Vehicle Windshield Wedge Inlays for Sensor Beam Deflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle windshields with multiple optical sensors require a large masking print to obscure sensors, reducing light transmittance and aesthetics, as the sensors' detection direction is typically horizontal and aligned with the windshield's inclination, resulting in a substantial 'sensor region' that cannot be minimized effectively without increasing space requirements or using external, vulnerable coupling elements.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle composite pane with an inner and outer glass pane bonded via a polymeric intermediate layer, featuring wedge-shaped inlays with different refractive indices that deflect radiation, allowing sensors to be angled relative to the windshield, reducing the sensor region's size and eliminating the need for external coupling elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the sensor region is reduced by increasing the angle between sensor and windshield to 90°, then the sensor region size is minimized, but the detection beam path must be deflected requiring external coupling elements that increase space requirements and vulnerability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor region sizeVSAvoidcoupling element requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coupling element function directly into the windshield structure by creating a refractive index transition zone within the composite pane itself. The intermediate layer with gradient refractive index acts as an integrated beam path deflector, eliminating the need for separate external coupling elements while achieving the same optical effect of directing sensor radiation at 90° angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate layer with gradient refractive index as a mediator between the sensor mounting surface and the detection beam path. This intermediate structure gradually transitions the refractive index to deflect radiation without requiring sharp interfaces or external coupling elements, thereby reducing both sensor region size and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are mounted on the windshield, then more sensing capabilities are provided, but the total sensor region occupies more area requiring larger masking print that reduces light transmittance and aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor mounting capabilityVSAvoidmasking print area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensor regions into a unified refractive index transition zone within the intermediate layer. By integrating the beam deflection function into the windshield structure itself, multiple sensors can be accommodated without requiring proportionally larger masking areas, as the refractive index gradient efficiently directs light from compact sensor regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If the sensor region is reduced, then light transmittance and aesthetics are improved, but the detection beam path requires deflection that traditionally needs external coupling elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmittanceVSAvoidbeam path deflection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate layer with gradient refractive index as a mediator that performs beam path deflection internally within the windshield structure. This eliminates the need for external coupling elements while maintaining reduced sensor region size, thereby preserving both light transmittance and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces the sensor region's size on the windshield, allowing for a smaller masking print, improved light transmittance, and enhanced aesthetics while enabling sensors to be angled without increasing space or vulnerability, particularly beneficial for multiple sensors.

Implementation Method 1

The two wedge inlays are made of a different material, in particular, materials with different refractive indices... at least one wedge inlay has a refractive index that differs from the refractive index of the outer pane and of the inner pane... the wedge inlays... deflect radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10850477B2Vehicle composite pane with optimised beam path for a sensor mounted thereon

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

AI summary

A vehicle composite pane having an outer pane made of glass and an inner pane made of glass that are bonded to one another via a polymeric intermediate layer is presented. According to one aspect, the intermediate layer includes a first wedge inlay and a second wedge inlay that are made of different materials, each of the inlays being wedge-shaped and having a wedge face. According to another aspect, the wedge faces are positioned one atop the other so that, in the direction from a lower edge to an upper edge of the composite pane, the thickness of the first wedge inlay increases and the thickness of the second wedge inlay decreases. According to a further aspect, at least one of the wedge inlays has a refractive index that differs from the refractive index of the outer pane and of the inner pane.