Vehicle Lighting Orientation Control via Accelerometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle warning lights are heavy, require significant mechanical components, and have high maintenance costs due to their complex mechanical structures, which hinder efficient orientation-based lighting control.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising a housing with light emitters, an orientation detector, and a controller that adjusts light emission based on detected orientation relative to a reference plane or gravity force vector, using accelerometers and optical components like lenses and prisms to manage light propagation effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical orientation control mechanisms are used, then reliable orientation-based lighting control is achieved, but device weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical orientation control mechanisms with an electronic system comprising accelerometers, controllers, and electronic switching components. The accelerometer detects orientation changes and sends signals to the controller, which then activates appropriate light emitters electronically, eliminating complex mechanical linkages, gears, and moving parts while maintaining reliable orientation-based lighting control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an accelerometer as an intermediary sensing device that detects orientation changes and translates them into electrical signals. This intermediary component bridges the physical orientation state and the electronic control system, enabling precise orientation detection without direct mechanical coupling between the orientation mechanism and lighting control.
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical orientation control mechanisms are used, then reliable orientation-based lighting control is achieved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical components with solid-state electronic components (accelerometers, controllers, LEDs), the system eliminates parts that wear out, require lubrication, or need mechanical adjustment. Electronic components have longer service lives and can be more easily replaced or diagnosed, reducing maintenance costs and improving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer-based system automatically detects orientation changes and triggers appropriate lighting responses without requiring manual intervention or mechanical adjustment. The system self-regulates based on detected orientation, reducing the need for maintenance personnel to manually adjust mechanical components.
3Device complexity
If fixed orientation lighting is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but lighting visibility consistency deteriorates when vehicle orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed, static lighting to dynamic, adaptive lighting that responds to vehicle orientation changes. The accelerometer continuously monitors orientation, and the controller dynamically adjusts which light emitters are activated based on the detected orientation, ensuring warning lights remain visible and appropriately oriented regardless of vehicle position or tilt.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the accelerometer detects orientation changes, sends signals to the controller, and the controller adjusts light emitter activation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that lighting visibility is maintained consistently by continuously adapting to changes in vehicle orientation.
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 system provides efficient and cost-effective orientation-based lighting control, ensuring consistent visibility of warning lights regardless of the vehicle's orientation, reducing maintenance needs and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
the orientation detector comprises an accelerometer and detects, using gravity, an orientation of the plurality of light emitters relative to the ground or another reference plane, such as a plane that is normal to a gravity force vector
Implementation Method 2
one or more lenses and/or filters, and the light emitters can be configured to emit light beams that pass through the lenses having a plurality of different colors
Implementation Method 3
one or more reflectors or reflecting surfaces are provided to focus the direction or directions of light beam propagation from one or more of the light emitters
Implementation Method 4
one or more prisms are provided to deflect the direction of light beam propagation from one or more of the light emitters
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting systems, devices, and units that provide illumination according to a detected orientation relative to a reference plane or a reference vector. In some examples, a light bar for use on a vehicle includes first and second sets of light emitters that are selectively activated and inactive based on a detected orientation of the light bar relative to a reference plane or reference vector.