Flexible Upright Safety Light for Low-Profile Vehicle Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low profile vehicles such as wheelchairs, motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles are less visible to drivers of taller vehicles, leading to increased accident risks due to their low visibility profile.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle safety apparatus featuring a base detachably connected to the vehicle frame, a power supply, and an elongated light source that extends above the vehicle frame, providing enhanced visibility by increasing the distance from which the vehicle can be seen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If safety lights are attached to the existing vehicle frame under the seat, then the vehicle structure remains compact and low profile, but the visibility distance is limited and accidents still occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the light source vertically above the vehicle frame in an upright orientation, transitioning from a horizontal/low-profile configuration to a vertical/high-profile configuration. This dimensional change allows the light to project visibility signals higher into the air where they can be seen by drivers of taller vehicles at greater distances, directly resolving the contradiction between limited visibility and low profile height.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is configured to be flexible or movable rather than rigidly fixed, allowing it to bend or pivot when force is applied (such as when a rider mounts the vehicle) and return to its upright position. This dynamic characteristic enables the system to maintain both the extended visibility profile during operation and the compact low profile when not in use, resolving the contradiction between extended visibility and compact structure.
2Illumination intensity
If a rigid light pole is used to extend above the vehicle, then visibility is improved, but the device cannot be used on vehicles that require a rider to mount the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is designed with flexible or movable characteristics that allow it to bend or pivot when force is applied during mounting, then return to its upright operational position. This dynamic behavior enables the same device to serve both as an extended visibility marker during operation and as a non-obstructive element during mounting, directly resolving the contradiction between improved visibility and mountability.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the light source changes from a rigid extended position (for visibility) to a flexible/bent position (for mounting), and back again. This parameter change in rigidity/flexibility allows the device to adapt to different operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining extended visibility profile and allowing rider mounting.
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 apparatus significantly enhances the visibility of low profile vehicles, reducing the incidence of accidents by making them more recognizable to drivers of taller vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
moves upon sufficient force being applied, wherein upon removal of said force the elongated light source springs back to the vertical orientation
Implementation Method 2
The elongated light source is constructed of a segmented rigid material linked by flexible material. The vehicle safety apparatus may be configured to warp under a human thigh moving over the elongated light source and unwarp upon removal of the human thigh without breaking the elongated light source
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An vehicle lighting apparatus that can be used to increase the visibility profile of a vehicle is described. The apparatus includes a base adapted to connect to a vehicle frame; a power supply; and an elongated light source supported by the base and coupled to the power supply. The elongated light source is adapted to extend above the vehicle frame with respect to a surface the vehicle frame is to traverse thereon.