Safety Vest Flange Light for Low-Light Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety vests with reflective materials may not ensure visibility in low-light conditions and can be ineffective when dirty, and existing solutions like LED buttons have limited effectiveness in preventing collisions.
Innovation Solution
A safety vest with a removably mounted light source, including a battery pack with LEDs and a light flange featuring a flat member that is illuminated by the LEDs, providing enhanced visibility through a translucent pocket on the vest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If reflective material is used on safety vests, then visibility is improved when external light sources are present, but visibility deteriorates in low-light conditions or when the vest gets dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating an active light source (LED) that proactively emits light before any collision risk materializes. Unlike passive reflective material that waits for external light, the LED actively illuminates the vest in advance, ensuring visibility regardless of external lighting conditions or dirt accumulation on the vest surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive optical mechanism (reflective material relying on external light sources) with an active electromechanical system (LED light source powered by battery). This substitution transforms the vest from a passive reflector to an active light emitter, fundamentally changing how visibility is achieved and eliminating dependence on external light conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If LED buttons are added to safety vests, then active light emission is achieved, but effectiveness remains limited compared to prominent reflective material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both reflective material and active LED lighting into a unified system. The vest incorporates both prominent reflective material for passive visibility and integrated LED light sources for active illumination, creating a hybrid safety system that leverages the strengths of both approaches simultaneously rather than relying on either alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional safety vest that performs multiple visibility functions: passive reflection of external light, active LED illumination, and enhanced warning through light emission. This universal design ensures the vest remains effective across diverse conditions - daytime, nighttime, dirty surfaces, and various lighting environments - making it adaptable to all operational scenarios.
3Loss of information
If reflective material is prominently placed on vests, then driver warning capability is improved, but the vest becomes less effective when dirty or in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vulnerable passive reflective system with an active LED illumination system that is not affected by dirt accumulation or lack of external light. The LED actively emits light to ensure driver awareness, substituting the unreliable passive reflection mechanism with a dependable active light source that maintains effectiveness regardless of environmental contaminants or lighting conditions.
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 solution significantly improves visibility in low-light conditions, ensuring greater safety by providing a reliable warning system that is not compromised by dirt or lack of external light sources.
Implementation Method 1
a battery pack with at least one LED
Data Source
AI summary
A safety vest includes a vest body having front, back and sides, a light source, including a battery pack with at least one LED and a light flange, the light flange comprising a flat member mounted in proximity to the at least one LED such that light shining from the LED onto the flat member will light up the flat member, wherein the light source is removably mounted to the vest body such that the flat member provides a safety light mounted to the vest.