Optical Sensor Device Angle-of-Incidence Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun position sensors in motor vehicles have a non-isotropic directional characteristic due to sensitivity dependence on the angle of incidence, leading to inaccurate detection of solar radiation power, which affects the determination of radiant power impinging on drivers.

Innovation Solution

An optical sensor device with a light-sensitive receiving element and an optical imaging device that compensates for angle-of-incidence-dependent sensitivity by adjusting the radiant power during transmission, ensuring a uniform directional characteristic across a predetermined range of angles, allowing for accurate detection of solar radiation power impinging on drivers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a light-sensitive receiving element with angle-of-incidence-dependent sensitivity is used, then the device can detect solar radiation power, but the detection accuracy varies with the angle of incidence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidangular independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the imaging device (focal length, aperture, lens shape) as a function of the angle of incidence. Specifically, the focal length is varied angularly to compensate for the angle-of-incidence-dependent sensitivity of the receiving element, thereby maintaining constant detection response across different incident angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The optical imaging device acts as an intermediary between the solar radiation and the light-sensitive receiving element. It modifies the optical path and adjusts the radiant power distribution angularly, serving as a mediator that compensates for the receiver's angular sensitivity variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the optical imaging device compensates for angle-dependent sensitivity, then uniform directional characteristic is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical imaging device has different optical properties in different angular zones. The focal length and other parameters are locally optimized for specific angle ranges, creating a non-uniform optical system that achieves uniform angular response through localized parameter variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 ensures that the detected radiant power is independent of the angle of incidence, providing accurate irradiance perception and enabling effective air-conditioning control within the vehicle, maintaining a constant temperature and enhancing comfort by ensuring consistent radiant power measurement across various sun positions.

Implementation Method 1

an optical imaging device for transmitting the solar radiation onto the light-sensitive receiving element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a light-sensitive receiving element for detecting the radiant power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3144648B1Optical sensor device for a motor vehicle, driver assistance system and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP3144648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3144648B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical sensor device (3) for a motor vehicle (1) for determining the radiant power of solar radiation (4) incident on a driver (5) located inside the motor vehicle (1), comprising a light-sensitive receiving element (12) for detecting the radiant power, wherein the light-sensitive receiving element (12) has an angle-of-incidence-dependent sensitivity for a predetermined angle-of-incidence range (E) of the solar radiation (4), and comprising an optical imaging device (15) for transmitting the solar radiation (4) to the light-sensitive receiving element (12), wherein the optical imaging device (15) is designed to change the radiant power of the solar radiation (4) incident on the optical imaging device (15) from the predetermined angle-of-incidence range (E) in a manner dependent on the angle of incidence during transmission in order to compensate for the angle-of-incidence-dependent sensitivity of the light-sensitive receiving element (12).so that the radiant power detected by the light-sensitive receiving element (12) after transmission is independent of the angle of incidence within the predetermined angle of incidence range (E). The invention also relates to a driver assistance system (2) and a motor vehicle (1).