Rearview device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a rearview device for vehicle which includes a display unit and a transparent switch unit.SOLUTION: A display unit 120 is disposed in a housing 190, for showing a view toward an outside of the housing. A transparent switch unit 130(R) is disposed in the housing and at a side of the display unit, for switching in a reflective mode and a transparent mode. The view is displayed toward the outside of the housing through the transparent switch unit if the transparent switch unit is in the transparent mode. The view is masked by the transparent switch unit and an external light is reflected by the transparent switch unit if the transparent switch unit is in the reflective mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rearview device, and particularly to a rearview device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] With the electrification of vehicles, the number of electronic products placed therein has increased accordingly. An electronic rearview mirror that uses a screen attached to a conventional rearview mirror to display the lens screen at the rear of the vehicle in real time is also gradually becoming popular from high-class vehicles. It not only includes the function as a driving recorder, but also has a wider driving view compared to a conventional rearview mirror, and can significantly improve driving safety for a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or a large vehicle model with multiple blind spots or driving situations in bad weather.

[0003] The number of in-vehicle electronic devices is gradually increasing, and the complexity in their use is also increasing accordingly. In addition, failures of in-vehicle electronic devices are well known. Different from the failures of general electronic devices, since they are closely related to driving safety, failures of in-vehicle electronic devices may cause a certain degree of danger and even accidents. It is one of the problems that the industry urgently needs to solve that in-vehicle electronic devices have convenience and flexibility in use and can provide emergency treatment or safety guarantee functions to drivers even when the electronic devices fail.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a rearview device for a vehicle, which can switch between a light transmission mode and a light reflection mode by using a light transmission switching unit, and can simultaneously provide the functions of an electronic rearview mirror and an optical rearview mirror in the rearview device, providing convenience in use. Also, by providing a mechanism for switching to the light reflection mode, the function of the rearview mirror is realized by reflecting external light in the situation where the electronic element fails, further improving safety.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a rearview device for a vehicle is provided, which includes a display unit and a light transmission switching unit. The display unit is installed in a housing and is used to display a screen toward the outside of the housing. And the light transmission switching unit is installed in the housing and is located on one side of the display unit, and is used for switching to a light reflection mode or a light transmission mode. Among them, when the light transmission switching unit is in the light transmission mode, the screen passes through the light transmission switching unit and is displayed outside the housing. When the light transmission switching unit is in the light reflection mode, the light transmission switching unit shields the screen, and the light transmission switching unit reflects external light rays.

[0006] In one embodiment, the rearview device further includes a processing unit. The processing unit is electrically connected to the light transmission switching unit. Among them, when the processing unit provides an electric power signal to the light transmission switching unit, it switches to the light transmission mode. When the processing unit stops providing the electric power signal, it switches to the light reflection mode.

[0007] In one embodiment, the processing unit is further electrically connected to the display unit. Among them, when the processing unit cannot normally receive a detection signal from the display unit, the processing unit stops providing an electric power signal to the light transmission switching unit, thereby switching to the light reflection mode.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light transmission switching unit is a thin film transistor liquid crystal (TFT liquid crystal) panel.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rearview device further includes a processing unit and a control interface. The processing unit is electrically connected to the display unit and the light transmission switching unit. The control interface is electrically connected to the processing unit, and the control interface is used to receive an operation signal from an operation unit and is used to operate the display unit and the light transmission switching unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the operation unit includes a touch panel, is installed in the housing, and is located on the opposite side corresponding to the display unit of the light transmission switching unit.

[0011] In one embodiment, the operation unit includes physical buttons, is installed in the housing, and is operated by lightly touching or pressing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the operation signal is derived from a vehicle controller area network bus (Controller Area Network bus, CAN bus) or from a portable device, and the portable device is connected to the rearview device wirelessly or by wire.

[0013] In another embodiment, the rearview device further includes a processing unit and a video input interface. The processing unit is electrically connected to the display unit and the light transmission switching unit. The video input interface is electrically connected to the processing unit, and the video input interface is used to receive a video signal from a camera and transmit it to the processing unit. Among them, the screen displayed on the display unit corresponds to the video signal.

