Vehicular Rearview Assembly with Electro-Optic Glare Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rearview assemblies for vehicles lack effective solutions for minimizing glare and providing a comprehensive rearward field of view, particularly in addressing blind spots and glare issues during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A rearview assembly with a housing featuring an electro-optic device that includes a front and rear substrate with an electro-optic medium sealed between them, an imager adjacent to the device, and a viewing window on an outboard corner, allowing the imager to be in optical communication with the window, and a turn signal integrated into an external band, which can switch between darkened and clear states to manage glare and provide a blind spot indicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an electro-optic device is used to reduce glare, then driver comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the electro-optic device is housed within the housing along with the imager and turn signal components, creating a unified rearview assembly that reduces glare while providing blind spot detection and turn signal functionality through integrated components rather than separate units
Solution Approach 2:
The rearview assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: the electro-optic device reduces glare from rear lights, the imager detects blind spot vehicles, and the turn signal provides directional indication, all within a single assembly that serves as both a rearview mirror and a multi-functional safety system
2Reliability
If an imager is added to detect blind spots, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imager is integrated within the same housing as the electro-optic device and turn signal components, combining blind spot detection functionality with the existing rearview mirror structure rather than adding a completely separate detection system
Solution Approach 2:
The imager component serves dual purposes: it detects vehicles in blind spots for safety notifications while also potentially serving as part of the overall rearward visibility system, maximizing the utility of the added component
3Loss of information
If a viewing window is positioned on an outboard corner, then optical communication is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing window is specifically positioned at the outboard corner of the electro-optic device, creating a localized optical pathway that is optimized for receiving light from specific directions (rearward and lateral areas) while allowing the rest of the device to maintain standard manufacturing tolerances
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 assembly effectively reduces glare and enhances the driver's rearward visibility by automatically adjusting transmittance based on detected glare, while the integrated turn signal and imager provide notifications for blind spots, thereby improving safety during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
An electro-optic device disposed within the housing, the electro-optic device operable between a darkened state and a clear state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A rearview assembly includes a housing having a front defining an opening. An external band extends laterally about a rear of the housing. A turn signal is defined in the external band. An electro-optic device includes a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A peripheral seal contains the electro-optic medium between the front substrate and the rear substrate. An imager is adjacent the electro-optic device. A viewing window is disposed on an outboard corner of the electro-optic device. The imager is in optical communication with the viewing window.