Exterior rear-view mirror protection control method and system and vehicle

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and discloses an outside rear-view mirror protection control method and system and a vehicle. Folding configuration information of the outside rear-view mirror is obtained; in response to a received vehicle locking signal, whether a control signal is sent or not is determined based on the driving state information and the outside rear-view mirror folding configuration information, and the type of the control signal is determined; if a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving state information is a parking state, and the outside rear-view mirror folding configuration information is a first configuration state, sending a first control signal to control the outside rear-view mirror to move to a folding and overturning posture; wherein the folding overturning posture means that the lens assembly of the outside rear-view mirror faces the automobile door, and the lens assembly of the outside rear-view mirror inclines from top to bottom in the direction away from the automobile door. According to the technical scheme, the mirror surface of the lens assembly can be prevented from being abraded, damaged or blurred in the long-term parking state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and specifically to a method, system, and vehicle for protecting and controlling exterior rearview mirrors. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's new energy vehicle industry, various innovative technologies are emerging one after another. The integrated narrow-bezel exterior rearview mirror, as an emerging design, boasts excellent aerodynamic performance, a novel and elegant appearance, and a high-quality feel. Furthermore, the narrow-bezel exterior rearview mirror can be adjusted electrically for both left and right and up and down directions, allowing for flexible adjustment of the mirror's viewing angle. This optimizes the field of vision for observing road conditions to the sides and rear of the vehicle, improving safety. Therefore, narrow-bezel exterior rearview mirrors are gradually being adopted by many automakers and are showing a trend of replacing traditional exterior rearview mirrors.

[0003] However, narrow-framed exterior rearview mirrors lack effective protection for the lens assembly, making them susceptible to damage from external factors while parked. This increases repair costs for car owners, affects the driver's visibility, and poses a safety hazard. Furthermore, in rainy conditions, the lens assembly is directly exposed, leading to a buildup of water droplets on the lens surface after prolonged parking, severely impacting image quality. While most rearview mirrors are equipped with heated defogging functions, these features suffer from response delays, requiring users to wait for water droplets to remove or manually wipe the mirror surface, which is extremely inconvenient and significantly impacts the driver's experience and road safety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide an exterior rearview mirror protection control method, system and vehicle, which aims to prevent the mirror surface of the mirror assembly from being worn, damaged or blurred during long-term parking.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an exterior rearview mirror protection control method, including: Obtain driving status information, which includes at least the parking status; Obtain exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, wherein the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information includes at least a first configuration state; In response to receiving a vehicle locking signal, based on the driving status information and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, it is determined whether to issue a control signal and the type of the control signal. If a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a first configuration state, then a first control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folded and flipped posture; wherein, the folded and flipped posture means that the lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door, and the lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom in a direction away from the door.

[0006] This setup allows for precise control of the exterior rearview mirrors after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set folding configuration. Receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status indicating a parked state signifies that the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration being in its first setting indicates that the user intends to fold the mirrors after parking and locking the vehicle. With the mirror assembly facing the door in a folded position, this effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the mirrors, lowering the probability of damage from passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. It also prevents direct impact from sand, flying stones, and other debris onto the mirror surface, thus protecting it from wear and damage during prolonged parking. The lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom away from the door, creating a structure with a narrow upper gap and a wide lower gap between the lens assembly and the door. This effectively reduces the probability of rainwater getting onto the mirror surface. At the same time, the tilted lens assembly can guide water droplets to flow quickly down the mirror surface, preventing rainwater and dust from accumulating on the mirror and causing it to become blurry.

[0007] In one possible embodiment, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information further includes a second configuration state, and the method further includes: If a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a second configuration state, then a second control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folded position; wherein, the folding position refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly facing the vehicle door.

