Asymmetric Sectioned Convex Mirrors for School Bus Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art cross-view mirrors are not optimized to provide distinct images of objects in front of and alongside a school bus, as they are symmetrical and have varying radii of curvature, leading to inconsistent image sizes and reduced visibility for the driver.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetric mirror design with multiple sections of constant and variable radii of curvature, tailored to specific viewing areas around the school bus, to enhance image size and clarity for both front and alongside regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If symmetrical mirror design with varying radii of curvature is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but image definition and size for specific viewing areas are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror surface is divided into multiple sections, each with constant radii of curvature tailored to specific viewing areas. The mirror includes a first section with a first radius of curvature for front viewing and a second section with a second radius of curvature for alongside viewing, allowing each section to optimize image definition for its designated area while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the mirror are assigned different optical properties (radii of curvature) according to their specific functional requirements. The front section has optimized curvature for viewing objects in front of the bus, while the alongside section has different curvature for viewing objects beside the bus, ensuring each local area provides optimal image definition for its purpose
2Adaptability or versatility
If symmetrical mirror design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but field of view optimization for different areas is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror transitions from a symmetrical design to an asymmetric design where the left and right sections have different radii of curvature. This asymmetry allows the mirror to be optimized for the specific geometric requirements of viewing areas in front of and alongside the bus, which have different spatial relationships and viewing angles, thereby improving adaptability to different viewing zones
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves beyond the single-dimensional symmetry constraint by introducing dimensional variation across the mirror surface. Different sections operate with different curvature dimensions, allowing the mirror to adapt to the three-dimensional spatial requirements of multiple viewing areas simultaneously, enhancing versatility without excessive complexity
3Area of stationary object
If varying radii of curvature are used across the mirror, then field of view is expanded, but image size consistency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror surface is segmented into distinct zones, each with constant radius of curvature. This segmentation ensures that within each section, images maintain consistent size and clarity, while the overall mirror still provides expanded field of view through the combination of multiple sections with different optical properties
Solution Approach 2:
Each mirror section is assigned a specific radius of curvature optimized for its local viewing area, ensuring image size consistency within that section. The local optimization maintains uniform image characteristics for drivers monitoring specific zones, while the global design expands overall field of view coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The asymmetric mirror design improves image definition and size for children milling or standing near the bus, providing better visibility and compliance with regulatory requirements by optimizing the field of view for both areas.
Implementation Method 1
cross-over mirror which affords a bus driver, for example, a school bus driver, visual access in front of, as well as alongside the bus
Data Source
AI summary
Asymmetric sectioned mirrors are presented. The mirrors include, for example, constant radius of curvature sections that are selected to increase the sizes and improve the definitions of images, for example images of children milling, walking and/or standing about either the front or alongside regions of a school bus. The mirrors may be asymmetric in either or both the horizontal and vertical directions. The mirrors may include a mounting system capable of using both ball mounts and tunnel mounts.