Side-view Mirror Assembly with Selective Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side-view mirror lighting features for vehicles are complex and costly, lacking in both economic viability and aesthetic appeal while failing to provide utility beyond basic turn-signal indicators.
Innovation Solution
A side-view mirror assembly with a housing containing a reflective element and light-transmissive portions on the backplate, illuminated by programmable light sources that respond to various vehicle activities, such as object detection, locking/unlocking, and turn signals, using different colors to indicate specific events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lighting features are added to side-view mirrors, then safety and visibility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting feature with the mirror backplate by integrating light-transmissive portions directly into the backplate structure. This merging eliminates separate lighting housings and complex assembly requirements, reducing device complexity while maintaining safety functionality through selective illumination that responds to vehicle activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The backplate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the mirror element and simultaneously acts as a light-transmissive component for illumination. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying construction while enabling safety lighting features that respond to various vehicle activities.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting features are added to side-view mirrors, then visibility and safety are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the light-transmissive portions with the backplate structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate lighting assemblies and complex manufacturing processes. This integration reduces manufacturing steps and material requirements, lowering production costs while achieving effective illumination for enhanced visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential light-transmissive functionality from complex traditional lighting assemblies and integrates it directly into the backplate. This extraction approach eliminates unnecessary components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the visibility-enhancing lighting effect.
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are exposed in the mirror assembly, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmissive portions of the backplate serve as intermediaries that diffuse and distribute light from hidden sources. This intermediary structure provides effective illumination while maintaining a clean, unified mirror appearance, as the light appears to emanate from the backplate itself rather than from exposed bulbs or lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The backplate features localized light-transmissive portions positioned at specific areas where illumination is needed. This local quality approach provides targeted illumination effectiveness while maintaining the overall aesthetic integrity of the mirror assembly, as only specific regions of the backplate are translucent rather than the entire structure.
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 an economical and aesthetically pleasing lighting system that enhances safety and visibility by selectively illuminating light-transmissive areas around the mirror, improving safety and utility without revealing the light sources or lenses, thus simplifying construction and enhancing functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the backplate including at least one light-transmissive portion positioned proximate a peripheral edge of the reflective element; and one or more light sources disposed within the housing and operable to selectively illuminate the at least one light-transmissive portion so that the illumination is visible from outside the side-view mirror assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A side-view mirror assembly for a vehicle, the side-view mirror assembly comprising: a housing for securement to a side of a vehicle, the housing defining an internal cavity opening toward a rear of the housing; a mirror disposed in the internal cavity, the mirror comprising a reflective element substantially occupying and being visible through the opening of the housing, and the reflective element supported on a first surface of a backplate, the backplate including at least one light-transmissive portion positioned proximate a peripheral edge of the reflective element; and one or more light sources disposed within the housing and operable to selectively illuminate the at least one light-transmissive portion so that the illumination is visible from outside the side-view mirror assembly in an area defined between the peripheral edge of the reflective element and the opening of the housing.