Active anti-dazzle device for the drivers of cars and other motor vehicles having an electro-sensitive screen

• US 5,258,607 A
• Filed: 07/31/1992
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agostini, Giorgio, Alberto Agostini, Marco Noli
• Original Assignee: Agostini, Giorgio, Alberto Agostini, Marco Noli
• Inventors: Agostini, Giorgio, Agostini, Alberto, Noli, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, QUE TAN
• Application Number:
  US07/923,377
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 250/201.1, 250/205, 250/214 B, 250/214 D, 359/601, 359/602, 359/603, 359/607, 359/608, 359/230, 359/265, 359/275
• US Class Current: 250/201.1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/226 with sunscreens, e.g. tinted or dual visor
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency

Abstract

An electrical circuit including an optic sensor generating an output sensing signal proportional to a value of a luminosity intercepted in the sensor'"'"'s field of reception at a specific angle, a measuring/comparing circuit for comparing the output sensing signal with a preset threshold value so as to transmit an actuating signal to a power supply unit of an electro-sensitive screen which responds to the transmission by entering a state of becoming partially darkened or colored. The electro-sensitive screen enters into a state of total transparency when there is no actuating signal transmitted or when the actuating signal ceases its transmission.

Claims

1. An active anti-dazzle device useful for drivers of cars and other motor vehicles, comprising:

an electro-sensitive screen positioned between a driver and an on-coming beam of light, said electro-sensitive screen being composed of a liquid crystal glass strip,

power supply means for supplying power to said electro-sensitive screen;

an optical sensor having a field of reception at a specific angle and being responsive to luminosity intercepted in the field of reception at the specific angle for generating a sensing signal output proportional to a value of the luminosity intercepted;

means for comparing the sensing signal output with a threshold value and for transmitting an actuating signal to said power supply means in response to the sensing signal output exceeding the threshold value and for ceasing transmission of said actuating signal in response to the sensing signal output being beneath the threshold value, said power supply means being responsive to receipt of said actuating signal for causing said electro-sensitive screen to leave a sate of total transparency to enter into a partially darkened or colored state, said power supply means being responsive to an absence of said actuating signal, as results in response to said comparing means ceasing the transmission, for restoring said electro-sensitive screen to the state of total transparency;

means for pivoting said electro-sensitive screen at least on one side with respect to a support fitted to a frame at a side of a motor vehicle'"'"'s windscreen within a driver'"'"'s field of vision, the support supporting the electro-sensitive screen on the frame; and

means for adjusting said screen so that the screen is movable along a minimum of two axes which are at right angles to each other, said screen being fitted with the optic sensor, said pivoting means including an elongated sleeve rotatable about an axis and an extendable arm.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the said electro-sensitive screen consists of a liquid crystal glass strip.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said electro-sensitive screen is incorporated into a motor vehicle'"'"'s windscreen at least in that part of the windscreen directly in front of the driver.

5. A device as in claim 3 wherein the said connecting means consist of sliding contacts fitted to at least one pivot button of the said visor.

6. A device as in claim 3 wherein said crash-helmet is fitted with at least two glass strips in the area of the driver'"'"'s eyes.

4. An active anti-dazzle device useful for drivers of cars and other motor vehicles, comprising:

an electro-sensitive screen positioned between a driver and an on-coming beam of light;

power supply means for supplying power to said electro-sensitive screen;

an optical sensor having a field of reception at a specific angle and being responsive to luminosity intercepted in the field of reception at the specific angle for generating a sensing signal output proportional to a value of the luminosity intercepted;

means for comparing the sensing signal output with a threshold value and for transmitting an actuating signal to said power supply means in response to the sensing signal output exceeding the threshold value and for ceasing transmission of said actuating signal in response to the sensing signal output being beneath the threshold value, said power supply means being responsive to receipt of said actuating signal for causing said electro-sensitive screen to leave a state of total transparency to enter into a partially darkened or colored state, said power supply means being responsive to an absence of said actuating signal, as results in response to said comparing means ceasing the transmission, for restoring said electro-sensitive screen to the state of total transparency;

a crash-helmet having an eye-protection visor whose edges pivot on buttons fitted to the crash-helmet, wherein said electro-sensitive screen includes at least one strip fitted to at least one side of said eye-protection visor, said visor having an upper center part fitted with said optic sensor; and

means for electrically connecting said optic sensor and said screen to said comparing means, said comparing means being housed within a pocket inside said crash-helmet.

7. An active anti-dazzle device useful for drivers of cars and other motor vehicles, comprising:

an electro-sensitive screen positioned between a driver and an on-coming beam of light;

power supply means for supplying power to said electro-sensitive screen;

an optical sensor having a field of reception at a specific angle and being responsive to luminosity intercepted in the field of reception at the specific angle for generating a sensing signal output proportional to a value of the luminosity intercepted;

means for comparing the sensing signal output with a threshold value and for transmitting an actuating signal to said power supply means in response to the sensing signal output exceeding the threshold value and for ceasing transmission of said actuating signal in response to the sensing signal output being beneath the threshold value, said power supply means being responsive to receipt of said actuating signal for causing said electro-sensitive screen to leave a state of total transparency to enter into a partially darkened or colored state, said power supply means being responsive to an absence of said actuating signal, as results in response to said comparing means ceasing the transmission, for restoring said electro-sensitive screen to the state of total transparency; and

a pair of spectacles that have lenses and a frame with a central bridge and side pieces, said electro-sensitive screen including of a pair of strips mounted on the frame covering the lenses, the central bridge being fitted with said optic sensor which, together with said screen, is connected to said comparing means by connections located on the side-pieces.