Automotive Rearview Mirror Control System for Blind Spot Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive side rearview mirrors create blind spots during vehicle maneuvers like lane changes and turns, limiting the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A control system that automatically adjusts the rear viewing angle of side rearview mirrors based on input signals from vehicle speed, yaw rate, hand-wheel angle, turn signals, GPS, and map information to pivot the mirrors and eliminate blind spots during specific driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rear viewing zone of side rearview mirrors is fixed to provide an optimum rear viewing angle, then the driver can see clearly during normal driving, but blind spots appear during vehicle maneuvers such as lane changes and turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rearview mirror adjustable and movable rather than fixed. The mirror can dynamically change its viewing angle based on detected maneuvering conditions (turning, lane changes, merging) to eliminate blind spots while maintaining optimal viewing during normal driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viewing angle parameter of the rearview mirror based on vehicle operating conditions. By detecting maneuvers through sensors and GPS data, the system adjusts the mirror's angle parameter to provide appropriate visibility for each driving scenario, resolving the contradiction between fixed optimal viewing and adaptability to maneuvers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rearview mirror is adjusted to eliminate blind spots during maneuvers, then visibility during maneuvers improves, but the mirror may not provide optimal rear viewing angle during normal driving
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (hand-wheel angle sensor, GPS receiver, map information) to detect vehicle maneuvers and automatically adjusts the mirror position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the mirror provides optimal viewing angles for both normal driving and maneuvering conditions without requiring manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of maneuvering conditions using sensors and GPS data before the maneuver fully occurs, allowing the mirror to be pre-adjusted to the appropriate angle. This preliminary action ensures optimal visibility is maintained throughout the maneuver rather than reacting after the blind spot has already formed.
3Reliability
If manual adjustment of the rearview mirror is required to eliminate blind spots, then visibility can be improved, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting vehicle maneuvers through sensors and GPS data, then automatically adjusting the mirror position without requiring driver intervention. This eliminates the need for the driver to manually adjust the mirror, maintaining visibility reliability while preserving driver attention on the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect maneuvering conditions and electronically control the mirror actuator to adjust the mirror position, substituting the mechanical manual adjustment with an automated electromechanical system that improves ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A side rearview mirror control system for a vehicle that automatically changes a rear viewing angle of a side rearview mirror. The control system receives various vehicle inputs to determine if and when a vehicle operator will turn the vehicle, make a lane change, merge into a lane of traffic, etc. The system pivots the mirror to eliminate a potential blind spot during these conditions. In one embodiment, the rear view mirror control system receives input signals from a vehicle hand-wheel angle sensor, a vehicle yaw rate sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a turn signal indicator, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and map information to determine whether the vehicle is turning or will be turning.