Trailer Light Control With Fast Hazard Strobing and Backup Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enhanced lighting systems have overlooked the need for improved emergency lighting and optical communication systems specifically designed for trailers, which are often overlooked in favor of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system for trailers that includes a microcontroller communicatively coupled to a tow vehicle, controlling trailer lights to strobe hazard lights faster than signal lights, with additional lights strobing in response to activation signals, and featuring a battery backup and telematics integration for enhanced conspicuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If enhanced lighting systems are implemented for trailers, then visibility and communication of emergency conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides trailer lights into separate controllable groups (hazard lights, signal lights, additional lights) with independent control logic. The microcontroller segments light control functions to enable different strobe patterns for different light types, allowing enhanced visibility through selective strobing without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it controls hazard lights, signal lights, and additional lights; it processes activation signals from the tow vehicle; it manages battery backup switching; and it provides telematics communication. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating control in a single device rather than requiring separate controllers for each function.
2Speed
If strobe rate is increased for hazard lights, then emergency condition communication is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic strobe action at different rates for different light types. Hazard lights strobe at a higher rate to communicate emergency conditions, while signal lights use a lower rate for normal operations. This periodic action with variable rates optimizes energy consumption by only using high-energy strobe modes when necessary for safety communication.
3Reliability
If battery backup system is added, then reliability is improved during electrical connection loss, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery backup system is pre-configured and charged during normal operation when the tow vehicle electrical connection is active. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when electrical connection is lost, the battery can immediately take over without interruption to light operation, maintaining reliability without requiring complex real-time power management decisions.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple lights are made to strobe simultaneously, then conspicuity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different strobe characteristics to different light locations and types. Hazard lights at critical positions strobe at higher rates, while other lights may use lower rates or different patterns. This local quality approach optimizes conspicuity by concentrating energy usage at locations where it provides the greatest safety benefit rather than uniformly strobing all lights at maximum intensity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a trailer has an interface to a tow vehicle that provides power and activation signals corresponding to a plurality of lights on the trailer including at least signal and hazard lights and an interface to the trailer that provides operative control over the plurality of trailer lights. A microcontroller receives at least the activation signals from the interface to the tow vehicle and operatively controls the plurality of trailer lights via the interface to the trailer. The microcontroller strobes one or more of the plurality of trailer lights at a rate perceptible faster than a rate at which the microcontroller flashes a signal light in response to a strobe signal.