Electronic Rear View Device Reducing Drag and Expanding Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear-view systems for vehicles, including those using cameras, face issues with air resistance, limited viewing angles, and data processing challenges, leading to potential safety hazards and implementation problems in series products.
Innovation Solution
A rear-view device for vehicles that replaces side mirrors with electronic camera units mounted at the positions of traditional rear-view mirrors, using wide-angle lenses and fish-eye optics to provide a wider field of view, with images processed and displayed on screens inside the vehicle, utilizing CCD or CMOS sensors, and a distributed electronic control system for efficient data transmission and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If side rear view mirrors are used, then the driver can observe traffic behind and to the side of the vehicle, but the mirrors protrude far beyond the vehicle contour causing additional vehicle width and increased air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an electronic camera-based imaging system. Cameras are mounted at the front side pillars and capture images that are displayed on screens in the dashboard, eliminating the need for protruding mechanical mirrors while maintaining the viewing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mirror reflection to a multi-dimensional camera-based imaging system with wide-angle lenses and fish-eye optics, capturing a broader spatial field and presenting it on dashboard displays, thereby expanding the viewing dimension without physical protrusion.
2Ease of operation
If side rear view mirrors are used, then the driver can see behind the vehicle, but the viewing angle range is limited and the driver must turn away from the vehicle which can lead to dangerous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic imaging system where the camera field of view and display presentation can be adjusted and adapted. The system provides real-time dynamic images that update continuously, allowing the driver to view rear and side traffic without physically turning, while the wide-angle cameras dynamically capture a much broader angular range than fixed mirrors.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera-based system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rear viewing, side viewing, and blind spot monitoring through a single integrated system, whereas traditional mirrors require separate arrangements for different viewing angles and positions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cameras are used to replace mirrors, then air resistance is reduced, but data processing challenges arise and display problems can occur due to data propagation times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data processing system into distributed processing units. Each camera has its own processing circuit that independently processes images from its field of view, and multiple processed images are then combined on the display. This segmentation reduces data transmission requirements and minimizes propagation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate processing circuits between the cameras and the display system. These intermediaries process and prepare image data locally before transmission to the display, acting as buffers that reduce the impact of data propagation times and ensure reliable real-time display.
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 solution significantly reduces air resistance, provides a wider viewing angle, and ensures effective data distribution and processing, enhancing safety by offering real-time, high-resolution images with reduced latency, enabling features like blind spot monitoring and collision warnings.
Implementation Method 1
using wide-angle lenses and fish-eye optics to provide a wider field of view
Implementation Method 2
using wide-angle lenses and fish-eye optics to provide a wider field of view
Implementation Method 3
using CCD or CMOS sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle rearview camera system is proposed, comprising at least one optical sensor connected to at least one image processing board (4) and at least one display (9). This optical sensor is connected to the image processing board via a receiver board, and the image processing board is connected to the display via a receiver board. The connecting lines (2, 6) transmit serial data, and the connection length is 1 to 10 m.