Composite Vehicle Pane Light Sensor With Shadow-Mask Direction Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sensors in vehicles are typically installed as add-on parts, which can be cumbersome and require additional mounting, whereas integrating them into the windshield as laminated components still faces challenges in accurately determining the direction of incident light.
Innovation Solution
A composite vehicle pane with an integrated light sensor, comprising an outer and inner pane joined by a thermoplastic intermediate layer, where the light sensor's light-sensitive surface faces the outer pane and is partially shaded by a shadow mask, allowing for precise determination of light direction through geometric beam path analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a light sensor is laminated into the windshield between outer and inner panes, then the integration is compact and eliminates additional mounting, but the determination of light direction becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The light-sensitive surface is divided into multiple segments by the shadow mask, creating distinct detection zones. Each segment responds to light from specific directions, enabling accurate determination of light direction while maintaining compact integration within the windshield structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the light-sensitive surface are assigned different functions through selective shading. The shadow mask creates local variations in light sensitivity across the surface, with specific areas optimized for detecting light from particular directions, thereby improving measurement precision without increasing overall device complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the light-sensitive surface is fully exposed to incident light, then maximum light detection is achieved, but the direction of incident light cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The shadow mask segments the light-sensitive surface into multiple active zones, each receiving light from specific directions. This segmentation preserves light detection sensitivity across the entire surface while encoding directional information through the spatial distribution of activated segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow mask acts as an intermediary element between the incident light and the light-sensitive surface. It selectively blocks certain light paths while allowing others to pass, thereby preserving light detection capability while simultaneously providing directional information through its shading pattern.
3Measurement precision
If a shadow mask is introduced to determine light direction, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shadow mask is integrated directly with the light sensor assembly, merging the shading function with the detection element. This combination eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and simplifies the overall device architecture, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow mask serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the light sensor, defines the active detection zones, and encodes directional information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
This configuration enhances the accuracy of light direction detection, simplifies the integration of light sensors into vehicle windshields, and eliminates the need for additional mounting, providing a compact and efficient solution for automatic headlight operation and ambient light monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a shadow mask that covers at least some portions of the light-sensitive surface is arranged between the light-sensitive surface and the outer pane
Data Source
AI summary
A composite pane and in particular to a composite vehicle pane with an integrated light sensor, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer, and at least one light sensor with a light-sensitive surface that is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane, wherein the light-sensitive surface faces the outer pane, and a shadow mask that covers at least some portions of the light-sensitive surface is arranged between the light-sensitive surface and the outer pane.