Rearview Mirror Blind Zone Indicator With Sealed Diffuser Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rearview mirror assemblies lack an effective and water-resistant blind spot or lane change assist indicator that can be seamlessly integrated with the mirror reflective element, leading to suboptimal driver visibility and potential water ingress issues.
Innovation Solution
A blind spot or lane change assist indicator module is designed to be integral with the mirror reflector carrier or back plate, featuring a sealed housing with a diffuser and baffles to direct light towards the side of the vehicle, enhancing driver visibility while preventing water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the indicator is located at the mirror reflective element, then driver visibility is improved, but water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent window is introduced as an intermediary between the indicator and the external environment. This window allows light to pass through for driver visibility while providing a protective barrier against water ingress. The window is sealed to the indicator module housing, creating a water-resistant barrier while maintaining optical transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator module is nested within a sealed housing that is integrated with or attached to the mirror reflective element assembly. The housing contains the indicator, diffuser, and other components, creating a protected internal environment that prevents water from reaching sensitive electronic components while allowing the indicator to function at the mirror location for optimal visibility.
2Reliability
If the indicator module is sealed to prevent water ingress, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible gasket or seal film is used to create the waterproof barrier between the indicator module housing and the mirror reflective element assembly. This flexible sealing element can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion while maintaining water resistance, simplifying the sealing structure compared to rigid sealed joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator module housing is merged with or integrally formed as part of the mirror reflective element assembly. This integration reduces the number of separate components and sealing interfaces, thereby simplifying the overall sealing structure while maintaining water resistance. The indicator module becomes an integral part of the mirror assembly rather than a separate add-on component.
3Illumination intensity
If light is directed towards the driver, then visibility is improved, but bright spots are created
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is designed with non-uniform optical properties - it has different diffusion characteristics in different regions. The diffuser selectively scatters light in directions that favor driver visibility while suppressing light concentration in specific areas that would create bright spots. This local variation in optical quality allows simultaneous achievement of good visibility and uniform light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
A louver or baffle structure is positioned between the light source and the diffuser to control and redirect light paths. These structures copy or redirect light in a controlled manner, ensuring that light reaches the driver's position while preventing direct line-of-sight paths that would create intense bright spots on the mirror surface or in the driver's field of view.
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 provides enhanced viewing of the indicator icons by the driver, reduces bright spots, and ensures the indicator module is water impervious, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light source, such as a light emitting diode, at the rear portion of the diffuser element
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser element with a louver disposed between light sources
Implementation Method 3
The diffuser includes a louver or baffle or light blocking or occluding element disposed in front of or at least partially in front of each of the light emitting diodes to limit or partially occlude direct illumination of a diffuser cover by the light sources
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting structure, a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater element, and a blind zone indication module. The heater element is disposed between the mirror back plate and the mirror reflective element. The blind zone indication module includes a diffuser and a housing that houses a circuit element and a light source. The circuit element includes electrically conductive terminals that are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit element and that are disposed at a connector portion of the housing that is configured to connect to a wire harness to electrically power circuitry of the circuit element when the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at a vehicle and used. The blind zone indication module is associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted.