Semitransparent Mirror Signaling Assembly for Vehicle Side-Marker Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signaling assemblies for overland vehicles are not compliant with European and Japanese market regulations, as they cannot replace the side-marker light while meeting the required light intensity and angle visibility standards due to space constraints in mirror housing enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A signaling assembly featuring a semitransparent mirror with a reflective coating and a focusing optic within a mirror housing, allowing visible light to pass through an aperture and be redirected to be visible at angles of up to 60 degrees relative to the vehicle's side, while maintaining a compact design to fit within limited internal spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional signaling assembly is used, then the basic signaling function is provided, but the assembly cannot meet European and Japanese market regulations requiring visibility at 60 degrees angle and sufficient light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redirects light from a forward-facing emitter through a semitransparent mirror and focusing optic to achieve lateral visibility at 60 degrees angle. This dimensional redirection of light propagation satisfies regulatory requirements for side-marker visibility without requiring the emitter to be physically positioned on the vehicle side.
Solution Approach 2:
The semitransparent mirror acts as an intermediary optical element that allows light to pass through while also being reflected by the reflective coating. This intermediary component enables the light to reach lateral viewing angles while maintaining the compact mirror housing enclosure design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the signaling assembly is designed to emit light at shallow angles for regulatory compliance, then visibility at 60 degrees is achieved, but the internal space requirements increase beyond available mirror housing enclosure space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signaling assembly with the exterior mirror housing, utilizing the existing mirror cavity space. The emitter, semitransparent mirror, and focusing optic are integrated within the same enclosure that already houses the mirror, eliminating the need for separate signaling assembly space and fitting within limited internal spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling components (emitter, semitransparent mirror, focusing optic) are nested within the existing mirror housing enclosure. The semitransparent mirror is positioned within the mirror cavity, and the focusing optic is integrated into the housing structure, maximizing space utilization within the confined internal volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a semitransparent mirror with reflective coating is used, then light can be redirected to achieve lateral visibility, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semitransparent mirror with selective reflective coating serves multiple functions: it allows light to pass through for forward visibility, reflects light at specific angles for lateral visibility at 60 degrees, and maintains the optical path within the compact mirror housing. This multi-functional component reduces the need for additional separate optical elements.
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 enables the signaling assembly to meet regulatory requirements by providing sufficient light intensity and visibility at the necessary angles, functioning as both a signaling assembly and a side-marker light, thus complying with European and Japanese laws.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective coating is applied to the rearward facing surface of the semitransparent mirror, and wherein a portion of the reflective coating is removed to define an aperture which allows visible light to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a semitransparent mirror mounted on the mirror housing and which has a forward facing, and an opposite, rearward facing surface
Implementation Method 3
a focusing optic mounted in the exterior mirror housing and juxtaposed relative to the rearward facing surface of the semitransparent mirror
Implementation Method 4
a focusing optic made integral with the signaling housing and which is further positioned in partially occluding relation relative to the aperture defined by the signaling housing, and wherein the focusing optic reflects, at least in part, the emitted visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A signaling assembly for use on an overland vehicle is shown and described, and which includes an exterior mirror housing defining an internal cavity, and which is mounted on a side of the overland vehicle; a semitransparent mirror having forward and rearward facing surfaces, and which is mounted on the mirror housing; a focusing optic mounted in the exterior mirror housing and juxtaposed relative to the rearward facing surface of the semitransparent mirror; and an emitter of visible light mounted in the internal cavity of the exterior mirror housing and juxtaposed relative to the focusing optic, and which further, when energized, emits visible light which passes through the semitransparent mirror, and which can be seen at an angle which is about 60 degrees relative to the side of the overland vehicle.