Heating type lens

Abstract

A system is provided. The system may include a lens. The lens may include a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer may be configured to thermally couple with a heating element.

Description

[0001] introduction

[0002] Vehicles, such as electric vehicles, may include one or more lights. These lights may be used to help the driver see the area surrounding the vehicle.

[0003] summary

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to a heatable vehicle lens. Snow, ice, or generally moisture or precipitation may accumulate on the outer lens of a lamp. The moisture may affect the light output of the lamp. A film heater may be added to the outer lens of the lamp. The film heater may be or include carbon nanotubes (e.g., a transparent carbon nanotube film layer). The carbon nanotubes may be surrounded by a heating element (e.g., a silver busbar). The carbon nanotubes may conduct an electric current. Conducting the electric current may cause the carbon nanotube layer to heat up to remove snow, ice, or other moisture or precipitation that accumulates on the lens.

[0005] A system is provided. The system may include a lens. The lens may include a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer may be configured to be thermally coupled to a heating element.

[0006] At least one aspect relates to a system. The system may include a lens. The lens may include a carbon nanotube layer. The system may include a heating element. The heating element may heat the carbon nanotube layer.

[0007] At least one aspect relates to a system. The system may include a lens. The lens may include a carbon nanotube layer. The system may include a controller. The controller may heat the carbon nanotube layer. The controller may heat the carbon nanotube layer by controlling a battery coupled to the carbon nanotube layer.

[0008] A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include a lens. The lens may include a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer may be configured to be thermally coupled to a heating element.

[0009] At least one aspect relates to a vehicle. The vehicle may include a lens. The lens may include a carbon nanotube layer. The vehicle may include a heating element. The heating element may heat the carbon nanotube layer.

[0010] At least one aspect relates to a method. The method may include monitoring a condition by a processor. The method may include determining, by the processor, that the condition is satisfied. The method may include, in response to the condition being satisfied, heating, by the processor, a carbon nanotube layer of a lens.

[0011] These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the protected aspects and implementations. The accompanying drawings provide illustration and further understanding of various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The foregoing information and the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings include illustrative examples and should not be considered limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and names indicate similar elements in the various drawings. For clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 An example vehicle is depicted according to some implementations.

[0014] Figure 2 Depicted are exemplary systems for heating a lens according to some implementations.

[0015] Figure 3 Depicted are exemplary lenses according to some implementations.

[0016] Figure 4 Depicted are exemplary cross-sectional views of a portion of a headlamp according to some implementations.

[0017] Figure 5 Depicted are exemplary cross-sectional views of a portion of a headlamp according to some implementations.

[0018] Figure 6 Depicted are exemplary perspective views of headlamps according to some implementations.

[0019] Figure 7 Depicted are exemplary methods for heating a lens according to some implementations.

[0020] Figure 8 Depicted are exemplary methods for heating a lens according to some implementations.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of a computer system that may be used to implement elements of the systems and methods described and illustrated herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Various concepts related to methods, devices and systems for heating vehicle lenses and their implementation are described in further detail below. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in more detail below can be implemented in any of a variety of ways.

[0023] In automotive systems, different lights may be used to illuminate the environment. These lights may illuminate the environment at night and in other dark environments (e.g., in foggy environments or in tunnels). The lights may do this to enable the driver of the vehicle to see the environment or to enable sensors of the vehicle to collect data. The lights may be protected by a transparent barrier (e.g., a polycarbonate lens) through which the lights may direct light.

[0024] In some cases, precipitation from the environment (such as snow, ice, rain, or fog) may accumulate on the lens of the lamp on the vehicle. The precipitation may block or otherwise reduce the illumination of the lamp. In the case of light emitting diode (LED) lamps, this problem may be exacerbated because LED lamps may generate less heat than halogen lamps and are therefore more susceptible to ice and snow accumulation. Conventional systems and methods to address this problem may include placing wires on the lens and passing current through these wires to warm the lens. However, the wires may further block the light emitted by the lamp from the environment.

[0025] To address these and other technical challenges, a lens of a system (e.g., an automotive system) may include a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer may be or include a carbon nanotube film layer. The carbon nanotube layer may be placed between layers of other materials (e.g., polycarbonate) of the lens. The system may also include a heating element (e.g., a wire or busbar that can conduct an electric current, such as a silver busbar). The heating element may be coupled to the carbon nanotube layer or otherwise contact the carbon nanotube layer. The heating element may direct an electric current to the carbon nanotube layer through the heating element. Directing the electric current through the heating element may cause the electric current to travel through the carbon nanotube layer. The electric current may heat the carbon nanotube layer. Heating the carbon nanotube layer may heat the lens layer surrounding the carbon nanotube layer. Heating the layers surrounding the carbon nanotube layer may cause any precipitation accumulated on the lens to dissipate or otherwise slide off the lens. The carbon nanotube layer may be the lens itself or an outer layer of the lens. In such a case, the carbon nanotube layer is heated to melt the precipitation accumulated on the carbon nanotube layer or to dissipate such precipitation. Thus, the carbon nanotube layer may help remove precipitation obstructions on the lens.

[0026] The lens of the system can be a lens of a headlight of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle may include a headlight. The headlight may include a light bulb that emits light toward the front of the vehicle and a lens that includes a carbon nanotube layer. At night or in foggy conditions, the light can improve visibility in front of the vehicle. When precipitation accumulates on the lens of the headlight, the light may be blocked by the precipitation. By heating a heating element coupled to the carbon nanotube layer of the headlight, the carbon nanotube layer can transfer heat to other layers of the headlight. The heat transfer can cause the precipitation to dissipate or slide off the lens, allowing the headlight to emit light without obstruction. Because the carbon nanotube layer can be translucent or transparent, the carbon nanotube layer may not block the light from the headlight. Therefore, the carbon nanotube layer can remove precipitation that blocks the light from the headlight without blocking the light.

