16 patents in this list
Updated: May 02, 2024
It's critical that drivers are able to interact with each other safely and effectively. Systems for indicating vehicle behaviorᅳlike braking, turning, or changing lanesᅳare essential for communicating an automobile's intentions.
This page examines new developments in lighting technology designed to improve the interaction between cars and their behavior.
BAAL PATENT AB, 2023
Vehicle hazard flasher and warning system that improves visibility of a stopped or disabled vehicle. It adds light unit with flashing LEDs mounted on the rear wiper arm. This provides an extra alerting light source higher up and away from the vehicle body, increasing visibility to approaching drivers. The wiper arm light unit activates when the hazard flashers are turned on.
Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH, 2023
Signal light for vehicles with a fiber optic rod that has an elongated light emitting surface and is designed to generate two light functions, only one of which is segmented. The fiber optic rod has two rear walls, each of which has a deflection element edge and a side wall edge, and extends in the longitudinal direction between the row of light deflection elements and the side walls, and the side wall edges are further apart than the deflection element edges in a cross section of the fiber optic rod that is transverse to the longitudinal extension thereof.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd., 2023
A picking truck with a vehicle approach notification system that uses lights to alert people when the truck is approaching. The system has lights on the cab, body and front that are coordinated based on truck position and movement. When the cab is low and truck is reversing, only the cab light is on. When cab is raised or truck is moving forwards, only the front light is on. When stopped with raised cab, the body light blinks. This notifies people around the truck both when it is approaching and when the raised cab could be a hazard.
Pedestrian Safety Solutions, LLC, 2023
Apparatus to provide a visual indication on a vehicle that it is braking or decelerating to improve pedestrian safety. The indication may be provided by lighting on the front of the vehicle, such as on a license plate frame, that visually signals deceleration to pedestrians and others in front of the vehicle. An accelerometer or brake pedal sensor detects deceleration and actuates the lights. Other sensors, wireless communication, or voice commands may also be used to activate the lights. The lights may also indicate whether the vehicle has sensed pedestrians.
Kolawole Balogun, 2023
Vehicle turn signal system designed to inform other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians when a vehicle intends to make a U-turn. The system includes U-shaped indicators on the front/rear bumpers and side mirrors that blink sequentially to indicate a U-turn. The indicators are activated using a lever near the steering wheel.
José C. Arteiro, Waleska Sanchez, 2021
A system to signal a U-turn maneuver by a vehicle using the existing headlights, reverse lights, turn signals and side lights. The system involves activating those lights on the side corresponding to the U-turn direction to flash in coordination. This provides a clear and universally recognizable signal that communicates a U-turn intention. A switch or processor triggers the coordinated flashing when a U-turn signal is activated.
Yam Ho Yeung, 2018
Smart lighting system for bicycles that improves safety by providing effective lighting without complex wiring. The system uses a lighting assembly mounted on the bike that communicates with a signal generator like a helmet-mounted motion sensor. When the rider makes gestures detected by the sensor, it sends signals to the lighting assembly to change the orientation of rotatable lights or activate ground-projecting indicator lights. This allows the rider to control the lighting without handling the bike. The assembly can also display info, charge devices, and have a braking sensor.
Se-Ho Oh, 2018
Vehicle taillight system that can represent various driving situations and intentions using LED taillights. The system has dual taillights with multiple LEDs. A controller can operate the LEDs individually or together to display driving info like vehicle location, emergency, direction, and driver intentions. This allows more expressive and detailed taillight signals compared to conventional lights that just indicate basic vehicle states.
Robert Noble, Chauncy Noble, Gerald Scott Parker, Frank Anthony Calabrese, 2016
U-turn signaling device for vehicles that automatically activates U-shaped lights when a vehicle is making a U-turn without requiring user input. The device uses sensors to detect when the steering wheel has been turned enough for a U-turn. When the steering wheel is rotated to a predetermined degree, the U-shaped lights are activated to indicate the U-turn. The lights deactivate when the steering wheel returns to the original position. This provides a specific U-turn signal that can't be mistaken for a left or right turn.
LG INNOTEK CO., LTD., 2014
A headlight system for vehicles that automatically adjusts brightness and range based on driving conditions. The system has a control unit that receives environmental information and determines the optimal headlight settings. It can gradually decrease the brightness of some lights when speed drops, prevent abrupt darkness transitions, and adjust light count based on the environment. This provides safer driving by adapting headlight performance to match visibility needs.
KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., 2014
Vehicle lamp system that draws attention to surroundings when starting. The system has multiple light sources that sequentially turn on when starting signals are received, like ignition or brake release. This creates a moving light sequence around the vehicle as it starts, alerting nearby vehicles and pedestrians. The sequence can be continuous or adjacent lights. The sequence illuminance is lower than normal driving to avoid distracting other drivers. The sequence detects and notifies if any light fails.
DENSO CORPORATION, 2013
Cooperative roadside-vehicle illumination system that allows coordinated control of vehicle headlights and roadside lamps through communication between the vehicle and roadside apparatus. The system allows the vehicle to request adjustments to the roadside lamp illumination based on the vehicle headlight operation. The roadside apparatus can then accept or reject the request and adjust the roadside lamp accordingly. This allows coordinated illumination between the vehicle and roadside lamps for scenarios like curves, tunnels, or low visibility areas.
Glen Harris, 2010
Programmable lighting system for vehicles using LEDs that allows customizable flash patterns for improved visibility and attention-grabbing compared to constant intensity LEDs. The system uses electronically switchable LEDs that can be programmed with variable flash patterns to enhance attractiveness and conspicuity compared to traditional constant-intensity LEDs. This allows features like pulsing, fading, and sequencing lights for improved signaling and safety.
Ronald L. Schooley, 2004
Device for conveniently and independently activating and deactivating vehicle headlights and taillights to signal other vehicles, regardless of whether the headlights or taillights are presently illuminated. The device allows separate control of the headlights and taillights using switches. This allows flashing just the headlights or taillights without affecting the other lights. It improves safety and convenience compared to traditional systems that flash both lights together.
Positive Driving Systems LLC, 2000
A signaling system for communicating simple coded messages between vehicles to improve safety and reduce road rage. The system has a light source attached to a vehicle that can be selectively flashed in patterns. Each pattern corresponds to a predetermined message. The patterns can be initiated by a control module. The flashing light can be seen by other drivers to communicate the messages without distracting them. The codes can convey requests or responses based on driving situations to improve driver communication and reduce frustration.
Caryn Boxer, 1998
Indicator for signaling a vehicle's intent to make a U-turn. The indicator has a sequential lighting pattern that forms the shape of a U as the vehicle turns. This provides a clear and distinct visual cue to other drivers, pedestrians, and traffic signals to alert them that the vehicle is making a U-turn. The sequential lighting sequence helps distinguish a U-turn from a left turn since the vehicle will slow down more for a U-turn.
Request the PDF report with complete details of all 16 patents for offline reading.
These advancements demonstrate how new technologies, improved visibility, and more obviously observable driving intents are always being used to improve lighting systems. These developments could greatly enhance both traffic flow and road safety.