Smart Glass Vehicle Compartment for Automatic Sun Glare Shading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle compartment systems for mitigating sun blinding are complex and often inefficient, requiring manual operation or complex sensor systems that may not effectively predict and prevent glare before it affects the occupant.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle compartment with a light sensor located below the expected eye position range, coupled with a panel assembly that adjusts light intensity using electrochromic glass or similar technology, automatically shades the occupant by detecting changes in sunlight exposure and activating panels before glare occurs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a manually operated sun visor is provided, then the occupant can shield from sunlight, but the system requires manual effort and distraction from the occupant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun blindingVSAvoidmanual effort required
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a light sensor to automatically detect sunlight intensity and control panels to adjust light transmission, enabling the system to serve itself without requiring manual operation by the occupant

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated optical sensing and control system that uses light sensors and electrically controllable panels to adjust light transmission automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If existing automated systems with multiple sensors are used, then light detection capability is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and uses only the essential light sensing function from complex multi-sensor systems, achieving effective glare detection with a simplified single-sensor approach positioned at the rearview mirror

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light sensor serves multiple functions: detecting glare conditions, triggering panel activation, and controlling light transmission adjustment, replacing the need for multiple specialized sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a simple, efficient, and reliable means to mitigate sun blinding by sensing incoming light early and adjusting light intensity through the vehicle compartment's panels, ensuring the occupant remains shaded effectively without distracting manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a light sensor (6) adapted to determine an intensity of light falling onto said light sensor (6) via said screen (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

Each panel in said panel assembly (4) is adapted to adjust the light intensity of light falling into said vehicle compartment (1) via at least a portion of said screen (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4183606B1A vehicle compartment with smart glass controlled by a light sensor
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP4183606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4183606B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle compartment (1) for a vehicle, said vehicle compartment (1) comprising a screen (3) through which an occupant can view portions of the environment ambient of said vehicle compartment (1), at least one panel (5), adapted to adjust the light intensity of light falling into said vehicle compartment (1) via at least a portion of said screen (3), a light sensor (6) and a control unit (7) adapted to adjust the panel (5) to thereby adjust the light intensity of light falling into said vehicle compartment (1) in response to a signal issued from the light sensor (6).