US20040217258A1 - Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response - Google Patents

Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040217258A1
US20040217258A1 US10/738,726 US73872603A US2004217258A1 US 20040217258 A1 US20040217258 A1 US 20040217258A1 US 73872603 A US73872603 A US 73872603A US 2004217258 A1 US2004217258 A1 US 2004217258A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
solar radiation
range
housing
photo
electronic device
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Abandoned
Application number
US10/738,726
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English (en)
Inventor
P. Clugston
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Control Devices LLC
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Control Devices LLC
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Control Devices LLC filed Critical Control Devices LLC
Priority to US10/738,726 priority Critical patent/US20040217258A1/en
Priority to EP04251305A priority patent/EP1473552A3/en
Assigned to CONTROL DEVICES, INC. reassignment CONTROL DEVICES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CLUGSTON, P. EDWARD JR.
Priority to JP2004134963A priority patent/JP2004333495A/ja
Publication of US20040217258A1 publication Critical patent/US20040217258A1/en
Priority to US11/419,352 priority patent/US7235765B2/en
Priority to US11/748,071 priority patent/US20070209657A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
    • G01J1/02—Details
    • G01J1/04—Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
    • G01J1/02—Details
    • G01J1/04—Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
    • G01J1/0407—Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings
    • G01J1/0414—Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or plane beam-splitters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
    • G01J1/02—Details
    • G01J1/04—Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
    • G01J1/0407—Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings
    • G01J1/0437—Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators, spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
    • G01J1/42—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter using electric radiation detectors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
    • G01J1/02—Details
    • G01J1/04—Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
    • G01J2001/0485—Cosinus correcting or purposely modifying the angular response of a light sensor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to solar sensors for that respond to the position of the sun, and in particular solar sensors used for adjustment of climate controls of a vehicle.
  • photodiodes have a cosine angular response, meaning that the peak response of the photodiode is achieved at a normal angle of incidence where light is impinging perpendicular to the surface. This response gradually decreases according to the cosine function to a zero output at 90°.
  • This cosine response is a drawback in some types of solar sensors.
  • a solar sensor In some vehicles, a solar sensor is used to measure solar heating by sunlight. The sensor represents a sampling of the heating affect occurring on some object, such as a vehicle.
  • the solar heating affect only follows the cosine response for objects that are flat. Thus, the use of photodiodes is sometimes limited to modeling the heating of flat objects.
  • One of the design goals of automotive solar sensors is to respond to sunlight in a fashion that is consistent with the heating affects on the passenger compartment.
  • the desired overhead response is about 50% of the peak response, due to the shading effects of the roof.
  • the peak response typically occurs at about 50° from overhead.
  • the response at the horizon is generally desired to be about 50 to 70% of the peak response, due to the relatively large area of glass exposed in that angular region.
  • Some automotive solar sensors use a domed diffuser to provide increased response when the sun is near the horizon.
  • the thicker top section reduces the overhead response inherent in the photodiode's cosine-related angular response.
  • One difficulty with this approach is the significant reduction in overall signal current due to the loss of light through the diffuser material.
  • the use of a diffuser provides lower signal output for a given size diode, requires a larger diode to achieve a given signal output level, may require additional signal amplification for proper signal processing, and may be characterized with a decreased signal to noise ratio due to the attenuated signal.
  • One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method to adjust the response characteristics of a solar sensor by combining both solar radiation blocking features and solar radiation reflecting features.
  • Other embodiments include unique apparatus and systems for modifying the response characteristics of a solar sensor.
  • a further embodiment of the present invention pertains to an apparatus whose output corresponds to the angular position of a source of radiation, such as the sun.
  • a source of radiation such as the sun.
  • one or more opaque regions or opaque bodies block a portion of the radiation from falling incident upon a photosensitive electronic device.
  • a portion of the radiation that would otherwise have missed the photosensitive electronic device is instead reflected onto the device.
  • an apparatus for responding to the angular position of a radiation source includes one or more reflective surfaces.
  • the reflective surfaces are curved.
  • the curved shapes can be spherical, parabolic, and conical.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the sun shown in a different location.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the sun shown in a different location.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the sun shown in a different location.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the sun shown in a different location.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the sun shown in a different location.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a vehicle climate control system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention relates to a solar sensor which provides a signal that corresponds to the angular position and intensity of a source of radiation, such as the sun.
