Vehicle Windshield Liquid Detection via Translucent Layer Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting liquids on vehicle windshields, such as using fluorescent additives, are limited to test benches, pose safety concerns, and are costly, while real-world rain detection is unreliable due to additive effects on flow properties and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A device with a translucent or diffusely scattering layer applied to the inside of the windshield captures images of light from outside, allowing for clear detection of liquid distribution without additives, enabling real-world testing and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent additives are added to water for rain simulation, then liquid distribution can be detected on test benches, but the flow properties of the mixture are influenced and safety precautions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful fluorescent additives from the water mixture, using only pure water for rain simulation. This eliminates chemical safety hazards while maintaining the ability to detect liquid distribution through optical properties of water itself
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the previously harmful fluorescent additives into a beneficial detection mechanism by using the natural optical properties of water. The water itself becomes the detection target through its interaction with light, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals while enabling precise liquid distribution measurement
2Measurement precision
If fluorescent additives are added to water, then liquid distribution can be detected, but the flow properties of the mixture are influenced falsifying the contamination pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes fluorescent additives from the water mixture, using pure water instead. This eliminates the alteration of flow properties that previously falsified contamination patterns, ensuring accurate representation of real rain behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the composition parameter of the liquid from additive-containing water to pure water, thereby restoring natural flow properties and achieving accurate contamination pattern representation without falsification
3Measurement precision
If a test bench is used for rain detection, then liquid distribution can be detected, but real-world rain detection is unreliable and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal detection system that works both in controlled test bench environments and in real-world driving conditions. The method using pure water and optical detection can be applied universally without requiring facility-specific infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the detection system to work with natural rainwater itself, which serves as both the test subject and the detection target. This self-service approach eliminates the need for artificial fluorescent mixtures and enables direct real-world testing
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
Enables accurate, real-time detection of liquid distribution on windshields during actual driving conditions without chemical additives, ensuring safety and reducing costs by using pure water and simple, cost-effective materials like paper or opaque films.
Implementation Method 1
arranging a translucent, light-transmitting layer on at least part of an inner side of the pane and recording at least one image of at least part of the translucent, light-transmitting layer from a side facing away from the pane
Implementation Method 2
arranging a translucent, light-transmitting layer on at least part of an inner side of the pane
Implementation Method 3
liquid volumes on the outside of the pane (e.g. raindrops and rivulets) bundle light and thus appear brighter on the inside of the pane
Implementation Method 4
recording at least one image of at least part of the layer by means of an image recording unit, wherein the image recording unit is aimed at at least part of the layer, the recording of the at least one image being a recording of light coming from an outside of the pane penetrating the pane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for detecting liquids on a transparent pane (2) of a vehicle (11), wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: applying a layer (12) to at least a portion of an inner surface (4) of the pane (2) and capturing at least one image of at least a portion of the layer (12). A vehicle (11) is equipped with a device (12-13) for detecting liquids on a transparent pane (2) of the vehicle (11), wherein the device (12-13) is configured to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims and the device (12-13) comprises an image acquisition unit (13) which is directed at least a portion of the layer (12).