US-12617256-B2 - Antiglare device for vehicles and method of use such device

US12617256B2US 12617256 B2US12617256 B2US 12617256B2US-12617256-B2

Abstract

Antiglare device for vehicles comprising a retractable sunvisor, a sun sensor and a control unit; the retractable sunvisor comprising a sunvisor screen and a movement mechanism to provide a sliding and rotating movement; the sun sensor comprising one to sixteen photosensors is a unique part; the device also comprises an acceleration sensor comprising one to three accelerometers; the control unit being connected to the movement mechanism, the sun sensor and the acceleration sensor, taking into account all the measurements of the sun sensor and the acceleration sensor. Method of use of the antiglare device that measures the sun light incident angle and intensity, calculates in the control unit of an extent of sliding and/or rotation of the sunvisor screen; the measure step also includes to measure the vehicle movement by the acceleration sensor. The device and method provide an adaptation of the position of the sunvisor at all driving conditions.

Inventors

Sara Pérez Fontaneda
Rafael GARCÍA GARCÍA
Andrés CRISTÓBAL ARAGÓN

Assignees

GRUPO ANTOLÍN-INGENIERÍA, S. A.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20231016
Priority Date: 20221117

Claims (16)

1 . Antiglare device for vehicles, comprising a retractable sunvisor ( 1 ), a sun sensor ( 2 ) and a control unit ( 3 ); the retractable sunvisor ( 1 ) comprising: a sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) being configured to move according to a sliding movement between a stowed position, in which the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) is inside a space formed between a headliner and a roof sheet, several intermediate positions, in which the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) is partially outside the space formed between the headliner and the roof sheet up to a final intermediate position in which the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) is totally outside such space, and several frontal use positions according to a rotating movement of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) regarding a windshield, in any position of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) a vehicle occupant can be protected from the glare of sun light coming through the windshield; a movement mechanism ( 1 . 2 ) being configured to provide the sliding movement and the rotating movement of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ); the sun sensor ( 2 ) comprising one to sixteen photosensors or light detectors ( 2 . 1 ) being configured to measure the light incident angle and light intensity; the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the movement mechanism ( 1 . 2 ) and to the sun sensor ( 2 ), including a sunvisor edge path (P), an initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), a light intensity threshold and a light incident angle range, and being configured to calculate the edge position (G) of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) by intersection of the sunvisor edge path (P) and a line parallel to sun light (L) passing through the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), and also being configured to send the sliding movement and/or the rotating movement of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) to the movement mechanism ( 1 . 2 ) to reach the edge position (G) when the light intensity is over the threshold and the light incident angle is within the light incident angle range; characterized in that the sun sensor ( 2 ) is a unique part, the control unit ( 3 ) also includes a margin area (A) of the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ) projected downwards from said position, the antiglare device also comprises an acceleration sensor ( 4 ), comprising one to three accelerometers, being configured to measure the vehicle movement in the three axis X,Y,Z; the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the acceleration sensor ( 4 ) and being configured to receive and process directly the vehicle movement from the acceleration sensor ( 4 ); in such a way that the control unit ( 3 ) is able to take into account both the measurements of light incident angle and light intensity from the sun sensor ( 2 ) and the measurement of vehicle movement from the acceleration sensor ( 4 ) to send the sliding movement and/or the rotating movement of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) to the movement mechanism ( 1 . 2 ) to reach the edge position (G).
2 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the margin area (A) being sized to include 95% of vehicle occupants.
3 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the light intensity threshold is a value from 0 W/m 2 up to or equal to 1200 W/m 2 and wherein the incident angle range is between a horizontal line passing through the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ) to 90° above in XZ plane and between −90° and +90° in XY plane with center in the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ).
4 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 that also comprises a geolocalization element ( 5 ) being configured to register the position of the vehicle; the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the geolocalization element ( 5 ) and being configured to receive and process the position of the vehicle regarding the light intensity threshold.
5 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 also comprising an occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) being configured to detect the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), a Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ) or a X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ); the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) and being configured to receive and process the vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ,E 2 ,E 3 ).
