To constitute a sun altitude detection system simply and inexpensively, enable fine control, and enable accurate detection irrespective of the changes of characteristics of sensors with time.
Sensors 2, 3 are provided in such a manner that the directions of the maximum sensitivity cross at right angles, detect the intensity of the sunlight, and output detection signals. Angular characteristics of the sensors 2, 3 are cosine characteristics, and levels of the detection signals from the sensors 2, 3 are based on an angle formed by the directions of the maximum sensitivity of each sensor and the sunlight. Consequently, an arithmetic unit obtains sun altitude by the division for two detection signals. It is possible to obtain sun altitude by simple sensors, enable fine control, and constitute a sun altitude detector inexpensively. Furthermore, since the sensors 2, 3 are arranged adjacent to each other and provide the similar changes with the lapse of time, and sun altitude is calculated based on a ratio of the detection signals 2, 3 in the arithmetic unit, accurate detection becomes possible irrespective of the changes of characteristics of sensors with the lapse of time.
SASAI TOSHIHIKO
MAKI ETSUKO
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