  • the sensor is part of a system for controlling the climate within a vehicle.
  • Previous systems for controlling the climate within a vehicle tended to use sensors with limited responses.
  • the sensor would provide a signal output that corresponded to the relative placement between the sensor and the sun, such as along fore and aft, and right and left directions.
  • the output of the sensor would change in a manner corresponding to the radiation from the sun striking a two-dimensional platform.
  • a solar sensor includes a reflective surface and provides a better approximation of the vehicle compartment.
  • the shape of this reflective surface is adapted and configured such that when the sun is at low angles above the horizon, radiation from the sun which would otherwise not fall incident on the photo-sensitive electronic device is instead reflected off of the reflecting surface and onto the active surface of the photo-sensitive electronic device.
  • the solar sensor does not include a diffuser. By not including a diffuser, these embodiments provide higher signal levels for a given size photodiode. In other embodiments, a smaller photodiode can be used to achieve a given output signal, thus reducing the sensor cost. Further, subsequent signal amplification can be reduced owing to the increased photocurrent levels. Because the signal levels are higher, the signal to noise ratio is improved.
  • an approach is developed that uses a shaped blocking element and a curved reflector to transform the inherent cosine angular response of a photodiode into a response more representative of a three-dimensional vehicle compartment.
  • the output response of the photodiode is changed for some angular ranges of the incoming solar radiation relative to the normal cosine response. For other angular ranges of solar radiation the response is decreased relative to the normal cosine response.
  • the response of the sensor to overhead radiation is attenuated by placing a substantially opaque portion of a body above the photosensitive electronic device.
  • a sensor with increased response when the solar radiation approaches the sensor from angles closer to the horizon include a reflecting element placed above the photosensitive electronic device such that incoming light is reflected off of the reflecting surface and onto the active, planar surface of the electronic device.
  • the reflecting surface is generally above the electronic device.
  • the electronic device is in-between the source of radiation and the reflecting element, such as the case where the reflecting surface is located aft of the electronic device.
  • Solar radiation entering the sensor housing at near horizontal angles passes over the electronic device, strikes the reflecting surface aft of the device, and is reflected forward and downward onto the active surface of the electronic device.
  • the detector is placed over the reflector, with the detector thus functioning as a blocking element.
  • the detector is placed to the side of the reflector or off to the side, at a downward-facing angle.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Apparatus 20 includes a housing 30 having a photosensitive electronic device 22 located therein.
  • Electronic device 22 can be of any type which modifies and/or produces an electrical signal in response to the incidence of solar radiation on an active element.
  • device 22 can be a single photodiode or an array of photodiodes. In some embodiments using multiple photodiodes, there is also an opaque divider which minimizes the “cross-over” effects as the angle of the sun changes.
  • the figures of this application are not drawn to scale. As one example, the thickness of housing 30 is not representative.
  • electronic device 22 can be a single photocell or an array of photocells.
  • the electronic device 22 includes one or more active elements arranged on a generally flat, planar surface.
  • the invention is not so limited, and contemplates nonplanar arrangements of photosensitive electronic devices.
  • the term “solar radiation” is used herein, various embodiments of the present invention pertain to sensors which can sense the orientation of a radiation source other than the sun. Further, it is understood that the photosensitive electronic device of the present invention can be sensitive to one or more portions of the spectrum of solar radiation, and may not be sensitive to some portions of the solar radiation spectrum at all.
  • the sensor's overall spectral response is the combination of the spectral response of the photosensitive electronic device and the spectral transmission of the housing. Two examples of spectral responses are “eye-like response” and “near-infrared response.”
  • the housing is tinted to provide a predetermined spectral response.
  • Housing 30 of apparatus 20 is preferably a dome-shaped, generally transparent cover for protection of electronic device 22 .
  • housing 30 is flat or has a complex curved profile.
  • housing 30 can include cosmetic texturing to provide some scattering or reorientation of solar energy that is incident upon outer surface 32 as it travels through the thickness of the housing wall and exits interior surface 34 .
  • the invention is not so limited, and housing 30 can have little, if any, diffusive properties. In a preferred embodiment, housing 30 does not have any diffusive properties. Housing 30 as shown in FIGS. 1-7 is depicted schematically, and not to scale.
  • Housing 30 preferably includes a blocking and reflecting element such as a body 40 which depends downwardly from interior surface 34 toward electronic device 22 .
  • the blocking and reflecting element is accomplished as a coating applied housing 30 .
  • body 40 is generally hemispherical and includes a reflecting surface 42 on a convex portion of the body.
  • body 40 preferably includes a surface which is at least partly opaque.
  • the opaque portion of body 40 can be a generally opaque coating 44 along the convex surface of body 40 .
  • the blocking element could be a generally opaque coating along the interface 46 between body 40 and interior surface 34 .