[0027] The controller may selectively heat the carbon nanotube layer of the lens. For example, the controller may monitor a condition. The condition may be a rule that indicates whether to heat the carbon nanotube layer of the lens. An example of a condition may be a threshold value or a specific reading from a sensor (e.g., a reading that indicates that snow or other precipitation is falling in the vehicle's surroundings, or that there is precipitation on the lens). In response to determining that the condition is met, the controller may heat the carbon nanotube layer of the lens. The controller may heat the carbon nanotube layer by transmitting a control signal (e.g., to a battery). The control signal may cause the battery to release current or energy or direct current or energy through a heating element to the carbon nanotube layer. Thus, the controller may determine when to heat the carbon nanotube layer or the lens.

[0028] The carbon nanotube layer can be used to heat any lens or surface of a vehicle. For example, the carbon nanotube layer can be integrated into the lens of a windshield, a window, a mirror (e.g., a side view mirror or a rear view mirror), a vehicle body, or any other component that needs to be heated.

[0029] Figure 1An example cross-sectional view 100 of a vehicle 105 with at least one battery pack 110 installed is depicted. The vehicle 105 may be an electric vehicle. The vehicle 105 may include an electric truck, an electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), an electric van, an electric car, an electric car, an electric motorcycle, an electric scooter, an electric passenger car, an electric passenger or commercial truck, a hybrid vehicle, or other vehicles such as sea or air vehicles, airplanes, helicopters, submarines, ships, or drones, among other possibilities. The battery pack 110 may also be used as an energy storage system to power buildings such as residential or commercial buildings. The vehicle 105 may be fully electric or partially electric (e.g., a plug-in hybrid), and further, the vehicle 105 may be fully autonomous, partially autonomous, or unmanned. The vehicle 105 may also be manually operated or non-autonomous. An electric vehicle 105 (such as an electric truck or car) may include an onboard battery pack 110, a battery 115, or a battery module 115, or a battery cell 120 to power the electric vehicle. The vehicle 105 may include a chassis 125 (e.g., a frame, an internal frame, or a support structure). The chassis 125 may support various components of the vehicle 105. The chassis 125 may span a front portion 130 (e.g., a hood or lid portion), a main body portion 135, and a rear portion 140 (e.g., a luggage compartment, payload, or trunk portion) of the vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may be mounted or placed within the vehicle 105. For example, the battery pack 110 may be mounted on the chassis 125 of the vehicle 105 within one or more of the front portion 130, the main body portion 135, or the rear portion 140. The battery pack 110 may include or be connected to at least one bus bar (e.g., a current collector element). For example, the first bus bar 145 and the second bus bar 150 may include conductive materials to connect or otherwise electrically couple the battery 115, the battery module 115, or the battery cell 120 to other electrical components of the vehicle 105 to power various systems or components of the vehicle 105.

[0030] The vehicle 105 may include one or more headlights 155. The one or more headlights 155 may include one or more light bulbs 160 (e.g., halogen bulbs or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs). The one or more headlights 155 may be located in front of the vehicle 105 (e.g., in the direction in which the vehicle 105 is traveling forward rather than in reverse) or at any other location on the vehicle 105. The one or more headlights 155 may direct light 165 away from the front of the vehicle 105. The one or more headlights 155 may include one or more lenses 170. Each headlight or a subset of the headlights 155 may include a lens 170. The lens 170 may include a carbon nanotube layer 175. The carbon nanotube layer 175 may be heated to heat the lens 170. By heating the lens 170, precipitation on the lens 170 may be dissipated or otherwise removed from the lens 170. Thus, the carbon nanotube layer 175 may be used to facilitate the removal of precipitation from the one or more headlights 155. The lens 170 may be integrated into the vehicle 105 as a lens for one or more of the headlights 155 , taillights 182 , turn signals 184 , mirrors 186 , windshield 188 , or windows 190 .

[0031] The vehicle 105 may include a sensor 180. The sensor 180 may be located anywhere on the vehicle 105. The sensor 180 may include one or more sensors. The sensor 180 may be, for example, a pressure sensor, a moisture sensor, a humidity sensor, a thermometer, a camera, a video recorder, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, a sonar sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor 180 may be configured to detect various environmental characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, snow, rain, ice, and wind speed. The sensor 180 may be located on the vehicle 105. For example, the sensor 180 may be located in, on, or around the lens 170, the windshield 188 of the vehicle 105, or at any other location of the vehicle 105. The sensor 180 may detect environmental characteristics around the vehicle 105. The sensor 180 may transmit the collected characteristics to a computer of the vehicle 105. The computer may process data for vehicle control.

[0032] Figure 2An exemplary system 200 for heating a lens is depicted. System 200 may include a controller 202, a battery 204, and a headlight 206. Components 202-206 of system 200 may be components of a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 105). Components 202-206 may operate together to direct light from the vehicle, or to remove or substantially minimize precipitation or other obstructions from headlight 206. For example, headlight 206 may include lens 208. Lens 208 may include carbon nanotube layer 210. Battery 204 may be coupled to carbon nanotube layer 210. Controller 202 may send, transmit, or direct a control signal to battery 204. The control signal may cause battery 204 to direct current through carbon nanotube layer 210. The current may cause a temperature of carbon nanotube layer 210 to increase. The increase in temperature of carbon nanotube layer 210 may cause a temperature of lens 208 to increase. Thus, carbon nanotube layer 210 may promote an increase in temperature of lens 208.

