Vehicle-Mounted Projector for Dynamic Road Markings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional road markings fade or become hidden due to weather conditions and obstacles, leading to unsafe driving environments.
Innovation Solution
A method using a projector attached to a vehicle to project focused light beams onto a surface, generating markings such as lane boundaries, traffic lines, and safety messages, which can be adjusted based on environmental conditions and vehicle communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional road markings are painted on roads, then road markings can be displayed to guide users, but the markings fade or become hidden due to weather and precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional painted road markings with a projection system that uses light (optical field) to display markings. The projector mounted on the vehicle projects images onto the road surface, eliminating the need for physical paint applications that fade or become obscured by weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The road markings are made dynamic through the projection system that can be adjusted in real-time based on environmental conditions, vehicle position, and driving context. The markings can be turned on or off, adjusted in brightness, and repositioned as needed, unlike static painted markings.
2Illumination intensity
If reflective materials are used in road markings, then visibility is improved at night, but the materials still fade or become hidden over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reflective painted markings with an active projection system that generates its own light source. This eliminates dependence on external light sources and reflective materials that degrade over time, providing consistent illumination and visibility regardless of ambient lighting conditions.
3Reliability
If a projector is attached to a vehicle to project markings, then clear and persistent road markings are provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system serves multiple functions: it projects road markings, displays safety messages, indicates vehicle position, and can communicate with other vehicles. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive safety and guidance capabilities in a single integrated system.
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
Provides clear and persistent road markings, enhancing driver safety by maintaining visibility even in adverse weather conditions and obstructed visibility scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
projecting a focused light beam, by a projector attached to the first vehicle, towards the second position. The projection may generate the marking on a surface at the second position.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may relate to displaying road markings for a user without fading or becoming hidden. A road markings application may communicate with one or more devices to obtain road marking location information. The one or more devices may be attached to a vehicle, stationary device, or remote device. The road markings application may determine one or more locations for one or more projected road markings. A concentrated light source, such as a laser, attached to a vehicle may project road markings on a surface of a road. Projected road markings may change to accommodate vehicles of various sizes and/or to indicate potential obstacles on a road.