Dynamic Vehicle Window Shading via Occupant Position Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle windows that tint on demand cannot dynamically change based on a user's position or preference for shading, limiting their ability to effectively shade vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic shading system that includes occupant sensors, a user input device, and a control unit communicatively coupled to both, allowing the system to adjust window shading based on occupant position and preferences, as well as display user-input messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modern windows are configured to tint on demand by varying molecular polarity, then the windows can automatically darken during daytime and lighten during nighttime, but the windows cannot dynamically change based on user position or shading preference
Solution Approach 1:
The window is divided into multiple independently controllable regions or pixels, allowing different sections to have different shading levels. This segmentation enables the window to display gradients, patterns, and selective shading areas to match user preferences and positions without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the window are assigned different shading properties based on local user needs. The system can apply varying degrees of tint to different portions of the window, creating localized shading zones that adapt to individual user positions and preferences rather than uniformly tinting the entire window.
Solution Approach 3:
The window transitions from static or simple automatic tinting to dynamic, real-time adjustment capability. The system continuously monitors user position, vehicle orientation, and environmental conditions to dynamically modify shading patterns, enabling the window to adapt its optical properties in response to changing conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the window shading is adjusted based on occupant position and preference, then personalized shading comfort is improved, but the device complexity and control system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect user position, orientation, and presence, eliminating the need for manual user input. The window system self-adjusts based on detected conditions, reducing the complexity of user interaction while maintaining personalized comfort. Users simply occupy their seats and the system handles the rest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor user position and window orientation, feeding this information back to the control algorithm which then adjusts shading accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to user needs without requiring complex manual controls or programming by users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the window displays messages received from user input device, then communication capability is improved, but the primary shading function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The window alternates between shading mode and message display mode in a periodic or sequential manner. During periods when message display is not required, the window maintains its shading function. Messages are displayed temporarily when needed, then the window returns to its primary shading role, allowing both functions to coexist without permanently compromising either.
Solution Approach 2:
The window utilizes the temporal dimension to separate shading and message display functions. Rather than trying to simultaneously optimize both spatial functions, the system uses time-based separation where the window switches between modes based on operational requirements, effectively adding a time dimension to the functional capabilities.
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
Enables personalized shading for vehicle occupants, improving comfort by tailoring light exposure to individual preferences and allowing for communication through message display on the window.
Implementation Method 1
Modern windows may be configured to tint on demand by varying the polarity of molecules embedded in the window
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
In some embodiments, a dynamic shading system of a vehicle includes one or more occupant sensors, a window configured for dynamic shading, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the one or more occupant sensors and the window. The one or more occupant sensors are configured to output a signal indicative of a position of each of one or more occupants within the vehicle. The control unit executes logic to shade areas of the window based on the position of each of the one or more occupants in order to shade each of the one or more occupants in accordance with a shade preference of each of the one or more occupants.