6 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the sun sensor ( 2 ) comprises two photosensors ( 2 . 1 ) arranged on a base ( 2 . 4 ) and a mask ( 2 . 2 ) on the photosensors ( 2 . 1 ), the mask ( 2 . 2 ) includes a window ( 2 . 3 ), light beams of sun light can go through the window ( 2 . 3 ) to the photosensors ( 2 . 1 ).
7 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 6 wherein the window ( 2 . 3 ) is configured to provide a precision equal or higher than 1°.
8 . Antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) is made of a dimmable material and comprises a dimming electronic element ( 7 ) being configured to change the transparency of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) completely or in a partial area ( 1 . 11 ); the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the dimming electronic element ( 7 ) and being configured to send dimming signals to the dimming electronic element ( 7 ).
9 . Method of use of an antiglare device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit ( 3 ) includes a sunvisor edge path (P), an initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), a light intensity threshold and a light incident angle range, comprising the following steps in sequence: measure of the sun light incident angle and intensity by the sun sensor ( 2 ), send the measurements to the control unit ( 3 ); calculation in the control unit ( 3 ) of an extent of sliding and/or rotation of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) to any position of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) a vehicle occupant can be protected from the glare coming through a windshield, when light intensity is over the light intensity threshold and the light incident angle is within the light incident angle range, being the extent a movement to reach the edge position (G) by the intersection of the sunvisor edge path (P) with a line parallel to sun light (L) passing through the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ); sending the extent of sliding and/or rotation to the movement mechanism ( 1 . 2 ), sliding and/or rotation of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ), characterised in that the control unit ( 3 ) also includes a margin area (A) of the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ) projected downwards from said position and takes it into account when calculating the intersection of the sunvisor edge path (P) with a line parallel to sun light (L); the measure step also includes to measure the vehicle movement by the acceleration sensor ( 4 ) and send the signal to the control unit ( 3 ), the calculation step also takes into account the measurement of the vehicle movement.
10 . Method of use according to claim 9 wherein the light intensity threshold is a value from 0 W/m 2 up to or equal to 1200 W/m 2 and wherein the incident angle range is between 90° from a horizontal line passing through the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ) and above in XZ plane and between −90° and +90° in XY plane with center in the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ).
11 . Method of use according to claim 9 wherein prior to measure the sun light incident angle, the light intensity and the vehicle movement or prior to calculate the extent of sliding and/or rotation of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ), the position in Z of the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ) is changed to a Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ) by the vehicle occupant through a manual operation switch ( 8 ), the control unit ( 3 ) calculates a different edge position (G) by intersection of the sunvisor edge path (P) with the line parallel to sun light (L) through the Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ).
12 . Method of use according to claim 11 wherein the position in X of the vehicle occupant eyes is changed to a X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ) by the vehicle occupant through the manual operation switch ( 8 ), the control unit ( 3 ) calculates a different edge position (G) by intersection of the sunvisor edge path (P) with the line parallel to sun light (L) through the X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ).
13 . Method of use according to claim 9 wherein the antiglare device also comprises a geolocalization element ( 5 ) being configured to register the position of the vehicle; the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the geolocalization element ( 5 ) and being configured to receive and process the position of the vehicle regarding the light intensity threshold; the geolocalization element ( 5 ) provides the position of the vehicle to the control unit ( 3 ) to adapt the light intensity threshold.
14 . Method of use according to claim 11 wherein the antiglare device also comprises an occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) being configured to detect the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), a Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ) or a X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ); the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) and being configured to receive and process the vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ,E 2 ,E 3 ); the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) detects the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), the Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ) or the X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ); the control unit ( 3 ) connected to the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ), receives and processes the vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ,E 2 ,E 3 ).
15 . Method of use according to claim 12 wherein the antiglare device also comprises an occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) being configured to detect the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), a Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ) or a X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ); the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) and being configured to receive and process the vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ,E 2 ,E 3 ); the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ) detects the initial vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ), the Z-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 2 ) or the X-changed vehicle occupant eyes position (E 3 ); the control unit ( 3 ) connected to the occupant monitoring use element ( 6 ), receives and processes the vehicle occupant eyes position (E 1 ,E 2 ,E 3 ).
