Vehicle Camera and Mirror Assembly Deployment via Single Drive Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera monitoring systems for vehicles are vulnerable to damage and theft due to their external placement and lack a reliable auxiliary side view in case of system failure, posing risks during lane changes and when parked.
Innovation Solution
A camera monitoring system that deploys and folds both camera and mirror assemblies using a single drive shaft, with a controller determining failure and deploying the mirror assembly as a backup when the camera fails, providing a side view and protecting the camera from external damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera assembly is placed externally to capture side views, then the monitoring function is improved, but the risk of damage and theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly is nested within the mirror assembly housing. When the mirror assembly is in the folded state, the camera assembly is inserted into and protected by the mirror housing, which serves as a protective casing. This nesting arrangement allows the camera to be shielded from external damage and theft while maintaining its monitoring capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between deployed and folded states. When deployed, the camera assembly is positioned externally for optimal monitoring. When folded, the camera assembly is retracted into the mirror housing for protection. This dynamic state change allows the system to balance monitoring effectiveness with physical protection.
2Device complexity
If a single drive shaft is used to operate both camera and mirror assemblies, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive shaft is designed to perform multiple functions: it can rotate the mirror assembly independently, and it can also rotate the camera assembly independently through different engagement mechanisms. The drive shaft includes a first gear that engages with the mirror assembly and a second gear that engages with the camera assembly, allowing one component to control two different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Gear mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the single drive shaft and the two assemblies. The first gear transmits rotational force from the drive shaft to the mirror assembly, while the second gear transmits rotational force to the camera assembly. These gear intermediaries enable independent control of each assembly while using a single drive source.
3Reliability
If the camera assembly is deployed for monitoring, then the side view capability is improved, but the vulnerability to external damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly dynamically changes its position between deployed and folded states. When the mirror assembly is folded, the camera assembly is automatically retracted into the protective housing. When the mirror assembly is deployed, the camera assembly extends to its monitoring position. This dynamic positioning allows the system to minimize exposure to damage while maintaining monitoring capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary protection by automatically folding the camera assembly into the mirror housing before any potential damage can occur. The control unit monitors the state of the mirror assembly and proactively positions the camera assembly in the protected state when the mirror is folded, preventing exposure to external hazards.
4Area of stationary object
If the mirror assembly is designed to overlap the camera assembly, then space utilization is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly is nested within the spatial envelope of the mirror assembly. The camera housing fits within the mirror housing dimensions, allowing both assemblies to occupy overlapping space. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization by having one component occupy the same physical space as another component when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism is segmented into multiple gears that can independently engage with different assemblies. The first gear is positioned to engage the mirror assembly, while the second gear is positioned to engage the camera assembly. This segmentation of the drive mechanism allows complex spatial arrangements to be controlled through simpler, modular components.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera monitoring system and a method of controlling the same are provided. The camera monitoring system includes a camera assembly that captures an image of an outer side surface of a vehicle and a mirror assembly disposed to overlap at least a portion of the camera assembly. A driver performs deployment and folding of the camera assembly and the mirror assembly. A controller operates the driver in response to an input of the deployment or folding of the camera assembly and the mirror assembly and determines a failure of the camera assembly. The camera assembly and the mirror assembly are moved based on a single drive shaft, and the controller deploys or folds the camera assembly and the mirror assembly.