[0033] The lens 208 may be integrated into the vehicle. For example, the lens 208 may be integrated into a headlight, a mirror, a taillight, a daytime running light, a fog light, a signal light, a brake light, a hazard light, a running light, a windshield, or other surface (e.g., an exterior surface) of the vehicle. The lens 208 may be or include a transparent or translucent material. The transparent or translucent material may facilitate light passing through the lens 208. In an example, the lens 208 may be an exterior surface of a headlight of the vehicle that protects the headlight from the environment while allowing the headlight to direct light to the front of the vehicle. The lens 208 may be integrated into any surface or component of the vehicle.

[0034] Lens 208 may include a carbon nanotube layer 210 and a layer 212. Layer 212 may be or include a translucent or transparent material, such as polycarbonate or glass. Carbon nanotube layer 210 may be coupled to layer 212 (e.g., formed below layer 212 relative to the outer surface of lens 208). Carbon nanotube layer 210 may be coupled between layer 212 and another layer (not shown). The other layer may be or include the same material as layer 212. Carbon nanotube layer 210 may be coupled along the entirety of layer 212, or coupled to a portion of layer 212 (e.g., less than the entirety). In one example, carbon nanotube layer 210 may be coupled to a portion of layer 212 that is in front of (e.g., only in front of) a low beam of a headlight 206 of the vehicle.

[0035] The carbon nanotube layer 210 may be or include a layer or coating that includes a single layer or multiple layers of carbon nanotubes (e.g., aligned carbon nanotubes). The carbon nanotube layer 210 may be deposited on a substrate within the lens 208 using various methods, such as chemical vapor deposition, spin coating, or spray coating. The carbon nanotube layer 210 may have a thickness, for example, in the nanometer to micrometer range.

[0036] The carbon nanotube layer 210 may be or include a carbon nanotube film layer. The carbon nanotube film layer may be or include a network of randomly oriented carbon nanotubes. The film may be prepared by various methods, such as filtering a carbon nanotube suspension or transfer printing from a carbon nanotube forest. The thickness of the carbon nanotube film layer may be in the range of tens of microns to hundreds of microns.

[0037] The carbon nanotube layer 210 may be transparent or translucent. The carbon nanotube layer 210 may be translucent or transparent because the carbon nanotube layer 210 is or includes one or more carbon nanotubes. Because the carbon nanotube layer 210 may be transparent or translucent, light may pass through the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208 of which the carbon nanotube layer 210 is a part. Therefore, when integrated into the headlamp 206, the lens 208 with the carbon nanotube layer 210 may not block or prevent light from passing through the lens 208. The lens 208 may allow light to pass through while protecting the headlamp 206 from environmental influences.

[0038] The carbon nanotube layer 210 may be thermally coupled to the heating element 214 (e.g., the carbon nanotube layer 210 may be coupled to the heating element 214 such that the heating element 214 causes a temperature change in the carbon nanotube layer 210). The heating element 214 may contact the carbon nanotube layer at one or more locations. In some cases, the heating element 214 may be placed flush with the carbon nanotube layer 210. The heating element 214 may be or include one or more busbars (e.g., silver busbars), wires, or other conductors (e.g., thermal conductors). The heating element 214 may be configured to conduct current or electricity to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The heating element 214 may be coupled to the carbon nanotube layer 210 via one or more contact points 216. The heating element 214 may be configured to carry current or conduct current to the contact points 216. The current may travel from the contact points 216 to the entire carbon nanotube layer 210. The current may cause the carbon nanotube layer 210 to heat up or increase in temperature. The increased temperature of carbon nanotube layer 210 may cause layer 212 to heat up (e.g., through heat transfer). Thus, the current traveling through heating element 214 and carbon nanotube layer 210 may cause layer 212 to heat up or increase in temperature. Carbon nanotube layer 210 may provide uniform heat distribution on the surface of lens 208 (e.g., at the surface of lens 208 where carbon nanotube layer 210 contacts).

[0039] The battery 204 may be a battery of a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 105). The battery 204 may be or include a power source. The battery 204 may have a high voltage or a low voltage. The battery 204 may be, for example, a high voltage battery having a voltage of 400 volts (V) or a voltage in the range of 300V to 800V. The battery 204 may be, for example, a low voltage battery having a voltage of 12V or a voltage in the range of 5V to 20V. The battery 204 may be or include a high voltage battery and a low voltage battery (e.g., a high voltage battery connected in series with a low voltage battery). The battery 204 may be connected to the heating element 214 at one or more contact points 220 of the heating element 214 through a wire 218.

[0040] Battery 204 can direct electrical current to heating element 214 and carbon nanotube layer 210. For example, battery 204 can release electrical current or energy to contact point 220 of heating element 214 through wire 218. The electrical current or energy can travel through wire 218 to contact point 220, through heating element 214 to contact point 216, and to or through carbon nanotube layer 210. The electrical current or energy can modify the heat (e.g., increase or decrease the temperature) of carbon nanotube layer 210 or lens 208. Thus, battery 204 can cause carbon nanotube layer 210 or lens 208 to heat up.

