Vehicle Lighting System with Ultraviolet and Visible Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auxiliary lighting systems, particularly those using LEDs, lack ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which reduces the effectiveness of safety markings and visibility in low-light conditions, and fail to adequately illuminate areas or personnel in poorly lit zones, despite the presence of temporary or emergency lighting.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that integrates both visible and ultraviolet light sources, with sensors and control devices to monitor areas and zones for poor illumination and occupancy, synchronizing UV light emission with the absence of visible light from existing systems to enhance visibility of reflectance materials and personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED lighting is used for auxiliary illumination, then energy efficiency is improved, but ultraviolet radiation is reduced to near zero which degrades the effectiveness of safety markings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LED visible light sources with separate UV light sources (such as UV LEDs or other UV emitting devices) into a single auxiliary lighting system. This merging allows the system to maintain the energy efficiency of LED technology while adding UV capability to energize safety markings and improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system uses composite light sources that emit multiple spectral components - both visible light for general illumination and ultraviolet light for activating safety markings. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of energy efficiency and UV radiation requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If temporary lighting and emergency lights are deployed in surrounding spaces, then general illumination is improved, but specific poorly illuminated areas or zones remain inadequately lit
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary lighting system is divided into multiple independently controllable light sources that can be directed at specific zones or areas. Each light source can be individually activated based on sensor detection of poorly illuminated areas, allowing targeted illumination without requiring all surrounding lights to operate at full capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides different illumination qualities to different spatial zones - UV-rich illumination for areas with safety markings that need activation, and visible light illumination for areas requiring general visibility. This local differentiation optimizes the effectiveness of illumination in each specific zone.
3Reliability
If UV light sources operate continuously to ensure safety marking visibility, then visibility effectiveness is improved, but the lifespan of UV light sources is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light sources operate periodically rather than continuously, activating only when sensors detect low-light conditions or when safety marking visibility is determined to be insufficient. This periodic operation maintains visibility effectiveness while significantly reducing cumulative operating hours and extending light source lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to monitor lighting conditions and safety marking visibility, providing feedback that controls UV light source activation. When visibility thresholds are met, UV lights remain off; when thresholds are not met, UV lights activate to restore effectiveness, creating a feedback-controlled operation pattern that extends lifespan.
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 dual emission of UV and visible light improves visibility and safety by targeting dark areas and energizing safety vests, while prolonging the life of UV light sources and adjusting to real-time lighting environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body... The at least one ultraviolet light source can illuminate one or more objects... UV light is an electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength from roughly 10 nm (30 PHz) to 380 nm (750 THz)
Implementation Method 2
The lack of UV light degrades the effectiveness of safety markings placed on equipment, vehicles, and clothing worn by operators or security personnel, in that many of such markings are designed to fluoresce, which requires the presence of UV spectral power
Implementation Method 3
at least one visible light source connected to the body... the visible light source can illuminate the area in front of the transportation device
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system includes a lighting device arranged to attach to a vehicle. The lighting device includes at least two ultraviolet lights and at least one sensor. The sensor determines whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly visibly illuminated and/or occupied by personnel, and illuminates these areas or zones with ultraviolet light. The lighting system is configured to operate in conjunction with existing emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems by using the sensors to sense visible illumination of each individual area or zone provided by the existing emergency visible lighting and flashing visible light systems. The lighting system may be configured to synchronize the illumination of each individual area or zone in ultraviolet light with intermittent absence of visible light illumination in each area or zone from the existing emergency visible lighting and flashing visible light systems.