Rearview Mirror Cooling via Airflow Recess and Heat Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rearview assemblies with display mirrors and processors often suffer from overheating, which can reduce performance and shorten the lifespan of the system, and existing cooling methods may not adequately manage heat in space-limited vehicle environments.
Innovation Solution
A rearview assembly with a housing that includes a recess for an air moving device to draw air from outside and cool the rearview device and processor, utilizing a combination of air flow and heat transfer components like heat pipes and radiators to efficiently dissipate heat, while also incorporating noise modulation to reduce noise levels based on vehicle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a traditional cooling system is used in the rearview assembly, then heat dissipation can be achieved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling system components (blower, heat sink, radiator) into an integrated assembly that is incorporated directly into the rearview mirror housing. This merging of functions allows the cooling system to operate effectively while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for vehicle dashboard installation, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rearview assembly serves multiple functions: it provides rearward visibility through the mirror, displays information through the LED board, processes data through the processor, and actively cools these components. By making the assembly universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated cooling devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
2Temperature
If cooling components are added to the housing, then heat management improves, but the available space within the housing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space within the housing efficiently by positioning cooling components such as the heat sink and radiator in vertically stacked arrangements and along the housing walls. The blower is positioned to create airflow paths that maximize cooling effectiveness while minimizing the volume occupied by cooling components, allowing adequate space for other housing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system components are nested within the housing structure in a space-efficient manner. The heat sink is positioned adjacent to the processor, the radiator is integrated into the housing walls, and the blower is positioned to utilize existing housing cavities. This nesting arrangement allows the cooling system to occupy minimal space while maintaining effective heat management.
3Temperature
If the blower operates at high speed to maximize cooling, then heat dissipation improves, but noise levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blower speed is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust based on operational requirements. The system can operate at lower speeds during normal conditions to minimize noise, and increase to higher speeds when maximum cooling is required. This dynamic operation resolves the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and noise level by providing variable performance based on actual thermal demands.
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 solution effectively prevents overheating, enhances the performance and longevity of the rearview assembly, maintains comfortable external temperatures for user handling, and adjusts cooling and noise output based on vehicle speed and ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An air moving device is operably coupled with the housing and is configured to draw air from an area exterior to the housing into the recess, thereby cooling at least one of the rearview device and the processor
Implementation Method 2
draw air from an area exterior to the housing to a radiator configured to cool the processor and LED board
Data Source
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AI summary
A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device and a processor. A housing supports the rearview device and the processor. The housing defines a recess therein. An air moving device is operably coupled with the housing and is configured to draw air from an area exterior to the housing into the recess, thereby cooling at least one of the rearview device and the processor.