[0014] In one embodiment, the camera captures a video signal facing the rear of the vehicle.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the rearview device for a vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, by using the light transmission switching unit to switch between the light transmission mode and the light reflection mode, the convenience in use can be provided and the safety can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, the present invention can use many different embodiments, and those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can make various changes and modifications without departing from the purpose and scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments. In different drawings, elements having the same or equivalent functions are given the same element symbols, and at the same time, redundant description contents in some situations are omitted.

[0018] The rearview device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes at least a display unit and a light transmission switching unit. By using the light transmission switching unit to switch to the light reflection mode or the light transmission mode, on the one hand, the rearview device can use the display unit to perform a display, and on the other hand, it can reflect external light rays by the light transmission switching unit to perform a display. The rearview device has the functions of an electronic rearview mirror and a general optical rearview mirror, providing flexibility and convenience in use. In addition, by providing a mechanism for switching to the light reflection mode, when an electronic component fails, the function of the rearview mirror can be realized by reflecting external light rays, further improving safety.

Examples

[0019] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 simultaneously. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rearview device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the rearview device, and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the rearview device.

[0020] The rearview device 100 for a vehicle according to this embodiment includes a display unit 120 and a light transmission switching unit 130. The display unit 120 is installed in a housing 190 and is used to display a screen 120a toward the outside of the housing 190. The light transmission switching unit 130 is similarly installed in the housing 190 and is located on one side of the display unit 120 and is used to switch to a light reflection mode or a light transmission mode. When the light transmission switching unit 130 is in the light transmission mode, the screen 120a passes through the light transmission switching unit 130 and is displayed outside the housing 190. When the light transmission switching unit 130 is in the light reflection mode, the screen 120a is blocked by the light transmission switching unit 130, and the light transmission switching unit 130 reflects external light rays.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the rearview device 100 of this embodiment further includes a processing unit 110 and is electrically connected to at least the light transmission switching unit 130. When the processing unit 110 provides a power signal to the light transmission switching unit 130, the light transmission switching unit 130 switches to the light transmission mode. When the processing unit 110 stops providing the power signal, the light transmission switching unit 130 switches to the light reflection mode. In this way, by controlling the presence or absence of the power signal, the light transmission switching unit 130 can be controlled simply and quickly. In the case of insufficient battery remaining, the power plug falling out, or the rearview device 100 being damaged, when the light transmission switching unit 130 is not supplied with power, it is switched to the light reflection mode and achieves the function of a rearview mirror by reflecting external light rays, further increasing the safety in actual use.

[0022] The processing unit 110 of this embodiment is further electrically connected to the display unit 120. In addition to providing a signal for displaying a display screen to the display unit 120, it can further determine whether a detection signal from the display unit 120 has been received at a specific period. When the processing unit 110 cannot normally receive the detection signal from the display unit 120, the processing unit 110 stops providing a power signal to the light transmission switching unit 130, thereby switching it to the light reflection mode. In this way, when the display unit 120 is damaged or power failure or disconnection occurs for other reasons, the light transmission switching unit 130 can be switched to the light reflection mode. At this time, the review device 100 still has the function of an optical rearview mirror and can also improve safety as a safety guarantee means when the display unit 120 fails.

[0023] In one embodiment, the light transmission switching unit 130 is a thin-film transistor liquid crystal panel. When power is applied, the liquid crystal molecules therein are at a first rotation angle. When power is not applied, the liquid crystal molecules therein are at a second rotation angle. By switching the liquid crystal molecules between two types of rotation angles, the light transmission switching unit 130 can achieve the purpose of switching between the light transmission mode and the light reflection mode. The display unit 120 is, for example, a self-luminous organic electroluminescence (OEL, organic EL) display panel. However, in different embodiments, the display unit 120 may be a liquid crystal display panel having liquid crystal with light behind it. The present invention does not impose many restrictions on the display principle and structure of the display unit 120. As long as it is lightweight and thin, and is a display element that can be installed in the housing 190, any of them can be applied to the present invention.

