Vehicle Privacy Window With Gesture-Controlled Electrochromic Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle privacy systems, such as blinds, curtains, and tinted films, are inconvenient to use and often fail to provide quick and complete control over light and noise levels, hindering relaxation and privacy.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle privacy system featuring a window that can selectively switch between transparent and non-transparent states using an elongate touch-sensitive sensor integrated into the trim, allowing users to control transparency and noise cancellation through intuitive gestures, with a controller managing the transition line and audio interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blinds or curtains are attached to the inside surface of the window, then privacy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to detachment and gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprivacyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical privacy systems (blinds, curtains, films) with an electro-optical system using electrochromic glass that changes transparency through electrical control. This eliminates mechanical components that detach or create gaps, providing reliable privacy control through electronic means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic window provides dynamic, adjustable transparency control allowing users to switch between transparent and opaque states as needed. This dynamic control replaces static privacy solutions with adaptable privacy management that responds to user needs in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If tinted films or stickers are attached to windows, then light control is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to predetermined and unchangeable light levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight controlVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrochromic window enables dynamic adjustment of light transmission levels, allowing users to transition between transparent and opaque states. This replaces fixed tint levels with continuously adjustable light control that adapts to varying environmental conditions and user preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the optical parameters of the window material through electrical control, allowing the glass to transition between different transparency states. This parameter change capability replaces fixed tint properties with可调 optical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If noise blocking devices are worn over ears, then noise reduction is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to discomfort and communication hindrance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical noise blocking devices (earplugs, headphones) with an acoustic field control system using active noise cancellation technology. This substitutes physical barriers with electronic acoustic wave interference to achieve noise reduction without wearing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses anti-noise sound waves as an intermediary to cancel out external noise through destructive interference. This mediator approach blocks noise without requiring direct physical contact with the user's ears, maintaining comfort and communication ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 users to easily and quickly adjust privacy and noise levels, enhancing relaxation and privacy by allowing seamless control over light and sound, while maintaining visibility and communication.

Implementation Method 1

a window for the vehicle, the window being configured to selectively switch between transparent and non-transparent states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

an elongate touch sensitive sensor providable in a trim portion of the vehicle adjacent to the window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive touch sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

at least one speaker providable within the vehicle, the speaker being configured to emit an audio signal within the vehicle that creates destructive interference with sound outside the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11137628B2Privacy system and method for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A privacy system for a vehicle, including: a window configured to selectively switch between transparent and non-transparent states and to simultaneously have a transparent zone and a non-transparent zone, an elongate touch sensitive sensor provided adjacent to the window, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the elongate touch sensitive sensor and control the transparency of the window such that a transition line between the transparent zone and the non-transparent zone is substantially aligned with and follows a point at which the elongate touch sensitive sensor is being touched.