Light control glass control device and light control system

Abstract

The present invention aims to control a dimming glass as a rear glass while improving user-friendliness regarding a vehicle reverse operation. A dimming glass control device (100) includes a voltage application section (110) configured to change a light transmittance by applying and not applying an alternating voltage to a dimming film of a dimming glass (11) as a vehicle rear glass (11a); a condition detection section (120) configured to detect a light / dark condition outside the vehicle, a weather condition, an on instruction condition of a headlight, a condition of an operation instruction of a rear wiper, and a moving condition of the vehicle; and a control section (130) configured to cause the voltage application section (110) to reduce the light transmittance of the dimming film, and to prohibit the reduction of the light transmittance when a detection result of the condition detection section (120) indicates a state of: a dark state outside the vehicle; a rain state; a light on state of the headlight; a wiper on state of the rear wiper; and a reverse state of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dimming glass control device for controlling dimming glass, and a dimming control system including such a dimming glass control device. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, dimming glass with a dimming film has been used, for example, in vehicle windows, where the dimming film has a light transmittance that changes according to the application of an alternating voltage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, such dimming glass is applied to vehicle windows, wherein the light transmittance of the window is changed, for example, by the user's operation.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP 2019-054759A Summary of the Invention

[0006] Here, the dimmable glass can be used as the vehicle's rear window. In this case, the user can visually confirm the situation behind them through the rear window while reversing. However, depending on external conditions such as light / darkness, this visual confirmation can be very difficult when the rear window is set to a non-transparent configuration. A similar situation may occur in conditions such as rain. In such cases where visual confirmation of the situation behind is difficult, the user must set the rear window to a transparent configuration each time. As a result, there is room for improvement in user-friendliness.

[0007] Therefore, this invention focuses on the aforementioned problems, and an object of this invention is to provide a dimming glass control device that enables control of the dimming glass, which serves as the rear window, while improving user-friendliness regarding vehicle reversing. Another object of this invention is to provide a dimming control system incorporating such a dimming glass control device.

[0008] To achieve this objective, a dimming glass control device is configured for dimming glass, the dimming glass including a dimming film disposed on the rear window of a vehicle, wherein the dimming film has a light transmittance that changes according to the application of an alternating voltage. The dimming glass control device includes: a voltage application unit configured to change the light transmittance by applying or not applying an alternating voltage to the dimming film; and a condition detection unit configured to detect the external light / dark conditions of the vehicle, weather conditions, the status of headlight activation commands, and the operation of the rear wiper when a rear wiper is installed in the vehicle. The control unit is configured to cause the voltage application unit to reduce the light transmittance of the dimming film according to a predetermined instruction, wherein the control unit is further configured to prohibit the reduction of the light transmittance by the voltage application unit when the detection result of the condition detection unit indicates at least one of the following states: a dark state outside the vehicle equal to or darker than the predetermined degree; a rainy state; a headlight on state where the headlights have been indicated to be on; a windshield wiper on state where the rear wiper has been indicated to be on; or a reverse state where the vehicle is reversing.

[0009] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, a dimming control system includes: a dimming glass including a dimming film disposed on the rear window of a vehicle, wherein the dimming film has a light transmittance that changes according to the application of alternating current; and a dimming glass control device as described above, configured to control the light transmittance of the dimming film of the dimming glass.

[0010] According to the dimming glass control device and dimming control system described above, when the detection result of the condition detection unit indicates at least one of the following states, the control unit prohibits the reduction of the light transmittance of the dimming film of the dimming glass, which serves as the rear window, by means of the voltage application unit: First, the states where the detection result prohibits the reduction of light transmittance can be considered as dark conditions and rain conditions, i.e., states where the rear field of vision is expected to deteriorate through the rear window. Furthermore, a state where the front field of vision is so dark that headlights need to be turned on is easily conceivable. Similarly, in such a state, the rear field of vision is expected to be dark, resulting in even worse visibility. Furthermore, a state where the rain is so heavy that the rear view through the rear window is actually worse, requiring the rear wipers to be operated, is conceivable. Moreover, a state where, regardless of whether visibility is good or bad, the vehicle is reversing, causing the user to look back, is conceivable. That is, when a situation arises where the rear field of view through the rear window is expected to be worse, the rear field of view is actually worse, and / or the user is expected to look back, the control unit prohibits the reduction of light transmittance to suppress further degradation of the rear field of view. Accordingly, when reversing the vehicle, the user does not need to focus on the reduction of light transmittance of the dimming glass that serves as the rear window, allowing the user to concentrate on their reversing operation. In this way, the dimming glass control device and dimming control system described above can improve user-friendliness regarding vehicle reversing operations while simultaneously enabling control of the dimming glass that serves as the rear window. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a dimming control system including a dimming glass control device according to an embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the switchable glass; and