[0024] When power is supplied, the liquid crystal molecules in the light transmission switching unit 130 are at a first rotation angle (not shown in the figure) indicated by dots in FIG. 2, and the light transmission switching unit 130 can achieve the light transmission mode. In the state of the light transmission mode, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the screen 120a displayed on the display unit 120 passes through the light transmission switching unit 130 and is displayed outside the housing 190. The driver can directly view the display screen 120a. At this time, the rearview device 100 has the same function as an electronic rearview mirror, and the rearview device 100 can perform various operations and processes on the screen 120a, such as improving the brightness, reducing the noise, and superimposing various marks, thereby enhancing the displayed screen 120a.

[0025] When power is not supplied, the liquid crystal molecules in the light transmission switching unit 130(R) are at a second rotation angle (not shown in the figure) indicated by hatching in FIG. 4, and the light transmission switching unit 130(R) can achieve the light reflection mode. Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rearview device in the light reflection mode, and FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the rearview device in the light reflection mode. On the contrary, when in the light reflection mode, the display screen 120a is shielded by the light transmission switching unit 130(R) through which the power signal does not pass, and the light transmission switching unit 130(R) reflects external light. At this time, the rearview device 100(R) is the same as an optical rearview mirror and can provide the function for the driver to directly view the road conditions behind. When in the light reflection mode, the display unit 120 preferably does not display a screen and does not emit light (for example, turns off the backlight).

[0026] Refer again to FIG. 3. In addition to including the processing unit 110, the display unit 120, and the light transmission switching unit 130, the review device 100 of this embodiment further includes a control interface 140, which is electrically connected to the processing unit 110. The control interface 140 is used to receive operation signals from the operation unit 170 and to operate the display unit 120 and the light transmission switching unit 130. The user can select, by means of the operation unit 170, to switch to the light transmission mode or the light reflection mode, or to perform various adjustments on the display screen 120a.

[0027] In some embodiments, the operation unit 170 may be an internal unit of the review device 100. In one embodiment, the operation unit 170 includes a touch panel, is installed in the housing 190, and is located on the opposite side of the display unit 120 with respect to the light transmission switching unit 130, that is, the touch panel is close to the outside of the housing 190, thereby facilitating the user's touch operation. In other embodiments, the operation unit 170 includes physical buttons, is installed in the housing 190, and is operated by lightly touching or pressing. The physical buttons may be mechanical buttons, thermal keys, pressure-sensitive keys, or other physical operation interfaces other than the touch panel.

[0028] In another embodiment, the operation unit 170 may be an external device connected to the rearview device 100, that is, the operation signal is transmitted from the external device. In one embodiment, the operation signal is transmitted from a vehicle controller area network bus (Controller Area Network bus, CAN bus), and the driver can operate and control the rearview device 100 through an operation interface provided in the vehicle itself. In another embodiment, the operation signal is transmitted from a portable device, and the portable device is connected to the rearview device 100 wirelessly or by wire. The portable device is, for example, a smartphone, and is connected to the rearview device 100 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi, or is connected to the rearview device 100 via a USB connection cable. The connection method and communication structure do not limit the present invention.

