WO2025055592A1 - Dimming rearview mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

A dimming rearview mirror, comprising a housing assembly (200), a dimming lens (100), a first photosensitive element (300), and a master control circuit board (400). The dimming lens (100) is arranged on the housing assembly (200) and comprises a liquid crystal cell (101). The liquid crystal cell (101) has a first light-transmitting area (110) and a second light-transmitting area (120). The first photosensitive element (300) is at least partially located within a cavity of the housing assembly (200) and is arranged opposite the second light-transmitting area (120). The master control circuit board (400) is arranged in the cavity of the housing assembly (200), and is electrically connected to both the liquid crystal cell (101) and the first photosensitive element (300), so as to separately adjust the light transmittance of the first light-transmitting area (110) and the light transmittance of the second light-transmitting area (120).

Description

Dimming rearview mirror

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202322521200.9 filed on September 15, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, but are not limited to, rearview mirror technology, and in particular to a dimming rearview mirror.

Background Art

With the popularity of automobiles, people pay more and more attention to driving safety. As a vehicle safety auxiliary facility, the rearview mirror plays a very important role. It can reflect the situation behind the vehicle and expand the driver's field of vision. However, if the strong light from the rear vehicle shines on the rearview mirror, the intensity of the light entering the driver's eyes will be too high, which may easily cause the rearview mirror to dazzle and cause greater safety hazards. Therefore, an anti-dazzle rearview mirror is very necessary.

Traditional dimming rearview mirrors have a frame, and the photosensitive device is usually set on the frame, which makes the rearview mirror look bulky and not beautiful. Frameless dimming rearview mirrors are becoming more and more popular among consumers due to their simple appearance. However, the photosensitive device for detecting the ambient light behind the car in the frameless dimming rearview mirror is usually set between the dimming lens and the housing, so the dimming lens may affect the accuracy of the photosensitive device in detecting the ambient light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A dimming rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a shell assembly; a dimming lens, which is arranged on the shell assembly and includes a liquid crystal box, wherein the liquid crystal box has a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area; a first photosensitive element, which is at least partially located in a cavity of the shell assembly and is arranged to be opposite to the second light-transmitting area; and a main control circuit board, which is arranged in the cavity of the shell assembly and is electrically connected to the liquid crystal box and the first photosensitive element to respectively adjust the transmittance of the first light-transmitting area and the transmittance of the second light-transmitting area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a dimming rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side front view of a dimming rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal box in a dimming rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 is a schematic diagram of an assembly of a plurality of first conductive strips, a liquid crystal layer, and a plurality of second conductive strips in a liquid crystal cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side rear view of a dimming rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

List of Figure Numbers:

100 dimming lens, 110 first light-transmitting area, 120 second light-transmitting area, 130 first area, 140 second area, 101 liquid crystal box, 102 semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror film, 1011 first substrate, 1012 liquid crystal layer, 1013 second substrate, 1014 first conductive strip, 1015 second conductive strip;

200 housing assembly, 210 front housing, 220 rear housing, 201 through hole;

300 first photosensitive element; 400 main control circuit board; 500 second photosensitive element; 600 adhesive layer; 700 movable bracket.

Embodiments of the present invention

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

It should be noted that if the present disclosure involves directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship, movement, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication may change accordingly. In addition, if the present disclosure involves modifiers such as "first" and "second", the modifiers such as "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or order of the technical features indicated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a dimming rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a dimming lens 100, a housing assembly 200, a first photosensitive element 300, and a main control circuit board 400. The dimming lens 100 is disposed on the housing assembly 200. The dimming lens 100 may include a liquid crystal cell 101. The liquid crystal cell 101 has a first light-transmitting area 110 and a second light-transmitting area 120. The first photosensitive element 300 is at least partially located in the cavity of the housing assembly 200 and is disposed opposite to the second light-transmitting area 120. The main control circuit board 400 is disposed in the cavity of the housing assembly 200, is electrically connected to the liquid crystal cell 101 and the first photosensitive element 300, and is capable of adjusting the light transmittance of the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120, respectively.