[0013] Figure 3 It is shown in accordance with Figure 1 A schematic flowchart illustrating the control process performed in the dimming glass control device.

[0014] Reference tag list

[0015] 1. Dimming Control System

[0016] 11. Switching glass

[0017] 11a rear window

[0018] 11b dimming film

[0019] 11c glass plate

[0020] 11d wire

[0021] 100 dimming glass control device

[0022] 110 Voltage application section

[0023] 111 AC voltage generating unit

[0024] 120 Condition Inspection Department

[0025] 121 Solar Radiation Sensor

[0026] 122 Raindrop Sensor

[0027] 123 Headlamp Switch

[0028] 124 Rear wiper switch

[0029] 124a rear wiper motor

[0030] 125 Reverse Switch

[0031] 130 Control Department

[0032] 140 batteries

[0033] 150 Control Switch

[0034] Sg1 drive output

[0035] Vac-1 dimming output Detailed Implementation

[0036] Embodiments of the dimming glass control device and the dimming control system will be described later.

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a dimming control system including a dimming glass control device according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the switchable glass.

[0038] according to Figure 1 The dimming control system 1 includes a dimming glass 11 and a dimming glass control device 100.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the dimming glass 11 includes a dimming film 11b disposed on the rear window 11a of the vehicle. The dimming film 11b is arranged to be sandwiched between two glass plates 11c. Furthermore, a pair of wires 11d are connected to the dimming film 11b, wherein the pair of wires 11d are used to supply an alternating current voltage to the dimming film 11b. The dimming film 11b is a film element whose light transmittance changes according to the alternating current voltage applied via the wires 11d.

[0040] according to Figure 1The dimming glass control device 100 is configured to control the light transmittance of the dimming film 11b of the dimming glass 11 configured as described above. The dimming glass control device 100 includes a voltage application unit 110, a condition detection unit 120, a control unit 130, a battery 140, and a control switch 150.

[0041] The voltage application unit 110 causes the transmittance of the dimming film 11b of the dimming glass 11 to vary between approximately 0% and approximately 100% by applying and not applying an AC voltage in the form of a dimming output Vac-1 to the dimming film. According to this embodiment, the voltage application unit 110 also includes an AC voltage generation unit 111 configured to generate the dimming output Vac-1. The AC voltage generation unit 111 is configured as a DC / AC inverter to convert the DC voltage of the battery 140 into an AC voltage. The AC voltage generation unit 111 is as follows... Figure 2 As shown, it is connected to the dimming film 11b via wire 11d, so that the AC voltage generating unit 111 can apply the dimming output Vac-1 as the converted AC voltage to the dimming film 11b.

