Bi-modal Dimming Mirror with Active Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dimmable mirrors with electrochromic elements are inefficient in transmitting a display image from behind the mirror element, limiting their ability to effectively reduce glare and enhance the driver's field of view, especially with the increasing blind spots due to vehicle styling and safety features.
Innovation Solution
A bi-modal dimming mirror system that includes a display panel with a switchable mirror overlay, capable of varying transmissivity in response to a dimming control signal, utilizing a light source and sensor to measure reflection rates and adjust the mirror's transmissivity and reflectivity through a feedback control system, allowing for precise control of dimming levels without the need for electrochromic cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional electrochromic elements are used for dimming, then glare reduction is achieved, but display image transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror surface is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones, allowing different regions to have different transmissivity levels. This enables the mirror to reduce glare in specific areas while maintaining high transmission in other areas for display image viewing, thus resolving the contradiction between glare reduction and display transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror employs dynamic control of transmissivity through electrochromic elements that can rapidly adjust their optical properties in response to varying lighting conditions and driver preferences. This dynamic adjustment allows the mirror to optimize both glare reduction and display transmission efficiency in real-time, rather than being fixed in one state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrochromic elements are used for dimming, then transmissivity control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromic elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide dimming control, enable glare reduction, and facilitate display image transmission. By making these elements multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby controlling device complexity while achieving versatile transmissivity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor lighting conditions and automatically adjust the transmissivity of electrochromic elements accordingly. This feedback control simplifies the user interface and reduces the complexity of manual control systems, as the mirror can autonomously optimize its performance based on environmental conditions.
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 bi-modal dimming mirror system effectively controls the dimming level, enhancing the driver's field of view by accurately adjusting the mirror's transmissivity and reflectivity, thereby reducing glare and improving visibility, especially in nighttime conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an active polarization rotator adjacent the first static reflective polarizer and opposite the viewing surface. The active polarization rotator is configured to rotate the polarization of light passing therethrough in response to an applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
an active absorptive polarizer configured to absorb light in a first polarization direction in response to an applied voltage
Implementation Method 3
A light sensor overlies the sample segment opposite the display panel for measuring a reflection rate of the sample segment by measuring an intensity of the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A bi-modal dimming mirror includes a display and a switchable mirror configured to vary in transmissivity in response to a dimming control signal, which includes one or more of an LCD voltage, a rotator control signal, and/or a polarizer control signal. The bi-modal dimming mirror includes a visible segment overlying the display panel and a sample segment for calibrating the transmissivity or the reflectivity of the switchable mirror. A light source projects a light beam through the sample segment, which is measured by a light sensor. A liquid crystal cell changes polarization of light passing therethrough in response to application of an LCD voltage. In some embodiments, an active absorptive polarizer varies in absorption of polarized light in response to a polarizer control signal. An active polarization rotator varies rotation of polarized light in response to a rotator control signal.