Vehicle Mirror Imaging System Merging Multiple Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles require a compact and reliable imaging system for enhanced safety features, but existing solutions often involve multiple sensors and complex optical arrangements that are costly and inefficiently utilize imaging sensor chips.
Innovation Solution
A mirror assembly with a compact imaging system using a single imaging sensor chip that projects and combines image information from multiple sensors, allowing for dedicated sensor areas to be analyzed simultaneously, with optical paths arranged perpendicular or at defined angles, and utilizing optical light guides or mirrors for efficient image capture and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors and complex optical arrangements are used to achieve enhanced safety features, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor functions (lane change control, blind spot detection, bird view) into a single integrated mirror assembly with one imaging sensor chip. Multiple sensors survey different fields of vision but project onto shared sensor areas, merging previously separate imaging systems into one unified device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a rear view mirror, lane change control sensor, blind spot detection sensor, and bird view sensor. The single imaging sensor chip with dedicated sensor areas enables the same physical device to perform multiple safety functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and dedicated imaging chips are used for each sensor, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using separate imaging sensor chips for each sensor function, the patent merges multiple sensor functions onto a single imaging sensor chip. The chip provides dedicated sensor areas for different sensors (lane change, blind spot, bird view) but uses one unified imaging device, significantly reducing component count and manufacturing cost while preserving detection accuracy through dedicated sensor regions
Solution Approach 2:
The single imaging sensor chip is designed to handle multiple sensor functions simultaneously through its dedicated sensor areas. This multi-functional chip replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate imaging chips, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the precision needed for each specific detection function
3Volume of moving object
If a compact imaging system is implemented in the mirror assembly, then device size is reduced, but optical path arrangement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges optical paths in three-dimensional space within the compact mirror assembly. Optical paths can be arranged perpendicular or at defined angles to each other, utilizing spatial dimensions to route light from multiple sensors to the single imaging sensor chip without requiring excessive linear space, thus achieving compactness while managing optical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is integrated within the mirror assembly structure, with sensors and optical components nested within the available space. The sensor unit is arranged in the head of the mirror assembly, and the imaging sensor chip is positioned to receive projected images, creating a nested compact arrangement that fits multiple functions into a small volume
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and compact imaging system capable of integrating multiple sensor functions, such as lane change control, bird view, and blind spot detection, enhancing vehicle safety while optimizing the use of available space in vehicle mirrors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one imaging sensor chip comprising an array of light-sensitive elements, wherein image information provided by the at least two sensors are projected on the at least one imaging sensor chip
Implementation Method 2
The optical paths can be arranged perpendicular or arranged in a defined angle to each other
Implementation Method 3
The optical information can be forwarded by a bulk optic arrangement and/or an optical light guide arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an imaging system comprising at least two sensors surveying one or more fields of vision, at least one imaging sensor chip comprising an array of light-sensitive elements, wherein image information provided by the at least two sensors are projected on the at least one imaging sensor chip. The imaging sensor chip provides dedicated sensor areas, wherein each dedicated sensor area is assigned to one dedicated sensor.