, dirt, or debris, compromising the effectiveness of directional indication.
Innovation Solution
A rear lighting assembly for tank trailers that includes a signaling device operably engaged with the rear bulkhead or a false bulkhead, configured to emit indicator lights through the false bulkhead, which is made of a material that transmits light, ensuring visibility behind the main body of the tank trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If signaling lights are placed at limited areas on the rear end of tank trailers, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the visibility of directional indicators is reduced and can be obstructed by surrounding vehicles, dirt, or debris
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations (central rear bulkhead and peripheral false bulkhead areas). This segmentation allows each light source to contribute to overall visibility from different angles, ensuring that if one area is obstructed, other areas remain visible to surrounding drivers and pedestrians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-plane light placement to a multi-dimensional arrangement by positioning lights at both the central rear bulkhead and peripheral false bulkhead areas at different depths and horizontal positions. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions ensures comprehensive coverage and reduces obstruction impact.
2Area of stationary object
If signaling lights are placed at outer or peripheral locations at the rear ends of tank trailers, then the coverage area is increased, but the lights can be covered by surrounding vehicles or physical obstructions placed on or near roadways
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into central and peripheral segments, each serving different visibility functions. The central lights provide primary indication while peripheral lights extend coverage area. This segmentation ensures that no single location bears the full responsibility for visibility, reducing the impact of obstructions at any one position.
Solution Approach 2:
Different locations in the lighting assembly have specialized functions: central rear bulkhead lights provide stable, direct backward illumination, while peripheral false bulkhead lights provide angled illumination for oblique viewing angles. This local quality optimization ensures each position contributes its unique advantage to overall reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If signaling lights are placed at a single location at the rear ends of tank trailers, then the installation is simple, but the visibility is limited and can be covered by surrounding vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations (central rear bulkhead and peripheral false bulkhead areas). This segmentation allows each light source to contribute to overall visibility from different angles, ensuring that if one area is obstructed, other areas remain visible to surrounding drivers and pedestrians.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides primary backward visibility through central lights, extended oblique visibility through peripheral lights, and redundant coverage through the distributed arrangement. This multi-functionality achieves enhanced visibility without proportionally increasing installation complexity.
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 solution enhances the visibility of directional indicators for tank trailers, reducing the risk of obstruction and improving safety by ensuring that directional signals are clearly visible to surrounding drivers and pedestrians.
Implementation Method 1
a second material forming the false bulkhead and is different than the first material; wherein the first material is configured to reflect each indicator light of the set of indicator lights; and wherein the second material is configured to transmit each indicator light of the set of indicator lights
Implementation Method 2
a first material forming the rear bulkhead; wherein the first material is configured to reflect each indicator light of the set of indicator lights
Data Source
AI summary
A tank vehicle adapted to hold a load and having a traveling lighting assembly. The tank vehicle includes a main body that is adapted to carry the load, a false bulkhead removably engaged with the main body where the false bulkhead is located at a distance away from one of a front bulkhead and a rear bulkhead of the main body, and a frame operably engaged with the main body at one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. The travel lighting assembly operably engages with one of the rear bulkhead and the false bulkhead. The travel lighting assembly has a plurality of signaling devices that operably engages with and faces into the frame and is configured to emit a set of indicator lights into the frame and through a portion of the false bulkhead and behind the main body to indicate travel of the tank vehicle.