[0042] The condition detection unit 120 is a component that detects at least one of the following conditions: the external light / darkness of the vehicle; weather conditions; headlight activation command status; rear wiper operation command status; or vehicle movement status, and according to this embodiment, all of these conditions are detected. The condition detection unit 120 includes a solar radiation sensor 121, a raindrop sensor 122, a headlight switch 123, a rear wiper switch 124, and a reverse switch 125. The solar radiation sensor 121 is configured to detect the external light / darkness of the vehicle. The raindrop sensor 122 is configured to detect raindrops to detect weather conditions, i.e., the presence of rain. The headlight switch 123 is configured to activate / deactivate the headlights in response to a user's operation. According to this embodiment, the headlight switch 123 is used as a sensor that detects the headlight activation command status, for example, whether a headlight activation command has been indicated. The rear wiper switch 124 is configured to activate / deactivate the rear wiper in response to a user's operation, the rear wiper being mounted on the vehicle. A rear wiper switch 124 is connected to a rear wiper motor 124a for driving the rear wiper. Setting the rear wiper switch 124 to the ON state actuates the rear wiper motor 124a to initialize the operation of the rear wiper, while setting the rear wiper switch 124 to the OFF state turns off the rear wiper 124a and stops the rear wiper. According to this embodiment, the rear wiper switch 124 functions as a sensor that detects the status of rear wiper operation commands, i.e., whether there is a wiper-on state indicating rear wiper operation. A reverse switch 125 is configured to reverse the vehicle in response to a user's operation. According to this embodiment, the reverse switch 125 functions as a sensor that detects the vehicle's movement, i.e., whether there is a reverse state of the vehicle.

[0043] The control unit 130 is configured to control the voltage application unit 110. According to this embodiment, a BCM (Body Control Module) installed in the vehicle serves as the control unit 130. The control unit 130 causes the voltage application unit 110 to reduce the light transmittance of the dimming film 11b according to a predetermined specification. The control unit 130 provides a drive output Sg1 to the AC voltage generation unit 111 of the voltage application unit 110 to control the voltage output of the AC voltage generation unit 111, wherein the drive output Sg1 is a binary signal having an on / off value. The AC voltage generation unit 111, having received the drive output Sg1 with the on value from the control unit 130, provides a dimming output Vac-1 in the form of an AC voltage to the dimming film 11b. In this manner, the dimming output Vac-1 is provided from the AC voltage generation unit 111 to the dimming film 11b, which reduces the light transmittance of the dimming film 11b.

[0044] Furthermore, based on the detection results of the condition detection unit 120, the control unit 130 stops the drive output Sg1 of the voltage application unit 110 to prevent the reduction of light transmittance. The reduction of light transmittance is prevented when the detection result indicates at least one of the following states: darkness outside the vehicle equal to or darker than a predetermined level; rain; headlights on; windshield wipers on; or reverse position. According to this embodiment, the detection result indicates all of these states. The darkness state is detected by the solar radiation sensor 121, and the rain state is detected by the raindrop sensor 122. The headlights on state is detected by the headlight switch 123, the windshield wipers on state is detected by the rear wiper switch 124, and the reverse position is detected by the reverse switch 125.

[0045] Battery 140 is an on-board DC power supply for a vehicle, wherein DC voltage is supplied from battery 140 to AC voltage generating unit 111 of voltage application unit 110. AC voltage generating unit 111 converts the DC voltage into AC voltage as described above.

[0046] Control switch 150 is a switch that accepts a user's operation to reduce the light transmittance of the dimming control system 1 and the dimming glass control device 100, wherein the user is a passenger of the vehicle. If control switch 150 is set to the ON state, control unit 130 sets the drive output Sg1 of AC voltage generation unit 111 of voltage application unit 110 to the ON value, wherein AC voltage generation unit 111 then sets the dimming output Vac-1 of dimming film 11b to the ON value, thereby reducing light transmittance. If control switch 150 is set to the OFF state, control unit 130 sets the drive output Sg1 to the OFF value, wherein AC voltage generation unit 111 then sets the dimming output Vac-1 to the OFF value, so that dimming film 11b has its original light transmittance. According to this embodiment, the dimming film 11b is configured such that when the dimming output Vac-1 has a turn-off value, the transmittance is approximately 100%, i.e., transparent, and when the dimming output Vac-1 has an turn-on value, the transmittance is approximately 0%, i.e., opaque.

[0047] Figure 3 Shown in accordance with Figure 1 A schematic flowchart illustrating the control processing flow performed in the dimming glass control device.

[0048] The control process shown in the flowchart begins by switching the power supply to the dimming glass control device 100. Once the process has started, the control unit 130 first determines which state the control switch 150 is set to, either on or off (step S101).

