Planar Lighting Mirror with Nano-Patterns for Blind Spot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar lighting mirrors for blind spot detection in automobiles suffer from reduced visibility due to permanent markings on the reflection surface, which occupy mirror space and impair rear vehicle visibility when not flashing.
Innovation Solution
A planar lighting mirror with nano-patterns formed on the glass surface and a metal-coated layer, where a light source is used to emit light only from the nano-patterned area, maintaining reflective functionality and adjustable transmittance, and applied in automobile side mirrors for blind spot detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specific mark is etched on the mirror surface to indicate blind spot presence, then the driver can be notified of vehicles in blind spots, but the mark occupies mirror surface area and reduces the viewable area for rear vehicle visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the blind spot notification from the mirror surface (2D plane) to the space behind the mirror by using a light source that illuminates through the glass substrate. The nano-patterns are formed on the rear surface of the glass rather than etching the front reflective surface, allowing light to pass through and create visible indicators without occupying mirror viewable area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nano-patterns (nanoholes or nanopillars) formed on the glass surface to control light transmission. These nano-structures allow selective light passage - enabling the specific mark to be illuminated when needed while maintaining the overall transparency and reflectivity of the mirror glass. The nano-patterns create optical effects that allow the mark to appear only when illuminated by the blind spot detection light source.
2Reliability
If a specific mark is made visible on the mirror surface for blind spot indication, then the driver can identify blind spot presence, but the mark remains visible when not flashing and reduces mirror visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic illumination of the specific mark through the blind spot detection system. The light source is activated only when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, causing the specific mark to illuminate periodically or continuously only during detection events. When no vehicle is present, the light source remains off and the mark is not visible, thus preventing interference with normal mirror visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a light source that emits light at specific wavelengths to illuminate the specific mark. The mark can be made visible through color or brightness changes when illuminated by the light source, allowing it to stand out from the mirror surface only when needed. The optical properties of the nano-patterned glass enable selective light transmission that makes the mark visible only under active illumination conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If light is incident from the rear surface to illuminate a specific mark, then the mark can be made visible, but the mark does not disappear when not flashing and permanently occupies mirror surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the specific mark's visibility is controlled by the blind spot detection light source. The mark transitions between visible and invisible states based on whether a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. This dynamic control allows the mark to occupy minimal effective surface area by being invisible most of the time and only appearing when required for safety notification.
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
Enhances driver safety by providing a visible indicator for blind spots without compromising mirror visibility or transmittance, allowing for various color emissions and information display.
Implementation Method 1
a metal coated layer disposed on one surface of the planar lighting glass to reflect the light from the light source to a non-coating surface of the planar lighting glass
Implementation Method 2
a planar lighting glass with nano-patterns formed on an entire surface or a specific local surface thereof; where nano-patterns have a smaller size than a wavelength of visible-rays
Data Source
AI summary
A planar lighting mirror in which nano-patterns are formed on an entirety or at a specific local area of a mirror surface of a mirror glass and a light source is disposed around the nano-patterns to be used like a mirror in normal operation. In particular, when the light source is activated, the entirety or the specific local area of the mirror surface with the nano-patterns formed thereon planarly emits light from the light source which flows into the side of the mirror glass so as not to deteriorate a mirrors reflective functions.