  • either opaque coating 44 or opaque coating 46 constitutes a shadow element projecting a shadow 50 onto the surface of electronic device 22 .
  • the opaque portion of apparatus 20 can be a portion of housing 30 , including portions on the outer surface 32 or inner surface 34 , or embedded within the wall of housing 30 . Further, the opaque portion of apparatus can be of a different size and/or shape than body 40 . For example, as seen in FIG. 1, body 40 is generally hemispherical. However, an opaque portion of housing 30 could be rectangular in shape.
  • the size of the projected area of the blocking element helps determine the response of electronic device 22 to an overhead radiation source. For example, a blocking element that is relatively small provides a relatively large response from electronic device 22 to a source 10 that is located above both the blocking element and the electronic device.
  • FIG. 1 shows the source 10 of solar radiation to be generally overhead of apparatus 20 . Because of the opacity of body 40 , a shadow 50 is cast generally onto the center of the active planar area of electronic device 22 . There is little or no reflection of radiation from source 10 on the reflective surface 42 of body 40 .
  • the source 10 of solar radiation is displaced a moderate angle from the overhead position. Radiation from source 10 cannot penetrate the opaque portion 46 of body 40 , and a shadow 50 is cast toward an edge of device 22 . A portion of shadow 50 obscures some of the active area of device 22 . However, the remainder of shadow 50 is cast on non-active portions of apparatus 20 , which has no affect on the output of 22 . Depending upon the shape of body 40 , there can be little, if any, light reflected from surface 42 onto device 22 .
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic representation in which radiation source 10 is near the-horizon. Radiation from source 10 is generally parallel to the active surface of device 22 . However, some of the radiation passes through housing 30 and falls incident upon the reflective surface 42 of body 40 . Because of the convex shape of surface 42 , this solar radiation is reflected off of surface 42 and falls incident upon the photoactive elements of device 22 , thus causing the response of device 22 to change.
  • a reflective coating 48 can be placed along an interior wall 34 of housing 30 . Radiation from source 10 would pass over device 22 , and reflect forward off of reflective surface 48 onto device 22 .
  • the presence of reflecting surface 48 may be at least partly opaque for radiation received from the rear of apparatus 20 . However, this may be acceptable in those embodiments in which apparatus approximates a vehicular compartment with a relatively small rear window.
  • FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 illustrate schematically the range of angles over which the opaque portion of apparatus 20 influences the output of electronic device 22 .
  • a shadow 50 is cast directly downwards from body 40 .
  • a generally elliptical shadow 50 is cast by body 40 onto device 22 .
  • One edge of the elliptical shadow intercepts an edge of the photoactive area of device 22 .
  • the opaque portion of apparatus 20 has maximum and near-maximum affect on device 22 .
  • the elliptical shadow area 50 completely falls out of the active area of device 22 .
  • the opaque blocking features of apparatus 20 no longer affect the output of device 22 .
  • source 10 is shown at an angle at which radiation from the source begins reflecting off of surface 42 and onto the active area of device 22 . From this angle, and continuing for angles to the horizon, the reflecting surface 42 reflects radiation from source 10 onto the active area of device 22 and thereby modifies the output of device 22 .
  • the range of angles from the overhead position (FIG. 1) to the position shown in FIG. 5, comprise a first range of angles over which the opaque portion of the body modifies the output of device 22 .
  • Both the first range of angles and the second range of angles are less than the total range of angles over which device 22 is responsive to solar radiation.
  • the first and second angular ranges overlap. That is, there are certain angular positions of the source of radiation for which there is a shadow cast on the electronic device, and also a portion of the radiation is reflected onto the electronic device.
  • the first and second angular ranges are mutually exclusive. That is, the shadow cast by the opaque portion of the body falls off of the active area of the electronic device before any radiation is reflected off of the reflecting surface and onto the active area of the electronic device. Whether the first and second angular ranges are overlapping or exclusive can be chosen by selecting the size, shape and location of the opaque portion of apparatus 20 and the size, shape and location of the reflecting portion of apparatus 20 .
  • Blocking of incident radiation can be created by one or more coatings or localized surface treatments on housing 30 .
  • reflection of radiation onto the electronic device can be accomplished by one or more reflective coatings and/or reflective bodies attached to apparatus 20 .
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a solar sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention as used within a vehicular system.
  • System 100 includes a solar sensor 20 . Radiation from a source 10 falls incident upon a photosensitive electronic device. This incident solar radiation changes the output characteristics of device 22 , and a signal 110 corresponding to the incident solar radiation is received by an electronic controller 120 .
  • the electronic controller 120 which may be digital or analog, receives a variety of sensor and control inputs. In response to these various inputs, controller 120 establishes one or more output control signals 130 to various actuators (not shown) of a climate control system within a passenger compartment 140 of a vehicle 150 . For example, controller 120 can control whether or not the air conditioning compressor is turned on, or the amount of heat from the engine being provided to a heat exchanger. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, controller 120 also controls the state of the headlights 160 of vehicle 150 .