[0041] The controller 202 may include or be executed on one or more processors or computing devices. The controller 202 may be located on a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 105) (e.g., electrically connected to circuitry of the vehicle). The controller 202 may be remote from the vehicle. The controller 202 may communicate with components of the vehicle via a network (e.g., a wireless network or a wired network). The controller 202 may include hardware elements, such as one or more processors, logic devices, circuits, or memories.

[0042] The controller 202 may control the release of current or energy from the battery 204. For example, the controller 202 may be coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled) to the battery 204. The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204. The control signal may cause the battery 204 to release energy or current or stop releasing energy or current to the heating element 214 and the lens 208 (e.g., the controller 202 may control the heating element 214 by releasing energy or current from the battery 204 to the heating element 214 or through the heating element). The controller 202 may transmit a first control signal to the battery 204 to cause the battery 204 to release energy to the heating element 214 and the carbon nanotube layer 210 through the wire 218. The controller 202 may transmit a second control signal to the battery 204 (e.g., after transmitting the first control signal) to stop the battery from releasing energy or current to the heating element 214 and the carbon nanotube layer 210. Thus, the controller 202 may control the heating of the carbon nanotube layer 210.

[0043] The controller 202 may monitor the environment around the vehicle in which the controller 202 is located. For example, the controller 202 may monitor different characteristics of the environment around the vehicle. Examples of such characteristics may include temperature, humidity, moisture (e.g., humidity in the air), precipitation (e.g., snow, rain, or ice), and wind speed. The controller 202 may monitor these characteristics by receiving or polling values ​​of sensors 222 (e.g., sensor 180) of the vehicle. The sensors 222 may transmit or send values ​​of the characteristics respectively monitored by the sensors to the controller 202. The controller 202 may receive and process these values. Based on these values, the controller 202 may determine whether to release energy or current from the battery 204 to the carbon nanotube layer 210.

[0044] The controller 202 may determine whether to release energy or current from the battery 204 to the carbon nanotube layer 210 based on the characteristic values ​​of the environment received by the controller 202 from the sensor 222. For example, the controller 202 may compare these values ​​with one or more conditions (e.g., conditions stored in a memory). These conditions may include rules or thresholds. The controller 202 may determine that the condition is satisfied based on the value of the characteristic of the rule or threshold that satisfies the condition. In some cases, the controller 202 may determine that the condition is satisfied in response to detecting moisture in the environment surrounding the vehicle. In response to determining that the condition is satisfied or in response to the satisfaction of the condition, the controller 202 may determine to release the battery 204 to modify the heat of the carbon nanotube layer 210 (e.g., determine to control the heating element 214 to modify the heat of the carbon nanotube layer 210).

[0045] For example, controller 202 may compare a value indicating the amount of moisture in the vehicle's surroundings to a threshold value. In response to determining that the value indicates the amount of moisture exceeds the threshold value, controller 202 may determine that the threshold value or condition is met. In response to determining that the threshold value or condition is met, controller 202 may transmit a control signal to battery 204 to cause battery 204 to release energy or current to carbon nanotube layer 210.

[0046] In another example, the controller 202 may detect that the weather around the vehicle is raining or snowing. In response to detecting raining or snowing weather, the controller 202 may determine that a condition is met. The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to cause the battery 204 to release energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The controller 202 may determine that any number of conditions are met based on the readings from the sensor 222, and control the release of the battery 204 accordingly.

[0047] The controller 202 may release energy or current from the battery 204 to the carbon nanotube layer 210 based on the characteristics of the vehicle surface. For example, the controller 202 may receive data from the sensor 222 indicating that the amount of pressure at the vehicle surface exceeds a threshold or that there is moisture or precipitation on the vehicle surface. For example, these readings may indicate that there is rain or snow on the vehicle. The controller 202 may compare the readings with the conditions in the memory. The controller 202 may determine that one or more conditions are met based on the readings. In response to determining that one or more conditions are met, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to cause the battery 204 to release energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The controller 202 may determine that any number of conditions are met based on the readings from the sensor 222, and control the release of the battery 204 accordingly.

[0048] Controller 202 may release energy or current from battery 204 to carbon nanotube layer 210 based on conditions including rules that are not related to the characteristics of the vehicle surface or the vehicle's surroundings. For example, a condition may be satisfied at the current time of day, the state of the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle is started or traveling at a certain speed), the time when a defined manual input is received, a change in the state of the vehicle (e.g., when the vehicle is started), or any other rule. The condition may be configured by the user. Controller 202 may determine when such a condition is satisfied and release energy or current from battery 204 in response to the satisfaction of the condition.

[0049] The controller 202 may vary the release level of the battery 204 based on the conditions met. For example, in the memory of the controller 202, the condition may have a storage association with a percentage or value of energy or current released from the battery 204. The controller 202 may determine that the condition is met and identify the percentage or value that has a storage association with the condition met. The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 so that the battery 204 releases the identified percentage or amount of current (e.g., a defined amperage) or energy to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The controller 202 may transmit a control to the battery 204 so that the battery 204 releases current or energy at a defined voltage. For example, this is useful for energy conservation. The satisfaction of different conditions may indicate that the carbon nanotube layer 210 needs to be heated to different temperatures (e.g., a snowy environment may correspond to a higher temperature than a rainy environment). Controlling the energy or current release of the battery 204 may enable the controller 202 to control the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer 210 (e.g., modify its heat).

