Rearview Mirror Camera Layout for Stable Driver Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular interior rearview mirrors do not effectively integrate driver monitoring systems, as the camera and infrared light emitters are fixed, limiting their field of view and adaptability to different driver positions and vehicle configurations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly with a driver monitoring camera and near infrared light emitter integrated into the mirror head, allowing adjustment with the mirror head to maintain a consistent viewing angle and illumination, utilizing a chin portion for improved visibility and reduced packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera and infrared light emitters are fixed in the mirror assembly, then the structure is simple, but the field of view and adaptability to different driver positions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The camera and infrared light emitter are mounted on the mirror head, allowing them to move together with the mirror head during adjustment. This dynamic configuration enables the monitoring system to adapt to different driver positions and maintain optimal viewing angles without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms for the camera and emitters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is positioned to view through the cover panel, then the field of view is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is integrated into the chin portion of the mirror head, merging the monitoring function with the existing mirror structure. The cover panel serves dual purposes as both a structural component and a viewing window for the camera, reducing the need for additional openings or complex mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is positioned in the chin portion at an oblique angle relative to the mirror reflective element, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement to achieve an optimal field of view through the cover panel without interfering with the mirror's primary reflective function.
3Ease of operation
If the mirror head is made adjustable for rearward view, then the ease of operation is improved, but the consistency of camera illumination and viewing angle is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The camera and infrared light emitter are rigidly mounted together on the mirror head, ensuring they move as a single unit during mirror adjustment. This maintains a fixed relative position between the camera and light source, preserving consistent illumination geometry and viewing angle across different mirror positions.
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 monitoring capabilities by maintaining a wide field of view and consistent illumination across various driver positions, supporting advanced driver assistance systems and occupant monitoring without significant mechanical changes to the mirror assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a near infrared light emitter is accommodated by the chin portion at a second side region of the chin portion that is opposite the first side region. The driver monitoring camera views through the cover panel, and the near infrared light emitter, when electrically operated to emit near infrared light, emits near infrared light that passes through the cover panel
Implementation Method 2
The mirror head accommodates a mirror reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly, a cabin monitoring camera accommodated by a mirror head of the mirror assembly, and a near infrared light source accommodated by the mirror head. The mirror head includes a chin portion disposed at a lower region of the mirror head. The chin portion of the mirror head accommodates a cover panel disposed below a lower edge region of the mirror reflective element. An outer surface of the cover panel is disposed at an oblique angle relative to an outer surface of the mirror reflective element at the lower region of the mirror head. The cabin monitoring camera is accommodated at a first side region of the chin portion, and the near infrared light source is accommodated at a second side region of the chin portion that is opposite the first side region.