Vehicle Windscreen Sensor Area Wedge Angle via Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle windshields with laminated glass suffer from ghost images due to multiple reflections, which can distract drivers and affect the performance of optical sensors, especially in autonomous driving systems, and existing solutions like wedge foils are costly and complex to produce.

Innovation Solution

A composite vehicle pane with a thermoplastic intermediate layer and an insert that creates a wedge-shaped thickness variation within the sensor area, producing a wedge angle without the need for expensive wedge foils, allowing for effective compensation of ghost images without impairing the sensor beam path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If wedge foils are used to compensate for ghost images, then ghost image compensation is achieved, but production cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveghost imagesVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the wedge angle function from a separate wedge foil component and integrates it directly into the thermoplastic intermediate layer through localized thickness variation. This eliminates the need for separate wedge foils while maintaining the ghost image compensation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the wedge angle function with the thermoplastic intermediate layer by creating a locally varied thickness profile within the layer itself. This combines the structural support function and the optical compensation function into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wedge foils are used to compensate for ghost images, then ghost image compensation is achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveghost imagesVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive wedge foils with a cost-effective modification of the standard thermoplastic intermediate layer. The localized thickness variation is achieved through simple processing methods that do not require special expensive materials or complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thickness parameter of the thermoplastic intermediate layer locally to create the desired wedge angle effect. This parameter modification is achieved through standard manufacturing processes and eliminates the need for expensive wedge foil components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the thermoplastic intermediate layer has variable thickness to create wedge angle, then ghost image compensation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveghost imagesVSAvoidthickness control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality variation by creating a localized thickness increase in the thermoplastic intermediate layer at a specific position. This localized modification creates the necessary wedge angle for ghost image compensation while maintaining standard thickness elsewhere, simplifying manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates the thickness variation during the initial production of the thermoplastic intermediate layer, establishing the wedge angle profile before assembly. This preliminary action ensures consistent geometry and simplifies subsequent manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution significantly reduces ghost images in the sensor area, enhancing driver visibility and sensor performance while simplifying production by using a cost-effective method to achieve the necessary wedge angle, thus improving the acceptance of ghost image compensation in vehicle systems.

Implementation Method 1

the thermoplastic intermediate layer comprises one or more composite films which flow thermoplastically in the autoclave process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplastic flow:

Implementation Method 2

The insert according to the invention thus creates a wedge-shaped course of the thermoplastic intermediate layer without the cost-intensive use of wedge foils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge angle geometry: Wedge

Implementation Method 3

The error results from the splitting of a light beam transmitted through the pane as a result of multiple reflections inside the pane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMultiple reflections: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3756882B1Vehicle composite disc with sensor area and curved thermoplastic intermediate layer in the sensor area
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP3756882B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3756882B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3756882B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Vehicle composite windscreen with sensor area (9) comprising at least an outer pane (1) with an outer surface (I) and an inner surface (II), an inner pane (2) with an inner surface (III) and an outer surface (IV), wherein the inner surface (II) of the outer pane (1) and the inner surface (III) of the inner pane (2) are connected to each other via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), a roof edge (D) and an engine edge (M), wherein at least one insert (8) is provided between the inner surface (II) of the outer pane (1) and the inner surface (III) of the inner pane (2), which lies outside the sensor area (9) and causes a local thickness change of the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) within the sensor area (9), such that the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) is variable at least section by section within the sensor area (9) in the vertical direction between the roof edge (D) and the engine edge (M) with a wedge angle (α).