Smart Vehicle Window Structure for Integrated Dimming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass structures for vehicle windows require manual or motor-operated shading components that are prone to damage, occupy space, increase vehicle weight, and pose safety hazards due to driver distraction during operation.
Innovation Solution
A glass structure with a modulating unit and interaction unit, controlled by a control unit, that adjusts optical characteristics based on environmental parameters or user input, eliminating the need for additional shielding components and enhancing flexibility and user-friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual or motor-operated shading components are installed in conventional glass structures, then shading and privacy protection functions are achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to frequent damage and maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shading function from separate mechanical components (curtains, rollers, sunshields) and integrates it directly into the glass structure itself through electrochromic or liquid crystal layers. This eliminates the need for separate shading mechanisms while maintaining the shading function, thereby reducing device complexity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shading function with the glass structure by incorporating electrochromic or liquid crystal materials directly into the glass layers. This combination creates an integrated system where the glass itself provides both structural and shading functions, eliminating separate components and reducing overall system complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sunshields are installed inside the vehicle cabin, then sun protection function is achieved, but the vehicle weight increases leading to higher fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sun protection function from physical sunshields and implements it through electrochromic or liquid crystal layers integrated into the glass. This eliminates the need for separate sunshield components, thereby reducing vehicle weight while maintaining sun protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the glass structure by incorporating electrochromic or liquid crystal materials that can dynamically adjust their light transmission properties. This allows the glass itself to provide sun protection through parameter changes rather than requiring additional physical barriers, thus reducing weight.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sunshields are operated manually, then sun protection is achieved, but driver safety is compromised due to distraction and operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality through automatic control systems that monitor environmental conditions (light sensors, temperature sensors) and automatically adjust the electrochromic or liquid crystal layers. This eliminates the need for manual operation, allowing the system to self-regulate sun protection based on real-time conditions, thereby improving driver safety by removing distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect environmental parameters such as light intensity and temperature. This feedback is processed by a control unit that automatically adjusts the optical properties of the glass structure, creating a closed-loop system that responds to changing conditions without requiring manual intervention, thus enhancing driver safety.
4Reliability
If electrochromic or liquid crystal layers are integrated into the glass structure, then the modulating unit and interaction unit need to be isolated, requiring additional filling material that increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs filling material that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical isolation between the modulating unit and interaction unit, acts as an adhesive to bond glass layers, and maintains structural integrity of the overall assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure despite the integrated design.
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 reduces vehicle weight and space occupancy by integrating smart dimming functionality, providing intelligent and flexible shading without manual operation, thus improving safety and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
the interaction unit and the modulating unit are isolated from each other by a filling material arranged therebetween, a transmittance of the filling material is equal to or greater than about 50%, the relative permittivity of the filling material being equal to or less than about 10
Implementation Method 2
a modulating unit coupled to the glass body and configured to modulate optical characteristics of the glass structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A glass structure (100) comprises a glass body (110); a modulating unit (120) coupled to the glass body (110) and configured to modulate optical characteristics of the glass structure (100); an interaction unit (130) coupled to the glass body (110) and configured to provide an adjusting signal which indicates an execution of adjusting the optical characteristics of the glass structure (100); and a control unit (140) coupled to the modulating unit (120) and the interaction unit (130) respectively, the control unit (140) being configured to receive the adjusting signal from the interaction unit (130) and to control the modulating unit (120) to modulate the optical characteristics of a target region of the glass structure (100) in response to the adjusting signal. The interaction unit (130) and the modulating unit (120) are isolated from each other by a filling material arranged therebetween, a transmittance of the filling material being equal to or greater than about 50%, the relative permittivity of the filling material being equal to or less than about 10, and the thickness of the filling material being equal to or greater than about 50μm.