Moveable Roof Section for Adaptive Sun Shading

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles with large window sections, such as agricultural or constructional vehicles, face interior overheating and operator discomfort due to direct sunlight, and existing static sun shades require manual adjustment and do not adapt to the sun's movement.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle cab with a moveable roof section controlled by a sun sensor to automatically adjust its position and provide shading, combined with actuators for longitudinal and lateral movement, and optionally equipped with reflective materials, photovoltaic elements, and additional sensors for rain and light control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If large window sections are provided in the vehicle cab, then operator visibility is improved, but the interior of the cab is exposed to direct sunlight causing overheating and operator discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator visibilityVSAvoiddirect sunlight exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The roof section is made moveable relative to the cab window section, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on sun location. This dynamic configuration enables the roof section to provide shading when needed while maintaining clear visibility when the sun is not in the critical position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shading function is localized to specific regions of the cab by having the roof section selectively positioned to shade only the areas affected by direct sunlight, while leaving other areas unaffected to maintain visibility and natural lighting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If static sun shades are provided in the vehicle cab, then operator shielding from direct sunlight is improved, but the shades require manual deployment and do not adapt to sun movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator shieldingVSAvoidmanual adjustment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a sun sensor to automatically detect sun position and controls the roof section movement autonomously based on detected sun location, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention to deploy or adjust shading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sun sensor provides continuous feedback on sun position to the control system, which automatically adjusts the roof section position in response to changing sun location, creating a closed-loop adaptive shading system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If static sun shades are used in the vehicle cab, then initial shielding is provided, but the shades do not compensate for the movement of the vehicle and changing sun position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun shieldingVSAvoidadaptation to sun movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The roof section is made moveable relative to the cab window section, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on sun location. This dynamic configuration enables the roof section to provide shading when needed while maintaining clear visibility when the sun is not in the critical position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sun sensor provides continuous feedback on sun position to the control system, which automatically adjusts the roof section position in response to changing sun location, creating a closed-loop adaptive shading system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system effectively reduces interior heating and operator glare by automatically adjusting the sun shade based on the sun's position, enhancing operator comfort and reducing the load on air conditioning systems while maximizing renewable energy generation.

Implementation Method 1

a sun sensor provided on the roof section, wherein at least a portion of the roof section is moveable relative to the cab window section to shade the interior of the cab, and wherein the movement of the said at least a portion of the roof section is controlled based on the position of the sun determined by the sun sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the roof section is moveable relative to the cab window section to shade the interior of the cab

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the vehicle cab may further comprise a reflective material provided on at least a portion of the roof section, such that the reflective material acts to reflect solar radiation away from the vehicle cab

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

the vehicle cab may comprise photovoltaic elements provided on the roof section to generate power for at least a portion of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11059357B2Vehicle cab

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 AGCO INT GMBH

AI summary

A vehicle cab having a moveable roof section. The movement of the roof section is based on the location of the sun relative to the vehicle cab, such that the roof section moves to act as a sun shade for the cab. The roof section is provided with a sun sensor to determine the sun location, so that the roof section can automatically move to provide an adaptive sun shade.