Flat Windshield Sun Sensor With Segmented Lens Shadow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor apparatuses for determining the position of the sun on vehicle windshields are aesthetically unacceptably raised, making them unsuitable for design engineering purposes, and there is a need for a solution that allows precise sun position determination without compromising aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A sensor apparatus with a lens body and photosensitive regions, featuring an opaque structure that divides the lens body into four convex sections, allowing precise sun position calculation by varying light intensities across these sections, which are arranged flat on the windshield and utilize a cruciform or frustum-shaped opaque structure to cast unique shadows on photosensitive regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor apparatuses are mounted on vehicle windshields to determine sun position, then the function of sun position determination is achieved, but the raised dome-like structure compromises aesthetic design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lens body is divided into multiple lens sections (at least four) by an opaque structure, with each section having a convex lens contour. This segmentation allows the sensor apparatus to maintain functionality while adopting a flat design that can be mounted on the windshield without raised domes, resolving the contradiction between functional reliability and aesthetic design.
2Shape
If the lens body is made flat on the radiation entry side for aesthetic purposes, then aesthetic design requirements are met, but the precision of sun position determination may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lens body exhibits different optical properties in different regions: the radiation entry side is flat for aesthetics, while the radiation exit side features convex lens contours in each lens section for precise light focusing. This local differentiation of optical qualities enables both aesthetic flat construction and precise sun position determination to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens section has a convex lens contour on the radiation exit side, introducing necessary curvature for light focusing and precision measurement. This localized curvature in specific regions maintains measurement precision while the overall flat entry side preserves aesthetic design requirements.
3Measurement precision
If an opaque structure is introduced to divide the lens body into sections, then precise sun position determination is enabled through shadow casting, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque structure is integrated within the lens body material itself rather than being a separate component, and the lens sections are arranged in a systematic quadrant pattern. This merging approach enables precise shadow-based measurement while minimizing structural complexity through unified design and regular geometric patterns.
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 precise calculation of the sun's position by registering different light intensities across photosensitive regions, allowing for accurate determination of the sun's position without the need for raised structures, thus addressing design engineering concerns while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one detector with photosensitive regions... Solar radiation incident on the radiation entry side is guided through the lens body onto the detector with its photosensitive regions
Implementation Method 2
each lens section has a convex lens contour on the radiation exit side of the lens body... Solar radiation incident on the radiation entry side is guided through the lens body onto the detector
Implementation Method 3
The movement of the sun that takes place in the halfspace around the vehicle casts a shadow over the photosensitive regions by means of the opaque structure
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor apparatus for mounting on a motor vehicle window for determining the position of the sun includes at least one lens body and at least one detector with photosensitive regions, wherein the lens body has a radiation entry side and a radiation exit side which faces the detector. The sensor apparatus is wherein an opaque structure is arranged inside the lens body, at least four lens sections of the lens body are defined by the opaque structure, a photosensitive region of the detector is assigned to each lens section, and each lens section has at least one convex lens contour on the radiation exit side of the lens body.