Commercial Vehicle Display Device Replacing Mirrors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial vehicle drivers face difficulties in maintaining a complete and uninterrupted view of accident-critical areas due to the complexity and obstruction caused by multiple mirrors, which also increase fuel consumption by affecting airflow.

Innovation Solution

A display device that replaces conventional mirrors with a single display unit in the driver's cab, allowing for continuous, uninterrupted viewing of legally prescribed fields of vision, enabling the simultaneous display of multiple fields of view in a common representation, and providing additional information like trailer edges, to enhance visibility and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple conventional mirrors are used to display legally prescribed fields of vision, then the driver can view required areas, but the device complexity increases and fuel consumption rises due to unfavorable flow behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of legally prescribed fields of visionVSAvoidnumber of mirrors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fields of vision from different mirrors (main mirror, wide-angle mirror, close-up mirror, and front mirror) into a single display unit. The control device receives images from multiple cameras positioned at different locations around the vehicle and merges them into one composite display, eliminating the need for multiple separate mirrors while maintaining complete visibility of all legally required areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cameras to capture optical images of the fields of vision and transmits these as electrical signals to a display unit. Instead of using physical mirrors to reflect light, the system creates electronic copies of the visual fields and displays them on a screen, allowing the driver to view all required areas without the physical obstruction and flow disruption caused by multiple mirrors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If multiple conventional mirrors are installed to cover all required fields of vision, then the driver can see around the vehicle, but the mirrors obstruct the driver's direct view and increase fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of field of vision coverageVSAvoidobstruction of direct view and unfavorable flow behavior

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces physical mirrors with electronic image transmission. Cameras positioned around the vehicle capture images of the required fields of vision and transmit them to a display unit inside the cab. This eliminates the physical mirrors that obstruct the driver's direct view and create unfavorable airflow, while still providing complete coverage of all legally prescribed areas through the electronic display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an electronic imaging and display system. Instead of using reflective surfaces to redirect light, the system uses cameras to capture images and a display unit to present them to the driver. This substitution eliminates the physical obstruction caused by mirrors and their negative impact on vehicle aerodynamics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple mirrors are used to display different fields of vision, then the driver can monitor surrounding areas, but the driver's attention is divided and reaction time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of accident-critical areasVSAvoiddriver's reaction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all required fields of vision into a single integrated display. The control device receives images from multiple cameras covering different areas (main, wide-angle, close-up, and front views) and presents them together on one display unit. This allows the driver to monitor all accident-critical areas simultaneously without dividing attention between multiple separate mirrors, thereby reducing reaction time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If conventional mirrors are used to display fields of vision, then the driver can see around the vehicle, but the mirrors have unfavorable effect on flow behavior increasing fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of areas around the vehicleVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an electronic imaging system using cameras and display units. This substitution eliminates the physical mirrors that create unfavorable airflow and increase fuel consumption, while maintaining complete visibility of all required areas around the vehicle through electronic image transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2484558B1Display device for fields of vision of a commercial vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.07.01 MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

A display device (100) for legally prescribed fields of vision (210, 220, 230, 235, 240, 250) of a commercial vehicle in a driver's cab of the commercial vehicle includes at least one display unit (110), wherein the display device (100) is adapted to permanently and in real time display at least two of the legally prescribed fields of vision (210, 220, 230, 235, 240, 250) on the display unit (110) in the driver's cab, wherein the two fields of vision (210, 220, 230, 235, 240, 250) are shown in a common display.