Visor-Mounted Navigation Display With Reflective Viewing Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation devices require drivers to take their eyes off the road to view navigation imagery, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A navigation device with a display unit attachable to a vehicle visor, featuring a first panel extending downwardly and a second panel hingedly coupled, which projects and reflects imagery to allow the driver to view it without looking away from the road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the navigation display is positioned in a conventional location (e.g., dashboard or windshield), then the driver can view the navigation imagery, but the driver must take their eyes off the road, reducing driving safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the display unit in the third dimension by mounting it on the rearview mirror assembly, utilizing vertical space above the dashboard. This elevates the display to the driver's peripheral vision zone, allowing navigation information to be viewed without shifting eye focus from the road, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mirror assembly as an intermediary carrier for the display unit. This intermediary structure allows the display to be positioned in an optimal location (above the rearview mirror) that provides both safe viewing angles and clear visibility of navigation imagery without obstructing the driver's forward view
2Reliability
If the display unit is mounted on the rearview mirror assembly, then the driver can view navigation imagery in their peripheral vision, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the rearview mirror assembly multi-functional by integrating both its traditional function (providing rearward visibility) and a new function (supporting the navigation display unit). This eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while achieving safe peripheral viewing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the display unit mounting function with the existing rearview mirror assembly structure. By combining these two elements, the patent avoids adding complex separate mounting mechanisms while achieving the safety benefit of peripheral vision display
3Ease of operation
If the display panel is positioned directly in the driver's line of sight, then the navigation imagery is easily visible, but the driver must divert their attention from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vertical dimension of display positioning by mounting it above the rearview mirror, placing the display in the driver's upper peripheral vision field. This dimensional repositioning allows navigation imagery to be visible without requiring the driver to shift their gaze from the road, resolving the contradiction between ease of viewing and driving safety
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 drivers to safely view navigation information by reflecting imagery onto a panel aligned with their line of sight, reducing the risk of accidents caused by diverting attention from the road.
Implementation Method 1
the second panel reflects the image onto the first panel
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation display assembly includes a display unit which has a pair of clamps that can releasably engage a visor in a vehicle to position the display unit in front of a driver of the vehicle. The display unit includes a first panel extending downwardly from the display unit and a second panel hingedly coupled to the display unit. The second panel is positionable at an adjustable angle with respect to the first panel and the display unit projects an image onto the second panel. In this way the second panel reflects the image onto the first panel to facilitate the driver to view the image without taking their eyes off of the road while driving.