Digital center mirror

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital center mirror installed in a vehicle, the digital center mirror being characterized by comprising: a mirror unit having a mirror formed on a front surface facing the inside of the vehicle; a display for outputting an image captured by a camera installed at the front or the rear of the vehicle; and a hinge which is coupled to the mirror unit and enables the mirror unit to rotate with respect to the display, wherein the mirror unit and the display are arranged to be overlapped with each other in a direction facing the inside of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to switch between a mirror mode and a display mode by means of only a simple operation, and production costs can be significantly reduced.

Description

Digital center mirror

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital center mirror, and more specifically, to a digital center mirror that allows for convenient switching between a display and a mirror, reduces production costs, and enables the simultaneous use of a display and a mirror.

[0002] A Digital Center Mirror (DCM) combines the functions of a conventional rearview mirror and a display into a single device, thereby more effectively supporting rear visibility of the vehicle. To achieve this, a method is applied that uses a Liquid Crystal (LC) film or an Electrochromic (EC) film to switch between display mode and mirror mode depending on whether the backlight is transmitted.

[0003] However, digital center mirrors based on currently used LC and EC film methods face a major problem of high production costs. LC and EC films have high technical complexity, which increases production costs and directly leads to an increase in the manufacturing cost of digital center mirrors.

[0004] In addition, EC films have a limitation in that their relatively slow response speed may cause performance constraints in environments requiring real-time switching.

[0005] Additionally, visibility may be reduced when switching between mirror mode and display mode because the panel's transmittance and reflectance are not optimized, and to resolve this, it is necessary to physically adjust the angle of the digital center mirror.

[0006] Therefore, currently used digital center mirrors have the disadvantage that immediate switching between mirror mode and display mode is not possible and visibility may be reduced during use, which can lead to safety issues.

[0007] Furthermore, since currently used digital center mirrors implement both mirror and display modes using a single panel, both modes cannot be used simultaneously. This means that if the display mode is activated while driving, the situation inside the rear seats cannot be immediately perceived through the mirror, resulting in reduced user convenience.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a digital center mirror that can solve the aforementioned problems, enhance user safety and convenience, and reduce production costs.

[0009] The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a digital center mirror that can increase user safety and convenience and reduce production costs.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the digital center mirror according to the present invention comprises a mirror portion installed inside a vehicle and having a mirror formed on its front surface facing the interior of the vehicle, a display that outputs an image captured by a camera installed at the front or rear of the vehicle, and a hinge coupled to the mirror portion to allow the mirror portion to rotate relative to the display, wherein the mirror portion and the display are arranged to overlap each other in a direction facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0011] In addition, the above mirror part may also have a mirror formed on the rear side.

[0012] In addition, the housing may further include the hinge formed on one side and the display to which it is attached.

[0013] In addition, the hinge may be formed so that the mirror part can be fixed when the mirror part and the display form an angle.

[0014] In addition, the above angle may be formed as an obtuse angle.

[0015] In addition, the hinge may be formed to be fixed at two or more points, including a point where the angle is obtuse and any one point where the angle is 180° or more and 360° or less.

[0016] Additionally, one side of the hinge may be provided between the front and the rear, and the other side may be fixed to the housing.

[0017] Additionally, the hinge may include a mirror fixing plate having one end provided between the front and rear surfaces and a first shaft insertion hole formed at the other end, a housing fixing plate having one end attached and fixed to the housing and a second shaft insertion hole formed at the other end, and a rotation axis that is coupled by penetrating the first shaft insertion hole and the second shaft insertion hole to connect the mirror fixing plate and the housing fixing plate to each other and allow the mirror fixing plate to rotate.

[0018] Additionally, the mirror portion is positioned on one side of the rear surface and includes a mirror contact including a magnet, and the display is positioned on one side of the front surface of the display and, when the mirror portion and the display are positioned in overlap, comes into contact with the mirror contact and includes a display contact including a magnet, and the display may not output the image when the mirror contact and the display contact come into contact.

[0019] Additionally, the display further includes a backlight that emits light to output the image, and when the mirror contact and the display contact come into contact, the power connected to the backlight is cut off so that it does not emit light.

