VARIABLE ATTENUATED TRANSMITTANCE DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM
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Abstract
Some embodiments include an automotive variable attenuated transmittance device having a predetermined minimum transmittance. Such devices can include a suspended particle device, liquid crystal device, polymer dispersed liquid crystal device, or electrochromic device. Some embodiments also include a manual and/or automatic control system for varying transmittance according to any of a variety of data including, without limitation, position, orientation, transmitted power, and/or the position of an occupant'"'"'s head.
95 Citations
31 Claims
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1-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A variable attenuated transmittance device, comprising:
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at least one device selected from one or more of suspended particle devices, liquid crystal devices, polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices, or electrochromic devices, the device having a predetermined minimum transmittance and a plurality of elements; a GPS data source for providing position information relative to a light source; and a controller in electronic controlling communication with each of the plurality of elements to automatically adjust the transmittance of each of the plurality of elements according to the position of each of the elements relative to the light source.
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18. An automotive variable attenuated transmittance device for use with an associated vehicle having tires, wheels, a suspension, and a frame for supporting a vehicle body and automotive glass, the variable attenuated transmittance device comprising:
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a least one suspended particle device having a predetermined minimum transmittance from about 10% to about 100% under no-power conditions; and an apparatus for automatically adjusting transmittance of the suspended particle device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for modulating the transmittance of an assembly of suspended particle devices, comprising the steps of:
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A) providing a vehicle having tires, wheels, a suspension, and a frame for supporting a vehicle body and automotive glass;
at least four suspended particle automotive glass devices, mounted within the vehicle frame, and having a predetermined minimum transmittance from about 10% to about 100% under no-power conditions;
an automatic transmittance controller, having a GPS navigation data source, in electronic controlling communication with each suspended particle device element; and
a manual transmittance control, providing a selectively adjustable transmittance setting to the controller;B) providing power to the automatic transmittance controller and manual transmittance control; C) using the automatic transmittance controller to calculate the position of the suspended particle devices relative to the sun by comparing coordinates captured by the GPS navigation data source to pre-programmed coordinates of the suspended particle devices in relation to the GPS navigation data source; D) using the automatic transmittance controller to;
a) reduce the transmittance of suspended particle devices facing the sun to levels consistent with a transmittance setting provided by the manual transmittance control, and b) provide a transmittance level to suspended particle devices not facing the sun that is greater than the suspended particle devices facing the sun;E) repeating steps C and D as long as power is provided to the automatic transmittance controller.
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Specification