Pixelated Electrochromic Vehicle Window Light Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle window systems fail to provide automatic and complete sun blocking coverage at all positions and orientations within the passenger compartment, leading to glare and heat management issues due to incident light from the sun or external sources, which can impair driver vision and cause discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A window system comprising a transparent inner and outer layer with a pixelated layer of electrochromic cells and an electrode array, controlled by an incident light monitoring and management subsystem that dynamically adjusts the transparency of specific sections of the window based on the intensity and location of incident light relative to the driver's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual or semi-automatic sun visors are used to block incident light, then light blocking capability is improved, but vision obstruction and incomplete coverage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The window is divided into multiple independently controllable pixelated regions, each capable of being activated or deactivated individually. This segmentation allows precise control of light blocking in specific areas without affecting the entire window, thereby blocking incident light while maintaining visibility in unactivated regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the transparency of window regions in real-time based on incident light detection and passenger position monitoring. The pixelated electrochromic cells can transition between transparent and opaque states automatically, providing adaptive light management that responds to changing conditions without manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual or semi-automatic sun visors are used to block incident light, then light blocking capability is improved, but complete coverage at all positions and orientations is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The window surface is segmented into a pixelated array of electrochromic cells that can be independently controlled. This allows selective activation of specific regions to provide coverage for different passenger positions and orientations, achieving complete adaptability across all viewing angles and locations within the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect incident light intensity and passenger position, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts which pixelated regions are activated, ensuring complete coverage adapts to all passenger positions and orientations without manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire window is made opaque to block incident light, then light blocking is improved, but visibility and natural light transmission are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire window opaque, only specific pixelated regions are activated to block light where incident light is detected. The remaining regions maintain their transparent state, allowing natural light transmission and visibility to be preserved in areas where blocking is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies light blocking action only partially - activating only the minimum necessary pixelated regions to block incident light while leaving the rest of the window transparent. This partial action achieves sufficient light blocking without the excessive action of making the entire window opaque, thereby maintaining natural light transmission.
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
This solution effectively reduces glare and heat load by dynamically modulating the transparency of vehicle windows, enhancing driver visibility and comfort by automatically adjusting to the intensity and position of incident light, eliminating the need for manual sun visors and providing tailored light management.
Implementation Method 1
The pixelated layer includes a two-dimensional array of electrochromic cells and an electrode array that is electrically connected to the electrochromic cells
Data Source
AI summary
A window system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a window including an inner transparent layer, an outer transparent layer and a pixelated layer interposed therebetween. The pixelated layer includes a two-dimensional array of electrochromic cells and an electrode array that is electrically connected to the electrochromic cells. A controller determines, via an incident light monitoring subsystem, a field of view of a passenger and determines an intensity of incident light in relation to the field of view of the passenger. The controller is disposed to command a passenger compartment incident light management subsystem to activate selected electrochromic cells in the transparent window based upon the intensity of the incident light in relation to the field of view of the passenger.