Adaptive Anti-Glare Windshield Shield for Work Machine Cabins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional anti-glare shields in work machines, such as sun visors and tinted windows, require manual operation and can impair visibility or disrupt air circulation, increasing the risk of glare and reducing safety in varying operating conditions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an anti-glare shield with a material having a variable light transmission characteristic that automatically adjusts transparency in response to light intensity or control signals, reducing the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manually operable anti-glare shields (sun visors, sun screens) are used, then glare protection can be provided, but the operator must constantly adjust them which reduces ease of operation and may still fail to provide continuous protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare protectionVSAvoidconstant manual adjustment required
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-glare shield automatically adjusts its light transmission characteristic in response to changing light conditions without requiring manual operation. The shield serves itself by detecting glare conditions and adjusting transparency accordingly, eliminating the need for constant manual adjustment while maintaining continuous glare protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-glare shield transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can change its light transmission characteristic. The shield dynamically adjusts between transparent and opaque states based on real-time light conditions, providing adaptive glare protection that responds to changing operating situations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If tinted windows are used to reduce glare, then some glare protection is provided, but visibility is impaired especially in the upper part of the windscreen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare protectionVSAvoidvisibility impairment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-glare shield applies different light transmission properties to different areas of the windscreen. The upper part of the shield can become opaque to block glare from above, while the lower part remains transparent to maintain visibility for the operator. This localized adjustment provides glare protection without sacrificing necessary visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shield dynamically changes its transparency characteristics based on the direction and intensity of incoming light. When glare is detected from specific angles, only the affected areas of the shield adjust to block light, while other areas maintain full transparency. This dynamic local adjustment eliminates the constant visibility impairment of traditional tinted windows

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional anti-glare shields (sun visors, curtains) are used, then glare protection is provided, but air circulation near the window is disturbed which causes insufficient defrosting during disadvantageous weather

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare protectionVSAvoidinsufficient window defrosting
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-glare shield is implemented as a thin film or coating integrated with the windscreen rather than a bulky physical barrier. This thin-film approach provides glare protection through variable light transmission while maintaining unobstructed air flow paths near the window, allowing proper air circulation for defrosting and ventilation functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-affected harmful factors

If stationary mounted anti-glare shields are used, then installation is simple, but they cannot adapt to varying operating situations and light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare protectionVSAvoidinability to adapt to varying conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-glare shield transitions from a stationary fixed-configuration component to a dynamic adaptive system. The shield can change its light transmission characteristic in real-time in response to varying light conditions, operator position, and machine orientation, providing versatile glare protection across different operating situations while maintaining a streamlined integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The anti-glare shield provides continuous, unobstructed visibility by automatically adjusting to prevent glare without operator intervention, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of temporary blindness in work machines with abrupt positional changes.

Implementation Method 1

The transparency of that part may change in response to the light entering the part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4624208A1Work machine
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP4624208A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP4624208A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP4624208A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A work machine comprising a cabin provided with at least one window and at least one anti-glare shield to reduce a risk for operator glare due to light entering the cabin from the window. The anti-glare shield comprises at least one element made of a material with a variable light transmission characteristic.