[0050] The controller 202 may monitor the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the layer of the lens 208 surrounding the carbon nanotube layer 210. For example, a thermocouple 224 may be coupled to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The thermocouple 224 may be coupled to the carbon nanotube layer 210 at the contact point 216, at any other location of the carbon nanotube layer 210, or at the heating element 214. The thermocouple 224 may be used to monitor the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer 210. For example, the thermocouple 224 may measure the temperature at the contact point 216 or any other point of the carbon nanotube layer 210. The thermocouple 224 may additionally or alternatively measure the temperature of the layer (e.g., layer 212) surrounding the carbon nanotube layer 210. The thermocouple 224 may do so by measuring the temperature-related voltage at the contact point 216 or other point of the carbon nanotube layer 210, or other layers coupled to the thermocouple 224. The thermocouple 224 may transmit the measured temperature or temperature-related voltage to the controller 202. Thermocouple 224 may transmit the measurement value to controller 202 periodically over time or upon receiving a measurement request from controller 202. Controller 202 may receive or read a temperature (e.g., a measured or monitored temperature) or a temperature-related voltage. Controller 202 may determine whether to adjust the current or energy release of battery 204 (e.g., determine how to control heating element 214) based on the temperature or temperature-related voltage.

[0051] In another example, other temperature sensors may be used to measure the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208. Such temperature sensors may measure the temperature and transmit the measurement to the controller 202. Thus, the controller 202 may monitor the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer 210 via the thermocouple 224 or other temperature sensors.

[0052] The controller 202 may control the release of energy or current from the battery 204 based on the temperature measurement received by the controller 202. For example, the controller 202 may store a temperature (e.g., a defined or predetermined temperature). The temperature may be a target temperature or a set value. The controller 202 may release energy or current from the battery 204 to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The energy or current may cause the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the layer (e.g., layer 212) of the lens 208 around the carbon nanotube layer 210 to heat up or increase the temperature or decrease the temperature. The controller 202 may poll or receive a temperature measurement of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the layer of the lens 208 around the carbon nanotube layer 210 from the thermocouple 224 or another temperature sensor. When the controller 202 receives the temperature, the controller 202 may compare the received temperature with the target temperature. When a temperature matching or exceeding the target temperature is received, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to stop or reduce the release of energy or current from the battery 204. Thus, the controller 202 can heat the carbon nanotube layer 210 and the lens 208 while preventing overheating of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208. The controller 202 can do so while conserving energy from the battery 204.

[0053] The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to cause the battery 204 to release energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210 to maintain the target temperature (e.g., maintain the target temperature for a predetermined amount of time or until an event is detected indicating that the release of energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210 is stopped). For example, the controller 202 may receive a measurement of the temperature over time from the thermocouple 224 or a temperature sensor. The controller 202 may compare the measurement to the target temperature. In response to determining that the temperature is below the target temperature, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to release more energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210. In response to determining that the temperature is at or above the target temperature, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to stop or reduce the release of energy or current from the battery 204.

[0054] The target temperature may vary depending on whether a condition determined by the controller 202 is satisfied. For example, in a memory of the controller 202, the condition may have a storage association with different target temperatures of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208. The controller 202 may determine that the condition is satisfied and identify the target temperature based on the target temperature having a storage association with the satisfied condition in the memory. The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to cause the battery 204 to release current or energy to the carbon nanotube layer 210. The controller 202 may receive a temperature measurement of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208. The controller 202 may compare the received temperature measurement with the identified target temperature. When it is determined that the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208 is at the target temperature, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to stop releasing energy to the carbon nanotube layer 210 or to maintain the target temperature.

[0055] The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 so that the battery 204 releases energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210 for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the controller 202 may store the predetermined amount of time in a memory. When it is determined that the condition is met, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 so that the battery releases energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210 for a predetermined amount of time, or keeps the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208 at a target temperature for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the controller 202 may determine that the condition is met in response to determining that the vehicle has been started or has entered a preheating state. In response to determining that the condition is met, the controller 202 may control the battery 204 to release energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210 for a predetermined amount of time, and then stop releasing energy or current. The controller 202 may stop the battery 204 from releasing energy in response to determining that the vehicle has changed to a driving state. Therefore, the controller 202 may limit the amount of energy of the battery 204 used to heat the carbon nanotube layer 210.

[0056] The predetermined amount of time may vary depending on the condition that the controller 202 determines to be satisfied. For example, the controller 202 may store associations between different predetermined amounts of time and conditions in a memory. In response to determining that a condition is satisfied, the controller 202 may identify the predetermined amount of time that has a stored association with the satisfied condition in the memory. Thus, the controller 202 may selectively control the amount of energy used to modify the heat of the carbon nanotube layer 210.

[0057] For example, the controller 202 may receive a measurement of a temperature that changes over time from a thermocouple or temperature sensor. The controller 202 may compare the measurement to a target temperature. In response to determining that the temperature is below the target temperature, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to release more energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210. In response to determining that the temperature is at or above the target temperature, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to stop or reduce the release of energy or current from the battery 204.

[0058] The controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to cause the battery 204 to release energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 210 until an event is detected. For example, the controller 202 may store different events in the memory. Examples of stored events may be a determination that the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer 210 or the lens 208 has reached a target temperature (e.g., based on a temperature measurement from the thermocouple 224), that the vehicle has switched to a drive gear, mode, or state, that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, that the sensor has not detected moisture or precipitation (e.g., no moisture or precipitation is detected in the environment, on the surface of the vehicle, or on the surface of the lens 208), or that moisture or precipitation is not detected for a predetermined amount of time. Upon determining that an event is satisfied, the controller 202 may transmit a control signal to the battery 204 to stop releasing current or energy to the carbon nanotube layer 210.

