Electrochromic LCD Window for Armored Vehicle Anti-Dazzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-glare devices for armored vehicles, such as those using mechanical caps or pivotable screens, are inefficient in terms of time and space, and require significant effort to retrofit onto existing optical devices like periscopes, while electrically controlled shading devices face challenges with space and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An LCD window with control electronics and photocells that automatically or manually switch between transparent and opaque states, integrated with IR, UV, and laser filters, to prevent light escape without mechanical parts, allowing easy retrofitting and maintenance-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical protective caps or pivotable screens are used to prevent light escape, then light blocking effectiveness is improved, but the time required to cover/optical device complexity increases and retrofitting effort becomes extremely large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical protective caps and pivotable screens with an electrochromic glass system controlled by photocells and a control unit. When interior lighting is detected, the electrochromic glass automatically transitions from transparent to opaque state, eliminating manual covering operations and reducing time loss while maintaining light blocking effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses photocells to automatically detect interior lighting conditions and triggers the electrochromic glass to change state without human intervention. The control unit processes signals from the photocells and autonomously controls the glass transition, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pivotable screens are used to interrupt beam path, then light escape prevention is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pivotable screens with an electrochromic glass system that changes optical properties electrically. This eliminates moving parts, mechanical linkages, and complex actuation mechanisms, significantly reducing device complexity while achieving the same beam path interruption function through material property changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic glass changes its optical transmission parameter in response to electrical signals. By altering the glass's optical properties from transparent to opaque state, the system achieves beam path interruption without mechanical movement, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If electrochromic glass is used for automatic switching, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shading devices with an electrochromic glass system that has no moving parts, eliminating wear, friction, and mechanical failure modes. This substitution improves reliability and reduces maintenance requirements, as the glass changes state through electrical control without mechanical components that could fail.
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 rapid and efficient light blocking from the interior of armored vehicles, ensuring no light escapes while allowing observation through optical devices, even with interior lighting on, and preventing harmful radiation penetration.
Implementation Method 1
an LCD window (7) which can be switched from a transparent to a non-transparent state, and vice versa, by means of an electrical voltage
Implementation Method 2
control electronics (8) connected to at least two photocells (9) arranged in the interior of the vehicle or building, so that the photocells generate a signal that can be fed to the control electronics when a light source is detected in the interior
Implementation Method 3
By using additional IR and/or UV filters, radiation in these wavelength ranges can be prevented from penetrating from the interior to the outside
Implementation Method 4
the penetration of laser beams into the optical device can be prevented with the aid of a laser filter, so that in the event of laser irradiation of the optical devices by an opponent, eye injuries to the observer using the optical device are avoided
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) having an optical apparatus (2), in particular an angled mirror, sighting optics, a periscope or the like, with which the surrounding terrain (5) can be observed from the interior (4) of a vehicle or a building, and an anti-dazzle device (6) for preventing light from escaping from the interior (4) of the vehicle or building. In order to be able to arrange the anti-dazzle device (6) even subsequently on existing optical apparatuses (2) in an easy way and to bring about as quickly as possible automatic or manual interruption of the beam path by the optical apparatus (2), the invention proposes to use, as an anti-dazzle device (6) of the device (1) according to the invention, an LC window (7) which can be switched over by an electrical voltage and control electronics (8) which are connected to the LC window (7) and by means of which the LC window (7) can be switched over from a translucent state into a non-translucent state, and vice versa.