Vehicle Glare Prevention System Using Dynamic Light Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers often experience glare while driving, particularly from sunlight and headlights, which can be dangerous and disrupt their ability to operate the vehicle safely, as existing solutions like foldable sun visors are inconvenient and may not provide adequate protection.

Innovation Solution

A glare prevention system comprising a camera and processing circuitry that determines the direction and intensity of light sources relative to the driver's face, activating a glare protector, such as smart windows or movable curtains, to block or reduce glare effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If foldable sun visors are used to block glare, then glare protection is provided, but the driver's hands are occupied and the mechanism is mechanical and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare protectionVSAvoidconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical foldable sun visor system with an electronically controlled glare protector system. The glare protector is activated by a processing circuitry that detects glare conditions and automatically positions the protector, eliminating the need for manual mechanical operation by the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The glare prevention system operates autonomously by using sensors to detect glare conditions and automatically activating the glare protector without requiring driver intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational environment and responding accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If foldable sun visors are used to block glare, then glare protection is provided, but the protection is not adequate and the mechanism is complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare protectionVSAvoidmechanical mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical foldable visor mechanisms with a simpler electronically controlled system. The glare protector uses electronic actuators and control circuitry instead of mechanical hinges, springs, and latches, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the glare protector is activated in a fixed area, then the structure is simple, but the protection is not effective for different light source positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare protection effectivenessVSAvoidactivation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The glare protector activation area is made dynamic rather than fixed. The processing circuitry calculates the appropriate activation area based on the detected light source position, intensity, and direction. This allows the system to adapt to different glare conditions while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the activation parameters (area, position, intensity) of the glare protector based on detected glare conditions. The processing circuitry adjusts these parameters dynamically to optimize protection effectiveness for different light source positions and intensities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system provides a more convenient and safer driving experience by dynamically adjusting the glare protector to minimize glare, ensuring the driver's comfort and safety by reducing the risk of accidents caused by blinding light.

Implementation Method 1

a camera arranged to provide an image view of a vehicle occupant... determine, based on the image view, different levels of light at plural parts of the face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a glare protector arranged to at least dampen light from a light source so that the vehicle occupant is less disturbed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11554645B2Glare prevention system and method for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD

AI summary

A system and a method for glare prevention. The method includes providing an image view of the face of the vehicle occupant; determining levels of light at plural parts of the face of the vehicle occupant; determining a direction to a light source causing the levels of light at plural parts of the face of the vehicle occupant; determining an area where to activate a glare protector; and activating the glare protector in the determined area to protect the vehicle occupant from glare caused by a light source.