Rearview Mirror DMS Assembly With Heat-Sink Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driver monitoring systems in vehicles face challenges in integrating full DMS capability covertly within the mirror head, including thermal management issues due to extensive data processing, which can impair electronic performance and comfort for drivers.
Innovation Solution
The One-Box Interior DMS Rearview Mirror Assembly incorporates a heat-sink/chassis to absorb and spread heat generated by DMS electronics, along with a data processing chip running DMS software, to mitigate thermal issues and maintain electronic performance while ensuring driver comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If driver monitoring system electronics are integrated within the mirror head, then full DMS capability is achieved, but thermal management issues arise due to extensive data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat-generating data processing functions from the mirror head assembly and relocates them to a separate control unit or module. This separation removes the thermal burden from the mirror head while preserving the full DMS capability, allowing the mirror assembly to remain cool to the touch during operation.
2Productivity
If extensive data processing is performed within the mirror head, then full DMS functionality is achieved, but electronic performance may be impaired due to thermal issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the mirror head assembly for optical functions and the separate control unit for data processing. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its optimal thermal range, ensuring that extensive data processing occurs in a thermally managed environment while the mirror head remains unaffected by heat generation.
3Device complexity
If DMS electronics are integrated in the mirror head, then covert monitoring is achieved, but driver comfort is reduced due to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary thermal management system or heat dissipation mechanism is introduced between the data processing electronics and the mirror head structure. This intermediary component allows the electronics to perform extensive processing while preventing heat transfer to the mirror head surfaces that contact the driver, thus maintaining driver comfort despite high-level integration.
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
This solution effectively manages heat generated by DMS electronics, maintaining the performance and safety of the mirror head's electronics while reducing the touch temperature and ensuring the system operates within safe thermal limits, enhancing both functionality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
incorporates a heat-sink/chassis to absorb and spread heat generated by DMS electronics
Implementation Method 2
absorb and spread heat generated by DMS electronics
Implementation Method 3
one or more near infrared (near-IR) light-emitting light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be disposed in the mirror head
Implementation Method 4
emit near infrared light to illuminate the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head accommodating an interior mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element has a mirror transflector that transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon and reflects visible light incident thereon. A camera is disposed within the mirror head and views through the mirror transflector. The camera includes an imaging sensor having a quantum efficiency (QE) of at least 15% for near infrared light having a wavelength of 940 nm. First, second and third near infrared illumination sources are disposed within the mirror head and operable to emit near infrared light that passes through the mirror transflector. The near infrared illumination sources are at respective locations at the mirror reflective element and, when powered, illuminate respective seat regions for a driver-monitoring function or an occupant-detection function.