Side Mirror Folding Control Near Obstacles and Approaching Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side mirrors on vehicles protrude, causing hindrances and potential damage due to collisions, and existing automatic folding systems do not effectively manage folding/unfolding based on proximity to obstacles, especially when a user approaches the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A control device that includes a communicator, processor, and obstacle detector to assess distances and control side mirrors' folding/unfolding states based on reference distances from both the user and obstacles, ensuring the mirrors remain folded when proximity to obstacles exceeds safety thresholds, even when a user is approaching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If side mirrors are kept unfolded to provide good rear visibility, then visibility is improved, but the risk of collision damage and hindrance to pedestrians increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side mirror automatically changes its state between unfolded and folded positions based on detected conditions (user proximity, obstacles). The processor controls the side mirror to switch between unfolded state for visibility and folded state for safety, making the system dynamic rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses obstacle detectors and user proximity detectors to continuously monitor the environment, and the processor receives this feedback to automatically control the side mirror's folding/unfolding state, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time conditions
2Reliability
If side mirrors are automatically folded when user approaches to prevent damage, then safety is improved, but user convenience deteriorates when obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The processor receives feedback from both user proximity detectors and obstacle detectors to make intelligent decisions. When a user approaches, the system checks for obstacles before folding the mirror, ensuring both safety and convenience by only folding when truly safe to do so
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter (folding threshold) based on obstacle detection results. When obstacles are detected, the folding action is prevented even if user proximity triggers the folding condition, effectively changing the operational parameters dynamically
3Object-affected harmful factors
If side mirrors are folded to reduce protrusion and prevent collision, then damage risk is reduced, but visibility and user convenience are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side mirror system dynamically switches between folded and unfolded states based on real-time detection of user proximity and obstacles. The mirror is folded to reduce collision risk when users approach, but automatically unfolds when users need to exit, optimizing both safety and visibility at different times
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary folding action when users approach the vehicle to prevent collision damage before it can occur. This preliminary protective action is taken in advance, and the mirror can be quickly unfolded when the user needs to exit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle convenience equipment includes a communicator configured to communicate with an obstacle detector and an external device, and a processor communicatively connected to the communicator and configured to obtain distance information with the external device during communication with the external device, determine whether a side obstacle exists based on obstacle information detected by the obstacle detector, obtain distance information with the side obstacle upon concluding that the side obstacle exists, control a side mirror in a folded state to an unfolded state thereof or to maintain the folded state thereof based on the distance information with the external device and the distance information with the side obstacle.