16 . Method of use according to claim 9 wherein the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) is made of a dimmable material and comprises a dimming electronic element ( 7 ) being configured to change the transparency of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) completely or in a partial area ( 1 . 11 ); the control unit ( 3 ) being connected to the dimming electronic element ( 7 ) and being configured to send dimming signals to the dimming electronic element ( 7 ); the dimming electronic element ( 7 ) provides signals to the control unit ( 3 ) to change the transparency of the sunvisor screen ( 1 . 1 ) completely or in a partial area ( 1 . 11 ).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATIONS This Application claims priority from European Application 22383110.8 filed on Nov. 17, 2022. The entire contents of the application is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is within the field of antiglare equipment associated with screens, specifically sunvisors for vehicles being adjustable in position by retraction and extension in relation to the roof and headliner of the vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sunvisors are widely used in vehicles as an essential part to shade the vehicle occupants occupying the front seats from the glare coming from the sun or from the other vehicle lights. Normally, sunvisors are pivotally attached to the vehicle roof through the headliner in order to allow them to adopt two positions, a stowed position in which the sunvisor rests against the headliner main surface, and a frontal use position in which the sunvisor faces the vehicle windshield and shades the glare coming through said windshield. Most common sunvisors comprises two attachment points to the roof structure: one allowing rotation and another one being removable to allow folding the sunvisor to the side window. Other sunvisors allow extension and retraction, normally named as retractable sunvisors, which are stowed and hidden in a space available between the roof structure and the headliner of the vehicle. Thus, retractable sunvisors can adopt a stowed position when the sunvisor is inside said space, intermediates positions when the sunvisor is outside said space up to a final intermediate position whence it is ready to be rotated, and frontal use positions in which the sunvisor faces the windshield and can be rotated regarding it, being able to shade the glare coming through the windshield in any intermediate position and in any frontal use position to protect the vehicle occupant. In order to move the retractable sunvisor from the stowed position to the frontal use positions, firstly the sunvisor goes out sliding inside the space available between the roof structure and the headliner until it reaches a final intermediate position. Secondly, it can be rotated from said final intermediate position being the retractable sunvisor close to the windshield, in order to adjust its angular position according to the relative position between the occupant eyes and the glare coming through the windshield, that is the frontal use position. The optimal position of the sunvisor provides a shade in user's face looking for a compromise between the function to block the sunlight and the function of maximizing the area of vision. Both functions are related to safety when driving, since a reduced level of vision caused by sun glare or reduced vision area caused by the position of the sunvisor reduces visibility. This optimal position can change due to several reasons when the light intensity or the light incidence angle relative to the vehicle occupant position can change. This changes can occur, for instance, when shifting the direction or slope of the road, which will require the vehicle occupant to adjust manually the sunvisor, that involves to leave one of the vehicle occupant hand off the steering wheel and look for the sunvisor, that also might affect safety while driving. Then, an autonomous sunvisor that adjusts itself automatically to target this optimal position will improve safety while driving as well as enhance the driving experience with a more ergonomic operation of the sunvisor. An autonomous sunvisor so conceived should have two main elements: an electrical system that can adjust the screen of the sunvisor in different positions, a set of sensors and a controller with software to process the data from the sensors and calculate the optimal position to give a signal to the electrical system to position the screen of the sunvisor. It is known a patent with publication number DE4118393A1 that discloses an automatic sunvisor based on a movable screen and a sun sensor, preferably with a tubular housing. The sun sensor is orientated to detect the sun intensity in a specific direction, but not giving the sun light incident direction. One of the problem identified is that the sunvisor screen could constantly move back and forth when the light conditions change, then a controllable resistor is assigned to the sun sensor to delay the response time of the sensor to incident light. Also, the position of the sensor is behind the sunvisor, where the location of the sensor is important for proper operation. It is also known a patent with publication number U.S. Ser. No. 10/699,651B2 that discloses an automatic sunvisor in which the system that adjust the blocking area is a LCD panel with pixels arranged in grid formation that can block the sun by changing the LCD state from transparent to opaque in the selected pixels to optimize sun blocking area. The disadvantages are the cost of the LCD panel and its weight higher than a traditional su