[0008] This setup allows for control of the side mirrors after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set side mirror folding configuration. Receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status indicating a parked state signifies that the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The side mirror folding configuration is in the second configuration state, indicating that the user wants the side mirrors to fold after parking and locking the vehicle. With the mirror assembly facing the door in a folded position, this effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the side mirrors, lowering the probability of damage from passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. It also prevents direct impact from windblown sand, flying stones, and other debris onto the mirror surface, thus preventing wear and damage during prolonged parking. The difference between the second and first configuration states is that when the user selects this setting, the side mirrors fold without flipping after parking and locking the vehicle, providing a different user experience.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the driving status information further includes driving status, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information further includes a disabled status, and the method further includes: If a vehicle locking signal is received, and the driving status information is in the driving state and / or the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the disabled state, then no control signal is issued to keep the exterior rearview mirror in the open position; wherein, the open position means that the lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror faces the rear of the vehicle.

[0010] This setup allows for appropriate control after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set exterior mirror folding configuration. Receiving a vehicle lock signal and a driving status indicating the vehicle is in motion means the exterior mirrors should be prevented from folding or flipping over to avoid affecting driving safety. A disabled exterior mirror folding configuration indicates the user prefers the mirrors to remain open after parking and locking the vehicle. Selecting this setting ensures the mirrors remain open after parking and locking, providing the user with different options and enhancing the user experience.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the method further includes: In response to receiving a vehicle unlock signal, based on the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, it is determined whether to issue a control signal and the type of the control signal. If a vehicle unlocking signal is received and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the first configuration state or the second configuration state, a third control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the open position. If the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is disabled when a vehicle unlock signal is received, no control signal will be issued.

[0012] This setup allows the system to automatically control the side mirrors based on the user's pre-set folding configuration after the user sends a vehicle unlock signal via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC. If the side mirror folding configuration is disabled when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors remained open after the last parking and locking, and therefore no change is needed. If the side mirror folding configuration is in either the first or second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors switched to a folded / flipped or folded position after the last parking and locking, thus requiring automatic control to switch the side mirrors to the open position. This reduces the time the user spends adjusting the side mirrors and enhances the user experience.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an exterior rearview mirror protection control system, including: The signal input module is configured to: acquire driving status information, the driving status information including at least a parking status; acquire exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information including at least a first configuration status; and receive a vehicle locking signal. The control module is configured to: in response to receiving a vehicle locking signal, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of the control signal based on the driving status information and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information; if the driving status information is a parked state when the vehicle locking signal is received, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is a first configuration state, then issue a first control signal to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folding and flipping posture; wherein, the folding and flipping posture refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly facing the door, and the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly tilting from top to bottom in a direction away from the door.

[0014] This setup allows for precise control of the exterior rearview mirrors after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set folding configuration. Receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status indicating a parked state signifies that the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration being in its first setting indicates that the user intends to fold the mirrors after parking and locking the vehicle. With the mirror assembly facing the door in a folded position, this effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the mirrors, lowering the probability of damage from passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. It also prevents direct impact from sand, flying stones, and other debris onto the mirror surface, thus protecting it from wear and damage during prolonged parking. The lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom away from the door, creating a structure with a narrow upper gap and a wide lower gap between the lens assembly and the door. This effectively reduces the probability of rainwater getting onto the mirror surface. At the same time, the tilted lens assembly can guide water droplets to flow quickly down the mirror surface, preventing rainwater and dust from accumulating on the mirror and causing it to become blurry.

[0015] In one possible embodiment, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information further includes a second configuration state, and the control module is further configured to: If a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a second configuration state, then a second control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folded position; wherein, the folding position refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly facing the vehicle door.

[0016] This setup allows for control of the side mirrors after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set side mirror folding configuration. Receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status indicating a parked state signifies that the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The side mirror folding configuration is in the second configuration state, indicating that the user wants the side mirrors to fold after parking and locking the vehicle. With the mirror assembly facing the door in a folded position, this effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the side mirrors, lowering the probability of damage from passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. It also prevents direct impact from windblown sand, flying stones, and other debris onto the mirror surface, thus preventing wear and damage during prolonged parking. The difference between the second and first configuration states is that when the user selects this setting, the side mirrors fold without flipping after parking and locking the vehicle, providing a different user experience.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the driving status information further includes the driving status, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information further includes a disabled status, and the control module is further configured to: If a vehicle locking signal is received, and the driving status information is in the driving state and / or the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the disabled state, then no control signal is issued to keep the exterior rearview mirror in the open position; wherein, the open position means that the lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror faces the rear of the vehicle.

