Trailer Rearview Mirror Adjustment via Hitch Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for adjusting rear-view mirrors on vehicles towing trailers are inadequate, particularly when navigating curves or inclines, as they either rely on magnetic sensors prone to interference or only adjust for vertical turns, failing to provide an optimal viewing zone for drivers.
Innovation Solution
A system that estimates road curvature using available signals to determine a corrected viewing angle for rear-view mirrors, adjusting based on road curvature and hitch angle, and utilizing sensors and motors to automatically adjust the mirrors to ensure a clear view of the driver's surroundings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic field sensors are used to detect vehicle-trailer distance for mirror adjustment, then the rear viewing zone can be optimized during turns, but the system becomes vulnerable to interference from electrical devices in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary variable (hitch angle measured by rotary encoder) instead of directly measuring distance with magnetic sensors. The hitch angle serves as a mediator that indirectly provides the necessary information for mirror adjustment without being susceptible to electrical interference, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and electrical interference vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based sensing system with a mechanical sensing system using a rotary encoder to measure the hitch angle. This substitution eliminates the vulnerability to electrical interference while maintaining the ability to detect vehicle-trailer configuration changes for mirror adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing systems adjust mirrors based only on vehicle turning, then vertical turn compensation is provided, but adjustment is insufficient when traveling downhill or uphill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the universality of the mirror adjustment system by making it responsive to multiple types of vehicle movements: horizontal turns (via hitch angle changes) and vertical inclines/declines (via acceleration sensor data). This multi-functional capability ensures reliable viewing zone optimization across diverse driving conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If manual rear-view mirror adjustment is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but the rear viewing zone is fixed and limits driver visibility on changing road profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automatic mirror adjustment system that uses sensors (rotary encoder for hitch angle, acceleration sensor for incline/decline detection) and a processor to automatically calculate and adjust mirror angles based on real-time vehicle conditions. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment while maintaining system simplicity and reliability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and driver visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically correcting the viewing angle of a rear-view mirror on a vehicle towing a trailer when the vehicle is traveling around a curve. If the dimensions of the trailer are unknown, then the corrected viewing angle is the same as the hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer. If the dimensions of the trailer are known, then trigonometry is used to determine the corrected viewing angle. Depending on whether the road is curving to the right or to the left will determine whether the left side rear-view mirror or the right side rear-view mirror is adjusted.