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)
US10/738,726 2003-04-30 2003-12-17 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response Abandoned US20040217258A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/738,726 US20040217258A1 (en) 2003-04-30 2003-12-17 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response
EP04251305A EP1473552A3 (en) 2003-04-30 2004-03-05 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response
JP2004134963A JP2004333495A (ja) 2003-04-30 2004-04-30 角度応答を変換するための反射要素を含む太陽センサ
US11/419,352 US7235765B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2006-05-19 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response
US11/748,071 US20070209657A1 (en) 2003-04-30 2007-05-14 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response

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US46681503P 2003-04-30 2003-04-30
US10/738,726 US20040217258A1 (en) 2003-04-30 2003-12-17 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response

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US11/419,352 Expired - Fee Related US7235765B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2006-05-19 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response
US11/748,071 Abandoned US20070209657A1 (en) 2003-04-30 2007-05-14 Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response

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US20070023609A1 (en) * 2005-07-27 2007-02-01 Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Sunlight-detecting sensor for vehicles
US20100290026A1 (en) * 2007-12-18 2010-11-18 Benjamin Bohl Radiation Sensor for Detecting the Position and Intensity of a Radiation Source
US20120019152A1 (en) * 2010-07-26 2012-01-26 Apple Inc. Display brightness control based on ambient light angles
CN109374127A (zh) * 2018-11-30 2019-02-22 凯斯库汽车部件（苏州）有限公司 车载阳光传感器
CN109661589A (zh) * 2016-08-08 2019-04-19 盛思锐汽车解决方案股份公司 用于测量光源特别是太阳的光照射到传感器装置上所沿的方向以及用于测量来自所述方向的光的强度的传感器装置
CN110214289A (zh) * 2017-01-17 2019-09-06 六度空间有限责任公司 用于线性传感器的宽视野光学模块

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CN103097829B (zh) 2010-05-28 2015-09-09 克博蒂克斯公司 定日镜重新定位系统和方法
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US20070209657A1 (en) 2007-09-13
US7235765B2 (en) 2007-06-26
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JP2004333495A (ja) 2004-11-25
US20060208153A1 (en) 2006-09-21

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