[0029] Subsequently, please refer to FIG. 3. The rearview device of this embodiment further includes a video input interface 150, which is electrically connected to the processing unit 110. The video input interface 150 is used to receive a video signal from the camera 180 and transmit it to the processing unit 110. The screen 120a displayed by the display unit 120 therein corresponds to the video signal. In one embodiment, the camera 180 captures a video signal facing the rear of the vehicle. The camera 180 can also capture a video signal facing the side of the vehicle, which is determined according to the actual usage needs. The present invention does not impose many restrictions on the specifications and structures of the camera 180, and any imaging method such as visible light, infrared, ultrasonic, or others that can capture an image and provide a video signal to the video input interface 150 can be applied to the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0030] The rearview device for a vehicle in the above embodiment includes a display unit and a light transmission switching unit. The display unit is installed in the housing and is used to display a screen on the outside of the housing. The light transmission switching unit is installed in the housing and is located on one side of the display unit, and is used for switching to the light reflection mode or the light transmission mode. When the light transmission switching unit is in the light transmission mode, the screen passes through the light transmission switching unit and is displayed on the outside of the housing. When the light transmission switching unit is in the light reflection mode, the light transmission switching unit shields the screen, and the light transmission switching unit reflects external light rays. The embodiment of the present invention utilizes a method for switching to the light reflection mode or the light transmission mode. The rearview device can, on the one hand, use the display unit for display, and on the other hand, use the light transmission switching unit to reflect light for display, combining the functions of an electronic rearview mirror and a general optical rearview mirror, providing flexibility and convenience in use. In some embodiments, when the power of the device is cut off or the display unit fails, it can automatically switch to the light reflection mode, and the rearview device still has the function of an optical rearview mirror, improving safety.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0031] 100 Rearview device 100(R) Rearview device 110 Processing unit 120 Display unit 120a Screen 130 Light transmission switching unit 130(R) Light transmission switching unit 140 Control interface 150 Video input interface 170 Operation unit 180 Camera 190 Housing

Claims

1. A rear view device for a vehicle, comprising: a display unit; and a light transmission switching unit; The display unit is installed in the housing and is used to display a screen toward the outside of the housing; and the light transmission switching unit is installed in the housing and located on one side of the display unit and is used to switch to a light reflection mode or a light transmission mode; wherein the light-transmitting switching unit has a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, and when power is applied, the plurality of liquid crystal molecules in the light-transmitting switching unit are at a first rotation angle, so that the light-transmitting switching unit is in the light-transmitting mode, and the screen is displayed on the outside of the housing through the light-transmitting switching unit; When no power is applied, the liquid crystal molecules in the light-transmitting switching unit are at a second rotation angle, causing the light-transmitting switching unit to enter the light-reflection mode, so that the light-transmitting switching unit blocks the screen, and reflects external light.

2. Further, a processing unit, The processing unit is electrically connected to the light transmission switching unit; The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein, when the processing unit provides a power signal to the light transmission switching unit, the mode is switched to the light transmission mode; and when the processing unit stops providing the power signal, the mode is switched to the light reflection mode.

3. wherein the processing unit is further electrically connected to the display unit; 3. The rearview device according to claim 2, wherein, when the processing unit cannot normally receive the detection signal from the display unit, the processing unit stops providing the power signal to the light transmission switching unit, thereby switching to the light reflection mode.

4. 3. The rearview device according to claim 2, wherein the light transmission switching unit is a thin film transistor liquid crystal (TFT liquid crystal) panel.

5. Further comprising a processing unit and a control interface; 2. The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the display unit and the light transmission switching unit; and the control interface is electrically connected to the processing unit, the control interface being used to receive an operation signal from an operation unit and to operate the display unit and the light transmission switching unit.

6. The rearview device according to claim 5, wherein the operation unit includes a touch panel, is installed on the housing, and is located on an opposite side of the light transmission switching unit corresponding to the display unit.

7. The rear view device according to claim 5, wherein the operation unit includes a physical button, which is disposed on the housing and can be operated by lightly touching or pressing.

8. The rearview device according to claim 5, wherein the operation signal originates from a vehicle controller area network bus (CAN bus) or from a mobile device, and the mobile device is connected to the rearview device wirelessly or by wire.

9. Further, the device includes a processing unit and a video input interface, 2. The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the display unit and the light transmission switching unit; and the video input interface is electrically connected to the processing unit, and the video input interface is used to receive a video signal from a camera and transmit it to the processing unit, wherein the screen displayed on the display unit corresponds to the video signal.

10. 10. The rear view device according to claim 9, wherein the camera captures the video signal toward the rear of the vehicle.

Images