ES1308277U - SELECTIVE SUN PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, characterized by comprising: - a sheet of smart glass (1), installed on the windshield (2) of the vehicle, which is divided into several independent sections (1a), that is, connected in independently from an electrical power source so that they receive voltage or not and become opaque or not independently, and - a control panel (3) that links the power supply with the independent sections (1a) of the sheet of smart glass (1) to be able to select, manually or automatically, the independent activation/deactivation of only one, two or more of said sections (1a), depending on the needs of each moment based on the incidence of the sunlight on the windshield (2) of the vehicle and does not bother the driver while the rest remain transparent. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

SELECTIVE SUN PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the statement of this descriptive report, refers to selective sun protection equipment for vehicles that provides, to the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, which represent a improvement of the current state of the art.

The object of the present invention is sun protection equipment for the front windshield of a vehicle, mainly applicable to a coach or similar passenger transport vehicle that has a large windshield, but without ruling out its application as well. for any other vehicle with a windshield, be it a car, truck, van or similar, which has the advantageous peculiarity of comprising in said windshield a sheet of smart glass, preferably based on PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) technology. , which is divided into several independent and selectable sections through a control panel, such that they allow the driver to operate, manually or automatically, the section of the windshield that is needed so that it becomes opaque and sunlight does not enter through said segment. preventing it from disturbing you while driving, while the rest of the windshield remains transparent so that you can still see the outside.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention falls within the industry sector dedicated to the manufacture of sun protection systems for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, PDLC technology is a type of smart glass that is based on a special film that is applied to the glasses and connected to electricity, allowing them to go from being opaque to being transparent and vice versa. This technology works thanks to the application of an electric field. When there is no electricity, the liquid crystals contained within the film are disordered, which prevents light from passing through the film and makes it opaque or translucent.

Another type of smart glass is one based on SPD (suspended particle device) technology, which can also change its optical properties in response to an electrical current or some other external stimulus. These glasses can change from clear to opaque and vice versa with the flip of a switch or some other type of activation. In this case there are microscopic particles suspended within two sheets of glass. These particles can be liquid crystals, nanoparticles, or other substances that can rearrange themselves in response to an electrical stimulus.

Until now, these technologies are usually applied to the windows of buildings and constructions to achieve privacy or prevent the entry of sunlight when desired, avoiding the use of blinds or curtains or to make the window glass of some vehicles opaque.

On the other hand, in the field of vehicles, different protection options are known to prevent the entry of direct sunlight that could disturb driving.

Thus, in addition to conventional folding sunshades, some vehicles include folding screens, or curtains in the case of coaches, which allow a larger or smaller part of the windshield to be covered depending on the needs and, in some cases, the aforementioned windshield technologies. smart glass, but always covering the entire glass or the screen that covers an entire upper part of it.

The problem with these systems is that they do not allow covering only a certain section of the windshield that bothers the driver, since they also cover the entire width of the windshield and the entire upper part, which, especially in the case of coaches where many times The driver's seat is lower than that of the passengers and they can enjoy a great panoramic view of the landscape through which they are traveling through the large front windshield of the vehicle, when the driver partially covers the windshield because the direct sunlight bothers him to driving, passengers stop seeing the outside.

The objective of the present invention is, therefore, the development of a new sun protection system for vehicles that, taking advantage of smart glass technology, mainly PDLC technology, allows choosing which part of the windshield has to be covered and protected from the sun. sunlight so that it does not bother the driver and leave the rest uncovered.

On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least by the applicant, the existence of any other selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, nor any other invention of similar application, that presents technical and structural characteristics equal or similar to those claimed here.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The selective sun protection equipment for vehicles that the invention proposes is configured as an optimal solution to achieve the aforementioned objective that, at the same time, represents an improvement of the current state of the art, being the characterizing details that make it possible and that They distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is sun protection equipment for the front windshield of a vehicle, mainly a coach or similar passenger transport vehicle, but without ruling out any other vehicle with a windshield, which allows the driver to choose, depending on the needs of each case, and manually or automatically operate one or another section of the windshield, from among several pre-established ones on the windshield, so that it becomes opaque and acts as a sunshade so that sunlight Do not enter through this part, preventing it from disturbing you while driving, while the rest of the windshield remains transparent so that the outside can still be seen.

