Rearview Mirror Rack-and-Pinion Actuator for Image Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full-display rearview mirrors require manual user input to switch between reflective and video display modes, leading to an undesirable appearance and potential interference between reflected and video images.
Innovation Solution
A rearview mirror system with a housing, a substrate having a reflective surface and a display, and an actuation mechanism featuring a motor and gear system that automatically repositions the display mirror between active and inactive states, using a mesh engagement between pinion gears and gear racks to tilt the reflective surface towards the vehicle headliner when the display is inactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a bi-modal lever mechanism is used to manually tilt the mirror, then the mirror can be positioned to reduce interference between reflective and video images, but the device complexity increases and the appearance becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tilting function from the manual bi-modal lever mechanism and implements it as an automatic motor-driven system. The motor (26) with pinion gear (30) and gear rack (34) independently performs the tilting action, separating this function from manual user interaction and eliminating the need for complex lever mechanisms while achieving the same image separation goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tilts the mirror substrate based on display activation status without requiring manual user input. The controller activates the motor to reposition the mirror when the video display is active, allowing the system to serve itself by automatically adjusting to prevent image interference, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Device complexity
If manual input is required to switch between modes, then the mechanism can be simpler, but the ease of operation deteriorates and image interference persists
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically positioning the mirror substrate before the user even perceives the need for switching. When the video display activates, the controller immediately triggers the motor to tilt the mirror, proactively preventing image interference before it occurs, thereby providing seamless automatic operation without requiring user awareness or action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the controller that monitors display activation status and automatically adjusts mirror positioning in response. This closed-loop control ensures the mirror is always in the optimal position relative to display state, eliminating the need for manual switching while maintaining operational simplicity and preventing image interference.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the reflective surface is positioned to avoid video image interference, then image clarity improves, but the mirror may give an undesirable appearance of an ordinary prism-mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of the mirror substrate, allowing it to change orientation based on operational mode. The motor-driven system enables the mirror to tilt upward when video display is active (improving image clarity) and return to conventional positioning when display is inactive (maintaining normal appearance), thus dynamically adapting to preserve both aesthetic and functional requirements.
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 system provides automatic and seamless switching between reflective and video display modes, reducing image competition and maintaining a standard rearview mirror appearance without manual intervention, ensuring clear visibility of both reflected and video images.
Implementation Method 1
The motor has a first pinion gear coupled with an output shaft thereof and in a mesh engagement with the gear rack
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview mirror for a vehicle includes a housing defining an interior cavity and an open side, a substrate rigidly coupled within the open side of the housing and having a reflective surface thereon, and an actuation mechanism coupled within the housing. The actuation mechanism has a mounting plate rotatably coupled within the cavity of the housing at a first end of the mounting plate, a first gear rack being defined on a second end of the mounting plate, and a motor rigidly coupled within the interior cavity of the housing adjacent the second end of the mounting plate. The motor has a first pinion gear coupled with an output shaft thereof and in a mesh engagement with the gear rack.