A-Pillar Camera Mirror Layout for Dust-Free Driver Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rearview mirrors are affected by environmental conditions such as dust and moisture, leading to reduced visibility and safety risks due to occlusion by A-pillar structures, and installation challenges within the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A vision system with image capturing modules mounted on the vehicle's body frame and display interfaces secured to the A-pillar structures, providing real-time image rendering within the driver's field of view, protected from environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lateral mirrors are used, then driver visibility is enhanced, but visibility is reduced due to environmental conditions such as dust and moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capturing modules (cameras) to capture images of the surrounding environment, which are then displayed on display interfaces. This creates a visual copy of the environment that replaces the function of conventional mirrors, eliminating the problem of dust and moisture affecting visibility. The image data captured by the modules is processed and rendered in real-time to provide a clear view regardless of environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If mirror replacement systems are installed inside the driver's cabin, then visibility is improved, but installation becomes challenging due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the A-pillar structure as a mounting surface for the display interfaces, moving the display components from the traditional horizontal dashboard plane to the vertical A-pillar dimension. This three-dimensional placement optimizes space utilization within the cabin, provides an ergonomic viewing angle for the driver, and simplifies installation by leveraging the existing structural framework of the vehicle.
3Ease of operation
If display interfaces are mounted to A-pillar structures, then direct vision is enhanced, but the A-pillar structure may block part of the field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces image capturing modules positioned at optimal locations (such as the front bumper or grille area) as intermediaries to capture the field of view. These modules transmit image data to the display interfaces mounted on the A-pillars. This intermediary approach allows the display to be positioned where it is most useful to the driver while the capturing modules are positioned where they do not obstruct the driver's direct vision.
4Productivity
If image capturing modules are mounted on the exterior body frame, then real-time environment detection is achieved, but mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the mounting bracket as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate different types of image capturing modules and be installed on various exterior body frame locations (front bumper, grille, fender, etc.). The bracket includes standardized mounting features such as adjustment mechanisms and multiple mounting positions, allowing the same component to serve multiple functions and locations, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the distributed mounting approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a vision system (114) for a vehicle (100). The vision system includes at least one image capturing module (118) to capture image data of a surrounding environment of the vehicle within a field of view (FOV1; FOV2) of the at least one image capturing module. Further, the vision system includes a mounting bracket (204) mounted to an interior portion (206) of at least one support structure (112), and at least one display interface (116) mounted to the mounting bracket. The at least one display interface is located within a cabin (102) and oriented in a field of vision of a driver (224). The vision system further includes a control circuitry (214). The control circuitry renders the image data of the surrounding environment of the vehicle on the at least one display interface in real-time.