[0059] Figure 3 An exemplary lens 300 is depicted according to some implementations. Figure 3A cross-sectional view of lens 300 is depicted. Lens 300 may be the same or similar to lens 208. Lens 300 may include material layer 302, carbon nanotube layer 304, and material layer 306. Each of layers 302 to 306 may have any density or thickness. Material layer 302 may be a first layer of material. Material layer 306 may be a second layer of material. Material layer 302 and material layer 306 may each be or include a transparent or translucent material. Examples of such transparent or translucent materials may include polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, polymethyl methacrylate, and xenoy. Material layer 302 and material layer 306 may be or include the same material or different materials. In one example, material layer 302 may be a first layer of polycarbonate, and material layer 306 may be a second layer of polycarbonate. Lens 300 may include only a single material layer 302 or 306 on or coupled to carbon nanotube layer 304. Carbon nanotube layer 304 may be between material layer 302 and material layer 306. Carbon nanotube layer 304 may be a layer of one or more carbon nanotubes. Layers 302 to 306 may be transparent or translucent to facilitate light (such as light directed away from the headlights of a vehicle) to pass through lens 300 to improve visibility. Carbon nanotube layer 304 may modify the heat of material layer 302 or material layer 306 by conducting current from a heating element (e.g., heating element 214).

[0060] Carbon nanotube layer 304 may be attached or coupled to all or a portion of material layer 302 or material layer 306. For example, carbon nanotube layer 304 may be coupled to only a portion of material layer 302 or material layer 306. This may be advantageous, for example, to reduce the cost of the component or reduce the weight of lens 300. Carbon nanotube layer 304 may be coupled to any percentage or portion of material layer 302 or material layer 306.

[0061] The density or thickness of the carbon nanotube layer 304 at different locations of the lens 300 may vary. For example, different portions of the carbon nanotube layer 304 may have a higher density (e.g., the number of carbon nanotubes in a particular area or volume of the carbon nanotube layer 304) or thickness, such as at locations of the lens 300 where light is configured to pass through (e.g., coupled to other components of a vehicle or headlight). Other portions of the carbon nanotube layer 304 may have a lower density or thickness, such as at areas where light is not configured to pass through. For example, an area of ​​the lens 300 where a low beam of a headlight is configured to pass through may have a higher density of the carbon nanotube layer 304 than other portions of the lens 300. The higher density or thickness of the carbon nanotube layer 304 may help to heat the lens 300 faster at areas contacting the higher density or thickness portions. The carbon nanotube layer 304 may be one or more carbon nanotube sheets. The carbon nanotube layer 304 may cover the entire surface of the lens 300 or more or less than a majority of the lens 300 (e.g., more or less than 50%).

[0062] Figure 4 An exemplary headlamp 400 is depicted according to some specific implementations. Headlamp 400 can be the same or similar to headlamp 206. Headlamp 400 can include a housing 402, a carbon nanotube layer 404, and a heating element 406. Housing 402 can be or include a material configured to accommodate a lens (e.g., lens 208) or otherwise hold a lens in place. The lens can include a carbon nanotube layer 404 coupled to or in contact with another material layer of the lens. Housing 402 can be a housing of a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 105). Carbon nanotube layer 404 can be the same or similar to carbon nanotube layer 210. Heating element 406 can be a busbar, wire, or other conductor. Heating element 406 can be the same or similar to heating element 214. Heating element 406 can be connected or coupled to a battery (e.g., battery 204) via one or more conductors or wires. Heating element 406 can contact (e.g., thermally couple) carbon nanotube layer 404. The battery can release energy or current through the heating element 406. The heating element 406 can conduct the energy or current to the carbon nanotube layer 404. The carbon nanotube layer 404 can conduct the energy or current, thereby causing the carbon nanotube layer 404 to heat up or otherwise increase in temperature. The carbon nanotube layer 404 can transfer heat to another layer of the lens, thereby causing the temperature of the lens to increase or decrease.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, heating element 406 may include an elongated portion that surrounds carbon nanotube layer 404 or is otherwise located on the outside of the carbon nanotube layer. Heating element 406 may be located below the housing while contacting carbon nanotube layer 404. Thus, heating element 406 may contact carbon nanotube layer 404 without blocking light from the bulb of headlamp 400.

[0064] Figure 5 A headlamp 400 is depicted according to some implementations. Figure 5 As shown, headlamp 400 may include contact point 502 and trace 504. Contact point 502 and trace 508 may be part of heating element 406. Contact point 502 may be configured to couple to a battery to receive energy or current. Energy or current may travel through contact point 502, through trace 508, to heating element 406.

[0065] Figure 6 An exemplary headlamp 600 is depicted according to some specific implementations. The headlamp 600 may include a housing 602, a lens 604, and a stadium piece 606. The headlamp 600 may be attached to a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 105) via the housing 602. The stadium piece 606 may be stadium-shaped. The stadium piece 606 may include a heating element 608, a bulb 610, and a peripheral light source 612 (e.g., one or more peripheral light sources). The headlamp 600 may be the same or similar to the headlamp 400. The headlamp 600 may be a stadium piece 606 and a lens 604. The housing 602 may be a housing for the lens 604 and the stadium piece 606. The lens 604 may be a transparent material including at least one carbon nanotube layer. The lens 604 may be coupled or attached to an outer edge 614 of the stadium piece 606. The heating element 608 may be coupled or attached to an outer edge 614 of the stadium piece 606. The heating element 608 may be coupled or attached to the lens 604 or the stadium piece 606 to surround the bulb 610. The heating element 606 may be connected or coupled (e.g., thermally coupled) to the carbon nanotube layer of the lens 604. The heating element 606 may transfer heat or electricity to the carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer may transfer heat to other materials of the lens 604, thereby heating or modifying the thermal properties of the lens 604. The bulb 610 may include a plurality of (e.g., four) light sources 616 (e.g., additional light sources). The lens 604 may be between the light source 616 and the environment surrounding the vehicle to which the headlamp 600 is coupled or attached. The light source 616 may emit light into the environment through the lens 604.