[0018] This setup allows for appropriate control after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set exterior mirror folding configuration. Receiving a vehicle lock signal and a driving status indicating the vehicle is in motion means the exterior mirrors should be prevented from folding or flipping over to avoid affecting driving safety. A disabled exterior mirror folding configuration indicates the user prefers the mirrors to remain open after parking and locking the vehicle. Selecting this setting ensures the mirrors remain open after parking and locking, providing the user with different options and enhancing the user experience.

[0019] In one possible embodiment, the signal input module is further configured to receive a vehicle unlock signal; The control module is further configured to: in response to receiving a vehicle unlock signal, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of the control signal based on the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information; if the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a first configuration state or a second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, then issue a third control signal to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the open posture; if the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a disabled state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, then do not issue a control signal.

[0020] This setup allows the system to automatically control the side mirrors based on the user's pre-set folding configuration after the user sends a vehicle unlock signal via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC. If the side mirror folding configuration is disabled when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors remained open after the last parking and locking, and therefore no change is needed. If the side mirror folding configuration is in either the first or second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors switched to a folded / flipped or folded position after the last parking and locking, thus requiring automatic control to switch the side mirrors to the open position. This reduces the time the user spends adjusting the side mirrors and enhances the user experience.

[0021] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a vehicle, including a data acquisition system, a parameter setting system, a vehicle lock control system, an execution system, and an exterior rearview mirror protection control system; The acquisition system is configured to detect driving status information and send it to the signal input module; The parameter setting system is configured to: set the folding configuration information of the exterior rearview mirror and send it to the signal input module; The vehicle lock control system is configured to send a vehicle locking signal or a vehicle unlocking signal to the signal input module; The execution system is configured to receive control signals from the control module and drive the exterior rearview mirror to move based on the control signals.

[0022] In one possible embodiment, the acquisition system is a gear position sensor, the parameter setting system is an in-vehicle terminal, the vehicle lock control system is a mechanical key, a mobile phone key, a Bluetooth key, or NFC, and the execution system is an electric adjuster for the exterior rearview mirror.

[0023] With this setup, the gear position sensor, vehicle terminal, and electric adjuster for the exterior rearview mirrors are all existing components on the vehicle. The mechanical key, mobile phone key, Bluetooth key, or NFC key are all existing accessories on the vehicle. It utilizes existing components or accessories on the vehicle, and only changes are made at the software control logic level, without increasing additional hardware costs.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: After the user sends a vehicle lock signal via mechanical key, mobile phone key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, this application makes corresponding controls based on the current vehicle driving status information and the user's pre-set exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information. Specifically, receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status information indicating a parked state means the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information being in the first configuration state indicates that the user expects to control the exterior rearview mirrors to move to a folded and flipped position after parking and locking the vehicle. The lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door in a folded position. This effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the exterior rearview mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, lowering the probability of the exterior rearview mirrors being scratched or damaged by surrounding vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. Furthermore, it prevents direct impact from external debris such as sand and flying stones on the mirror surface of the lens assembly, thus preventing wear or damage to the mirror surface of the lens assembly during long-term parking. The lens assembly of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom away from the door, creating a structure with a narrow upper gap and a wide lower gap between the lens assembly and the door. This effectively reduces the probability of rainwater getting onto the mirror surface. At the same time, the tilted lens assembly can guide water droplets to flow quickly down the mirror surface, preventing rainwater and dust from accumulating on the mirror and causing it to become blurry. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle architecture disclosed in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the exterior rearview mirror disclosed in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the exterior rearview mirror protection control system disclosed in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the exterior rearview mirror in the embodiment of this application moving to a folding and flipping posture; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the path of the exterior rearview mirror disclosed in the embodiments of this application from an open position to a folded and flipped position; Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the exterior rearview mirror protection control method disclosed in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1-Exterior rearview mirror protection control system, 101-Signal input module, 102-Control module, 2-Acquisition system, 3-Parameter setting system, 4-Vehicle lock control system, 5-Actuation system, 6-Housing assembly, 601-Mirror cover, 602-Side turn signal, 603-Mirror housing, 7-Mirror assembly, 8-Mirror arm assembly, 9-Vehicle door. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and have no sequential or technical meaning, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Directional terms used in this application, such as "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," are merely for reference to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings. The use of directional terms is for better and clearer explanation and understanding of this application, and does not indicate the orientation of the referred device or component in an actual application scenario.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. "Fixed connection" refers to a connection where the relative positional relationship remains unchanged after connection. "Rotary connection" refers to a connection where the two parts can rotate relative to each other after connection. "Sliding connection" refers to a connection where the two parts can slide relative to each other after connection.