[0020] Additionally, the display may further include an input / output pin that generates a connection signal when the mirror contact and the display contact come into contact and generates a separation signal when the mirror contact and the display contact do not come into contact, and an output control unit that receives the connection signal and the separation signal and controls whether the display outputs, wherein the output of the display is stopped upon receiving the connection signal and the output of the display is activated upon receiving the separation signal.

[0021] The present invention can be expected to produce various effects including the following matters in accordance with the above technical solution. However, the present invention is not required to exhibit all of the following effects to be valid.

[0022] First, the display can easily output an image simply by rotating the mirror unit. In other words, it is possible to easily switch between mirror mode and display mode.

[0023] In addition, it is possible to switch between mirror mode and display mode without using expensive materials such as LC film or EC film. In other words, production costs can be significantly reduced.

[0024] In addition, mirror mode and display mode can be used simultaneously.

[0025] In addition, while driving, you can simultaneously view the rear view of the vehicle and the situation inside the rear seat.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a digital center mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0027] FIG. 2 is an operating state diagram of the digital center mirror of FIG. 1,

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line III-III of FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 4 is an operating state diagram of the digital center mirror of FIG. 1 viewed from the side.

[0030] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a digital center mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operating state diagram of the digital center mirror of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line III-III of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an operating state diagram of the digital center mirror of FIG. 1 viewed from the side.

[0032] In particular, FIGS. 2(a) and FIGS. 4(b) are drawings illustrating the appearance of a digital center mirror in a state where the angle (A) is obtuse, and FIGS. 2(b) and FIGS. 4(c) are drawings illustrating the appearance of a digital center mirror in a state where the angle (A) is 180° or more and 360° or less.

[0033] As illustrated in these drawings, a digital center mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mirror part (100), a display (200), a hinge (300), and a housing (400).

[0034] Conventional digital center mirrors include a single panel that combines mirror mode and display mode. To implement this, conventional digital center mirrors use EC film or LC film. Since EC film or LC film has a high unit cost, using them increases the production cost of the digital center mirror.

[0035] To solve this, a digital center mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used by a driver by having a mirror mode and a display mode without using an EC film or an LC film.

[0036] In addition, conventional digital center mirrors have the disadvantage that immediate switching between mirror mode and display mode is not possible and visibility may be reduced. To solve this, a digital center mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention allows for easy switching between modes through an intuitive structure, and the switching between modes is performed immediately.

[0037] In addition, conventional digital center mirrors implement both mirror mode and display mode with a single panel, so only one of them can be used and both modes cannot be used simultaneously. On the other hand, the digital center mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention can use both display mode and mirror mode simultaneously. Accordingly, the driver can always check the rear situation of the vehicle through the display (200) and simultaneously check the rear seat situation inside the vehicle through the mirror unit (100).

[0038] Hereinafter, each component of the digital center mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0039] The mirror part (100) has a front side (101) facing the interior of the vehicle and a rear side (102) formed on the back side of the front side (101), both of which are formed as mirrors, and is combined with a hinge (300) to rotate relative to the display (200).

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 4(a), when the mirror portion (100) is superimposed with the display (200), the front (101) faces the interior of the vehicle, allowing the rear seat inside the vehicle to be viewed.

[0041] And, as illustrated in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 4(b), when the angle (A) formed between the mirror unit (100) and the display (200) becomes obtuse, the display (200) outputs a rear view of the vehicle, and the rear (102) of the mirror unit (100) reflects the rear seat inside the vehicle, so that the driver can see the situation inside the rear seat inside the vehicle. That is, in this state, the output by the display (200) and the reflection function by the mirror unit (100) can be used simultaneously, so that the driver can see the rear of the vehicle and the situation inside the rear seat inside the vehicle at the same time.

[0042] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 4(c), when the angle (A) formed between the mirror part (100) and the display (200) exceeds an obtuse angle and is between 180° and 360°, the driver can focus on looking at the display (200) and can obtain information necessary for driving by concentrating on the display (200).

