Electronic Mirror Optical Folding for Reduced Eye Strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic mirror systems for vehicles require shorter eye accommodation distances, leading to driver eye strain and compromised safety due to the proximity of display screens to the driver's eyes, unlike traditional glass-type rear-view mirrors which provide longer accommodation distances.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic mirror system with optical folding using reflective elements to extend the perceived distance to the display, arranging the first and second optical folded pathways in an interleaving arrangement within a common optical folding space in the dashboard, allowing for efficient packaging and reduced eye accommodation effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic mirror system with display screen is used to replace traditional glass-type rear-view mirrors, then multiple functions and modern technology integration are achieved, but the driver's eye accommodation distance becomes shorter causing eye strain and compromising driving safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical folding pathway as an intermediary between the display screen and the driver's eyes. This intermediary uses reflective elements (mirrors) to extend the optical path length, effectively increasing the accommodation distance without physically moving the display screen farther from the driver. The optical folding pathway acts as a mediator that transforms the short physical distance into a longer optical journey for light.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical folding to add dimensional complexity to the light path. Instead of a straight-line optical path, the light travels through a folded pathway with multiple reflections, effectively extending the distance in a multi-dimensional space within the constrained dashboard environment. This dimensional transformation allows the system to achieve long accommodation distance without increasing the physical footprint.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical folding is used to extend the perceived distance to the display, then driver eye accommodation effort is reduced, but the packaging space required in the dashboard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical folding pathways for both the left and right electronic mirrors into a single shared optical folding space. By combining the optical paths of multiple systems into one common volume, the patent reduces the total packaging space required compared to providing separate optical folding spaces for each mirror system. This merging strategy allows efficient space utilization in the dashboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal optical folding space that serves multiple functions - accommodating the optical pathways for both left and right rear-view displays. This multi-functional space design allows the same physical volume to support multiple optical systems, reducing overall space requirements and improving packaging efficiency in the dashboard.
3Ease of operation
If separate housings are used for left and right electronic mirror systems, then each system can be independently optimized, but the packaging space in the dashboard is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the left and right electronic mirror systems into a single integrated housing structure. Instead of using separate housings for each mirror system, the patent merges them into one common housing that contains both display devices, image processing units, and shared optical folding elements. This consolidation significantly reduces the total volume occupied in the dashboard while maintaining full functionality of both mirror systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the optical pathways and components of one mirror system are integrated within the same housing space as the other system. The reflective elements and optical components are arranged in a space-efficient nested configuration, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces within the single housing, thereby minimizing the overall footprint.
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
This solution reduces driver eye strain and increases driving safety by extending the perceived distance to the rear view images, while also optimizing packaging space in the dashboard, allowing for a compact and efficient electronic mirror system.
Implementation Method 1
the concept of the present invention uses optical folding, e.g. by employing one or more reflective elements, to enlarge the perceived distance to the display
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic mirror system (10) for use in a vehicle (1) for displaying rear view images representing a respective scene behind the vehicle (1) comprises a housing (13), a first image display device (21) for displaying a right rear view image (R) of the vehicle, a first see-through element (22) configured to display the right rear view image (R) to a driver (60) of the vehicle, a first optical folded pathway (23) transmitting light from the first image display device (21) to the first see-through element (22), a second image display device (31) for displaying a left rear view image (L) of the vehicle, a second see-through element (32) configured to display the left rear view image (L) to the driver of the vehicle, and a second optical folded pathway (33) transmitting light from the second image display device (31) to the second see-through element (32). The first and second optical folded pathways (23, 33) are arranged in an interleaving arrangement in a common optical folding space (133) of the housing (13), so that substantial parts the e-mirror system (10) may be placed in a flat packaging space behind an instrument cluster (40) of the vehicle.