Variable Focus Windshield Liquid Crystal Refraction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers who require corrective lenses for safe driving may face vision difficulties and safety hazards when they forget or misplace their lenses, as existing systems do not effectively aid in correcting vision in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a variable focus windshield containing embedded liquid crystals that adjusts its refractive index based on the driver's ocular prescription, using a control system to detect the need for correction and dynamically alter the liquid crystals' position to improve visibility, activated by ignition, eye tests, or driver input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drivers wear corrective lenses while driving, then vision clarity is improved, but drivers may forget or misplace their lenses creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (liquid crystal layer in windshield) that acts as a mediator between the driver and the external environment. This intermediary dynamically adjusts optical properties to correct vision without requiring the driver to wear external corrective lenses, thereby eliminating the safety risk of forgetting or misplacing glasses while maintaining vision clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The windshield system provides self-service vision correction by automatically detecting the driver's visual needs and adjusting its refractive properties accordingly. The system monitors driver behavior and environmental conditions to dynamically modify the liquid crystal layer's refractive index, enabling the windshield to serve its own optical correction function without external intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a variable focus windshield with liquid crystals is implemented, then vision correction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision correction function with the windshield structure itself by embedding liquid crystal layers directly into the windshield. This integration combines multiple functions (protection, transparency, and adaptive optical correction) into a single unified component, reducing the need for separate corrective devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the liquid crystal material's refractive index to achieve vision correction. By controlling the orientation and arrangement of liquid crystal molecules through electrical fields, the windshield can dynamically adjust its optical parameters to match the driver's prescription requirements, providing adaptability without mechanical moving parts.
3Measurement precision
If liquid crystals are dynamically repositioned to adjust refractive index, then vision correction accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by only activating the liquid crystal repositioning when vision correction is needed, rather than continuous operation. The control system monitors driver status and environmental conditions, triggering refractive index adjustments only during specific conditions that require correction, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining correction accuracy when needed.
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
Enables drivers to maintain clear vision even without corrective lenses by dynamically adjusting the windshield's refractive index, enhancing safety by ensuring obstacles and surroundings are clearly visible.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer to a refractive index that correlates with the driver's ocular prescription
Implementation Method 2
repositioning one or more liquid crystals embedded in the liquid crystal layer based upon a driver's ocular prescription
Data Source
AI summary
Technique for implementing a liquid crystal layer installed in a transmissive object installed in a vehicle. More specifically, a control system is configured to activate a liquid crystal layer that has been installed a vehicle. The control system then determines an ocular prescription strength of a driver, and sets a refractive index of one or more liquid crystal layers disposed within the liquid crystal layer to adjust a refractive index of the windshield to correlate with the determined ocular prescription strength.