Vehicle Warning Sign Locking With Dual Power Fail-Safe Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles lack a mechanism to automatically deploy warning signs when stopping due to malfunctions, necessitating a solution that does not rely on a human driver.

Innovation Solution

A warning sign arrangement with an electric locking mechanism powered by both a main and a backup electric power supply, ensuring the sign is exposed only when both supplies fail, using fail-safe electric locks to prevent accidental deployment and integrating with the vehicle's power systems for redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single electric power supply is used to power the electric locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of automatic warning sign deployment is compromised due to single point of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of automatic warning sign deploymentVSAvoidcomplexity of electric power supply system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electric power supply system is segmented into two independent power supplies (main power supply and backup power supply), each capable of independently powering the electric locking mechanism. This segmentation eliminates single point of failure, ensuring that the warning sign can be automatically deployed even if one power supply fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A backup power supply is provided in advance to cushion against the failure of the main power supply. The backup power supply remains ready to take over and power the electric locking mechanism if the main power supply fails, ensuring continuous operational reliability for automatic warning sign deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the electric locking mechanism is designed to be fail-safe (deactivate on power loss), then safety is improved, but accidental exposure due to single power supply failure is possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of warning sign deploymentVSAvoidaccidental exposure of warning sign

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric locking mechanism is segmented into two independent locking units (first electric lock and second electric lock), each controlled by a separate power supply. Both locks must simultaneously fail for the warning sign to be exposed, which statistically reduces the probability of accidental exposure compared to a single lock system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides a cushion against accidental exposure by requiring dual failure of independent power supplies and locks. The backup power supply acts as a cushion to prevent the first power supply failure from causing warning sign exposure, as the second power supply and its associated lock remain functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the warning sign arrangement is integrated into the vehicle body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the width of the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic deployment capabilityVSAvoidwidth of vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The warning sign is nested within the vehicle body, specifically arranged in the rear bumper or rear panel area. The warning sign is stored in a recessed position and only exposed when needed through the electric locking mechanism, allowing automatic deployment without permanently increasing the vehicle's external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The warning sign arrangement uses a dynamic deployment system where the warning sign transitions from a hidden state (during normal operation) to an exposed state (when power supply fails). This dynamic capability allows the vehicle to maintain its normal width during operation while providing automatic warning sign deployment when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures reliable and safe automatic deployment of warning signs without unintentional exposure, maintaining vehicle functionality by using independent power sources, and minimizing width impact on the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

During normal operation of the vehicle, the warning sign is held under the vehicle by means of e.g. an electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS12459426B2Warning sign arrangement for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 VOLVO AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS AB

AI summary

A warning sign arrangement for a vehicle, comprises a warning sign, a warning sign hiding device comprising an electric locking mechanism, the warning sign hiding device being configured to hide the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is active, and to expose the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is deactivated, The electric locking mechanism comprises a first electric lock configured to be powered by a main electric power supply of the vehicle, and a second electric lock configured to be powered by a backup electric power supply of the vehicle, wherein both of the first electric lock and the second electric lock must be deactivated to expose the warning sign.