The first photosensitive element 300 is disposed between the dimming lens 100 and the housing assembly 200, and can detect the ambient light intensity from the rear of the vehicle, and input a corresponding signal to the main control circuit board 400 according to the detected ambient light intensity. The main control circuit board 400 can apply a corresponding voltage to the dimming lens 100 according to the signal from the first photosensitive element 300, so as to adjust the light transmittance of the dimming lens 100 according to the ambient light intensity behind the vehicle, so that the dimming lens 100 switches between a transparent state and a dark state, thereby preventing the dimming lens 100 from reflecting strong light and causing the driver to be unable to see the road ahead clearly.

As described above, the dimming rearview mirror according to the embodiment of the present disclosure uses a liquid crystal box as a dimming lens. Since the liquid crystal box has a wide dimming range and a fast response speed to adjust the transmittance, the dimming rearview mirror can meet the driver's anti-glare needs in different light intensity environments, thereby improving driving safety.

In order to reduce the adverse effect of the dimming lens 100 on the first photosensitive element 300 located behind it detecting the ambient light intensity, the liquid crystal box 101 is provided with a first light-transmitting area 110 and a second light-transmitting area 120. For example, the area of the first light-transmitting area 110 is much larger than the area of the second light-transmitting area 120. The first photosensitive element 300 is arranged to be opposite to the second light-transmitting area 120. The main control circuit board 400 can apply different voltages to the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 respectively to control the light and dark states of the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 respectively, so as to reduce the adverse effect of the dimming lens 100 on the first photosensitive element 300 detecting the ambient light intensity while ensuring the overall integrity of the dimming lens 100.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the liquid crystal box 101 includes a first substrate 1011, a first conductive layer, a liquid crystal layer 1012, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate 1013 stacked in sequence. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are both electrically connected to the main control circuit board 400. For example, the first substrate 1011 and the second substrate 1013 can both be polyester substrates. The liquid crystal layer 1012 can include one of a guest-host (GH) effect liquid crystal material, a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal material, an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) effect liquid crystal material, and a Pi-cells liquid crystal material.

In at least one embodiment, the first conductive layer may include a plurality of first conductive strips 1014 arranged at intervals along a first direction on a side of the first substrate 1011 close to the liquid crystal layer 1012. The second conductive layer may include a plurality of second conductive strips 1015 arranged at intervals along a second direction on a side of the second substrate 1013 close to the liquid crystal layer 1012. The first direction is different from the second direction. In this way, the plurality of first conductive strips 1014 and the plurality of second conductive strips 1015 may form a plurality of electrode pairs on the liquid crystal layer 1012. Each first conductive strip 1014 and each second conductive strip 1015 are electrically connected to the main control circuit board 400. For example, each first conductive strip 1014 and each second conductive strip 1015 are formed of a transparent conductive material (such as indium tin oxide (ITO), nano silver, etc.).

In at least one embodiment, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. A plurality of first conductive strips 1014 are arranged on the first substrate 1011 at uniform intervals, and a plurality of second conductive strips 1015 are arranged on the second substrate 1013 at uniform intervals, so that the plurality of first conductive strips 1014 and the plurality of second conductive strips 1015 form a plurality of electrode pairs uniformly distributed on the liquid crystal layer 1012.

For example, in operation, the main control circuit board 400 can always apply a constant voltage to at least one electrode pair in the second light-transmitting area 120 among the plurality of electrode pairs, so that the second light-transmitting area 120 always maintains a transparent state. In this way, the ambient light incident on the second light-transmitting area 120 from the rear of the vehicle can basically pass through the second light-transmitting area 120 in a transparent state and be incident on the first photosensitive element 300 arranged opposite to the second light-transmitting area 120, thereby reducing the adverse effect of the liquid crystal box 101 on the first photosensitive element 300 detecting the ambient light intensity. The first photosensitive element 300 will input a corresponding signal to the main control circuit board 400 according to the detected ambient light intensity. The main control circuit board 400 can apply a corresponding voltage to the electrode pair in the first light-transmitting area 110 among the plurality of electrode pairs according to the signal from the first photosensitive element 300. In this way, the transmittance of the first light-transmitting area 110 can be adjusted according to the ambient light intensity behind the vehicle detected by the first photosensitive element 300, so that the first light-transmitting area 110 can be switched between a transparent state and a dark state, thereby adjusting the light and dark state of the liquid crystal box 101 as a whole.

