Windshield Glare Mitigation via Electrostatic Opaque Droplets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mitigating glare on windshields, such as sun visors and tilted windshields, are ineffective during nighttime or low-light conditions, and can obstruct the driver's view, increasing the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A glare mitigation system that uses image capturing devices to determine the driver's line of sight and the position of glare, and positions a free-floating opaque matter within the windshield using electrostatic potential to block the glare, ensuring clear visibility for the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sun visors or tilted windshields are used to mitigate glare, then glare effect is reduced during daytime, but driver's view is blocked and glare mitigation fails during nighttime or low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic droplets that can move and change shape in response to varying light conditions. The droplets transition from a dispersed state during daytime to a concentrated state during nighttime, allowing the windshield to adapt its glare mitigation properties dynamically based on ambient lighting conditions and driver's line of sight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the windshield by controlling the shape, size, and position of liquid droplets. By varying the electrostatic field, the droplets can be manipulated to change their refractive index and physical configuration, thereby adjusting the windshield's ability to mitigate glare across different lighting conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed opaque structures are used to block glare, then glare is reduced, but visibility of road objects is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamically controllable liquid droplets instead of fixed opaque structures. These droplets can be precisely positioned and shaped to block only the glare from headlamps while leaving the rest of the windshield clear for road visibility. The system dynamically adjusts droplet configuration based on the position of oncoming vehicles and driver's line of sight.
Solution Approach 2:
The glare mitigation is applied locally only where needed - specifically at the position of the glare source - rather than using overall opaque structures. The liquid droplets are concentrated at the precise location of incoming glare, allowing the rest of the windshield to remain transparent and maintain full road visibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional windshield designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but glare mitigation is ineffective during nighttime or low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of liquid droplets (size, shape, position, concentration) through electrostatic control to achieve effective nighttime glare mitigation. This approach maintains the basic windshield structure for ease of manufacture while adding a controllable liquid component that can be manipulated to address nighttime glare conditions.
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 on windshields in various lighting conditions without obstructing the driver's view, enhancing safety by maintaining clear visibility during driving.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit controls the electrostatic potential to be applied across the metal frame, thereby causing the movement of the free floating opaque matter to the position of the glare for mitigating the glare from the windshield
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for mitigating glare from a windshield of an automobile. Plurality of images, captured from plurality of image capturing devices placed at predefined locations of automobile, are collected. Various image processing techniques are applied on the plurality of collected images to identify line of sight of driver of the automobile, presence of glare on the windshield and position of glare. A free floating opaque matter placed within the windshield is moved to the position of glare on windshield, thereby preventing the glare from affecting the driver. Movement of opaque matter on to the position of the glare is achieved by varying electrostatic potential to be applied across metal frame encircling the windshield. The windshield disclosed hereinabove is capable of adaptively positioning the opaque matter over the position of the glare without requiring any intervention from the driver, thereby facilitating in a smooth drive of the automobile.