Vehicle Sun Sensor Using Single Photodiode and GNSS Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar radiation sensors for air-conditioning units in vehicles require large installation spaces and complex upgrades to the control device, making them costly and inefficient due to the need for multiple photodiodes and reliance on GPS signals for sun position calculation.
Innovation Solution
A compact intelligent sensor using a single photodiode to measure sun intensity, combined with GNSS data and time-based information, processes these inputs to generate a sun position signal that can be directly used by the air-conditioning unit, reducing the need for extensive control device upgrades and minimizing construction space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple photodiodes are used to detect sun position and intensity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computation module as an intermediary that processes signals from a single photodiode along with GPS location data and time information to calculate sun position. This mediator converts limited direct measurement into comprehensive sun position determination, resolving the contradiction between using multiple photodiodes and simplifying sensor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical approach of using multiple photodiodes arranged in different orientations with a computational approach using a single photodiode combined with GPS and time data. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical sensor arrangements while achieving the same measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple photodiodes facing different orientations are used, then sun position detection capability is improved, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sun position calculation function from the sensor hardware itself and relocates it to a computation module that uses GPS data and time information. This allows the sensor to use a single photodiode instead of multiple photodiodes, significantly reducing the installation space required while maintaining sun position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The computation module acts as an intermediary that combines limited photodiode signals with external GPS and time data to derive complete sun position information. This intermediary approach enables accurate sun position detection without requiring multiple photodiodes, thus reducing installation space.
3Measurement precision
If control device is upgraded to compute sun position signal, then air-conditioning control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-service by including an integrated computation module that automatically calculates the sun position signal using GPS data, time information, and photodiode measurements. This self-contained approach eliminates the need for expensive upgrades to the vehicle's control device, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high air-conditioning control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The computation module performs preliminary calculation of the sun position signal within the sensor itself, preparing the data in advance for the air-conditioning control. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex control device upgrades, as the sun position information is already processed and ready for use.
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 allows for optimized temperature control in vehicles with reduced installation space requirements and lower costs, as the sensor processes sun position and intensity data internally, eliminating the need for extensive control device adjustments and upgrades.
Implementation Method 1
at least one diode for measuring sun intensity
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor (2) for determining solar altitude information includes at least one diode (24) for measuring sun intensity. A computation module (20) has interfaces (72, 74) at its input side for time- and location-based data for determining the current sun position from said location-based data, said time-based data and sun intensity measured and for providing a sun output signal on an output interface (80).