As another example, the first conductive layer includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion, which are respectively arranged to be opposite to the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 and are electrically insulated from each other. The second conductive layer includes a third conductive portion and a fourth conductive portion, which are respectively arranged to be opposite to the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 and are electrically insulated from each other. The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, the third conductive portion, and the fourth conductive portion are all electrically connected to the main control circuit board 400.

For example, both the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer can be in the form of sheets. When the liquid crystal box 101 is divided into the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 by laser etching or the like, the first conductive layer is divided into the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion respectively corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 by etching, and the second conductive layer is divided into the third conductive portion and the fourth conductive portion respectively corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120 by etching.

For example, in operation, the main control circuit board 400 can always apply a constant voltage to the second conductive portion and the fourth conductive portion corresponding to the second light-transmitting area 120, so that the second light-transmitting area 120 always maintains a transparent state. In this way, the ambient light incident on the second light-transmitting area 120 from the rear of the vehicle can basically pass through the second light-transmitting area 120 in a transparent state and be incident on the first photosensitive element 300 arranged opposite to the second light-transmitting area 120, thereby reducing the adverse effect of the liquid crystal cell 101 on the first photosensitive element 300 detecting the ambient light intensity. The first photosensitive element 300 will input a corresponding signal to the main control circuit board 400 according to the detected ambient light intensity. The main control circuit board 400 can apply a corresponding voltage to the first conductive portion and the third conductive portion corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 110 according to the signal from the first photosensitive element 300. In this way, the transmittance of the first light-transmitting area 110 can be adjusted according to the ambient light intensity behind the vehicle detected by the first photosensitive element 300, so that the first light-transmitting area 110 can be switched between a transparent state and a dark state, thereby adjusting the light and dark state of the liquid crystal box 101 as a whole.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the dimming lens 100 may further include a semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror film 102, which is disposed on a side of the liquid crystal box 101 close to the housing assembly 200. The semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror film 102 has a first area 130 and a second area 140. The first area 130 and the second area 140 are respectively opposite to the first light-transmitting area 110 and the second light-transmitting area 120, so that the first photosensitive element 300 is disposed opposite to the second area 140. The light transmittance of the second area 140 is higher than the light transmittance of the first area 130. In this way, by making the portion of the semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror film 102 opposite to the first photosensitive element 300 have a relatively high light transmittance, the adverse effect of the liquid crystal box 101 on the first photosensitive element 300 detecting ambient light can be further reduced.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 , the dimming rearview mirror may further include a second photosensitive element 500. The second photosensitive element 500 is disposed on a side of the housing assembly 200 away from the dimming lens 100, and is used to detect the ambient light intensity from the front of the vehicle. The second photosensitive element 500 is electrically connected to the main control circuit board 400. In this way, the second photosensitive element 500 can cooperate with the first photosensitive element 300, so that the dimming rearview mirror can detect a wider range of ambient light intensity, better meet the driver's anti-glare needs in different light intensity environments, and improve driving safety.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the dimming lens 100 and the housing assembly 200 may be bonded together by an adhesive layer 600 . For example, the adhesive layer 600 is an optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer. The adhesive layer 600 may be provided with a through hole disposed opposite to the first photosensitive element 300 .