[0030] In the embodiments of this application, "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0031] The terms "parallel" and "perpendicular" are relative to the current technological level, not absolute mathematical definitions. Slight deviations are permissible; approximations of parallelism or perpendicularity are acceptable. For example, "A and B are parallel" means that A and B are parallel or approximately parallel, with the angle between them ranging from 0 to 5 degrees. Similarly, "A and B are perpendicular" means that A and B are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular, with the angle between them ranging from 85 to 95 degrees.

[0032] The term "electrical connection" refers to the flow of current or signal from one conductor to another. An electrical connection between A and B means that current or signal can flow from A to B and vice versa. This connection includes direct and indirect electrical connections. A direct electrical connection between A and B means that A and B are physically connected. An indirect electrical connection between A and B means that A and B are connected via C, where C can be at least one wire or device.

[0033] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle architecture disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The vehicle can be, but is not limited to, a pure electric vehicle (PEV / BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a new energy vehicle.

[0035] In this embodiment of the application, the vehicle includes a data acquisition system 2, a parameter setting system 3, a vehicle lock control system 4, an execution system 5, and an exterior rearview mirror protection control system 1; The acquisition system 2 is configured to detect driving status information and send it to the signal input module 101; The parameter setting system 3 is configured to: set the folding configuration information of the exterior rearview mirror and send it to the signal input module 101; The vehicle lock control system 4 is configured to send a vehicle lock signal or a vehicle unlock signal to the signal input module 101; The execution system 5 is configured to receive control signals from the control module 102 and drive the exterior rearview mirror to move based on the control signals.

[0036] Optionally, the vehicle's data acquisition system 2 is a gear position sensor, the parameter setting system 3 is an on-board terminal, the vehicle lock control system 4 is a mechanical key, a mobile phone key, a Bluetooth key, or NFC, and the execution system 5 is an electric adjuster for the exterior rearview mirror.

[0037] The gear position sensor detects the vehicle's gear position. When the gear is in park, the vehicle is in a parked state; when it's in drive or reverse, it's in a moving state. The in-vehicle terminal can be a vehicle computer, infotainment system, etc., allowing users to select the first, second, or disabled state for the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration via the touchscreen or mechanical buttons. Mechanical keys, mobile phone keys, Bluetooth keys, or NFC can all send vehicle lock or unlock signals. NFC stands for Near Field Communication.