[0049] If the control switch 150 is set to the off state, the control unit 130 sets the drive output Sg1 to the off value to set the dimming output Vac-1 for the dimming film 11b to the off value, so that the light transmittance is approximately 100%, i.e., transparent (step S102), wherein the process then ends.

[0050] If the control switch 150 is set to the ON state, the control unit 130 sets the drive output Sg1 to the ON value, so as to set the dimming output Vac-1 for the dimming film 11b to the ON value, thereby reducing the light transmittance to approximately 0%, i.e., opaque (step S103).

[0051] With the light transmittance already reduced to this level, the control unit 130 uses the solar radiation sensor 121 to determine whether a dark state is detected (step S104). If no dark state is detected (determined as no in step S104), the control unit 130 ends the process.

[0052] If a dark state is detected (determined as yes in step S104), the control unit 130 uses the headlamp switch 123 to determine whether a light-on state is detected (step S105). If a light-on state is not detected (determined as no in step S105), the control unit 130 ends the process.

[0053] If the light is detected to be on (determined as yes in step S105), the control unit 130 uses the rain sensor 122 to determine whether rain is detected (step S106). If no rain is detected (determined as no in step S106), the control unit 130 ends the process.

[0054] If rain is detected (determined as yes in step S106), the control unit 130 determines whether the windshield wiper is on via the rear wiper switch 124 (step S107). If the windshield wiper is not on (determined as no in step S107), the control unit 130 terminates the process.

[0055] If the windshield wipers are detected to be on (determined as yes in step S107), the control unit 130 uses the reverse switch 125 to determine whether a reverse state is detected (step S108). If no reverse state is detected (determined as no in step S108), the control unit 130 ends the process.

[0056] If a backward state is detected (determined as yes in step S108), the control unit 130 sets the drive output Sg1, which was set to the on value in step S103, to the off value to prevent the voltage application unit 110 from reducing the light transmittance (step S109). As a result of this prevention, the light transmittance of the dimming film 11b returns to its state before the reduction, that is, a transparent state with approximately 100% light transmittance.

[0057] After the reduction in light transmittance is prohibited, the control unit 130 again uses the reverse switch 125 to determine whether a reverse state is detected (step S110). If a reverse state is detected (determined as yes in step S110), that is, the vehicle continues to reverse, the process according to the determination in step S110 is repeated. On the other hand, if a reverse state is not detected (determined as no in step S110), that is, the reversing has stopped, the drive output Sg1 is set back to the on value to cancel the prohibition of the reduction in light transmittance (step S111). Thereafter, the process returns to step S101, and the next process is repeated.

[0058] According to the dimming glass control device 100 and dimming control system 1 of the embodiments described above, the control unit 130 prohibits the reduction of light transmittance when the detection result of the condition detection unit 120 indicates that at least one of the following states (all states according to this embodiment) is present: First, the states where the detection result prohibits the reduction of light transmittance are likely dark conditions and rain conditions, i.e., states that are expected to cause a deterioration in the rear field of vision through the rear window 11a. Furthermore, the forward field of vision is so dark that it is easy to imagine a state where the headlights need to be turned on. Similarly, in such a state, the rear field of vision is dark, and poor visibility is expected. Furthermore, the rain is so heavy that the rear view through the rear window 11a is actually worse, to the point that the rear wipers need to be operated, a state where the wipers are on. Moreover, regardless of whether the visibility is good or bad, the vehicle is reversing, and the user is expected to look back, a state where the vehicle is reversing. That is, when a situation arises where the rear field of view through the rear glass 11a is expected to be worse, the rear field of view is actually worse, and / or the user is expected to look backward, the control unit 130 prohibits the reduction of light transmittance to suppress further degradation of the rear field of view. Accordingly, for the vehicle's reversing operation, the user does not need to pay attention to the reduction of light transmittance of the dimming glass 11, which serves as the rear glass 11a, so that the user can focus on their reversing operation. In this way, the dimming glass control device 100 and the dimming control system 1 according to the embodiment can improve the user-friendliness of the vehicle's reversing operation while enabling the dimming glass 11, which serves as the rear glass 11a, to be controlled.

