Vehicle Visor Mirror Pivoting for Rear-Awareness at Open Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted mirrors do not provide a means for users standing near a door to view behind themselves when placing items in the vehicle, failing to address the need for awareness of approaching threats or assailants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted visor with a reflective surface and an audible alarm system, positioned adjacent to a door, allowing users to view behind them and alert others to potential threats by orienting the visor to reflect light and emit a sound when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional vanity mirror is mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, then it provides good illumination for makeup or checking appearance, but it fails to provide a means for users to view behind themselves when placing items in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is made pivotable at the door pillar location, allowing it to rotate between a first position facing the vehicle interior and a second position facing outward. This dynamic repositioning enables the same mirror structure to serve multiple functions: traditional vanity use when facing inward and safety monitoring when facing outward toward the rear
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be oriented to face the vehicle interior for traditional vanity use, or rotated to face outward to allow users to view behind themselves when placing items in the vehicle. The audible alarm system also serves dual purposes by functioning as both a safety alert device and an integration point with the vehicle's existing alarm system
2Reliability
If no safety monitoring system is installed, then the device complexity remains low, but users cannot identify approaching assailants or view behind themselves when accessing the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly acts as an intermediary between the user and the potential threat. By positioning the mirror at the door pillar and orienting it outward, it provides an indirect viewing path that allows users to monitor their surroundings without directly exposing themselves to potential assailants. The mirror serves as a safety intermediary that bridges the gap between user awareness and environmental monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the mirror assembly with the vehicle's existing audible alarm system. The alarm system is integrated into the mirror housing, combining two safety functions (visual monitoring via mirror and auditory alert via alarm) into a single unified device. This integration reduces the need for separate independent systems while enhancing overall safety functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror is positioned for traditional vanity use, then it provides good lighting and viewing for appearance checks, but it cannot provide awareness of the environment when the door is open
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is mounted on a pivot mechanism at the door pillar, enabling it to dynamically change orientation between facing the vehicle interior (vanity mode) and facing outward toward the rear (safety monitoring mode). This dynamic positioning capability allows rapid switching between functions without requiring the user to physically move or adjust complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror is pre-positioned at the door pillar location, which is strategically placed to provide optimal viewing angles for both vanity use and safety monitoring. The preliminary positioning at this specific location enables the mirror to naturally serve both functions without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or complex mounting arrangements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to safely view behind them while accessing the vehicle's interior and alerts others to potential threats, enhancing safety and awareness when loading items or seating passengers.
Implementation Method 1
A reflective material is coupled to the first surface of the visor and is configured to reflect light which strikes the reflective material
Data Source
AI summary
A safety mirror assembly for viewing behind oneself when placing items in a vehicle includes the vehicle, which has a plurality of doors for accessing an interior of the vehicle. A visor is mounted in a rear portion of the vehicle adjacent to one of the plurality of doors. A reflective material is mounted to the visor, and the visor is orientable such that a user may view behind the user via the reflective material when placing items in the interior of the vehicle near the adjacent door.