GB2233468A - Electronic reduction of glare - Google Patents

Abstract

A mirror 11, 12 on a motor vehicle is capable of having its opacity varied electronically to prevent glare. Power for such a system is provided by the vehicle battery via the vehicle ignition 2 and a switch 3 which prevents the system from operating when the vehicle is being reversed. The opacity of the mirror is controlled automatically by one or more photo- electric cells 7 mounted on appropriate positions on the vehicle. This control may be overridden manually by means of switch 6. <IMAGE>

Description

Electronic Reduction of Glare.

This invention relates to lamp glare from mirrors.

When driving a vehicle at night, especially on congested roads, severe glare from mirrors cause discomfort and lack of night sight to the driver in the forward and sideways direction.

Moving door mirrors isanot always possible, due to the resetting of the mirrors. The present day solution to this problem, with reference to a motor vehicle is the tilting inside tail view mirror, with no facility available for door mirrors.

This invention uses the method of changing a transparent material to an opaque material by means of electricity.

Thus changing a reflecting surface to an opaque surface resulting in less glare being reflected than that from a normal clear or tinted mirror.

With reference to the drawing on sheet 6, the Electronic Reduction of Glare system comprises of various electrical components of both hardware and software electronics, required to operate the system and hence cause the material to turn opaque.

Electricity 1 is used as the power supply, either by battery or similiar.

In the initial stages the power is channeled through the ignition switch 2 thus ensuring that the system is only operated whilst the vehicle is in use.

As a means of safety, there is a switch 3, or similiar, installed to ensure that when the vehicle moves in the '-r opposite direction to normal driving, the system switchs off to allow the use of the mirrors in their normal mode.

There may exist a method of switching the system 4 to its automatic mode, thus allowing electricity to the photoelectric-cell 7, enabling the electronics to adjust the opacity of the mirrors.

The manual control 6 allows the system to be switched on without the presence of illumination from behind the vehicle and hence over-ride the automatic switch 4.

There are several variable resistance switches which allow the User to make various adjustments. 5 controls the amount of illumination required to activate the photo-electric-cell 7.

The photo-electric-cell 7 is a switch enabling the electricity to activate the system in the automatic mode, and operates by closing or opening a circuit by the use of light.

In order to ensure no damage to the circuitry, a relay 8 or similiar is installed in the system.

Variable resistance switches 9,10 allow the opacity of the mirrors to be adjusted.

There are several configurations of mirrors on various vehicles or devices. There may be a tail mirror 12 to allow vision out of the rear window of the vehicle or/and mirrors 11 to allow vision both down the sides and/or at the rear of the vehicle.

Positioning of the photo-electric-cell 7 or similiar light activated switches, may be at the rear or sides of the vehicle or device, so as to enable the switching on of the system by a light source directed at the rear of the vehicle.

User, in this text means the person or persons that will use the vehicle or device that this system is installed in or on.

Claims (1)

1. Claims.

   A system in which the opacity of mirrors can be altered by the use various electronic components, resulting in less reflection, than that from the normal mode of use of the mirror, either automatically or manual, with or without the presence of natural or artifical light.