JP2003159942A - Sun visor for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sun visor for a vehicle, which automatically functions as a glare shield when a driver feels the dazzling of light from the sun settling in a descended position or turns a steering wheel freely. <P>SOLUTION: A crystal liquid film is attached to the front window of a vehicle. A light sensor providing a visual angle relatively matching that of the driver is fitted to a room mirror, where the light sensor detects a light source, such as the sun light, that causes the driver dazzling. The whole of the liquid crystal film is separated into a plurality of areas based on a signal produced by the sensor detection, and the light permeability of each area can be changed according to an applied signal. Thus, when the liquid crystal film is driven, the light permeability of each area is changed according to the brightness of the outside or the incident direction of light, so that an optimum glare shielding is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

This invention relates to an automobile sun visor device (anti-glare device).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an opaque plate-shaped sun visor device for automobiles has been installed in the driver's seat and passenger seat. When the sun's rays are dazzling, the driver manually moves the sun visor to prevent the sun's rays from hitting his eyes directly. However, when the driver turns the steering wheel, the position of the incident light changes, so the driver must adjust the position of the sun visor each time. This can lead to dangerous situations, such as temporarily removing your hand from the wheel while driving and moving your line of sight to the sun visor. Ordinary sun visors have the drawback of being completely opaque and invisible.

[0003]

The present invention solves these drawbacks. Even if the driver freely turns the steering wheel, the liquid crystal film attached to the front window immediately responds to the glare.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, a liquid crystal film is attached or enclosed in the front window. In addition, a light sensor attached to the rearview mirror, front dashboard, headrest, etc. detects light similar to the light entering the driver's eyes. Based on this detected signal, the liquid crystal film controller automatically changes the light transmittance of each part of the liquid crystal film. In this way, the driver can easily maintain good visibility in each direction without having to take his hands off the steering wheel even once.

[0005]

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the device of the present invention. A liquid crystal film 2 is attached to the inside of the front window 1 of a car. Outside light such as sunlight 3 passes through the windshield 1 and the liquid crystal film 2 and enters the eyes 5 of the driver 4. The visual angle of the vertical plane of eye 5 is 2γ. An optical sensor 7 attached to the rearview mirror 6 detects outside light. The viewing angle of the sensor is 2θ. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the optical sensor. The diameter of the entrance 8 of the optical sensor 7 is d.
The photocathode 9 of the sensing unit is divided into four parts, each of which has a photoelectric device 10, 11, such as a photosensor,
12 and 13 are installed. If the radius of the photocathode 9 is a and the distance from the entrance 8 of the photocathode 9 is b, the viewing angle 2θ of the photosensor 7 is calculated from the value of ab. a = d / 2 tan θ = b / a By matching the value of θ obtained here with the value of 2-γ above, it becomes an ideal sensor. θ can be set freely by adjusting b. Use the same method to find the horizontal plane. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the controller 14. The signals from the photoelectric devices 10 to 13 are applied to the calculator 15 to perform necessary calculations and instruct the liquid crystal film controller 16. The <I + II + III + IV> calculation in Fig. 3 is based on the average average transmittance. In addition, <(I + II)-(III
By calculating + IV)>, the upper and lower incident directions of light can be determined. Others By calculating <(I + IV)-(II + III)>, the incident direction of light on the horizontal plane can be determined. The liquid crystal film controller 16 controls the transmittance of each part of the liquid crystal film 2 based on the above calculation result.

[0006]

[Embodiment 1] The shape of the room mirror, or when the system is retrofitted and it is difficult to attach the optical sensor 7 to the room mirror 6, the optical sensor 7 as shown in FIG.
There is also a method of attaching the to the front dashboard 17.

[0007]

[Other Embodiment 2] When a plurality of optical sensors 7 are arranged on the headrest 18 of FIG. 1, the sensors are close to the position of the eyes 5 of the driver, so that the detection accuracy for the light source 3 is improved. The optical sensors 7 are placed on the left and right of the headrest. Driver 4
Even if the input to one sensor is blocked at the head position of
The other sensor works and keeps the sensor operating normally, improving reliability.

[0008]

[Other Embodiment 3] Not only can the liquid crystal film be attached to the driver's cab of the front window, but it can also be sealed in the front window in advance.

[0009]

As described above, when external light such as the sunlight comes into the eyes of the driver and the driver feels dazzling,
Each part of the liquid crystal film automatically installed in the front window will have the optimum transmittance and reduce glare.
Since the anti-glare material is liquid crystal, it can handle faster than mechanically driving the sun visor. Moreover, the mechanical noise that accompanies the operation can be completely eliminated, so that the driver will not be discomforted. In addition, the transmittance can be changed step by step depending on the size of the external light, so the visibility of the external environment is not significantly impaired. In addition, by installing the position of the optical sensor in the optimum position, a more accurate and highly reliable device can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the device of the present invention.

[Fig.2] Configuration diagram of the optical sensor.

[Fig. 3] Block diagram of the controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

1; front window, 2; liquid crystal film, 3; light source such as the sun, 4; driver, 5; driver's eyes, 6; rearview mirror, 7; optical sensor, 8; optical sensor light entrance section 9; optical sensor Light receiving part 10, 11, 12, 13; Photoelectric device, 1
4; control device, 15; computing unit, 16 liquid crystal film controller, 17; dashboard; 18; headrest

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal film is mounted on a front window of an automobile. An optical sensor having a viewing angle that is relatively compatible with the viewing angle of the driver's eyes is installed in the vehicle interior. This light sensor detects a light source such as sunlight that causes glare.
An automatic sun visor device that drives the liquid crystal film based on the detection signal to reduce the light transmittance between the light source and the driver's eyes to prevent glare. 2. The entire liquid crystal film is divided into a plurality of pieces,
The transmittance of each part can be varied according to the applied signal, and the transmittance of each part can be varied according to the brightness of the outside world and the incident direction of light to provide an optimum anti-glare action. Automatic sun visor device 3. The liquid crystal film is optimally controlled by dividing the light-receiving surface of the optical sensor into a plurality of cells, attaching a photoelectric device to each of the cells, and processing the signals of the device. The automatic sun visor device according to claim 1.