Electrochromic Mirror and Window Dimming for Night Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window tinting technologies, such as fixed tint films, pose legal compliance issues and reduce visibility at night, while not effectively managing ambient light conditions for optimal driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular driver assist system that includes electrically dimmable windows and mirrors, controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) to adjust light transmissivity based on sensor data, dynamically managing window and mirror dimming for optimal visibility and compliance with legal regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed tint films are applied to vehicle windows, then legal compliance with tinting regulations is improved, but visibility at night deteriorates and ambient light management capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrochromic technology to make window tinting dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The electrochromic windows can change their light transmission properties in real-time based on ambient light conditions, allowing the system to comply with legal tinting requirements during daytime while maintaining visibility at night by adjusting to a lighter state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the window tinting by using electrochromic materials that can alter their light transmission characteristics. By applying electrical voltage, the windows transition between different tinting states, enabling dynamic adjustment of light transmission to satisfy both legal compliance and visibility requirements under different lighting conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If electrochromic windows are used to dynamically adjust light transmissivity, then visibility and ambient light management are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect ambient light conditions and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the electrochromic windows' light transmission properties, enabling autonomous operation that simplifies user interaction while maintaining complex functionality for optimal ambient light management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by using sensor data to automatically control the electrochromic windows without requiring manual user input. The control unit processes sensor information and independently determines the appropriate tinting level, allowing the system to serve itself in managing ambient light conditions.
3Ease of operation
If sensor-based automatic control is implemented for window dimming, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sensing and control adjustments rather than continuous operation. Sensors periodically monitor ambient light conditions, and the electrochromic windows are adjusted only when changes in lighting conditions warrant a adjustment, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining automatic control functionality.
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
Enhances visibility and compliance with legal tinting regulations by dynamically adjusting window and mirror dimming based on ambient light and glare conditions, improving safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element, and the electrochromic mirror reflective element is electrically operable to adjust light transmissivity of the electrochromic mirror reflective element
Implementation Method 2
An electrically dimmable window is disposed at the vehicle, and wherein the electrically dimmable window is electrically operable to adjust light transmissivity of the electrically dimmable window
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular driving assist system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head adjustable about a mounting base. The mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element. An electrically dimmable window is disposed at the vehicle and is electrically operable to adjust visible light transmissivity of the electrically dimmable window. The vehicular driving assist system, based at least on processing sensor data captured by a light sensor, determines ambient light at the vehicle. The vehicular driving assist system, based at least on the determined ambient light, (i) adjusts light reflectivity of the electrochromic mirror reflective element and (ii) adjusts visible light transmissivity of the electrically dimmable window.