Pivotable Vehicle Mirror with Gesture Sensor for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driver assistance systems in vehicles do not effectively address the issue of glare from following vehicles, which can impair a driver's reaction time and safety, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable interior mirror with a sensor device for light propagation time measurement and a pivoting device that automatically adjusts the mirror from a normal position to a dimming position based on detected driver gestures or lighting conditions, using shape memory actuators and sensors to reduce glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the interior mirror is kept in a fixed normal position, then the driver has a clear view of the rear, but the driver is exposed to glare from following vehicles in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device detects lighting conditions and driver gestures in advance to trigger automatic mirror pivoting before the driver would need to manually adjust. The system proactively pivots the mirror to a dimming position when glare is detected, eliminating the need for reactive manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior mirror system performs self-adjustment through automatic pivoting based on sensor input. The mirror autonomously transitions between normal and dimming positions without requiring driver intervention, making the system serve itself rather than requiring external manual control.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment of the mirror is required, then the driver can control the mirror position, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors detect gestures and lighting conditions, then automatically actuate the mirror pivoting mechanism, substituting the driver's manual mechanical adjustment action with an automated sensing-actuation system that maintains driver focus on the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device acts as an intermediary between the driver's gesture and the mirror's movement. Instead of direct manual manipulation, the driver makes a gesture that the sensor detects and translates into automatic mirror pivoting, providing a safe indirect control mechanism that doesn't require visual attention.
3Reliability
If automatic sensor-based control is implemented, then driver safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device performs multiple functions: detecting lighting conditions, detecting driver gestures, and triggering appropriate mirror positions. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety features.
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 allows for easy and safe reduction of glare, enabling drivers to maintain focus and safety by automatically adjusting the mirror with gesture control, reducing the risk of accidents caused by dazzling effects from following vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
sensor device suitable for a light propagation time measurement for sensing at least one gesture of a driver of the vehicle and/or light incident on the first surface of the wedge mirror
Implementation Method 2
at least one shape memory actuator with which the mirror surface can be moved from the normal position into the dimming position
Data Source
AI summary
A pivotable interior mirror for a vehicle includes a mirror surface, for example in the form of a first surface of a wedge mirror, a sensor device suitable for a light propagation-time measurement, for sensing at least one gesture of a driver of the vehicle and/or light incident on the first surface of the wedge mirror, and a pivoting device for pivoting the mirror surface from a normal position into at least one dimming position, in which blinding of the driver by light reflected at the mirror surface is reduced, wherein the pivoting device can be activated in dependence on at least one output signal of the sensor device. Further, a vehicle may include such an interior mirror and a method for using such an interior mirror is described.