Trailer Reach Safety Light for Blind Spot Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The long, low trailer reach in transfer dump truck systems is not readily observable to other vehicles on the highway, particularly when traveling in the same direction, leading to a blind spot issue where drivers may not see the trailer, increasing the risk of unsafe lane changes.
Innovation Solution
A dump truck safety light device with a light on an arm that can be raised or lowered by an actuator, coupled to the trailer reach, to provide a visual indication of the trailer's presence to following vehicles, thereby addressing the blind spot issue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trailer reach is kept long and low to facilitate load box transfer, then the operational functionality is improved, but the visibility to other vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a reflective tape or lighting element to the trailer reach that changes its visual properties. The reflective material makes the trailer reach visible to other vehicles by reflecting light from their headlights or taillights, directly addressing the visibility problem without altering the physical dimensions needed for load box transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective tape or lighting element as an intermediary between the trailer reach and other vehicles. This intermediary component captures light from other vehicles and redirects it back to the driver's view, making the otherwise invisible trailer reach detectable without interfering with the operational functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the trailer reach is positioned low to the ground for backing operations, then the ease of backing over the reach is improved, but the visibility in blind spots deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the blind spot visibility problem by adding a vertical dimension to the visibility solution. The reflective tape or lighting element is positioned on the upper surface or side of the trailer reach, making it visible from above and to the side, thereby compensating for the low horizontal position that is necessary for backing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective material changes the visual appearance of the trailer reach by reflecting light back toward approaching vehicles. This optical property enhancement makes the low-positioned trailer reach visible in blind spots without requiring it to be raised, preserving the backing over capability.
3Device complexity
If no additional safety equipment is added to maintain device simplicity, then the device complexity is minimized, but the safety warning capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive reflective tape or simple lighting elements that can be easily applied to the trailer reach. These low-cost components provide effective safety warning without adding significant complexity to the overall system, making them economically viable for widespread implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective tape or lighting element provides passive safety warning through optical reflection rather than requiring complex active warning systems. This simple optical solution enhances safety effectiveness while maintaining minimal device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A dump truck safety light device for a transfer dump truck system. The dump truck safety light device is coupled to a trailer reach or tongue. The dump truck safety light device is configured to be in a raised configuration or in a lowered configuration. The dump truck safety light device announces the presence of a trailer reach to another vehicle that is following slightly behind a dump truck in the next lane to the left. Without the dump truck safety light device, the trailer reach would be hidden to the driver of the other vehicle in a blind spot created by the passenger door of the other vehicle.