One of the safety concerns on vehicles is A pillar. However, A pillar is not just a safety issue, is an aesthetic limitation. With this proposal, we can improve both, safety and aesthetics. In fact, we can reduce energy consumption improving aerodynamic coefficient, eliminating the exterior mirror. In the other hand, with an invisible A pillar, Designers can improve even more the vehicle’s aerodynamics with no limitations by the glass windshield shape.

Concept

A pillar blocks vehicle front view. Fitting a screen on each A pillar can solve this problem. External cameras will record the environment and will show the images on the screens.

This has one problem. To adjust the image to guarantee continuity between the real world and the screen, we need to process the images to the driver point of view. This can be implemented with adjust tool for mid-grade vehicles. However, we can automatize this with cameras tracking driver head and eyes on high-grade vehicles.

The same system can be used to eliminate exterior view mirrors, adding the image to the A pillar screen.

System

External cameras:

To generate images we need, at least, two cameras, one for each side of the vehicle. To simulate a door mirror, we need to use the proposed cameras with the already installed back camera to complete the field of view.

An alternative is to use four cameras, two for each side. With these cameras, we can improve the field of view for door mirror simulation. This distribution enables the possibility of remove the need of a mirror arm with camera, improving even more the aerodynamic coefficient.

Internal camera:

For the eye tracking, we can add a camera on the top of the A pillar aiming to driver face. This camera can be optional with the precise tuning of the system, but with the camera, we can improve user experience with the autoregulation in real time feature.

Screen:

It is expensive to manufacture curved screens, and manufacturing this screen for each model is even more expensive. However, using flexible screen, we can have one unique screen for all models, adaptable to each pillar A of each model.

Rear mirror fusion

We can integrate external mirror easily on this system. We can use the same cameras for the system and eliminate external mirrors.

The system can have mirror regulation to let the driver choose the best position for him.

Interior mirror

We can use the same system to eliminate interior mirror and the plastic parts around interior mirror support.