[0043] Meanwhile, the mirror unit (100) further includes a mirror contact (110) positioned on one side of the rear (102). The mirror contact (110) includes a magnet, and when the mirror unit (100) and the display (200) are positioned in an overlapping manner (when the angle (A) is 0°), the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) positioned on one side of the display (200) come into contact with each other. As described later, the display contact (210) also includes a magnet, so the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) form an attractive force due to magnetic force and come into contact. Therefore, even if there is vibration while the vehicle is driving, the mirror unit (100) can be fixed without shaking, and the driver can rotate the mirror unit (100) to view the display (200) by applying a force greater than the attractive force between the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210).

[0044] In addition, when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact with each other, current flows to the ground. Based on this, the display (200) stops outputting an image through the following process.

[0045] First, as a method of physically stopping operation, when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact, current flows to ground, and as a result, the power connected to the backlight of the display (200) is cut off, so that it does not emit light. When the power to the backlight is cut off and it does not emit light, no image is displayed on the display (200).

[0046] And, as a method of stopping operation by software, when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact, the input / output pin of the display (200) generates a connection signal. When the output control unit of the display (200) receives the connection signal, it stops the output of the display (200).

[0047] These interruption methods can be applied simultaneously, and even if only one is applied, the display (200) can control whether to output an image. When the mirror unit (100) and the display (200) overlap, the display (200) is obscured by the mirror unit (100), so it is desirable for the display (200) not to output an image. This results in effects such as maintaining the durability and performance of the display (200) and preventing power waste.

[0048] The mirror portion (100) is formed by overlapping the front (101) and the rear (102), and a mirror fixing plate (320) is provided between the front (101) and the rear (102). The combined structure of these is described in detail as follows.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the front surface (101) is composed of a reflector (G) formed of a material capable of reflecting light and a coating layer (C) formed to wrap around a part of the reflector (G). At this time, the coating layer (C) is formed to completely wrap one side of the reflector (G) and to wrap only a part of the other side of the reflector (G).

[0050] Likewise, the rear surface (102) is composed of a reflector (G) and a coating layer (C) as in the front surface (101), and it is preferable that the front surface (101) and the rear surface (102) be formed in a shape symmetrical to each other.

[0051] At this time, it is preferable that the thickness of the coating layer (C) be half the thickness of one end of the mirror fixing plate (320). Through this, when the front surface (101) and the rear surface (102) overlap and one end of the mirror fixing plate (320) is inserted into the side without the coating layer (C), the front surface (101), the rear surface (102), and the mirror fixing plate (320) can be joined without a step difference.

[0052] Additionally, it is preferable that one end of the mirror fixing plate (320) be attached to the front (101) and rear (102) through glass adhesive.

[0053] At this time, the coating layer (C) is formed from materials such as silicon, nitrocellulose, and acrylic resin.

[0054] The display (200) outputs an image captured by a camera installed at the front or rear of the vehicle and includes a display contact (210), a backlight, an input / output pin, and an output control unit.

[0055] The display (200) is wrapped and protected by a housing (400), and is positioned so that its front faces the outside of the housing (400).

[0056] As described above, the display (200) does not output an image when the display contact (210) and the mirror contact (110) are in contact with each other, and outputs an image when the display contact (210) and the mirror contact (110) are not in contact with each other.

[0057] The display contact (210) is positioned on one side of the front of the display (200) and comes into contact with the mirror contact (110) when the mirror part (100) and the display (200) are positioned in an overlapping manner, and includes a magnet. Therefore, as described above, it can be fixed by coming into contact with the mirror contact (110) by magnetic force.

[0058] The backlight is a light source that provides light to the display (200) and emits light so that an image is output from the display (200). That is, the backlight emits light only when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) are separated from each other, and does not emit light when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) are in contact with each other.

[0059] Whether the backlight emits light is determined by whether the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) are in contact with each other, which cuts off / supplies power. That is, when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) are in contact, the power connected to the backlight is cut off, so it does not emit light, and when they are separated, the power connected to the backlight is connected, so it emits light.

[0060] That is, the backlight controls the output of the display (200) in terms of physical aspects.

[0061] The input / output pin generates a connection signal when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact, and generates a separation signal when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) do not come into contact. The connection signal and the separation signal are transmitted to the output control unit, and the display (200) is controlled as described below.

