Sideview Mirror Camera Extension for Unblocked Overhead Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sideview mirror assemblies for vehicles, especially those towing trailers, face challenges in providing unobstructed visibility of overhead target positions due to the camera's field-of-view being blocked by the mirror housing or mounting arm in normal positions.
Innovation Solution
An extendable camera system within the sideview mirror assembly that can move between a normal and extended position, allowing unobstructed visibility of overhead target positions by adjusting its position relative to the mirror housing or mounting arm, thereby unblocking the camera's field-of-view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera is positioned in a normal location within the sideview mirror assembly, then the aerodynamics and styling are maintained, but the camera's field-of-view is blocked by the mirror housing or mounting arm
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is made movable between a normal position (for aerodynamics and styling) and an extended position (for unobstructed visibility). The camera can be dynamically repositioned based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining aesthetic/design integrity and achieving optimal viewing angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is extended along a longitudinal axis away from the mirror housing, moving it to a different spatial dimension where it no longer intersects with the mirror housing or mounting arm. This dimensional relocation allows the camera to capture overhead target positions without obstruction while the mirror housing remains in its original position.
2Reliability
If the camera is extended to achieve unobstructed visibility of overhead target positions, then camera visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into independent components: the camera module, the actuator mechanism, and the mounting structure. This segmentation allows the camera to be independently extended and retracted without affecting the mirror housing or other components, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the added functionality.
3Device complexity
If the camera remains in the normal position, then the device complexity is minimized, but the driver visibility of overhead areas is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The camera operates periodically, extending to capture overhead views when needed (such as during specific driving conditions or maneuvers) and retracting to its normal position when not required. This periodic extension minimizes the time the complex mechanism is active while ensuring overhead visibility is captured when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A sideview mirror assembly for a vehicle can comprise a body including a sideview mirror housing. The sideview mirror assembly can include a camera located in the body about the sideview mirror housing. The camera can have a field-of-view including an above-horizontal region directed rearward toward an overhead target position past the sideview mirror housing. The camera can be mounted for movement relative to the body between a normal position, in which the sideview mirror housing intersects the camera and the overhead target position in the above-horizontal region, and an extended position, in which the sideview mirror housing does not intersect the camera and the overhead target position in the above-horizontal region. Movement of the camera from the normal position to the extended position can unblock camera visibility of the overhead target position by the sideview mirror housing.