[0038] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2This is an exploded view of the exterior rearview mirror disclosed in an embodiment of this application. The electric adjuster is part of the existing exterior rearview mirror. The existing narrow-bezel exterior rearview mirror includes a housing assembly 6, a lens assembly 7, an electric adjuster, and a mirror arm assembly 8. The housing assembly 6 includes a mirror cover 601, a side turn signal 602, and a mirror housing 603 arranged sequentially from top to bottom. An opening is provided on one side of the housing assembly 6, which consists of the mirror cover 601, the side turn signal 602, and the mirror housing. The lens assembly 7 includes a mirror surface and a connecting member surrounding the mirror surface. The connecting member is connected to the housing assembly 6. The mirror arm assembly 8 is connected to the vehicle door 9, and the mirror arm assembly 8 is movably connected to the housing assembly 6. The electric adjuster is disposed in the housing assembly 6 or the mirror arm assembly 8, and the exterior rearview mirror can be switched between an open posture, a folded posture, and a folded and flipped posture through the electric adjuster. When the lens assembly 7 is fixedly connected to the housing assembly 6, an electric adjuster can be used to move the housing assembly 6 as a whole. The electric adjuster moves the housing assembly 6 towards or away from the door 9 to achieve folding, and moves the housing assembly 6 vertically to flip the lens assembly 7 to a tilt angle. When the lens assembly 7 is movably connected to the housing assembly 6, a separate electric adjuster can be used to move the housing assembly 6 and the lens assembly 7 separately. The electric adjuster moves the housing assembly 6 towards or away from the door 9 to achieve folding, and moves the lens assembly 7 vertically to flip it to a tilt angle. The vertical direction can refer to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal ground.

[0039] With this setup, the gear position sensor, vehicle terminal, and electric adjuster for the exterior rearview mirrors are all existing components on the vehicle. The mechanical key, mobile phone key, Bluetooth key, or NFC key are all existing accessories on the vehicle. It utilizes existing components or accessories on the vehicle, and only changes are made at the software control logic level, without increasing additional hardware costs.

[0040] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the exterior rearview mirror protection control system 1 disclosed in an embodiment of this application. The exterior rearview mirror protection control system 1 can be integrated into the vehicle controller or the body domain controller, and the exterior rearview mirror protection control system 1 includes: The signal input module 101 is configured to: acquire driving status information, which includes at least a parking status; acquire exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, which includes at least a first configuration status; and receive a vehicle locking signal. The control module 102 is configured to: in response to receiving a vehicle locking signal, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of control signal based on driving status information and exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information; if the driving status information is a parked state when the vehicle locking signal is received, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is a first configuration state, then issue a first control signal to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folding and flipping posture; (See also...) Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the exterior rearview mirror in a folded / flipped position, as disclosed in this application embodiment. The folded / flipped position refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly 7 facing the vehicle door 9, and the lens assembly 7 tilting from top to bottom in a direction away from the vehicle door 9. The tilt angle of the lens assembly 7 is α, which can be a factory preset value or modified manually by the user in the parameter setting system 3. Similarly, the movement distance of the folding position can be a factory preset value or modified manually by the user in the parameter setting system 3.

[0041] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the path of the exterior rearview mirror disclosed in this application moving from an open posture to a folded and flipped posture. The exterior rearview mirror first folds by moving the housing assembly 6 as a whole in the direction of approaching or moving away from the door 9 through an electric adjuster. Then, the housing assembly 6 moves in the up and down direction through an electric adjuster, so that the housing assembly 6 drives the lens assembly 7 to flip to a tilt angle.

[0042] With this setup, after the user sends a vehicle lock signal via mechanical key, mobile phone key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, the system takes corresponding control actions based on the current vehicle's driving status information and the user's pre-set exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information. Specifically, receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status information indicating a parked state means the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information being in the first configuration state indicates that the user expects the exterior rearview mirrors to move to a folded, flipped position after parking and locking the vehicle. The lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror forms a folded position facing the door 9. This effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the exterior rearview mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, lowering the probability of the exterior rearview mirrors being scratched or damaged by passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. Furthermore, it prevents direct impact from windblown sand, flying stones, and other external debris onto the mirror surface of the lens assembly 7, thus preventing wear or damage to the mirror surface of the lens assembly 7 during long-term parking. The lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom in a direction away from the door 9, so that the lens assembly 7 and the door 9 form a structure with a narrow upper gap and a wide lower gap, which can effectively reduce the probability of rainwater getting on the mirror surface. At the same time, the tilted lens assembly 7 can guide water droplets to flow down the mirror surface quickly, preventing rainwater and dust from accumulating on the mirror surface and causing the mirror surface to become blurry.