[0066] Figure 7 An exemplary method 700 for heating a lens according to some implementations is depicted. The method 700 may be performed by Figure 2 The method 700 may be performed by one or more components depicted in the system 200 or the controller 202. For example, the method 700 may be performed by a data processing system (e.g., reference Figure 2 The method 700 may include monitoring a condition (act 702). The method 700 may include determining satisfaction of a condition (act 704). The method 700 may include heating the carbon nanotube layer (act 706).

[0067] At action 702, method 700 may include monitoring conditions. Controller 202 may monitor conditions that controller 202 has stored in memory. These conditions may correspond to values ​​of different characteristics of the vehicle's surroundings or characteristics of the vehicle's surface. These conditions may include one or more rules or thresholds. Controller 202 may receive values ​​of characteristics of the vehicle's surroundings or characteristics of the vehicle's surface. Controller 202 may receive values ​​from sensors inside the vehicle or otherwise attached to the vehicle, which are configured to measure such values. The sensors may generate or measure values ​​of different characteristics and transmit the measured values ​​to controller 202. Controller 202 may receive the measured values ​​and compare them to the conditions corresponding to the measured values.

[0068] At action 704, the method 700 may include determining satisfaction of a condition. The controller 202 may determine satisfaction of the condition based on a comparison between a measured value and the condition. For example, the controller 202 may receive a value of precipitation content at a surface of the vehicle from a sensor. The controller 202 may compare the value to a threshold value of the condition. The controller 202 may determine satisfaction of the condition (e.g., satisfaction of the condition) in response to the value exceeding the threshold value. The controller 202 may similarly determine satisfaction of any other condition.

[0069] At act 706, method 700 may include heating the carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer may be a layer of a lens. The lens may be integrated into a vehicle (e.g., the lens may be a lens of a headlight, a brake light, a turn signal, a windshield, or a mirror). The controller may heat the carbon nanotube layer in response to the condition being satisfied (e.g., in response to determining that the condition is satisfied).

[0070] The controller 202 can heat the carbon nanotube layer of the lens via a battery coupled to the carbon nanotube layer. For example, the carbon nanotube layer can be coupled (e.g., thermally coupled) to or connected to a heating element (e.g., a wire or another other conductor). The battery can be connected to the heating element, such as via a wire or another conductor. The controller 202 can transmit a signal (e.g., a control signal) to the battery. The signal can cause the battery to release current or energy or direct current or energy through the heating element and the carbon nanotube layer. The energy or current can heat the carbon nanotube layer. Heat from the carbon nanotube layer can be transferred to other layers of the lens. Therefore, the controller 202 can heat the carbon nanotube layer and the lens by controlling the release of energy or current from the battery.

[0071] Figure 8 An exemplary method 800 for heating a lens according to some implementations is depicted. The method 800 may be performed by Figure 2 The method 800 may be performed by one or more components depicted in the system 200 or the controller 202. For example, the method 800 may be performed by a data processing system (e.g., reference Figure 2The method 800 may include monitoring a condition (act 802). The method 800 may include determining whether a condition is satisfied (act 804). The method 800 may include transmitting a signal (act 806). The method 800 may include directing a current (act 808).

[0072] Method 800 may include monitoring load (action 802). Controller 202 may monitor conditions that controller 202 has stored in memory. These conditions may correspond to values ​​of different characteristics of the vehicle's surroundings or characteristics of the vehicle's surface. These conditions may include one or more rules or thresholds. Controller 202 may receive values ​​of characteristics of the vehicle's surroundings or characteristics of the vehicle's surface. Controller 202 may receive values ​​from sensors inside the vehicle or otherwise attached to the vehicle, which are configured to measure such values. The sensors may generate or measure values ​​of different characteristics and transmit the measured values ​​to controller 202. Controller 202 may receive the measured values ​​and compare them to the conditions corresponding to the measured values.

[0073] Method 800 may include determining whether any conditions are met (action 804). Controller 202 may compare the value of the characteristic of the vehicle's surrounding environment or the vehicle surface with the stored conditions. In doing so, controller 202 may identify conditions corresponding to different types of characteristics or measurements. Controller 202 may compare the measurements with the corresponding identified conditions. Based on these comparisons, controller 202 may determine whether any of the conditions are met. In response to determining that any condition is not met, controller 202 may return to action 802. Controller 202 may repeat actions 802 and 804 over time until it is determined that at least one condition is met based on the measured values ​​of the characteristic of the vehicle's surrounding environment or the vehicle surface.

[0074] Method 800 may include transmitting a signal (act 806). Controller 202 may transmit a signal in response to determining at act 804 that at least one condition is satisfied. Controller 202 may transmit the signal to the battery. Controller 202 may transmit the signal to the battery via a wired or wireless network. The signal may be a control signal configured to cause battery 204 to release energy or current. The battery may receive the signal from controller 202.

