Rearview Mirror Illuminated Display Light Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rearview mirrors with display units behind the mirror glass can irritate or impair other traffic partners due to light emission, and require complex systems with large installation volumes for illuminating large display surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A rearview mirror design where light exiting from the mirror glass is directed towards the driver through a reflection-free portion, using a light conductor with deflection optics and a filter foil to ensure only the driver receives the light, while maintaining a simple configuration and avoiding irritation of other traffic partners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If light is emitted through the mirror glass to display information, then the driver can receive optical information, but other traffic partners may be irritated or impaired by the light
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror glass is treated differently in different areas: the display area has removed reflective coating to allow light transmission, while the surrounding areas maintain reflective coating. This local differentiation enables selective light transmission only where needed for display, preventing light from reaching other traffic partners through reflective areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A light conductor with deflection optics acts as an intermediary between the light source and the mirror glass. The light conductor receives light from the illuminant, guides it through its structure, and emits it at a predetermined angle through the display area of the mirror glass, ensuring directional control of light transmission.
2Area of stationary object
If a large display surface is illuminated, then optical information is clearly visible to the driver, but the installation volume for the required optics increases many times
Solution Approach 1:
The light conductor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the light guide and the structural element that provides deflection optics. The same component that transports light also contains the reflective or refractive surfaces that direct light at the predetermined angle, eliminating the need for separate optics assemblies and reducing overall installation volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light conductor, deflection optics, and display area into an integrated structure. The light conductor is positioned directly behind the mirror glass with its emission surface aligned to the display area, merging multiple optical components into a compact unified system that achieves large display surface area without proportionally increasing installation volume.
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 directs light only to the driver, preventing irritation of other traffic partners and achieving a large emission surface with reduced installation volume, while maintaining a flat and simple configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a light conductor (11), which is provided with a reflector side (15) and decoupling optics (18), by means of which the light beam is directed outward
Implementation Method 2
The light conductor is advantageously configured, so that a relatively large emission surface for the display is achieved by multiple deflections of the light
Data Source
AI summary
The rearview mirror comprises a mirror glass, which is mounted to a carrier plate. A display unit is disposed behind the mirror glass and the carrier plate, which generates a light beam by means of an illuminant, wherein said light beam is coupled into a light conductor. The light beam is directed outward by means of a reflection free portion of the mirror glass, so that light passing through is directed towards the driver by means of the deflection optics.