[0043] Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes a second configuration state, and the control module 102 is further configured as follows: If a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving status information is in the parking state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the second configuration state, then a second control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the folding posture; wherein, the folding posture refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly 7 facing the door 9.

[0044] With this setup, after the user sends a vehicle lock signal via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, the system takes corresponding control actions based on the current vehicle's driving status and the user's pre-set exterior rearview mirror folding configuration. Receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status information indicating a parked state means the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information indicates a second configuration state, meaning the user wants the exterior rearview mirrors to fold after parking and locking the vehicle. The lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door 9 in a folded position. This effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the exterior rearview mirrors, lowering the probability of damage from passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. It also prevents direct impact from wind, sand, flying stones, and other external debris onto the lens assembly 7, thus preventing wear or damage to the lens surface during prolonged parking. The difference between the second configuration state and the first configuration state is that, when the user selects this setting, the exterior rearview mirrors only fold and do not flip after parking and locking the vehicle, providing the user with different options and enhancing the user experience.

[0045] Optionally, the driving status information also includes the driving status, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes the disabled status. The control module 102 is also configured as follows: If a vehicle locking signal is received, and the driving status information is in the driving state and / or the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the disabled state, then no control signal will be issued to keep the exterior rearview mirror in the open position; where the open position means that the lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror faces the rear of the vehicle.

[0046] This setup allows for appropriate control after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set exterior mirror folding configuration. Receiving a vehicle lock signal and a driving status indicating the vehicle is in motion means the exterior mirrors should be prevented from folding or flipping over to avoid affecting driving safety. A disabled exterior mirror folding configuration indicates the user prefers the mirrors to remain open after parking and locking the vehicle. Selecting this setting ensures the mirrors remain open after parking and locking, providing the user with different options and enhancing the user experience.

[0047] Optionally, the signal input module 101 is also configured to receive a vehicle unlock signal; The control module 102 is also configured to: in response to receiving a vehicle unlock signal, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of control signal based on the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information; if the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a first configuration state or a second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, then issue a third control signal to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to an open posture; if the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a disabled state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, then do not issue a control signal.

[0048] This setup allows the system to automatically control the side mirrors based on the user's pre-set folding configuration after the user sends a vehicle unlock signal via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC. If the side mirror folding configuration is disabled when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors remained open after the last parking and locking, and therefore no change is needed. If the side mirror folding configuration is in either the first or second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors switched to a folded / flipped or folded position after the last parking and locking, thus requiring automatic control to switch the side mirrors to the open position. This reduces the time the user spends adjusting the side mirrors and enhances the user experience.

[0049] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the exterior rearview mirror protection control method disclosed in an embodiment of this application. The exterior rearview mirror protection control method includes: S1. Obtain driving status information, which includes at least the parking status; S2. Obtain the folding configuration information of the exterior rearview mirror, which includes at least the first configuration state. S3. In response to receiving a vehicle locking signal, based on driving status information and exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of control signal; S301. If a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving status information is in the parking state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the first configuration state, then a first control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folding and flipping posture; wherein, the folding and flipping posture means that the lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door 9, and the lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom along the direction away from the door 9.