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the housing assembly 200 may include a front housing 210 and a rear housing 220, wherein the front housing 210 is fixedly connected to the rear housing 220. A through hole 201 is provided on the front housing 210, and the through hole 201 is arranged opposite to the first photosensitive element 300, so that the first photosensitive element 300 can detect the ambient light intensity from the rear of the vehicle. For example, buckles and slots may be provided on the front housing 210 and the rear housing 220, respectively, so that the fixed connection can be achieved by pressing the front housing 210 onto the rear housing 220. Of course, screws or the like may also be used to fix the front housing 210 to the rear housing 220.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , the dimming rearview mirror may further include a movable bracket 700. One end of the movable bracket 700 is disposed on a side of the housing assembly 200 away from the dimming lens 100. The movable bracket 700 is movably connected to the housing assembly 200, so that the housing assembly 200 can rotate relative to the bracket 700 within a certain angle range. In this way, on the one hand, the dimming rearview mirror can be positioned on the front windshield or roof of the car, and on the other hand, it is convenient for the driver to adjust the dimming rearview mirror to a suitable angle position according to his own needs.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above. Based on the teachings of the present disclosure, it is easy for a person skilled in the art to think that various modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to these embodiments. Such modifications or equivalent substitutions should be included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (11)

A dimming rearview mirror, comprising: Shell assembly; A dimming lens, which is arranged on the housing assembly and includes a liquid crystal box having a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area; a first photosensitive element, the first photosensitive element being at least partially located in the cavity of the housing assembly and being arranged opposite to the second light-transmitting area; and A main control circuit board is disposed in the cavity of the housing assembly and is electrically connected to the liquid crystal box and the first photosensitive element to respectively adjust the transmittance of the first light-transmitting area and the transmittance of the second light-transmitting area. The dimming rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the dimming lens further comprises a semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror film, and the semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror film is arranged on a side of the liquid crystal box close to the housing assembly; and The semi-transmissive and semi-reflective mirror film has a first region and a second region respectively opposite to the first light-transmitting region and the second light-transmitting region, and the light transmittance of the second region is higher than the light transmittance of the first region. The dimming rearview mirror according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid crystal box comprises a first substrate, a first conductive layer, a liquid crystal layer, a second conductive layer and a second substrate stacked in sequence, and the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are both electrically connected to the main control circuit board. The dimming rearview mirror according to claim 3, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a plurality of first conductive strips which are all electrically connected to the main control circuit board, and the second conductive layer comprises a plurality of second conductive strips which are all electrically connected to the main control circuit board; and The plurality of first conductive strips are arranged at intervals along a first direction on a side of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal layer, and the plurality of second conductive strips are arranged at intervals along a second direction different from the first direction on a side of the second substrate close to the liquid crystal layer to form a plurality of electrode pairs on the liquid crystal layer. The dimming rearview mirror according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first conductive strips and the plurality of second conductive strips are both formed of a transparent conductive material. The dimming rearview mirror according to claim 3, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion which are arranged to be opposite to the first light-transmitting area and the second light-transmitting area respectively, and the first conductive portion is electrically insulated from the second conductive portion; the second conductive layer includes a third conductive portion and a fourth conductive portion disposed opposite to the first light-transmitting region and the second light-transmitting region, respectively, the third conductive portion being electrically insulated from the fourth conductive portion; and The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, the third conductive portion and the fourth conductive portion are all electrically connected to the main control circuit board. The dimming rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a second photosensitive element, wherein the second photosensitive element is arranged on a side of the housing assembly away from the dimming lens and is electrically connected to the main control circuit board. The dimming rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing assembly comprises a front housing and a rear housing, the front housing is fixedly connected to the rear housing, a first through hole is formed on the front housing, and the first through hole is arranged opposite to the first photosensitive element. The dimming rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an adhesive layer formed of an optically transparent adhesive, Wherein, the dimming lens is adhered to the housing assembly through the adhesive layer. The dimming rearview mirror according to claim 9, wherein a second through hole is provided on the adhesive layer and is arranged opposite to the first photosensitive element. The dimming rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a movable bracket, one end of which is arranged on a side of the shell assembly away from the dimming lens, and the movable bracket is movably connected to the shell assembly.