Vehicle Lighting Device for Propulsion Type Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In urban environments, vehicles with electric drives can be difficult to detect due to their silence, increasing the risk of accidents with other road users, and there is a need to differentiate them from polluting vehicles for regulatory compliance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device that emits a light beam indicating the type of propulsion, which can vary based on parameters like pollutant emission, driving mode, and speed, to facilitate identification and warning of the vehicle's movement to other road users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electric vehicles operate silently to reduce noise pollution, then environmental quality is improved, but detectability by other road users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical signaling by emitting light beams of different colors to indicate vehicle type and propulsion mode. Electric vehicles emit light in visible spectrum ranges that differ from thermal vehicles, creating a visual distinction that compensates for the lack of acoustic signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light emission system) to convey information about vehicle presence and type. This intermediary system acts as a mediator between the silent electric vehicle and other road users, transferring information that would otherwise be conveyed through engine noise.
2Loss of information
If lighting devices are added to indicate vehicle type, then identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is designed to serve multiple functions: indicating vehicle type (electric vs thermal), signaling propulsion mode (partial or total electric), and providing general visibility. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling systems and minimizes overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies light emission parameters (wavelength, intensity, temporal pattern) to convey different information about vehicle type and propulsion mode. By encoding information in existing light parameters rather than adding separate signaling mechanisms, the solution maintains simplicity while providing rich identification capability.
3Loss of information
If light emission characteristics are varied to indicate propulsion mode, then information transmission is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or intermittent light emission patterns to convey propulsion mode information rather than continuous emission. By modulating the timing and duration of light pulses, the system transmits information efficiently while minimizing total energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system emits light at varying intensities and durations based on the information needed to be conveyed. Rather than maximum continuous emission, the system uses partial emission strategies that provide sufficient information transmission while optimizing energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lighting device being designed to emit at least one light beam, at least one characteristic of which relates to the type of propulsion of the motor vehicle, the device being arranged to emit the light beam at least when the motor vehicle is moving.