Vehicle Mirror Sensor Signaling Over Power Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing settable units for vehicles, such as adjustable exterior mirrors, require multiple electric current conductors for powering function holders, which increases the diameter of the adjustment shaft and is aerodynamically disadvantageous, and lacks efficient means to detect the unit's state and communicate with the driver or onboard systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor to detect the state of the settable unit, a function holder driven by electric supply current, an electric current conductor, a switch in series with the function holder, and a delay circuit to control the switch's conductivity after voltage rise, allowing sensor results to be signaled through the current conductor, reducing the need for additional conductors and enabling communication without extra wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electric current conductors are used to power function holders in the settable unit, then the function holders can operate reliably, but the diameter of the adjustment shaft increases and aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor signal transmission function with the existing power supply current conductor. The sensor result is coupled to the current conductor, allowing the same conductor to serve dual purposes: delivering power to function holders and transmitting sensor information to the control circuit. This eliminates the need for separate signal conductors, reducing the overall conductor bundle size and improving aerodynamics while maintaining reliable function holder operation.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is added to detect the state of the settable unit, then state detection capability is improved, but the number of conductors and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the power supply current conductor to also serve as a signal transmission medium. The control circuit measures the electrical properties (such as impedance, capacitance, or resonance frequency) of the current conductor to detect sensor states. This allows the same conductor to perform both power delivery and state detection functions, avoiding the need for additional dedicated signal conductors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The current conductor acts as an intermediary element that carries both power and sensor information. By coupling the sensor result to the current conductor and using the conductor's electrical properties as a communication channel, the patent creates an efficient intermediary mechanism that transmits state information without requiring separate wiring, thus reducing complexity while improving measurement capability.
3Speed
If the switch is made conductive immediately after voltage rise, then the function holder starts operating quickly, but the sensor result cannot be signaled through the current conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a delay in switching on the function holder after voltage rise. The control circuit waits for a predetermined time interval after detecting voltage rise before making the switch conductive. This delay allows the sensor result to be properly signaled through the current conductor during the initial voltage establishment phase, ensuring information is transmitted before power is fully applied to the function holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the delayed switching mechanism. The system operates in phases: first, the voltage rises and the sensor result is signaled during an initial period; then, after a predetermined delay, the switch becomes conductive and the function holder operates in a subsequent period. This periodic operation ensures that sensor information is communicated at the appropriate time before full power delivery, preventing information loss while maintaining functional response.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable exterior mirror on a vehicle, or another kind of settable unit for installation in or on the vehicle, signals a sensor signal via the current through the current conductors for the supply current of a motor, heating or other function holder in the vision unit. In response to external switching-on of a supply voltage between the current conductors, for example from the vehicle, an aspect of the current is sensor-dependently controlled from the settable unit. In the vehicle, the aspect of the current through at least one of the current conductors is measured during a delay time interval after switching-on of the supply voltage to read out the sensor result.