Full Display Mirror Cooling via Integrated Airflow Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Full display mirrors with integrated display modules face thermal loading issues due to high heat generation from processors, necessitating effective heat management techniques to maintain operational efficiency and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A rear view assembly with a housing, a mount, a circuit board assembly, and an air mover proximate a heatsink, where the air mover draws ambient air from an inlet and directs it across the heatsink and LED printed circuit board through a channel, enhancing heat dissipation via an outlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If integrated display modules with processors are added to full display mirrors, then functionality and information display capability are improved, but thermal loading and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidoperating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heat management function from the passive housing structure and creates a separate, active cooling subsystem. This involves removing heat dissipation from the general housing function and assigning it to a dedicated cooling system with air movers, heatsinks, and controlled airflow channels, allowing the display module to operate independently without thermal interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the cooling system components, guides airflow through integrated channels, and facilitates heat dissipation. The mount structure similarly serves both mechanical mounting and airflow channeling purposes, reducing the need for additional dedicated components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If heat dissipation structures are added to manage thermal loading, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling system components (air movers, heatsinks, airflow channels) into a single integrated assembly housed within the housing structure. The airflow channels are formed as integral parts of the housing rather than separate components, and the mount structure incorporates both mechanical support and thermal management functions, simplifying assembly and reducing part count

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is designed to draw ambient air through the housing structure using natural convection and the mounting structure itself, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems. The housing geometry and mount positioning create automatic airflow patterns that cool the display module without requiring additional sensors or active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively reduces the operating temperature of the glass substrate and housing, improving the functionality and longevity of the rear view assembly, allowing for more aggressive heat management and supporting faster processors.

Implementation Method 1

an air mover proximate a heatsink. The air mover is configured to draw ambient air from an inlet into the housing... A channel in fluid connection with the air mover is configured to direct the air drawn into the housing across a top portion of the heatsink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

direct the air drawn into the housing across a top portion of the heatsink and a light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

enhancing heat dissipation via an outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3776142B1Full display mirror with integrated cooling system
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 GENTEX CORP
  • EP3776142B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3776142B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3776142B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A rear view assembly includes a housing with a mount extending therefrom, a circuit board disposed on the housing, and an air mover proximate a heatsink. The air mover is configured to draw ambient air from an inlet into the housing. A channel in fluid communication with the air mover is configured to direct the air drawn into the housing across a top portion of the heatsink. The rear view assembly also includes an outlet in fluid connection with the channel, adjacent to the mount.