Vehicle Glazing Darkening Source for Optical Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laminated vehicle windshields with opaque enamel prints for information acquisition systems suffer from optical distortions due to heat treatment processes, which affect the accuracy of sensors and cameras by creating inhomogeneous temperature distributions and residual stress, leading to bending gaps that act as convex or concave lenses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a darkening source within the opaque enamel printed open area, which provides a second opening that is smaller than the first, thereby reducing optical distortions and ensuring the required opening for the information acquisition system fits within the darkening source opening, thus minimizing distortion and stray light exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large opening is provided for the information acquisition system, then the system can collect sufficient information, but optical distortion increases due to heat treatment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into two distinct areas: a first open area that is larger than required and a second open area that is smaller and positioned within the first. This segmentation allows the larger first open area to provide sufficient light for sensor performance while the smaller second open area, positioned strategically, minimizes the region subject to optical distortion from heat treatment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the opening are assigned different functional qualities. The first open area provides overall light transmission for sensor operation, while the second open area specifically addresses the distortion problem by being positioned in a location with reduced thermal stress and corresponding optical distortion, creating local quality optimization.
2Shape
If opaque enamel printing is applied to mask the information acquisition system, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but optical distortion increases due to inhomogeneous temperature distribution during heat treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The opening defined by the opaque enamel printing is segmented into a first open area (larger) and a second open area (smaller). This segmentation allows the opaque printing to maintain aesthetic appearance across the larger first open area while the smaller second open area is positioned to minimize optical distortion effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The opaque enamel printing applies uniform aesthetic masking across the first open area, while the second open area within it provides a localized region with optimized optical properties by being positioned away from high-distortion zones created during heat treatment.
3Manufacturing precision
If the opening size is reduced to minimize distortion, then optical quality is improved, but the information acquisition system may not receive sufficient light
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is divided into a first open area with larger size that ensures sufficient light transmission for sensor energy requirements, and a second open area with smaller size that minimizes optical distortion. Both areas work together to satisfy both light transmission and optical quality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The first open area provides sufficient light transmission area for sensor operation, while the second open area provides a localized region with optimized optical quality. This local quality differentiation ensures that the sensor receives adequate light while the critical measurement regions experience minimal distortion.
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 solution effectively reduces optical distortions and improves the performance of information acquisition systems by ensuring clear images and reduced exposure to stray light, while maintaining aesthetic and functional properties of the opaque enamel print.
Implementation Method 1
a darkening source within the opaque enamel printed opening to reduce optical transmittance distortion
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle glazing (e.g., vehicle windshield) having an opaque enamel printed opening for an information acquisition system and a darkening source within the opaque enamel printed opening to reduce optical transmittance distortion and improve performance of information acquisition systems (e.g., an imaging system, electric sensor(s), video camera(s), distance sensor(s)) associated with a vehicle. The darkening source, which may not undergo extreme heat treatment above 500 deg. C., provides a darkening source open area within the opaque enamel print open area, wherein the darkening source open area provides an opening through which the information acquisition system may receive information from outside a vehicle.