[0050] With this setup, after the user sends a vehicle lock signal via mechanical key, mobile phone key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, the system takes corresponding control actions based on the current vehicle's driving status information and the user's pre-set exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information. Specifically, receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status information indicating a parked state means the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information being in the first configuration state indicates that the user expects the exterior rearview mirrors to move to a folded, flipped position after parking and locking the vehicle. The lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror forms a folded position facing the door 9. This effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the exterior rearview mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, lowering the probability of the exterior rearview mirrors being scratched or damaged by passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. Furthermore, it prevents direct impact from windblown sand, flying stones, and other external debris onto the mirror surface of the lens assembly 7, thus preventing wear or damage to the mirror surface of the lens assembly 7 during long-term parking. The lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom in a direction away from the door 9, so that the lens assembly 7 and the door 9 form a structure with a narrow upper gap and a wide lower gap, which can effectively reduce the probability of rainwater getting on the mirror surface. At the same time, the tilted lens assembly 7 can guide water droplets to flow down the mirror surface quickly, preventing rainwater and dust from accumulating on the mirror surface and causing the mirror surface to become blurry.

[0051] Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes a second configuration state, and the method further includes: S302. If a vehicle locking signal is received, the driving status information is in the parking state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the second configuration state, then a second control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the folding posture; wherein, the folding posture refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly 7 facing the door 9.

[0052] With this setup, after the user sends a vehicle lock signal via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, the system takes corresponding control actions based on the current vehicle's driving status and the user's pre-set exterior rearview mirror folding configuration. Receiving the vehicle lock signal and the driving status information indicating a parked state means the user has parked and locked the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information indicates a second configuration state, meaning the user wants the exterior rearview mirrors to fold after parking and locking the vehicle. The lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door 9 in a folded position. This effectively reduces the lateral distance between the outer sides of the exterior rearview mirrors, lowering the probability of damage from passing vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. It also prevents direct impact from wind, sand, flying stones, and other external debris onto the lens assembly 7, thus preventing wear or damage to the lens surface during prolonged parking. The difference between the second configuration state and the first configuration state is that, when the user selects this setting, the exterior rearview mirrors only fold and do not flip after parking and locking the vehicle, providing the user with different options and enhancing the user experience.

[0053] Optionally, driving status information also includes driving status, and exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information includes disabled status, and the methods also include: S303. If a vehicle locking signal is received and the driving status information is in the driving state and / or the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the disabled state, then no control signal is issued to keep the exterior rearview mirror in the open position; wherein, the open position means that the lens assembly 7 of the exterior rearview mirror faces the rear of the vehicle.

[0054] This setup allows for appropriate control after the user locks the vehicle via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC, based on the vehicle's current driving status and the user's pre-set exterior mirror folding configuration. Receiving a vehicle lock signal and a driving status indicating the vehicle is in motion means the exterior mirrors should be prevented from folding or flipping over to avoid affecting driving safety. A disabled exterior mirror folding configuration indicates the user prefers the mirrors to remain open after parking and locking the vehicle. Selecting this setting ensures the mirrors remain open after parking and locking, providing the user with different options and enhancing the user experience.

[0055] Optionally, the method also includes: S4. In response to receiving a vehicle unlock signal, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of control signal based on the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information; S401. If the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the first configuration state or the second configuration state when the vehicle unlocking signal is received, a third control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the open position. S402. If the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration is disabled when the vehicle unlock signal is received, no control signal will be issued.

[0056] This setup allows the system to automatically control the side mirrors based on the user's pre-set folding configuration after the user sends a vehicle unlock signal via mechanical key, mobile key, Bluetooth key, or NFC. If the side mirror folding configuration is disabled when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors remained open after the last parking and locking, and therefore no change is needed. If the side mirror folding configuration is in either the first or second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, it means the side mirrors switched to a folded / flipped or folded position after the last parking and locking, thus requiring automatic control to switch the side mirrors to the open position. This reduces the time the user spends adjusting the side mirrors and enhances the user experience.

[0057] It should be understood that the application of this application is not limited to the examples above. Those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can understand that implementing all or part of the processes of the above embodiments and making equivalent changes according to the claims of this application still fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for protecting and controlling exterior rearview mirrors, characterized in that, include: Obtain driving status information, which includes at least the parking status; Obtain exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, wherein the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information includes at least a first configuration state; In response to receiving a vehicle locking signal, based on the driving status information and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, it is determined whether to issue a control signal and the type of the control signal. If a vehicle lock signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a first configuration state, then a first control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folded and flipped posture; wherein, the folded and flipped posture means that the lens assembly (7) of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door (9), and the lens assembly (7) of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom in a direction away from the door (9).

