Vehicular Safety Device Flashing Logic for CHMSL
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular safety devices for center high-mounted stop lamps (CHMSL) are large, costly, difficult to install, unreliable, and do not accurately initiate flashing with the brake pedal, often requiring additional sensors and failing to meet safety standards due to intermittent operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective vehicular safety device utilizing a multi-layer substrate with a single CMOS integrated circuit and P-Channel MOSFET, providing three or more intensity states without additional sensors, attaching to the inside of the CHMSL housing, and relying solely on the brake light switch for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stop lamp flashers are used to alert drivers, then attention-grabbing capability is improved, but legal compliance deteriorates because they do not meet federal safety standards for stop lamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic flashing action of the CHMSL to grab driver attention while ensuring the brake light remains illuminated throughout the braking period. The controller activates the CHMSL in a flashing pattern during brake application, but maintains continuous illumination to comply with federal safety standards requiring the brake light to remain ON while the brake pedal is depressed.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to accurately detect brake pedal depression, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing brake light switch already present in the vehicle to detect brake pedal depression, eliminating the need for additional sensors. The system leverages the vehicle's existing electrical infrastructure and components, requiring no extra sensing elements beyond what is already installed in conventional vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing brake light switch serve dual functions: its original function of controlling the brake light, and an additional function of triggering the CHMSL flashing sequence. By programming the controller to monitor the brake light switch signal, the system achieves accurate brake detection without adding dedicated sensing components.
3Ease of operation
If the device is made smaller to reduce installation difficulty, then ease of installation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicular safety device into distinct functional modules: a controller module containing the flashing logic, and a mounting interface module for attachment to the CHMSL housing. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled together, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while enabling a compact form factor that is easy to install.
4Ease of operation
If the device attaches to the outside of the CHMSL housing, then installation is simpler, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates due to strain on connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the controller module inside the existing CHMSL housing cavity, utilizing the internal space of the housing rather than mounting externally. This nested configuration allows the device to be installed through simple access to the housing interior while maintaining secure electrical connections, as the controller is positioned within the protected housing environment where connections are not subject to external strain or environmental factors.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular safety device that couples between a vehicular brake light and the vehicle's brake pedal switch, having logic responsive to each activation of the brake pedal switch to initiate an illumination pattern of a plurality of periods of various output intensity and duration of the brake light. Sequential period durations and intensities may be unequal, respectively, to their predecessors. Period durations and intensities may be uncorrelated. Sequential illumination patterns may not be identical. Illumination patterns are preferably less than five seconds long.