Vehicle Window Transparency Control via Light Projectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle window systems fail to provide automatic and complete sun blocking coverage at all positions and orientations within the passenger compartment, leading to glare and heat load issues that impair driver vision and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A window system with an incident light monitoring subsystem and a light management subsystem that uses individually controllable light projectors to modulate the transparency of window treatments based on the intensity and location of incident light relative to the driver's field of view, dynamically adjusting to reduce glare and heat load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manual or semi-automatic sun visors are used to block incident light, then glare and heat load are reduced, but vision is completely obstructed and coverage is incomplete at all positions and orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare and heat loadVSAvoidvision obstruction and coverage completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The window treatment is divided into multiple independently controllable subsections, each capable of being adjusted to different levels of transparency. This segmentation allows selective blocking of light in specific areas while maintaining visibility in others, resolving the contradiction between glare reduction and vision preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window treatment transitions from a static manual visor to a dynamic system with multiple controllable subsections that can adjust their transparency levels independently. This dynamic capability enables adaptive response to varying light conditions and passenger positions, providing both glare protection and maintained visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional window treatments are used, then manual control is simple, but automatic adaptation to varying light conditions and passenger positions is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic adaptation to light conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor light conditions and passenger positions, providing feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation of the window treatment subsections to varying conditions without requiring complex manual intervention, balancing adaptability with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The window treatment system performs self-adjustment based on sensor input and controller processing, automatically adapting to changing light conditions and passenger positions without requiring manual operation. This self-service capability enhances adaptability while reducing the need for complex user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If complete sun blocking is implemented, then glare is eliminated, but visibility is completely obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveglareVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different subsections of the window treatment are controlled independently with different transparency levels based on local light conditions and passenger needs. This local quality approach allows complete blocking in areas where glare is problematic while maintaining transparency in areas where visibility is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between glare elimination and visibility preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively reduces glare and heat load by dynamically controlling the transparency of vehicle windows, enhancing driver visibility and comfort without the need for manual sun visors or shades, providing adaptive light management for various light sources and orientations.

Implementation Method 1

each of the light projectors is configured to project a light beam that interacts with a subsection of the window treatment to modulate transparency of a corresponding subsection of the window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS10067402B2Window system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A window system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a transparent window having a window treatment, an incident light monitoring subsystem, an incident light management subsystem and a controller. The incident light monitoring subsystem monitors incident light transmitted into the passenger compartment, determines a field of view of a passenger and determines an intensity of the incident light relative to the field of view of the passenger. The incident light management subsystem individually controls a plurality of light projectors to project a light beam that interacts with a subsection of the window treatment to modulate light transparency of one of the subsections of the window based upon the intensity of the incident light in relation to a field of view of the passenger.