[0062] The output control unit receives a connection signal and a disconnection signal and controls whether the display (200) outputs. When the connection signal is received, the output of the display (200) is stopped, and when the disconnection signal is received, the output of the display (200) is activated.

[0063] That is, the input / output pin and output control unit control the output of the display (200) in terms of software.

[0064] The hinge (300) is combined with the mirror part (100) to allow the mirror part (100) to rotate relative to the display (200), with one side inserted between the front (101) and the rear (102), and the other side fixed to the housing (400).

[0065] More specifically, the hinge (300) includes a rotation axis (310), a mirror fixing plate (320), and a housing fixing plate (330).

[0066] The rotation axis (310) is connected by passing through the first shaft insertion hole (321) and the second shaft insertion hole (331), thereby connecting the mirror fixing plate (320) and the housing fixing plate (330) to each other and allowing the mirror fixing plate (320) to rotate.

[0067] One end of the mirror fixing plate (320) is provided between the front (101) and the rear (102), and the other end has a first shaft insertion hole (321) formed therein.

[0068] The first shaft insertion hole (321) is located at the other end of the mirror fixing plate (320) and is formed by penetrating along the width direction of the mirror fixing plate (320) so that the rotation axis (310) can be inserted. More specifically, it is preferable that the first shaft insertion hole (321) is formed by providing a cylindrical body at the other end of the mirror fixing plate (320) and penetrating it along the width direction of the mirror fixing plate (320).

[0069] In addition, it is desirable to form multiple first shaft insertion holes (321) to enhance coupling stability. Furthermore, when the mirror fixing plate (320) and the housing fixing plate (330) are joined together, it is desirable that the first shaft insertion holes (321) and the second shaft insertion holes (331) be arranged to be positioned alternately with each other.

[0070] One end of the housing fixing plate (330) is attached and fixed to the housing (400), and a second shaft insertion hole (331) is formed at the other end.

[0071] The second shaft insertion hole (331) is located at the other end of the housing fixing plate (330) and is formed by penetrating along the width direction of the housing fixing plate (330) so that the rotation shaft (310) can be inserted. More specifically, it is preferable that the second shaft insertion hole (331) is formed by providing a cylindrical body at the other end of the housing fixing plate (330) and penetrating it along the width direction of the housing fixing plate (330).

[0072] In addition, it is desirable to form multiple second shaft insertion holes (331) to enhance coupling stability.

[0073] Additionally, the hinge (300) is formed so that the mirror part (100) can be fixed when the mirror part (100) and the display (200) form an angle (A). At this time, it is preferable that the angle (A) be formed as an obtuse angle. Through this, the mirror part (100) and the display (200) can be used simultaneously. In particular, it is more preferable that it be fixed at an angle (A) of approximately 170° so that it is easy to see the passenger located in the rear seat inside the vehicle.

[0074] Additionally, the hinge (300) may be formed to be fixed at two or more points, including a point where the angle (A) is obtuse and a point where the angle (A) is 180° or more and 360° or less. Accordingly, at the point where the angle (A) is obtuse, the mirror part (100) and the display (200) can be used simultaneously, and at the point where the angle (A) is 180° or more and 360° or less, the display (200) can be used primarily.

[0075] Also, at any point where the angle (A) is between 180° and 360°, it is preferable that the angle (A) be around 270°. This is because when the display (200) is to be used primarily, if the angle (A) is formed to be around 270°, the mirror part (100) is removed from the driver's field of vision, thereby improving aesthetics and allowing the display (200) to be viewed with focus.

[0076] At this time, more preferably, one end of the mirror fixing plate (320) and one end of the housing fixing plate (330) are formed with the same thickness, and the thickness is formed to be equal to the sum of the thickness of the reflector plate (G) and the thickness of the coating layer (C). Through this, when the mirror part (100) rotates at an angle (A) greater than 180° and the mirror part (100) comes into contact with the upper surface of the housing (400), the mirror part (100) can be seated without step difference.

[0077] The housing (400) has a hinge (300) formed on one side and a display (200) attached thereto, and more specifically, is formed in a shape that encloses the display (200). That is, the display (200) is enclosed and protected by the housing (400), and is positioned so that its front face is directed toward the outside of the housing (400).

