Autonomous Vehicle Side-View Mirror Deployment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicle operation, side-view mirrors are not necessary, leading to reduced aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption, but determining their deployment state without an occupant is challenging due to unreliable stall current detection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle information system with computing devices and sensors determines the deployment state of side-view mirrors by analyzing fuel consumption rates and stall current characteristics, using a process to deploy and retract mirrors to optimize aerodynamics during autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If side-view mirrors are retracted into the vehicle body during autonomous operation, then aerodynamic drag is reduced and fuel consumption decreases, but the ability to detect mirror deployment state becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor system that detects deployment state through aerodynamic effects (pressure changes, flow patterns) rather than direct mechanical position sensing. This intermediary measurement method allows reliable detection of mirror deployment state without requiring traditional position sensors that would compromise the aerodynamic benefits of retraction.
2Reliability
If side-view mirrors are deployed for occupant piloting, then visibility and safety are improved, but aerodynamic drag increases and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mirror deployment control where mirrors automatically transition between deployed and retracted states based on the vehicle's operational mode (autonomous vs. occupant-piloted). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize aerodynamic efficiency during autonomous operation while maintaining visibility when occupants are present, resolving the contradiction between visibility and fuel economy.
3Device complexity
If traditional stall current detection is used to determine mirror deployment state, then the system is simple, but detection accuracy is insufficient for autonomous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical detection methods (stall current sensing) with aerodynamic-based detection using pressure sensors and flow sensors. This substitution transitions from direct mechanical/electrical measurement to indirect aerodynamic measurement, providing more reliable deployment state detection that works effectively whether mirrors are retracted or deployed, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
Side-view mirror deployment in autonomous vehicles can be diagnosed by determining one or more first rates of fuel consumption and deploying one or more side-view mirrors. One or more second rates of fuel consumption can then be determined and one or more deployment states of the side-view mirror can be controlled based on the first rates of fuel consumption and the second rates of fuel consumption.