Vehicle Windows Synchronized with Light Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle windows often face challenges in balancing privacy and visibility, as traditional privacy solutions like sunshades or one-way mirror coatings can either block views or appear too shiny or dark, and existing technologies fail to effectively synchronize light transmission and reflectivity with internal and external light sources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrically adjustable windows with light modulator layers, such as liquid crystal layers, cholesteric liquid crystal layers, and polymer dispersed liquid crystal layers, which can be controlled using alternating current modulation waveforms to synchronize with internal and external light sources, ensuring reduced transparency during light emission and maintaining partial transparency otherwise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional privacy solutions like sunshades or one-way mirror coatings are used, then privacy is improved, but visibility is worsened (blocking view or appearing too shiny/dark)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by using electrically adjustable light modulator layers (such as liquid crystal layers, guest-host liquid crystal layers, cholesteric liquid crystal layers, and polymer dispersed liquid crystal layers) that can change their optical properties in real-time. These layers transition between different states (transparent, opaque, reflective, absorptive) based on applied voltage, allowing the window to adapt its privacy and visibility characteristics dynamically rather than being fixed like traditional coatings or sunshades.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the window by using light modulator layers whose light transmission, reflectivity, and absorption properties can be adjusted by changing electrical parameters (voltage). This allows continuous adjustment of the window's optical characteristics to balance privacy and visibility needs, unlike traditional static solutions that offer only fixed states.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light modulator layers are used to adjust transparency, then privacy is improved during light emission, but the window may appear too dark or reflective at other times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing the light modulator layers with the modulation waveform of internal and external light sources. The window periodically transitions between transparent and opaque states in coordination with the light emission cycles, ensuring privacy protection during light emission while maintaining visibility during darkness periods. This synchronized periodic operation allows the window to adapt its appearance flexibly based on the lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by detecting the modulation waveform of light sources (through light detectors or wireless communication) and using this information to control the light modulator layers accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the window responds appropriately to changing lighting conditions, maintaining optimal privacy and visibility characteristics without appearing excessively dark or reflective when not needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the window is made opaque during light emission to reduce glare, then privacy is improved, but visibility during darkness is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the light modulator layers with the modulation waveform of light sources. During light emission periods, the window becomes opaque to reduce glare and improve privacy. During darkness periods when no light is emitted, the window returns to a transparent state, maintaining visibility. This periodic switching coordinated with light emission cycles resolves the contradiction between glare reduction and darkness visibility.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If synchronous modulation of window and light sources is implemented, then privacy and glare control are improved, but system complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback to simplify the synchronization system. Light detectors detect the modulation waveform of internal and external light sources, and this detected information is fed back to control the light modulator layers. This feedback approach eliminates the need for complex hardwired synchronization paths, allowing the system to automatically adapt to different light sources and their modulation characteristics, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective privacy and glare control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using light detectors to automatically detect and analyze the modulation waveform of light sources, and the control circuitry automatically adjusts the light modulator layers based on this detected information. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex external synchronization systems, as the window system independently adapts to the lighting conditions and modulates itself accordingly.
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 enhances privacy and reduces glare by ensuring the window is opaque or hazy during light emission, while appearing constant to occupants and maintaining visibility during darkness, thus addressing the balance of privacy and visibility in vehicle windows.
Implementation Method 1
A window may include a light modulator layer such as a liquid crystal layer with polarizers, may include a guest-host liquid crystal light modulator layer, may include a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that can be adjusted to exhibit changes in light transmission and reflectivity
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable optical properties of the window (e.g., light transmission, haze, and reflectivity) may be modulated using an alternating current modulation waveform
Data Source
AI summary
A system such as a vehicle may have window that exhibit adjustable transparency. The windows may include liquid crystal devices and polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices that exhibit adjustable amounts of light transmission and haze. An optical property of a window such as window transparency may be modulated using an alternating-current modulation waveform. Modulation of the transparency of the window may be synchronized with modulated light output from a light source. The light source may be located inside the vehicle or may be located outside of the vehicle. By synchronizing the modulation of the transparency of the window with the light source output, privacy may be enhanced or glare may be reduced.