Electronic Mirror Antiglare Control via Dynamic Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic mirror systems struggle to provide drivers with a clear rear view in dark environments, such as nighttime or in tunnels, due to glare from intense lights from following vehicles, especially when the display unit is turned OFF.
Innovation Solution
An electronic mirror apparatus with a display unit, a semitransparent mirror, and a drive mechanism, controlled by a controller that adjusts the mirror angle and regulates image luminance based on illuminance sensors, automatically switching to an antiglare mode when intense light is detected, ensuring the driver is not dazzled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the display unit is turned OFF to save energy and maintain mirror functionality, then power consumption is reduced and mirror reflection is maintained, but the driver suffers from glare when intense light from following vehicles is reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between mirror mode and display mode based on detected light intensity. When intense light is detected, the display unit turns ON and the mirror angle adjusts to redirect glare away from the driver's line of sight. When normal conditions prevail, the display unit turns OFF and the mirror returns to its standard reflective position, saving energy while maintaining anti-glare protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that monitors light intensity through sensors and automatically coordinates between the mirror drive mechanism and display unit. This intermediary function enables automatic antiglare operation without requiring driver intervention, resolving the contradiction by intelligently switching between energy-saving and glare-protection modes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mirror angle is adjusted to an antiglare angle to redirect intense light away from the driver, then glare is reduced, but the driver's ability to view the rearward direction through the mirror is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
When the mirror is rotated to the antiglare angle, the display unit captures and displays a real-time image feed from the rearward-facing camera. This creates a visual copy of the rearward view that the driver can observe on the display screen, compensating for the loss of direct mirror reflection while maintaining situational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two operational states: normal mirror reflection mode for routine viewing, and antiglare mode where the mirror rotates and display unit shows camera feed. This dynamic switching ensures that the driver always has access to rearward view information, whether through direct reflection or display screen.
3Loss of information
If the display unit is turned ON to provide image display, then the driver can view rearward images, but the system consumes more power and the mirror must be rotated away from the standard viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit operates dynamically based on detected conditions. It remains OFF during normal daytime or well-lit conditions to conserve energy, and only turns ON when the control unit detects intense light from following vehicles that requires antiglare intervention, ensuring power is consumed only when necessary for glare protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses environmental light sensors to automatically determine when display activation is necessary. This self-monitoring and self-decision capability allows the system to activate the display only when glare conditions are detected, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention and ensuring energy-efficient operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the mirror is rotated to redirect glare away from the driver, then antiglare function is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional drive mechanism and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror drive mechanism serves dual functions: it positions the mirror for standard rearward viewing during normal operation, and rotates the mirror to antiglare angles when intense light is detected. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated antiglare mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective glare protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit integrates multiple functions into a single controller: it monitors light intensity through sensors, determines when antiglare action is needed, controls the mirror drive mechanism rotation, and manages display unit activation. This consolidation of control functions into a single intelligent unit reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated controllers for each function.
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 glare by adjusting the mirror angle and regulating image luminance, providing a clear view for the driver even in dark ambient conditions, preventing driver distraction from intense light sources.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminance sensor for monitoring illuminance of light incident from the rearward direction of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a mirror disposed over the screen
Implementation Method 3
a semitransparent mirror
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic mirror apparatus includes: a display unit having a display screen, a mirror disposed over the screen, a drive mechanism for changing an angle of the mirror, and a controller. The controller is electrically coupled with the display unit, the drive mechanism, an illuminance sensor for monitoring illuminance of light incident from a vehicle's rearward direction, and a camera for shooting a rearward view. The controller, when the display unit is OFF and the vehicle is in a dark environment, monitors the illuminance of the light incident from the rearward direction, based on an output of the sensor. The controller, when the illuminance of the light becomes equal to or larger than a threshold value, instructs the drive mechanism to adjust the angle of the mirror to an antiglare angle and instructs the display unit to display an image that is shot by the camera and regulated in luminance.