Telescoping Rearview Camera Assembly for Towing Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side rearview vision systems for vehicles, particularly those towing wide trailers or loads, face limitations in visibility due to the restricted range of conventional side mirrors, necessitating enhanced camera systems that can adjust to provide a wider field of view around towed vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A side rearview vision system comprising a base secured to the vehicle, a pivotally connected support arm, and a telescoping positioning arm with a camera attached to its distal end, allowing the camera to change orientation and position relative to the support arm, enabling extended, retracted, and folded configurations to capture images around the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional side mirrors are used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the visibility range is insufficient when towing wide vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror reflection system with an electronic camera-based imaging system. The camera captures images that are displayed on a screen mounted in the vehicle, substituting the optical reflection mechanism with electronic capture and display, thereby achieving extended visibility without the mechanical complexity of adjustable mirrors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the rearward scene by using a camera to capture images and displaying them on a screen. This allows the driver to see areas that are not directly visible, effectively copying the visual information from hard-to-see locations and presenting it in the driver's field of view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telescoping mirrors are used to extend visibility, then the field of view improves, but the device complexity and adjustment mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for telescoping mechanical structures by using a stationary camera positioned to capture rearward views. The camera is mounted in a fixed location but captures images that are then electronically presented to the driver, removing the need for mechanical extension mechanisms while maintaining enhanced visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a screen display as an intermediary between the camera and the driver. The camera captures images from hard-to-see areas, and the screen presents these images to the driver in a convenient viewing location, acting as a mediator that transfers visual information without requiring mechanical adjustment of the camera or mirror position.
3Ease of manufacture
If cameras are mounted in fixed positions, then the installation is simple, but the ability to adjust for different towing configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the camera system through motors that enable the camera to pivot and rotate. This allows the camera to be positioned at different angles and orientations to capture images from various directions, adapting to different towing configurations while maintaining a relatively simple fixed mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional camera system that can capture images from multiple directions and perspectives by incorporating motorized adjustment capabilities. The same camera unit can be positioned to view different areas around the vehicle depending on the towing configuration, making the system universally applicable to various scenarios without requiring multiple fixed cameras.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a side rearview vision assembly (10) for a vehicle (12) comprising: a base (14) fixedly secured to the vehicle (12); a support arm (16)secured to said base (14); a positioning arm (24) secured to said support arm (16) and movable with respect to said support arm (16), said positioning arm (24) defining a distal end (26); an image generating device comprising at least one camera (20) attached to said distal end (26) of said positioning arm (24) such that said camera (20) moves with said positioning arm (24) as said positioning arm (24) moves relative to said support arm (16), said camera (20) being configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle (12); and a camera motor (102) operatively connected to said camera (20) to change position, in particular orientation, of said camera (20) with respect to said distal end (26) of said positioning arm (24). It also refers to a vehicle (12) with at least one such side rearview vision assembly.