To this end, the equipment object of the invention essentially comprises, installed on the windshield, either integrated during its manufacturing itself, either added to an existing one on the inside of the windshield or included in an additional piece of transparent plastic, a smart glass sheet, preferably PDLC, which covers at least a portion of the upper half of the windshield and where said PDLC sheet is divided into several sections independently connected to the electrical power source so that, through With a control panel, you can select independent activation of only the desired section or sections, depending on the needs of each moment.

In addition, preferably, said control panel also allows the activation and deactivation at will of the section or sections of the PDLC sheet that is of interest at all times, forming an active PDLC system, since, if it is a passive system, in which When you turn off the vehicle, the chosen section of the sheet will remain transparent and when you turn it on, it will remain opaque; the interior could not be protected from light with the vehicle stationary.

On the other hand, in an alternative option, the smart glass sheet divided into several independently connected sections that incorporates the windshield can be SPD technology, although it will not be a preferred option as it offers less transparency.

In any case, the selective sun protection equipment also comprises a control panel provided with a controller screen with several activation zones, corresponding to the different sections into which the smart glass sheet of the windshield is divided, to activate/deactivate manually those of interest from said sections, as well as with several selective buttons for different operating options, to activate the automatic operation of the equipment so that the appropriate section or sections are activated/deactivated, and an emergency switch independent of the panel to deactivate all sections and leave the entire windshield completely transparent if necessary. The emergency button does not go through the panel screen, but rather has an independent autonomous circuit in case the screen locks.

Preferably, the control panel comprises a touch screen associated with electronics and software for use through menus that includes areas to activate/deactivate the different sections of the smart glass sheet and several selective buttons, (for example, to In the case of a coach, they would be: car, driver, school and display). The emergency switch is hidden and independent of the screen.

Preferably, the control panel with the screen is integrated into the vehicle's own electronic control panel where, in addition to the areas to activate/deactivate the different sections of the smart glass sheet, with the selective buttons for operation in automatic mode , includes control functions of other different components of the vehicle that do not belong to the selective sun protection equipment, for example, in the case of coaches, a button to activate or deactivate the area where the illuminated route sign goes.

In any case, to ensure automatic operation of the selective sun protection equipment, it also includes light or photometric sensors strategically installed in the vehicle behind the driver's head so that the different sections of the glass sheet are activated/deactivated. intelligent depending on the incidence of sunlight on them.

Preferably, and given that the objective is that sunlight does not bother the driver, which occurs if it is projected onto his eyes, the aforementioned photometric sensors are installed in the upper part of the driver's seat and so that they are regulated to that they are positioned at the same height as the driver's eyes, for example, using vertical sliding guides.

These sensors detect where one section or another needs to be activated so that the driver, without touching any button on the control panel, is protected from sunlight at all times and the different sections of the windshield are automatically activated/deactivated depending on the incidence of sunlight and dynamically in accordance with the movement of the sun and the movement of the vehicle in its movement.

On the other hand, although the independent sections into which the smart glass sheet is divided form reticular boxes, they can also present other shapes or figures, even alphanumeric, so that, optionally, at least one of them can be designed, for example, In the case of coaches, with the company logo to be able to activate and deactivate it as desired, serving as an advertising image for the company.

The main advantages of this system are:

- Automation when activating the sunshade so that the driver does not have to take his hands off the wheel and is always protected from sunlight and there is no danger of glare.

- Less risk of eye injuries than with conventional curtains, since when it is a conventional curtain, when the sunshade is lowered, a dark environment is created in the passenger compartment, which results in the retina of the driver's eyes increasing in size as a result. from the lack of light, causing a risk if sunlight suddenly enters through an uncovered area of the glass.

- With the PDLC smart glass sheet, the environment created is brighter, since when it becomes opaque it actually becomes translucent, and the retina of the driver's eyes is more prepared for a sudden entry of light, thus preserving health driver's eyepiece.

