Extendable Camera Module for Vehicle Mirror Blind Spot Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles, especially when towing a trailer wider than the vehicle, fail to provide an adequate rearward and sideward field of view, leading to blind spots and increased risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
An extendable and pivotable camera module integrated into the exterior rearview mirror assembly, which can be repositioned to provide a wider field of view when towing a trailer, rotating to optimize the viewing angle and extending beyond the vehicle's width to encompass the trailer's side and rear areas, while minimizing wind drag and maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the mirror assembly is kept compact and fixed, then aerodynamic efficiency is maintained, but the field of view is insufficient when towing a trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the camera module extendable and pivotable rather than fixed. The camera can dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on whether the vehicle is towing a trailer, transforming from a static compact design to a dynamic adaptive design that provides wide field of view when needed while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by adding extension capability in the lateral direction and pivot capability in the vertical direction. This transforms the camera from a two-dimensional fixed plane to a three-dimensional adjustable position, enabling it to extend beyond the vehicle width to capture trailer side views and adjust angles for optimal rearward and sideward coverage.
2Reliability
If the camera is extended beyond vehicle width to cover trailer area, then blind spots are reduced, but wind drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable and retractable camera mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust its lateral position. During towing operations, the camera extends beyond the vehicle width to eliminate blind spots and provide comprehensive trailer coverage. When not towing, the camera retracts to a compact position that minimizes wind drag and maintains aerodynamic efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is made pivotable to optimize viewing angle, then field of view coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable camera mechanism provides dynamic angle adjustment capability, allowing the camera to optimize its viewing angle for different towing scenarios. The camera can pivot to capture rearward views along the side of the trailer and adjust between inboard and outboard orientations, adapting to various trailer widths and positions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical pivot design.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting base, with the mirror head having a mirror casing and a reflective element, and with the mounting base configured for attachment at a vehicle. A camera module is disposed at the mirror head and includes a camera having a field of view and operable to capture image data. The camera module is extendable and retractable relative to the mirror casing. With the camera module retracted, the camera module is oriented such that the field of view of the camera encompasses a blind spot region at least at the body side of the vehicle. With the camera module retracted, an inboard limit of the field of view of the camera partially overlaps an outboard limit of a field of view provided to a driver of the vehicle by the reflective element.