Rear-View Mirror Blind Spot Indicator Shielding Against Light Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear-view mirror assemblies with blind spot indicators are vulnerable to external environmental elements and vandalism, and their visibility can be distracting or annoying to drivers due to light leakage.
Innovation Solution
A rear-view mirror assembly design where the blind spot indicator assembly is integrated with a mirror reflective element and a back plate, covered by an opaque barrier that ensures the indicator is not visible from outside the vehicle, using a white blind spot indicator housing and a heater for resistive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blind spot indicator assembly is mounted on the reflective mirror element outside the vehicle, then the indicator is accessible and can be maintained, but it becomes visible and accessible from the outside making it vulnerable to environmental elements and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The blind spot indicator assembly is nested within the mirror head housing, specifically positioned within the cavity formed by the housing walls. The indicator assembly is surrounded by the housing structure, making it inaccessible from the outside while remaining functional. This nesting approach protects the indicator from environmental elements and vandalism while maintaining its operational accessibility through the optical path.
2Reliability
If the blind spot indicator assembly is mounted on the reflective mirror element, then it can indicate blind spot presence, but light from the indicator may pass through the housing and escape through regions that are annoying to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with differentiated optical properties in different regions. The rear wall of the housing contains an opaque barrier that blocks light in specific directions, while other portions of the housing may be translucent or transparent to allow light transmission toward the driver. This local quality differentiation ensures that light leakage in annoying directions is prevented while maintaining the indicator's visibility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The opaque barrier within the housing, which initially appears to block necessary light transmission, is strategically positioned to block light only in directions that would be annoying to the driver. By converting the potential harm of light leakage into a beneficial directional control mechanism, the design ensures that light is directed only where it is useful for driver awareness.
3Ease of repair
If the blind spot indicator assembly is made visible from outside, then it can be maintained and accessed, but it becomes distracting or annoying to drivers due to potential visibility from vehicle exterior
Solution Approach 1:
The blind spot indicator assembly is nested within the mirror head housing, positioned in a cavity that is not visible from the vehicle exterior. The housing walls surround the indicator assembly, preventing it from being seen from outside the vehicle. This nesting configuration eliminates driver distraction and annoyance while maintaining the indicator's functionality and accessibility through the optical path within the housing.
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 provides a cost-effective rear-view mirror assembly with a blind spot indicator that is protected from external elements and not visible from outside the vehicle, enhancing driver focus and reducing potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
using a white blind spot indicator housing and a heater for resistive heating
Data Source
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AI summary
It comprises a support arm (110) and a mirror head assembly (120), said assembly (120) comprising a mirror head housing (130) and a mirror reflective assembly (160) movable relative to the mirror head housing (130), the latter comprising a mirror reflective element (150), a back plate (140) attached thereto, and a blind spot indicator assembly (170). An opaque barrier (190) is formed in or attached to the back plate (140) for at least covering a first portion of the blind spot indicator assembly (170) in any position of the mirror reflective assembly (160) relative to the mirror head housing (130) such that at least said first portion of the blind spot indicator assembly (170) is not visible from outside the motor vehicle.