Zoned Electrochromic Vehicle Windows for Adaptive Sunlight Tinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window tints for vehicles have fixed opacity levels, unable to adjust in real-time to changing sunlight conditions, leading to excessive glare, heat, and UV exposure, and violate regulations when manually changed.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive window-tinting system using electrochromic glass with independently adjustable light transmission properties, controlled by sensors and a control module to adjust based on sunlight direction and intensity, ensuring compliance with regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed opacity tint is applied to the window surface, then the window provides consistent glare and heat reduction, but it cannot adapt to changing sunlight conditions and may violate regulations when manually changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrochromic glass that can dynamically change its light transmission properties in real-time based on sunlight conditions. The glass transitions between different opacity states (clear, partially tinted, fully tinted) automatically in response to environmental changes, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining optimal glare and heat reduction throughout varying daylight conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor sunlight direction, intensity, and UV levels, providing feedback to a control module. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust the electrochromic glass opacity levels, ensuring optimal performance while complying with regulatory requirements without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If manual window tinting is used, then the opacity level can be changed, but it requires manual intervention and may violate regulations when changed improperly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through automated electrochromic glass technology. Sensors detect sunlight conditions and automatically control the glass opacity without requiring manual user actions. This eliminates the risk of improper manual adjustment while maintaining ease of operation through automatic response to environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tinting systems with an automated electro-optical system. Instead of physically applying or removing tint films manually, the system uses electrochromic glass that changes opacity electronically in response to sensor feedback, ensuring both ease of operation and regulatory compliance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the entire window has a uniform tint, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot provide differentiated protection for different zones of the window
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the window into multiple independently controllable zones, each with its own electrochromic glass segments. This allows different portions of the window to have different opacity levels simultaneously, providing differentiated protection for driver and passenger areas while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly of standardized electrochromic glass units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality control by enabling each window zone to have customized light transmission properties based on specific sunlight exposure and operational requirements. Different zones can be tinted to different degrees independently, optimizing glare reduction and heat rejection for each area while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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
Reduces glare and heat, protects operators from UV rays, and conserves energy by automatically adjusting tint levels in real-time, while adhering to legal opacity limits.
Implementation Method 1
Each zone has independently and selectively adjustable light transmission properties... electrochromic glass... operably controls the light transmission properties of the electrochromic glass
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a vehicle having one or more windows that each include one or more distinct zones. Each zone is comprised of electrochromic glass and has independently and selectively adjustable light transmission properties. An adaptive window-tinting system operably controls the light transmission properties of the electrochromic glass of one or more zones based at least upon a direction of sunlight with respect to one or more zones of one or more windows. One or more feedback devices that operably provide a feedback signal including data indicative of the direction of sunlight with respect to one or more zones of one or more windows. A control module operably receives the feedback signal and generates a light transmission signal based at least upon the feedback signal that is indicative of a light transmission setting of the electrochromic glass of one or more zones of one or more windows.