[0059] According to this embodiment, during the period when the light transmittance of the dimming film 11b decreases, when the detection result of the condition detection unit 120 indicates at least one of the aforementioned states (all states according to this embodiment), the control unit 130 restores the light transmittance to the state before the decrease. With this configuration, even after the light transmittance of the dimming film 11b of the rear glass 11a has been reduced, the light transmittance can be restored to the state before the decrease when the aforementioned rear field of view state is detected. This eliminates the need for the user to perform additional operations to restore the light transmittance. This means that the above configuration can further improve user-friendliness.

[0060] Furthermore, the condition detection unit 120 according to this embodiment includes a reverse switch 125 for detecting the vehicle's movement status. Additionally, after the reduction in light transmittance is prohibited, when the condition detection unit 120 indicates that the vehicle has stopped reversing, the control unit 130 cancels the prohibition on the reduction in light transmittance. With this configuration, when the vehicle stops reversing and the user no longer needs to look back at the rear window 11a, the prohibition on the reduction in light transmittance is canceled, thereby allowing normal reduction in light transmittance. This means that the above configuration eliminates the need for an additional operation to cancel the prohibition on reduction when the user no longer needs to look back, further improving user-friendliness.

[0061] Furthermore, the condition detection unit 120 according to this embodiment is configured to detect all of the following conditions: the external light / darkness of the vehicle, weather conditions, headlight activation command status, rear wiper operation command status, and vehicle movement status. Additionally, when the condition detection unit 120 indicates all of the following states: darkness, rain, headlights on, rear wiper on, and vehicle reversing, the control unit 130 prohibits the reduction of light transmittance. With this configuration, the reduction of light transmittance is not prohibited until it is definitively determined that the rear field of vision is expected to deteriorate and the user requires a rear field of vision. This means that the above configuration is preferred because it can limit situations that burden the user, such as frequent prohibition of light transmittance reduction.

[0062] It should be noted that the above embodiments are merely representative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. This means that various modifications can be implemented without departing from the core of the present invention. It should be understood that such modifications fall within the protection scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the dimming glass control device and the dimming control system.

[0063] For example, as an example of a dimming glass, the above embodiment shows a dimming glass 11 that includes a dimming film 11b substantially disposed over the entire rear glass 11a. However, the dimming glass is not limited to this, and the dimming film may be disposed in a local area of ​​the rear glass, or multiple dimming films may be disposed in multiple locations on the rear glass.

[0064] Furthermore, as an example of a condition detection unit, the above embodiment shows a condition detection unit 120, which is configured to detect all conditions outside the vehicle, including light / dark conditions, weather conditions, headlight activation command status, rear wiper operation command status, and vehicle movement status. However, the condition detection unit is not limited to this. The condition detection unit can be configured to detect any specific detection method of at least one of the following: light / dark conditions outside the vehicle, weather conditions, headlight activation command status, rear wiper operation command status, and vehicle movement status. For example, the condition detection unit can be configured to detect only one of the above-mentioned conditions, or it can be configured to detect more than one of these conditions—in which case, it is not necessary for the condition detection unit to detect all conditions. Furthermore, as long as the condition detection unit is configured to detect at least one of the above-mentioned conditions, it can be configured to detect more than one additional condition.

[0065] Furthermore, as an example of a condition detection unit, the above embodiment shows a condition detection unit 120 including a solar radiation sensor 121, a raindrop sensor 122, a headlight switch 123, a rear wiper switch 124, and a reverse switch 125. However, the condition detection unit is not limited to this, and condition detection can be configured in any suitable manner. For example, instead of sensors such as the solar radiation sensor 121 and / or the raindrop sensor 122, the brightness / darkness and / or weather conditions outside the vehicle can be detected based on vehicle location and network information. Moreover, the headlight activation command status, the rear wiper operation command status, and the vehicle's movement status can be detected without the headlight switch 123, the rear wiper switch 124, and the reverse switch 125. For example, it is possible to directly detect whether the headlights are on, whether the rear wiper is running, and whether the vehicle is in a forward / reverse / stopped state.

