Retractable Vehicle Emergency Light for Automatic Crash Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency lights for vehicles require manual deployment and activation, which can be difficult or impossible in accidents, and are often exposed, causing damage or confusion.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system with a retractable emergency light unit that can be concealed within the vehicle's bodywork, which can be automatically deployed and activated by pressing a button or using voice commands, and optionally by automatic means, which allow it to be deployed from a resting position, preferably concealed, to a deployed position for use, with simultaneous activation so that the emergency light immediately begins to operate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the emergency light is kept exposed and accessible, then it can be easily located and activated manually, but it becomes vulnerable to damage and causes confusion when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency light unit is nested within a housing that is integrated into the vehicle bodywork. The housing contains the light unit and provides protection when the light is not in use, eliminating the need for the light to be exposed and preventing damage and confusion during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency light unit is designed to be movable between a retracted position (concealed within the housing) and a deployed position (exterior). This dynamic configuration allows the light to be protected during normal use while being accessible when needed through automatic or manual deployment mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the emergency light is stored in a compartment, then it is protected when not in use, but it requires manual retrieval and deployment which may be impossible in accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency light system incorporates automatic deployment capabilities through sensors that detect accidents, rollovers, or collisions. When such events are detected, the system automatically retrieves the light unit from its stored position and deploys it to an exterior location without requiring manual intervention from occupants who may be injured or incapacitated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with deployment mechanisms and activation controls that are ready to operate automatically upon detection of an emergency condition. The light unit is pre-positioned in a retrievable location with mechanical or electrical systems prepared to deploy it without human action.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the emergency light is integrated into the vehicle bodywork, then it is protected and concealed during normal use, but it requires complex deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency light unit, housing, deployment mechanism, and sensor system are merged into a single integrated assembly. This combination simplifies the overall structure by eliminating separate components and reducing the number of interfaces, thereby lowering complexity while maintaining protection and automatic deployment capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3-A~4-C
AI summary
Integrated emergency light system for motor vehicles, suitable for incorporation into a motor vehicle (1), comprising an emergency light (2) intended as a safety device for signalling an emergency situation on the road involving the motor vehicle (1); movable support means (3) on which said light (2) is installed so as to be deployable, either on the roof or at another point of the vehicle; and activation means for the driver or user, either by pressing a button (5) or another actuating means, or by voice commands, linked to said movable support means (3), in such a way that, when the activation means are engaged, the light (2) is deployed from a rest position, where the light is integrated in the bodywork (4), to a deployed operating position, where the light is above the bodywork (4) and the emergency light (2) begins to operate. In one embodiment of the invention, upon rollover, collision or major impact of the motor vehicle (1), the emergency light (2) is automatically deployed and activated. In one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises geolocation and connectivity means to remotely indicate the position of the vehicle to an authority, operator, or emergency service when the emergency light (2) is activated.