- By activating only the area of the windshield necessary to continue driving, in the case of a coach, the rest of the passengers continue to have a view of the outside, which is something that passengers greatly appreciate, since many suffer from dizziness if they do not observe road.

- It is an aesthetically more beautiful system than conventional curtains, especially if they are curtains with a guide in the center of the glass.

- It is a much faster system than conventional curtains, since the deployment time of a conventional curtain is at least 8 seconds, while the PDLC smart glass is activated instantly.

- When the vehicle is turned off, the PDLC sheet remains with all the opaque sections, as it lacks electrical current, thus protecting the temperature inside the vehicle, as well as the objects that may be inside.

- Advertising elements can be included in the profile of one or more of the smart glass sections.

- In the case of trucks, it allows replacing the sun visor that is normally located on the outside of the windshield and which causes extra resistance against the wind.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a plan in which, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, The following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a schematic perspective view of the interior of a vehicle in which an example of the selective sun protection equipment object of the invention has been installed, showing the main parts and elements it comprises;

Figure number 2.- Shows a schematic perspective view of an example of the driver's seat with the built-in photometric sensors that optionally comprises the selective sun protection equipment of the invention;

Figure number 3.- Shows an enlarged view of detail A indicated in Figure 2, where an example of the means of regulating the photometric sensors of the equipment is observed; and

Figure number 4.- Shows a schematic representation of the control panel that comprises the selective sun protection equipment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the selective sun protection device for vehicles of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is described in detail below. .

Thus, as seen in said figures, the equipment of the invention essentially comprises:

- a sheet of smart glass (1), preferably with PDLC technology, which, installed on the front windshield (2) of the vehicle so as to cover at least a portion of the upper half of said windshield (2), is divided into several independent sections (1a), that is, independently connected to an electrical power source (not shown), for example made up of the vehicle's own battery, so that they receive voltage or not and become opaque or not independently , and

- a control panel (3) that links the power supply with the independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) to be able to select, manually or automatically, the independent activation/deactivation of only one, of two or more of said sections (1a), depending on the needs of each moment based on the incidence of sunlight on the windshield (2) of the vehicle and do not bother the driver while the rest remain transparent.

In one embodiment option, the smart glass sheet (1) with the independent sections (1a) is integrated into the windshield (2) during its manufacturing.

In another embodiment option, the smart glass sheet (1) with the independent sections (1a) is a sheet added to an existing windshield (2), attached to the inside of the same.

And, in another embodiment option, the smart glass sheet (1) with the independent sections (1a) is included in an additional piece of transparent plastic (10) that is incorporated into the vehicle in front of the windshield (2), by the inner part of it.

Optionally, the smart glass sheet (1) divided into independent sections (1a) installed on the windshield (2) has SPD technology.

In any case, preferably, as seen in Figure 4, the control panel (3) comprises a controller screen (30) with several activation zones, corresponding to the different independent sections (1a) into which the control panel is divided. smart glass sheet (1), to allow the manual selection and activation of said sections (1a), various selective buttons (31) to activate the automatic operation of the equipment and activate/deactivate the appropriate section or sections depending on the incidence of sunlight. In addition, an emergency switch (32) is provided independently connected to the controller screen (30) and the control panel (3), to deactivate all sections (1a) and leave the windshield (2) completely transparent in case necessary.

Preferably, the controller screen (30) of the control panel (3) is a touch screen associated with specific electronics and software to activate/deactivate the different sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1), and the buttons selective (31) operating in automatic mode.

Preferably, the control panel (3) with the screen (30) is integrated and forms part of the vehicle's own electronic control panel, sharing its use with other components thereof.

In any case, preferably, the selective sun protection equipment (1) of the invention also comprises several photometric sensors (4) strategically installed in the vehicle behind the driver's head to allow automatic operation of the equipment and to be activated/activated. deactivate the different independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) depending on the incidence of sunlight on them.

Preferably, as seen in figures two and 3, the photometric sensors (4) are installed in the driver's seat (5) of the vehicle, in the upper part of the vehicle.

