Rearview Mirror Blind Spot Indicator With Angle-Shielded Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rearview mirror assemblies face challenges in providing a blind spot detection and lane change aid indicator that is visible to the driver of a vehicle while being invisible to other drivers, and a turn signal indicator that is visible to external drivers but not the driver of the host vehicle, due to regulatory and geometric constraints.
Innovation Solution
An exterior rearview mirror assembly with a back plate that includes a baffle system and a transparent or translucent block, where the indicator is integrated into the mirror reflector carrier, allowing light to be directed through slots in the baffle system for viewing by the driver while shielding it from other angles, ensuring the indicator is visible to the driver of the host vehicle and not to other drivers for blind spot detection, and visible to external drivers for turn signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the indicator is positioned at the mirror reflective element, then it is visible to the driver of the host vehicle, but it becomes visible to other drivers in adjacent lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The back plate is segmented into multiple light baffles that create separate light paths. Each baffle directs light toward a specific viewer (driver or external observers) while blocking light from reaching other directions, thus segmenting the visibility function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the back plate have different optical properties. The light baffles create localized light transmission zones with specific angles, allowing the same indicator to have different visibility characteristics in different spatial directions.
2Ease of operation
If the indicator is positioned to be visible to external drivers for turn signals, then it provides external indication, but it becomes visible to the driver of the host vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The back plate is divided into multiple light baffles that segment the light distribution. One set of baffles directs turn signal light outward for external visibility, while another set directs blind spot indicator light toward the driver, preventing cross-contamination of visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different angular zones of the back plate are optimized for different functions. The light baffles create localized transmission zones where turn signal light is transmitted outward at specific angles while blocking the driver's view, and blind spot indicator light is transmitted inward at different angles while blocking external view.
3Illumination intensity
If light is transmitted through the reflective element, then the indicator is visible, but the mirror's reflective function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The back plate structure with light baffles segments the light transmission paths, allowing light to pass through the reflective element only in specific angular directions toward intended viewers, while maintaining the reflective element's functionality for other angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective element serves dual functions with different optical properties in different angular zones. The light baffles create localized transmission zones where the reflective element becomes transmissive for indicator light, while maintaining its reflective properties for other directions.
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 ensures that the blind spot detection and lane change aid indicators are effectively visible to the driver of the host vehicle without being seen by other drivers, and turn signal indicators are visible to external drivers without being seen by the host vehicle's driver, enhancing safety and compliance with regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The back plate includes a baffle system and a transparent or translucent block, where the indicator is integrated into the mirror reflector carrier, allowing light to be directed through slots in the baffle system for viewing by the driver while shielding it from other angles
Implementation Method 2
The back plate includes a baffle system and a transparent or translucent block, where the indicator is integrated into the mirror reflector carrier, allowing light to be directed through slots in the baffle system for viewing by the driver
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular exterior breakaway rearview mirror assembly includes a skull-cap mirror shell and a reflective element. With the mirror assembly mounted at an exterior side of a vehicle, the skull-cap mirror shell has an inboard wall that faces toward the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at an aperture established at the inboard wall of the skull-cap mirror shell. An illumination source of the blind spot indicator is activated to illuminate the blind spot indicator responsive to an electronic blind spot monitoring system of the vehicle detecting another vehicle that is approaching or overtaking the equipped vehicle. Illumination of the blind spot indicator by activation of the illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and is not readily viewable by a driver of the detected other vehicle.