Side Clearance Deflector Retraction for Door-Safe Camera Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side clearance systems in vehicles, such as mirrors and camera-based systems, face challenges in avoiding damage during door operation while maintaining visibility for the driver, particularly when transitioning between open and closed positions, which affects safety and vehicle maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A side clearance device with a movable deflector that changes configuration between extended and retracted positions, controlled by an actuator and electronic control unit, allowing the driver to safely exit and enter the vehicle without obstructing the camera's view, and adjusting based on door position and vehicle speed to minimize drag and fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the deflector is arranged in extended configuration to be visible from driving seat, then the driver can locate the second end of the wing, but the deflector may collide with the door during door operation
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is made movable between extended and retracted configurations through an actuator system. The electronic control unit automatically switches the deflector between these configurations based on door position detection, making the system dynamic rather than static to resolve the conflict between visibility and collision avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through door position detection (via sensors detecting door handle actuation or door position) that triggers the electronic control unit to automatically adjust the deflector configuration. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the deflector is in the correct configuration at the appropriate time
2Reliability
If the deflector is moved to retracted configuration to avoid door collision, then the deflector is protected, but the driver cannot check for oncoming vehicles when opening the door
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting door handle actuation before the door actually moves, and proactively switching the deflector to retracted configuration in advance. This preliminary switching prevents collision while the timing is optimized to maintain driver awareness of surroundings
3Reliability
If the wing is made movable between extended and retracted positions to avoid door collision, then the wing is protected, but the field of view of the camera is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the protective function from the viewing function by making only the deflector movable while keeping the wing and camera fixed. This segmentation allows the deflector to be switched for protection without affecting the camera's field of view, resolving the contradiction that would arise if the entire wing were made movable
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle (1) comprising:—a driver compartment (4) with driving seat (8),—a door pivotally mounted on a lateral frame along a door swept, the door comprising a lateral window,—a viewing system (25) comprising a wing (28) comprising a first end (28a) mounted on the lateral frame (19) and a second end (28b), and at least one camera (26) mounted on the wing (28) so as to acquire a lateral rear view of the vehicle (1),—a side clearance device (35) comprising a deflector (37) presenting an extended configuration in which said deflector (37) is directly visible from the driving seat (8) through the lateral window so as to enable a driver (9) to locate the second end (28b) of the wing (28), the deflector (37) being movable between the extended configuration and a retracted configuration in which the deflector (37) is arranged outside of the door swept.