Preferably, the sensors (4) comprise adjustable positioning means (40) to place them at the same height as the driver's eyes.

Preferably, the adjustable positioning means of the sensors (4) are vertical sliding guides.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, but which should not be taken as limiting, the division into independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) is a reticular division that has two columns of sections. (1a) independent, one right (d) and one left (i), which occupy the entire width (a) of the windshield (2), and four rows of independent sections (1a) that occupy more than the upper half of said windshield (2). However, said division may present other configurations. Thus, optionally, one or more sections (1a) can present various profiles or silhouettes, including figures and/or alphanumeric elements, for example, in the form of a logo and serve as an advertising element.

And, in the preferred embodiment option, based on the described division of the independent sections (1a) of the sheet into two columns and four rows, the equipment comprises, as seen in Figure 2, eight photometric sensors (4). distributed in two columns of four sensors (4), one on each side of the upper part of the seat (5), so that each sensor (4) is related to one of the independent sections (1a) of the glass sheet smart (1) so that, when sunlight hits it, said section is activated. However, it is important to mention that the number of sensors (4) and their position may vary, as appropriate for each installation and type of vehicle.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

Claims (15)

1. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, characterized by comprising: - a sheet of smart glass (1), installed on the windshield (2) of the vehicle, which is divided into several independent sections (1a), that is, independently connected to an electrical power source so that they receive voltage or not and become opaque or not independently, and - a control panel (3) that links the power supply with the independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) to be able to select, manually or automatically, the independent activation/deactivation of only one, of two or more of said sections (1a), depending on the needs of each moment based on the incidence of sunlight on the windshield (2) of the vehicle and do not bother the driver while the rest remain transparent. 2. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the smart glass sheet (1) with the independent sections (1a) is integrated into the windshield (2) during its manufacture. 3. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the smart glass sheet (1) with the independent sections (1a) is a sheet added to an already existing windshield (2), attached by the inside of it. 4. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the smart glass sheet (1) with the independent sections (1a) is included in an additional piece of transparent plastic (10) that is incorporated into the vehicle. on the inside of the windshield (2). 5. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the smart glass sheet (1) divided into independent sections (1a) installed on the windshield (2) is PDLC technology. 6.- Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the smart glass sheet (1) divided into independent sections (1a) installed on the windshield (2) is of SPD technology. 7. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the control panel (3) comprises a controller screen (30) with several activation zones, in correspondence with the different independent sections (1a) in that the smart glass sheet (1) is divided, to allow manual selection and activation of said sections (1a), several selective buttons (31) in automatic mode; because an independent emergency switch (32) has been provided to deactivate all sections (1a) and leave the windshield (2) completely transparent if necessary. 8. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 7, characterized in that the controller screen (30) of the control panel (3) is a touch screen associated with specific electronics and software to activate/deactivate the different sections (1a). ) of the smart glass sheet (1) and the selective buttons (31). 9. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the control panel (3) with the screen (30) is integrated and forms part of the vehicle's own electronic control panel, sharing its use with other components thereof. 10. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it also comprises several photometric sensors (4) strategically installed in the vehicle behind the driver's head to allow automatic operation of the equipment and activation/deactivation of the different independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) depending on the incidence of sunlight on them. 11. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 10, characterized in that the photometric sensors (4) are installed in the driver's seat (5) of the vehicle, in the upper part of the vehicle. 12. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sensors (4) comprise adjustable positioning means (40) to place them at the same height as the driver's eyes. 13. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 12, characterized in that the adjustable positioning means of the sensors (4) are vertical sliding guides. 14. - Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the division into independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) is a reticular division that presents two columns of independent sections (1a). , one right (d) and one left (i), which occupy the entire width (a) of the windshield (2), and four rows of independent sections (1a) that occupy more than the upper half of said windshield (2). 15.- Selective sun protection equipment for vehicles, according to claim 11 and 15, characterized in that it comprises eight photometric sensors (4) distributed in two columns of four sensors (4), one on each side of the upper part of the seat (5). , so that each sensor (4) is related to one of the independent sections (1a) of the smart glass sheet (1) so that, when sunlight hits it, said section is activated.