Towing Connector Buzzer and LED Warning System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female connectors for towing vehicles only provide a visual warning signal when reversing, which may not be visible from all angles, lacking an audio warning to ensure safety.
Innovation Solution
A female connector member with a buzzer and LED circuit board mounted in the connector body, electrically connected to the reverse light and grounding terminals, providing both audio and visual warnings when the towing vehicle is reversing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only a visual warning signal (reversing light) is provided, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of warning is insufficient because the signal may not be visible from all angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple warning mechanisms (visual reversing light and audio buzzer) into a single integrated warning system activated by the same reversing signal. The buzzer and LED circuit board are mounted within the connector body, creating a multi-modal warning system that addresses reliability concerns by providing both visual and auditory feedback when the vehicle is reversing.
Solution Approach 2:
The female connector body is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides electrical connection for towing operations and simultaneously houses the warning system components (buzzer and LED circuit board). This multi-functionality allows the connector to act as both an electrical interface and a safety warning device, reducing the need for separate warning system components.
2Reliability
If a buzzer and LED circuit board are added to provide audio and visual warnings, then the reliability of warning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buzzer and LED circuit board are nested within the connector body structure. The accommodation chamber inside the connector housing contains these additional components, allowing them to be integrated into the existing connector form factor without requiring a completely separate warning system assembly. This nesting approach minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the warning system components with the connector body, creating a unified assembly where the buzzer and LED circuit board share the same housing and electrical connection system. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps compared to having independent warning devices.
3Loss of information
If multiple warning signals (audio and visual) are provided, then the loss of information is reduced by ensuring the driver is alerted from all angles, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED circuit board is designed to flash LEDs in a periodic pattern when activated by the reversing signal, rather than maintaining continuous illumination. This periodic action provides effective visual warning while reducing energy consumption compared to continuously illuminated lights. The buzzer similarly provides intermittent audio warnings rather than continuous sound.
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
Enhances safety by providing a dual warning system that ensures the driver is alerted audibly and visually, even from angles where the visual signal may not be visible.
Implementation Method 1
a buzzer mounted in an accommodation chamber of the connector body thereof and electrically connected to the reverse light terminal and grounding terminal for giving an audio warning signal
Implementation Method 2
a LED circuit board is mounted in the accommodation chamber above the buzzer and electrically coupled to the buzzer for controlling a number of LEDs to flash
Data Source
AI summary
A female connector member for a towing connector includes a buzzer mounted in an accommodation chamber of a connector body and electrically connected to the reverse light terminal and grounding terminal to give an audio warning signal when the towing vehicle is moving backwards. A light emitting diode (LED) circuit board is mounted in the accommodation chamber and is electrically coupled to the buzzer for controlling LEDs to flash when the buzzer buzzes.