Windshield LED Alert Strip for Vehicle Motion Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual alert systems for vehicles do not effectively inform pedestrians and other drivers about the vehicle's movement, particularly acceleration or deceleration, and can be distracting to the driver due to glare from the lighting.
Innovation Solution
A thin strip-shaped display with LEDs is attached to the vehicle windshield, incorporating a flexible PCB and a control box, using an accelerometer or vehicle motion control circuitry to indicate acceleration or deceleration through different lighting patterns, shielded from the driver's view with a darkened coating, and optionally using an ambient light sensor to adjust LED intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If lighting assembly is incorporated into housing mounted at vehicle location to inform pedestrians and drivers of vehicle movement, then information communication to observers is improved, but driver distraction due to glare is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing light specifically toward the front where pedestrians and other drivers are located, while using a darkened coating on the housing to block light from reaching the driver's position. This creates different light transmission properties in different spatial zones, allowing information communication to observers without causing driver distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a darkened coating as an intermediary element between the light source and the driver. This coating acts as a mediator that allows light to pass through in the forward direction toward observers while blocking light from reaching the driver, thus resolving the contradiction between informing observers and preventing driver distraction.
2Loss of information
If thin strip shaped display with LEDs is attached to windshield to indicate vehicle acceleration or deceleration, then visual alert to pedestrians and drivers is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the thin strip shaped display, LED elements, flexible PCB, control box, accelerometer, and darkened coating are combined into one unified unit attached to the windshield. This integration provides comprehensive visual alert functionality while minimizing the number of separate components and installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional device that simultaneously serves as a visual display, motion sensor platform, and communication interface. The single assembly performs multiple functions: displaying vehicle acceleration/deceleration status, sensing motion through the accelerometer, and providing structural support, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
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
Effectively communicates vehicle movement to observers without distracting the driver, providing clear visual cues for pedestrians and other drivers while minimizing glare.
Implementation Method 1
An ambient light sensor (ALS) can be incorporated into the assembly for managing lighting/LED intensity based upon exterior lighting conditions
Implementation Method 2
using an accelerometer or vehicle motion control circuitry to indicate acceleration or deceleration through different lighting patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A visual front alert system attached to an inside surface of a vehicle windshield for instructing observers as to movement of the vehicle. A strip shaped body incorporates a plurality of illuminating elements communicating with a PCBA. An accelerometer is connected to the PCBA, with a power supply operating the accelerometer and PCBA. In response to a determined acceleration of the structure, the accelerometer inputs a signal to the PCBA, representative of the vehicle movement, with the PCB in turn providing an output signal causing the illuminating elements to generate a visual output corresponding to said input signal. The visual output further includes a first output representative of a steady or accelerating motion of the vehicle and a second output further representative of a decelerating or braking condition of the vehicle. An ambient light sensor associated with the processor component manages an intensity of the illuminating elements based upon ambient lighting conditions.