Electro-Optic Rearview Mirror Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rearview mirrors cause visual discomfort and increased reaction time for drivers due to excessive light reflection and penetration, especially in bright conditions, which can impair driving safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle electronic rear-view mirror system incorporating a first and second transparent assembly, an electro-optic medium layer, transparent electrodes, and reflective layers, allowing for reversible changes in light transmittance and reflectivity by applying an external voltage, switching between anti-glare and mirror modes, and featuring an optical image capturing module for enhanced imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the rearview mirror uses conventional reflective material, then the mirror can reflect light to show rear view, but the reflected light causes visual discomfort and glare to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic electro-optic medium layer that can change its optical properties in real-time based on lighting conditions. When activated by external voltage, the medium transitions from transparent to opaque state, dynamically adjusting light reflection to eliminate glare while maintaining rear visibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between needing light reflection for visibility and avoiding excessive reflection that causes visual discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the mirror assembly by using an electro-optic medium whose light transmittance and reflectivity can be controlled through applied voltage. By adjusting the electrical parameter (voltage), the optical parameters (reflectivity and transmittance) are changed to achieve the desired balance between visibility and glare reduction, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If the rearview mirror allows high light penetration for clear visibility, then the driver can see through the mirror, but excessive light enters the driver's eyes causing glare
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-optic medium layer provides dynamic control over light penetration. In normal conditions, it remains transparent allowing high light penetration for clear visibility. When glare conditions are detected or voltage is applied, it transitions to an opaque state, reducing light penetration to eliminate glare while maintaining visibility through electronic display alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-optic medium acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the driver's eyes. It mediates the light transmission by selectively allowing or blocking light based on electrical control, thus resolving the contradiction between needing light penetration for visibility and preventing excessive light entry that causes glare.
3Reliability
If the rearview mirror is made transparent for visibility, then light can pass through for clear view, but the mirror loses its reflective function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the transparent assembly with electro-optic medium can operate in multiple modes: transparent mode for direct visibility and opaque/reflective mode for traditional mirror reflection. The system universally provides both functions depending on electrical control state, resolving the contradiction between transparency for visibility and reflectivity for mirror function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror assembly dynamically switches between transparent and reflective states through electrical control of the electro-optic medium. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide either visibility through transparency or reflection through opacity based on operational requirements, eliminating the need to choose between the two conflicting functions.
4Device complexity
If conventional rearview mirrors are used, then the structure is simple, but the driver's reaction time increases due to visual dizziness from glare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical reflective surface with an active electro-optic control system. Instead of relying solely on fixed reflective properties, the system uses electrical fields to control optical properties, substituting mechanical simplicity with electronic intelligence to achieve faster response to lighting conditions and reduce driver reaction time despite increased system complexity.
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 system effectively reduces visual discomfort by dynamically adjusting light reflection and penetration, improving driver safety by minimizing glare and maintaining clear visibility in various lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the electro-optic medium layer in the visible wavelength range (e.g. light transmittance, light reflectivity, or absorbance) could produce stable reversible change, thereby enabling color and transparency changes
Implementation Method 2
When an intensity of the external light is too strong to affect the driver's eyes, the external light is absorbed by the electro-optic medium layer to be in a matt state
Implementation Method 3
when the electro-optic medium layer is disenabled, the electro-optic medium layer is transparent. At this time, the external light passes through the electro-optic medium layer to be reflected by the reflective layer
Implementation Method 4
The optical image capturing systems has at least one lens group, wherein the at least one lens group includes at least two lenses having refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
A movable carrier auxiliary system includes a first transparent assembly, a second transparent assembly, an electro-optic medium layer, a transparent electrode, a reflective layer, a transparent conductive layer, an electrical connector, a control member, and an optical image capturing module. A gap is formed between the second transparent assembly and the first transparent assembly. The electro-optic medium layer is disposed in the gap. The transparent electrode is disposed between the first transparent assembly and the electro-optic medium layer. The electro-optic medium layer is disposed between the first transparent assembly and the at least one reflective layer. The transparent conductive layer is disposed between the electro-optic medium layer and the at least one reflective layer. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the electro-optic medium layer, and transmits an electrical energy to the electro-optic medium layer to change a transparency of the electro-optic medium layer.