Rearview Mirror Venting for Driver Monitoring Camera Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles do not effectively integrate camera and infrared light emitter components for driver monitoring systems, nor do they adequately manage the heat generated by these electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The interior rearview mirror assembly incorporates a camera and an infrared light emitter within the mirror head, which includes a heat sink and vents to dissipate heat generated by the electronic components, ensuring effective cooling and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera and infrared light emitter are integrated into the mirror head for driver monitoring, then driver monitoring capability is improved, but heat generation from electronic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is divided into functional zones: the mirror head containing optical components (camera, infrared emitter, variable reflectance mirror) and the mounting base containing electronic components (PCB, processor). This spatial segmentation allows heat-generating electronics to be separated from heat-sensitive optical components while maintaining functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat sink is introduced as an intermediary thermal management component between the heat-generating electronic components and the mirror head environment. The heat sink absorbs and dissipates heat away from the camera and infrared emitter, enabling their integration without thermal damage.
2Device complexity
If electronic components are housed within the mirror head, then device integration is improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The design utilizes the third dimension (depth) by extending the mounting base away from the mirror head to house electronic components. This dimensional arrangement allows integration of multiple components while maintaining adequate spacing for thermal management through the extended base structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the variable reflectance mirror is used to reduce glare, then driver comfort is improved, but additional electronic control requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The glare reduction function is merged with the driver monitoring system by integrating the variable reflectance mirror into the same mirror head housing. The mirror's electrochromic or liquid crystal technology allows automatic glare reduction while the integrated camera and processor enable driver monitoring, sharing common structural and control resources.
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 configuration allows for the integration of driver monitoring systems within the mirror assembly while effectively managing heat, ensuring reliable operation and improved thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink configured to draw heat away from the heat generating electronic components and out of the mirror head
Implementation Method 2
cooling airflow passes through the plurality of vents and along the heat sink to draw heat away from the PCB
Implementation Method 3
Reflectance of the variable reflectance mirror reflective element is adjusted responsive to an electrical current applied to the variable reflectance mirror reflective element
Implementation Method 4
A light emitter is accommodated by the mirror head and operable to emit near infrared (NIR) light. The light emitter, when electrically powered to emit light, emits NIR light that passes through the mirror reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. A PCB is accommodated by a mirror head and a heat generating electronic component is disposed at the PCB. A heat sink is thermally coupled with the PCB and, when the heat generating electronic component generates heat, the heat sink draws heat away from the PCB. A first plurality of vents are formed through a lower portion of the mirror casing and a second plurality of vents are formed through an upper portion of the mirror casing so that cooling airflow is drawn into the mirror head via the first plurality of vents formed through the lower portion and exits out of the mirror head via the second plurality of vents formed through the upper portion to draw heat away from the PCB and out of the mirror head.