[0066] Furthermore, as an example of a control unit, the control unit 130 shown in the above embodiment is configured to restore the light transmittance to its state before the reduction when the condition detection unit 120 detects the aforementioned state during a reduction in light transmittance. However, the control unit is not limited to this, and can be configured, for example, to only prohibit the reduction of light transmittance. In this case, if the light transmittance has already decreased before the reduction is prohibited, the user performs additional operations to restore the light transmittance to its state before the reduction. However, as described above, user-friendliness can be further improved by restoring the light transmittance to its state before the reduction through the control unit 130.

[0067] Furthermore, as an example of a control unit, the control unit 130 shown in the above embodiment is configured to cancel the prohibition of light transmittance reduction when the detection result of the condition detection unit 120 indicates that the vehicle has stopped reversing, after prohibiting the reduction of light transmittance. However, the control unit is not limited to this, and can also cancel the cancellation of the vehicle reversing stop after prohibiting the reduction of light transmittance by the control unit. For example, the prohibition can be canceled by an additional user operation, such as turning the power on / off. However, as described above, user-friendliness can be further improved by canceling the prohibition of light transmittance reduction when the vehicle stops reversing.

[0068] Furthermore, as an example of a control unit, the above embodiment shows that the control unit 130 is configured to prohibit light transmittance reduction when all states are detected, including darkness, rain, headlights being on, rear wipers being on, and the vehicle being reversed. However, the control unit is not limited to this. As long as the control unit is configured to prohibit light transmittance reduction when at least one of the states of darkness, rain, headlights being on, rear wipers being on, and the vehicle being reversed is detected, any specific criterion for prohibition can be set. For example, the control unit can be configured to prohibit light transmittance reduction only when any one of the above states is detected, or it can be configured to prohibit light transmittance reduction when more than one state is detected—in which case it is not necessary to detect all states. However, as described above, by having the control unit 130 prohibit light transmittance reduction when all of the above states are detected, the occurrence of situations that burden the user, such as frequent prohibition of light transmittance reduction, can be limited.

Claims

1. A dimming glass control device for dimming glass, the dimming glass comprising a dimming film disposed on the rear window of a vehicle, wherein, The light transmittance of the dimming film changes according to the application of an alternating voltage, and the dimming glass control device includes: A voltage application unit is configured to change the light transmittance by applying or not applying the alternating voltage to the dimming film; A condition detection unit includes a headlight switch that instructs the headlights to be turned on and off in response to a user's operation, and a rear wiper switch that instructs the rear wiper to be turned on and off in response to a user's operation if a rear wiper is installed in the vehicle; and A control unit, configured to be connected to the condition detection unit, and to cause the voltage application unit to reduce the light transmittance of the dimming film according to a predetermined instruction. Upon receiving the predetermined instruction, the control unit prohibits the voltage application unit from reducing the light transmittance when the condition detection unit indicates at least one of the following states: The headlight switch indicates the headlight's on / off state. The rear wiper switch indicates the rear wiper operation status.

2. The dimming glass control device according to claim 1, in, During the period when the light transmittance of the dimming film decreases, the control unit is configured to restore the light transmittance to the state before the decrease when the detection result of the condition detection unit indicates the at least one state.

3. The dimming glass control device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The condition detection unit is also configured to detect the movement status of the vehicle. Wherein, after prohibiting the reduction of light transmittance, the control unit is configured to cancel the prohibition of the reduction of light transmittance when the detection result of the condition detection unit indicates that the vehicle has stopped reversing.

4. The dimming glass control device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The condition detection unit is configured to detect all conditions outside the vehicle, including light / darkness, weather conditions, whether the headlights are on or off, whether the rear wipers are on or off, and the vehicle's movement. The control unit is configured to prevent the reduction of light transmittance when the detection result of the condition detection unit indicates any of the following states: darkness (same as or darker than a predetermined degree), rain, headlights on, rear wipers on, and vehicle reversing.

5. A dimming control system, comprising: A dimming glass comprising a dimming film disposed on the rear window of a vehicle, wherein the light transmittance of the dimming film changes according to the application of an alternating current voltage; and According to claim 1 or 2, the dimming glass control device is configured to control the light transmittance of the dimming film of the dimming glass.

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