2. The method for protecting and controlling exterior rearview mirrors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes a second configuration state, and the method further includes: If a vehicle lock signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a second configuration state, then a second control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folding posture; wherein, the folding posture refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly (7) facing the door (9).

3. The method for protecting and controlling exterior rearview mirrors according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving status information also includes the driving status, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes a disabled status. The method further includes: If a vehicle locking signal is received, and the driving status information is in the driving state and / or the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the disabled state, then no control signal is issued to keep the exterior rearview mirror in the open position; wherein, the open position means that the lens assembly (7) of the exterior rearview mirror faces the rear of the vehicle.

4. The method for protecting and controlling exterior rearview mirrors according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to receiving a vehicle unlock signal, based on the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, it is determined whether to issue a control signal and the type of the control signal. If a vehicle unlocking signal is received and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the first configuration state or the second configuration state, a third control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the open position. If the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is disabled when a vehicle unlock signal is received, no control signal will be issued.

5. A rearview mirror protection control system, characterized in that, include: Signal input module (101) is configured to: acquire driving status information, the driving status information including at least parking status; Obtain exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, which includes at least a first configuration state; receive a vehicle locking signal; And a control module (102) configured to: in response to receiving a vehicle locking signal, determine whether to issue a control signal based on the driving status information and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information, and determine the type of the control signal; If a vehicle lock signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a first configuration state, then a first control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folded and flipped posture; wherein, the folded and flipped posture means that the lens assembly (7) of the exterior rearview mirror faces the door (9), and the lens assembly (7) of the exterior rearview mirror is tilted from top to bottom in a direction away from the door (9).

6. The exterior rearview mirror protection control system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes a second configuration state, and the control module (102) is further configured as follows: If a vehicle lock signal is received, the driving status information is in a parked state, and the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a second configuration state, then a second control signal is issued to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to a folding posture; wherein, the folding posture refers to the exterior rearview mirror lens assembly (7) facing the door (9).

7. The exterior rearview mirror protection control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driving status information also includes the driving status, the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information also includes a disabled status, and the control module (102) is further configured as follows: If a vehicle locking signal is received, and the driving status information is in the driving state and / or the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in the disabled state, then no control signal is issued to keep the exterior rearview mirror in the open position; wherein, the open position means that the lens assembly (7) of the exterior rearview mirror faces the rear of the vehicle.

8. The exterior rearview mirror protection control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The signal input module (101) is also configured to receive a vehicle unlock signal; The control module (102) is further configured to: in response to receiving a vehicle unlock signal, determine whether to issue a control signal and determine the type of the control signal based on the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information; if the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a first configuration state or a second configuration state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, then issue a third control signal to control the exterior rearview mirror to move to the open posture; if the exterior rearview mirror folding configuration information is in a disabled state when the vehicle unlock signal is received, then do not issue a control signal.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, It includes a data acquisition system (2), a parameter setting system (3), a vehicle lock control system (4), an execution system (5), and an exterior rearview mirror protection control system as described in any one of claims 8; The acquisition system (2) is configured to detect driving status information and send it to the signal input module (101). The parameter setting system (3) is configured to: set the folding configuration information of the exterior rearview mirror and send it to the signal input module (101). The vehicle lock control system (4) is configured to send a vehicle lock signal or a vehicle unlock signal to the signal input module (101). The execution system (5) is configured to receive control signals from the control module (102) and drive the exterior rearview mirror to move based on the control signals.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The acquisition system (2) is a gear position sensor, the parameter setting system (3) is a vehicle terminal, the vehicle lock control system (4) is a mechanical key, a mobile phone key, a Bluetooth key or NFC, and the execution system (5) is an electric adjuster for the exterior rearview mirror.

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