E-Mirror Camera Position Adjustment for Obstructed Rear Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear-view mirrors fail to provide an unobstructed view of the environment behind a vehicle, especially when tall occupants or cargo obstruct the view, leading to safety concerns for drivers and other road users.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera mounted on a track connected to the vehicle, an electronic control unit (ECU), and an actuator that adjusts the camera's position based on image data to ensure an unobstructed or minimally obstructed view of the environment behind the vehicle, displayed on a rear-view mirror screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rear-view mirror is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured by tall occupants or cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is mounted on a movable track system that allows dynamic adjustment of its position along the track. The actuator enables the camera to move between different locations (e.g., rearmost corner to front corner of cargo area) based on detected obstructions, transforming a static viewing system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying cargo configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs an electronic control unit that automatically detects obstructions in the camera's field of view and autonomously controls the actuator to reposition the camera. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, allowing the system to automatically optimize its viewing position based on real-time conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera position is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different cargo configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is mounted on a movable track system that allows dynamic adjustment of its position along the track. The actuator enables the camera to move between different locations (e.g., rearmost corner to front corner of cargo area) based on detected obstructions, transforming a static viewing system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying cargo configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system divides the cargo area into multiple selectable positions along the track, allowing the camera to segment its viewing coverage across different locations. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to various cargo configurations by selecting the optimal viewing position from discrete locations along the track.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of camera position is required, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an electronic control unit that automatically detects obstructions in the camera's field of view and autonomously controls the actuator to reposition the camera. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, allowing the system to automatically optimize its viewing position based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit continuously monitors the camera's field of view for obstructions and uses this feedback to automatically trigger actuator operation. When an obstruction is detected, the system processes this information and automatically adjusts the camera position, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains optimal viewing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing a view of an environment behind a vehicle. The system includes a camera located on a track and connected to the vehicle, the camera configured to detect image data of the environment behind the vehicle. The system also includes an actuator configured to move a position of the camera along the track. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine, based on the image data, whether the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured. The ECU is configured to adjust, using the actuator, the position of the camera along the track when the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured until the view of the environment behind the vehicle is unobscured or less obscured. The system includes a rear-view mirror connected to the ECU and configured to display the view of the environment behind the vehicle.