Rear View System Blind Spot Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicles without a rear window face challenges in obtaining a comprehensive view of the area behind them, leading to blind spots and difficulties in reversing and loading/unloading, as existing mirror systems provide an insufficient indirect view and distort distances.
Innovation Solution
A rear area vision system that uses a recording unit to capture a cone of vision, including blind spots, and displays a modified image with a virtual vehicle reference, simulating an unobstructed view, allowing the driver to understand the perspective and orientation, similar to an interior mirror, using cameras or image sensors and image processing to overlay vehicle references.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If exterior mirrors are used to provide indirect view of the area behind the vehicle, then the driver can see the rear area, but blind spots remain and distance estimation is distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an optical system consisting of cameras and display screens. This substitution eliminates the inherent distortion and blind spot problems of mirrors while providing a comprehensive rear view with accurate distance representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the rear area through camera imaging and displays it on screens positioned in the driver's field of view. This copying approach allows the driver to see the entire rear area including blind spots without the distortion issues of mirror reflections.
2Loss of information
If a rear window is provided for direct view, then the driver can see the area behind the vehicle clearly, but the vehicle design becomes less suitable for commercial vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the physical rear window structure with an electronic vision system using cameras and displays. This allows commercial vehicles to maintain their cargo box design while achieving clear rear view capability equivalent to or better than a traditional rear window.
3Loss of information
If the driver needs to turn around for direct view, then the driver can see the rear area clearly, but the driver's position and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces display screens as intermediaries between the rear area and the driver's eyes. These screens are positioned in the driver's field of view, allowing the driver to monitor the rear area without turning around, thus maintaining both view clarity and driver safety.
4Loss of information
If exterior mirrors are positioned to maximize view, then the blind spot coverage is improved, but the image distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the distorted mirror imaging system with camera-based optical imaging. Cameras positioned strategically capture accurate images of blind spot areas and display them without the geometric distortion inherent in curved or angled mirror surfaces.
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
Enables the driver to perceive the area behind the vehicle comprehensively, facilitating safe reversing and loading/unloading by providing a natural and intuitive visual representation, reducing blind spots and improving distance estimation.
Implementation Method 1
a recording unit for recording a cone of vision for at least part of an area behind the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a rear-view vision system for a vehicle with a recording unit (52) for recording a vision cone for at least part of an area (20) located behind the vehicle, a display unit for reproducing the image generated by the recording unit (52), which displays an image visible to the driver of the vehicle, wherein the system is adapted such that the image generated by the recording unit (52) is an image of a virtual vision cone (17) that is generated from the image of the recorded vision cone, which is modified before being displayed by the display unit in such a way that at least one vehicle reference is present in the displayed image.