Cross-View Mirror With Camera and Lighting for Low-Light Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side-view and rear-view mirrors are inadequate for providing adequate visibility in low-light conditions, especially for large vehicles like buses and trucks, as they do not offer sufficient information about the surroundings in poor lighting situations.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a camera system within the mirrors, which can provide electronic images, including night-vision or infrared capabilities, to enhance visibility, along with motorized or manual adjustment mechanisms for optimal viewing angles, and the use of cutouts or one-way mirrors to capture images without disrupting the reflective surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a camera system is integrated within the mirror to provide electronic images in low-light conditions, then visibility in poor lighting situations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a camera system with night-vision or infrared capabilities directly within the mirror housing, integrating multiple functions (reflection and electronic imaging) into a single device. This merging allows the mirror to provide both traditional reflective viewing and electronic image display, improving low-light visibility while consolidating components
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror system is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional reflective viewing for normal conditions and electronic image capture/display for low-light conditions. The camera system can operate in different modes (standard video, infrared, night-vision) to adapt to various lighting situations, making the system universally applicable across different environmental conditions
2Loss of information
If a camera is provided within the mirror unit to capture images, then additional visual information is obtained, but the reflective surface may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror surface is divided into separate functional zones: a reflective portion for traditional mirror viewing and a separate camera portion with its own lens and sensor. This segmentation allows the camera to capture images without interfering with the reflective surface, as each component operates independently in its designated area
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is extracted as a separate functional element within the mirror unit, with its own optical path and sensor positioned distinct from the reflective surface. The camera is mounted in a way that allows it to capture images through a separate aperture or adjacent to the mirror surface, preventing disruption to the reflective properties
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mirror units with independent adjustment mechanisms are provided to view multiple angles, then viewing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror units are equipped with motorized adjustment mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning of the mirror surfaces to different angles. This dynamic capability enables the mirrors to be electronically adjusted to optimal viewing positions, providing flexibility in angle selection while reducing the need for multiple fixed mirror units
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
Enables drivers to view their surroundings, including objects and individuals, in low-light conditions, improving safety when reversing or maneuvering large vehicles by providing additional visual information through a display screen within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the window is a one-way mirror through which the camera captures images without disturbing the reflective surface of the mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-view mirror for a vehicle includes a mirror assembly having a convex mirror lens providing a field of view for a driver of the vehicle and a support affixed to said mirror lens. The mirror lens includes a reflective portion reflecting light from outside of the mirror lens and a transparent portion configured to allow light to pass through the mirror lens to an area outside of the mirror lens. A light source is mounted to the mirror assembly to emit light through the transparent portion of the mirror lens. The light source is configured to illuminate the field of view provided by said mirror lens. In some embodiments, a sensor or camera detects/captures movement/images in front of the vehicle or to a side/rear of the vehicle.