Telescoping Rearview Mirror Camera Lens Wiping System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side view mirrors with integrated cameras face issues with dust, dirt, and grime entering the housing, soiling the camera lenses, which affects driver visibility, especially when the mirrors telescope.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping side mirror assembly with a stationary camera and a housing maintenance system that includes a flexible track to cover the camera lens aperture and a lens cleaning system with a wiper element and washer fluid dispensing mechanism, ensuring the camera remains clear and functional across all telescoping positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror head telescopes to provide extended viewing range, then the driver's visibility around towed vehicles is improved, but dust and dirt enter the housing and soil the camera lens
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cover member is introduced as an intermediary element between the camera lens and the external environment. This cover member moves with the telescoping mirror head, maintaining coverage of the lens aperture while allowing the mirror to extend and retract. The cover acts as a mediator that protects the lens from dust and dirt contamination during the telescoping operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera lens protection function is extracted from the main mirror housing structure and implemented as a separate, movable cover member. This allows the lens to be protected independently from the mirror's telescoping motion, enabling the mirror to extend for improved viewing range while the cover continuously protects the lens from environmental contaminants.
2Area of stationary object
If the camera is integrated into the telescoping mirror housing, then the system provides both mirror and camera functions, but the lens becomes exposed to environmental debris during telescoping
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed to be dynamic, moving in coordination with the telescoping mirror head. As the mirror extends or retracts, the cover member相应地 moves to maintain coverage of the lens aperture. This dynamic protection system ensures the lens remains protected from debris while allowing the camera to capture images across the full range of mirror positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover member serves as an intermediary barrier between the camera lens and the external environment. It allows the lens to maintain its field of view while protecting it from dust, dirt, and grime that would otherwise contaminate the lens during telescoping operations.
3Ease of operation
If the mirror head extends to see around wide towed vehicles, then peripheral visibility is enhanced, but the aperture becomes more exposed to dust and grime
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover member acts as a moving intermediary that follows the mirror head's telescoping motion. It maintains continuous coverage of the lens aperture regardless of whether the mirror is retracted or extended, thereby protecting the optical path while allowing the driver to benefit from enhanced peripheral visibility around wide towed vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible cover member is used to protect the camera lens aperture. The flexibility of this cover allows it to accommodate the telescoping motion of the mirror head while maintaining protection against dust, dirt, and grime. The thin film or shell structure follows the mirror's movement without compromising the lens coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear-view side mirror assembly includes a base for attachment to a vehicle, one or more support arms extending from the base, and a mirror head attached to the support arm and configured for telescoping movement along the support arm. A camera is fixedly attached to the support arm so as to remain stationary relative to the mirror base and vehicle as the mirror head telescopes inward and outward. An elongated aperture in the mirror head housing ensures that the camera lens is not occluded as the mirror head telescopes between a retracted position and an extended position. A lens cleaning system is adapted to wipe the lens clean each time the housing telescopes between inboard and outboard positions.