[0078] A housing fixing plate (330) is fixed to the upper surface of the housing (400), thereby allowing the mirror part (100) to rotate relative to the display (200).

[0079] Additionally, the housing (400) includes a mount (410) that allows the digital center mirror to be fixedly installed on the vehicle. One end of the mount (410) is connected to the housing (400), and the other end is connected to the vehicle body. The portion connecting the one end of the mount (410) and the housing (400) is formed to allow the angle of the housing (400) to be adjusted.

[0080] The housing (400) can be tilted in the up-down and left-right directions relative to the mount (410), so the driver can adjust the angle to be comfortable for looking at the mirror part (100) and the display (200) by applying physical force to the housing (400) or through the electronic control method of the vehicle.

[0081] An embodiment of the present invention can be expected to have various effects including the following according to the above configuration. However, the present invention is not required to exhibit all of the following effects.

[0082] First, the display (200) can easily output an image simply by rotating the mirror part (100).

[0083] In addition, it is possible to switch between mirror mode and display mode without using expensive materials such as LC film or EC film. In other words, production costs can be significantly reduced.

[0084] In addition, mirror mode and display mode can be used simultaneously.

[0085] In addition, while driving, you can simultaneously view the rear view of the vehicle and the situation inside the rear seat.

[0086] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Regarding a digital center mirror installed inside a vehicle, A mirror part (100) having a mirror formed on the front (101) facing the interior of the vehicle; A display (200) that outputs an image captured by a camera installed at the front or rear of the vehicle; and A hinge (300) coupled to the mirror portion (100) to allow the mirror portion (100) to rotate relative to the display (200); Includes, A digital center mirror characterized in that the mirror portion (100) and the display (200) are arranged to overlap each other in a direction facing the interior of the vehicle.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned mirror portion (100) is a digital center mirror characterized by having a mirror formed on the rear surface (102) as well.

3. In Paragraph 2, A housing (400) to which the above hinge (300) is formed on one side and the above display (200) is attached; A digital center mirror characterized by further including 4. In Paragraph 2, A digital center mirror characterized in that the hinge (300) is formed so that the mirror part (100) can be fixed when the mirror part (100) and the display (200) form an angle (A).

5. In Paragraph 4, A digital center mirror characterized by the above angle (A) being an obtuse angle.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above hinge (300) is, A digital center mirror characterized by being formed to be fixed at two or more points, including a point where the angle (A) is obtuse and any one point where the angle (A) is 180° or more and 360° or less.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above hinge (300) is characterized in that one side is provided between the front (101) and the rear (102), and the other side is fixed to the housing (400).

8. In Paragraph 7, The above hinge (300) is, A mirror fixing plate (320) having one end provided between the front (101) and the rear (102), and a first shaft insertion hole (321) formed at the other end; A housing fixing plate (330) having one end attached and fixed to the housing (400) and the other end having a second shaft insertion hole (331) formed therein; and A rotation axis (310) that is coupled by penetrating the first shaft insertion hole (321) and the second shaft insertion hole (331), thereby coupling the mirror fixing plate (320) and the housing fixing plate (330) to each other and allowing the mirror fixing plate (320) to rotate; A digital center mirror characterized by including 9. In Paragraph 2, The above mirror part (100) is, A mirror contact (110) including a magnet, positioned on one side of the rear surface (102); Includes, The above display (200) is, A display contact (210) comprising a magnet, which is positioned on one side of the front of the display (200) and comes into contact with the mirror contact (110) when the mirror portion (100) and the display (200) are positioned in an overlapping manner; Includes, The digital center mirror is characterized in that the display (200) does not output the image when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above display (200) is, A backlight that emits light to output the above image; Includes more, The above-described backlight is a digital center mirror characterized in that when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact, the power connected to the backlight is cut off and does not emit light.

11. In Paragraph 9, The above display (200) is, An input / output pin that generates a connection signal when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) come into contact, and generates a separation signal when the mirror contact (110) and the display contact (210) do not come into contact; and An output control unit that receives the connection signal and the separation signal and controls whether the display (200) outputs, wherein the output of the display (200) is stopped upon receiving the connection signal and the output of the display (200) is activated upon receiving the separation signal; A digital center mirror characterized by further including

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