I need help with lighting project.

[bones]

I am an industrial design student at the Art Institute of Colorado. I am designing a new lighting system for bicycles for my grad project and I need some ideas. I have been riding a bike for a long time and I have some ideas, but I was wondering if anyone had complaints about their current lighting system or if there is anything you particularly like about your lighting system. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you
mike

[hophead]

Hey mike,

Welcome to the site!

Is your lighting system going to be for a road/commuter bike or mtn bike?

[bones]

The main focus is a commuter bike, but i don't want the light system to be limited to one style of bicycle. Basically I want to design a fool proof system that activates automatically, creates lots of visibility, and has nice atheistical value.

[Biker]

I get blinded buy oncoming lights a lot maybe find some way of designing a lite that won't blind me.

[darkangel]

Are there special glasses that you can see through at night but are anti-glare?

[saladspokes]

Don't motorcyclists have those?

[hophead]

Originally Posted by bones

The main focus is a commuter bike, but i don't want the light system to be limited to one style of bicycle. Basically I want to design a fool proof system that activates automatically, creates lots of visibility, and has nice atheistical value.

I've been thinking about this and for a commuter bike it would be nice to have some sort of locking system so the light can't be stolen if left on the bike. I have a pretty nice high intensity LED bike light w/a lithium Ion battery that I commute with. I would be afraid to leave my bike locked up outside with the light still mounted because it could be easily stolen. I am lucky that I can bring my bike in to my office while I'm at work. Many don't have that luxury.

A rechargeable battery and solar cell would be cool too. When left outside, the battery could charge itself. Since many cyclists are environmentally conscious, I think it would be a good move to offer this, not to mention the convenience of not having to replace batteries. An auxiliary wall socket charger would have to be supplied as well for when solar recharging is not possible or would take too long.

Some things that I like about my current headlight (Princeton Tec Switchback 1) that I would also incorporate are multiple settings: 3 intensity levels and a blinking mode; A high intensity Luxeon LED emitter and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery; A helmet mount as well as a bar mount; A coiled extension cord; car charger.

Another feature that would be cool and I don't think any commuter light has is an audible low battery alarm. The light could also be made to switch into a power conservation mode when the battery is low.

Hope this helps and good luck with your project.

-Scott

[malsackj]

So why not consider the auto answer of low beam and high beam.

I used two systems on my bike one for a long range down the road and one bright and close range.

I like the one on the helmet also because this can be pointed in direction of view without changing bike direction.

Rear lights I still like the auto answer of a nice single red lamp to indicate location and the blinking yellow indicating hazard. The solid red indicator gives constant location and if on the outer left side of the bike helps drivers to pass safely because they can find the outer left side of the rider.

A small DC generator can be added to the wheels to generate power to recharge the batteries. I like the one where it hits the center of the wheels to reduce pressure on the sidewall and a design that works well with higher speeds. 15 to 30 mph. instead of the 10 to 12 mph. Use of a voltage regulator to keep voltage stable and prevent burnout.

Now with the advent of lithium light weight batteries we should see more of them and lower cost.

Pro Audio speakers use a speakon connector to create a moisture resistant connction safely this might be adaptable and improved to weather proof.

[funetical]

I would really like somthing that cut down on glare from on coming cars.

[Industry_Hack]

Is this to see or be seen?