Rear-view Mirror Multi-mode Display for Towing Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Towing vehicles face impaired visibility behind towed units due to the limited field of view of conventional rear-view cameras, which are often obstructed by the height or cargo of trailers, leading to safety concerns during towing and backing up.
Innovation Solution
A rear-view mirror with a multi-mode display screen that detects the presence of a rear-view camera on a towed unit and adjusts its display size to show images from that camera, allowing for full or partial area image display through the mirror, enhancing visibility and overcoming the limitations of aftermarket camera systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a conventional rear-view camera is used in a towing vehicle, then the driver can see the area behind the vehicle, but the field of view is severely limited when a trailer is connected because the trailer occupies a significant portion of the camera's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The rear-view mirror assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can display images from either a towing vehicle-mounted camera or a towed unit-mounted camera depending on the detection of trailer presence. The display device switches between different camera sources universally, making the system adaptable to both towing and non-towing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on trailer presence detection. When a trailer is detected, the system switches to displaying images from the towed unit's camera; when no trailer is present, it displays images from the towing vehicle's camera. This dynamic adaptation resolves the field of view limitation by selecting the appropriate camera source.
2Loss of information
If an aftermarket back-up camera system is installed on the trailer, then visibility behind the trailer is provided, but the visual display apparatus cannot be mounted at the rear-view mirror location and may interfere with other controls or distract the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the trailer camera display function with the existing rear-view mirror assembly. The display device is integrated into the mirror housing, combining the functions of rear-view reflection and camera image display in a single location. This eliminates the need for separate display mounts on the dashboard or other locations that could interfere with controls or distract the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear-view mirror assembly acts as an intermediary device that receives images from the towed unit's camera and displays them in the driver's natural line of sight. Instead of mounting a separate display apparatus that would require its own location and potentially interfere with other controls, the system uses the existing mirror structure as the display medium, placing the image exactly where the driver is already looking.
3Area of stationary object
If the rear-view mirror displays images from the towing vehicle's camera, then the driver can see behind the vehicle, but the entire mirror surface cannot be utilized when a trailer is connected due to the limited field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the camera source based on trailer presence. When a trailer is detected, it displays images from the towed unit's camera which provides an unobstructed view behind the trailer. When no trailer is present, it displays images from the towing vehicle's camera. This dynamic source selection ensures the entire mirror surface is always utilized effectively for the current towing condition.
Data Source
AI summary
An image display system comprises a camera presence detector for detecting presence of a rear-view camera mounted on a towed unit connected to a towing vehicle, an image display format controller coupled to the camera presence detector, and a rear-view mirror assembly including an image display apparatus. The image display format controller enables a first display mode when the camera presence detector detects the towed unit rear-view camera and enables a second display mode when the camera presence detector fails to detect presence of the towed unit rear-view camera. An image output device of the image display apparatus underlies a central portion of an image display apparatus viewing substrate at a rear surface thereof. An image outputted is viewable through the central portion when the first display mode is implemented. The central portion can provide reflected rear-view imaging utility when the second display mode is implemented.