1 Active Mirror Control*

Supervisors:

Dr Ben Cazzolato and Dr Anthony Zander

Moderator:

As above

Number of Students:

Adrian Moo and Tong Huynh

Description:

Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia is the world's largest producer of automotive rear view mirrors. More than one third of their annual revenue is derived from the exportation of the large extendable P131 model mirror designed for Ford F250 trucks in the United States. Customer feedback from truck owners has identified excessive vibration in the P131 mirrors as annoying, and in extreme cases, a safety hazard.

The primary focus of this project is the development of an active feedback control system that will reduce excessive vibration to levels that are deemed to be tolerable for people. The frequency range of interest is between 5-100 Hz. A similar project was undertaken in 2001 which was simply proof of concept with initial result very promising.

This project will aim to build a complete working system embedded in the mirror housing. Miniaturisation of the existing system will be important. The effects of a compromised digital control systems, eg digital / fixed point will need to quantified.

Comment:

It may be possible to get funding from the Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association in the form of the ARTSA Transport Industry Prize for Mechanical Engineering Students to the value of $8000.

Industrial Sponsor:

Schefenacker Vision Systems