Dynamic Windshield Dimming for Automated Driving Visual Field Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle control systems fail to utilize the driver's front visual field space effectively, as the dimming area is often set outside the front visual field, limiting its utilization during automated driving modes.
Innovation Solution
An automated driving controller and visual field condition controller that dynamically adjust the front visual field condition based on driving modes, switching between visible and visual difficulty conditions, using a dimming control device to opacify the windshield and display relevant images on the windshield or windows, ensuring optimal space utilization during automated driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the dimming area is set outside the front visual field to maintain driver visibility, then the driver's front visual field remains clear, but the space corresponding to the front visual field cannot be utilized sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the windshield dimming state changeable between transparent and opaque conditions based on driving mode. The visual field condition controller dynamically adjusts the dimming area's transparency - keeping it transparent during manual driving for visibility, and switching to opaque during automated driving to enable display functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility and space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the windshield dimming area to serve dual purposes: maintaining driver visibility when transparent and displaying information when opaque. This allows the same space to function both as a visual field during manual driving and as a display area during automated driving, effectively utilizing the front visual field space without compromising visibility when needed
2Productivity
If the windshield is opacified during automated driving to display images, then the space is utilized effectively, but the driver cannot directly monitor the front surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a camera positioned to capture the front view and displaying this camera image on the opaque windshield. The camera acts as an intermediary that captures the surroundings and presents them on the display surface, allowing the driver to monitor front surroundings indirectly through the displayed image while the windshield remains opaque for display purposes
3Productivity
If the front visual field condition is changed dynamically based on driving mode, then the space utilization is optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the visual field condition controller receive information about the current driving mode from the automated driving controller and automatically adjust the windshield dimming state accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to different driving modes without requiring complex manual control logic, optimizing space utilization while keeping the control system manageable through intelligent automated responses
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 efficient use of the driver's front visual field space by adapting the visual field conditions according to driving modes, enhancing the comfort and safety of the vehicle occupants by providing a calm environment and ensuring timely monitoring of surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
a dimming control device for controlling the degree of transparency of the window glass
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system comprises an automated driving controler for executing any of a plurality of driving modes which include an automated driving mode for automatically performing at least one of speed control and steering control of a vehicle and a manual driving mode for performing both of the speed control and the steering control based on operation of an occupant of the vehicle, and a visual field condition controller for controlling a front visual field condition of the vehicle based on the driving mode executed by the automated driving controller so as to be either a visible condition or a visual difficulty condition.