[0075] Method 800 may include directing an electric current (action 808). Battery 204 may direct an electric current or energy in response to receiving a signal from controller 202. The battery may direct the electric current or energy to a heating element. The heating element may be coupled (e.g., thermally coupled), attached to, or in contact with a carbon nanotube layer of a lens of a vehicle. The electric current or energy may travel through the heating element to or through the carbon nanotube layer. The electric current or energy may modify the heat of the heating element or the carbon nanotube layer (e.g., increase or decrease the temperature). An increase in the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer may increase or decrease the temperature of layers of the lens that surround or otherwise contact the carbon nanotube layer. Thus, any precipitation on the lens may dissipate or slide off the lens.

[0076] Fig. 9 An example block diagram of a controller 202 according to some specific implementations is depicted. The controller 202 may include or may be used to implement an electronic control unit (e.g., a data processing system) or a component thereof. The controller 202 may include at least one bus 905 or other communication component for transmitting information, and at least one processor 910 or processing circuit coupled to the bus 905 for processing information. The controller 202 may also include one or more processors 910 or processing circuits coupled to the bus for processing information. The controller 202 may also include at least one main memory 915 (such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device) coupled to the bus 905 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 910. The main memory 915 may be used to store information during the execution of instructions by the processor 910. The controller 202 may further include at least one read-only memory (ROM) 920 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 905 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 910. A storage device 925 (such as a solid-state device, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk) may be coupled to the bus 905 to store information and instructions persistently.

[0077] The controller 202 may be coupled to a display 935 (such as a liquid crystal display or an active matrix display) via the bus 905 for displaying information to a user (such as a driver or other end user of the electric vehicle 105). An input device 930 (such as a keyboard or a voice interface) may be coupled to the bus 905 for communicating information and commands to the processor 910. The input device 930 may include a touch screen display 935. The input device 930 may also include a cursor control (such as a mouse, trackball, or cursor direction keys) for communicating directional information and command selections to the processor 910 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 935.

[0078] The processes, systems, and methods described herein may be implemented by the controller 202 in response to the processor 910 executing an instruction arrangement contained in the main memory 915. Such instructions may be read into the main memory 915 from another computer-readable medium, such as a storage device 925. Execution of the instruction arrangement contained in the main memory 915 causes the controller 202 to perform the illustrative processes described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be used to execute the instructions contained in the main memory 915. Hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions and the systems and methods described herein. The systems and methods described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0079] Although already Fig. 9 An exemplary computing system is described in the specification, but the subject matter including the operations described in this specification may be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware (including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents), or in a combination of one or more of them.

[0080] Although already Fig. 9 An exemplary computing system is described in the specification, but the subject matter including the operations described in this specification may be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware (including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents), or in a combination of one or more of them.

[0081] Some descriptions herein emphasize the structural independence of aspects of system components or the grouping of operations and responsibilities of these system components. Other groupings that perform similar overall operations are also within the scope of this application. Modules can be implemented in hardware or as computer instructions on non-transient computer-readable storage media, and modules can be distributed across various hardware or computer-based components.

[0082] The system described above can provide any one of these components or multiple components of each component, and these components can be provided on a stand-alone system, or on multiple examples in a distributed system. In addition, the system and method described above can be provided as one or more computer-readable programs or executable instructions, which are included in one or more products or in a manufactured product. The manufactured product can be a cloud storage, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a flash card, a PROM, a RAM, a ROM, or a tape. In general, a computer-readable program can be implemented in any programming language (such as LISP, PERL, C, C++, C#, PROLOG), or implemented in any byte code language (such as JAVA). The software program or executable instruction can be stored as an object code on one or more products or in a manufactured product.

[0083] Example and non-limiting module implementation elements include sensors that provide any value identified herein, sensors that provide any value that is a predecessor of a value identified herein, data link or network hardware including a communication chip, an oscillator crystal, a communication link, a cable, a twisted pair, a coaxial line, a shielded line, a transmitter, a receiver or a transceiver, a logic circuit, a hard-wired logic circuit, a reconfigurable logic circuit in a specific non-transient state configured according to a module specification, any actuator including at least an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator, a solenoid, an operational amplifier, an analog control element (spring, filter, integrator, adder, divider, gain element) or a digital control element.

[0084] The subject matter and operations described in this specification may be implemented in digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in a combination of one or more of them. The subject matter described in this specification may be implemented as one or more computer programs (e.g., one or more computer program instruction circuits), which are encoded on one or more computer storage media for execution by a data processing device or for controlling the operation of a data processing device. Alternatively or additionally, program instructions may be encoded on an artificially generated propagation signal, such as a machine-generated electrical, optical or electromagnetic signal, which is generated to encode information for transmission to a suitable receiver device to be executed by a data processing device. A computer storage medium may be or be included in a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them. Although a computer storage medium is not a propagation signal, a computer storage medium may be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagation signal. The computer storage medium may also be or be included in one or more separate components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices including cloud storage). The operations described in this specification may be implemented as operations performed by a data processing device on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.

[0085] The terms "computing device," "component," or "data processing apparatus," etc., cover various apparatuses, devices, and machines for processing data, including, for example, a programmable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or a plurality or combination of the foregoing. The apparatus may include dedicated logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). In addition to hardware, the apparatus may also include code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, for example, code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform operating environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The apparatus and execution environment may implement a variety of different computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing, and grid computing infrastructures.

[0086] A computer program (also referred to as a program, software, software application, application, script, or code) may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted, declarative or procedural, and may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may correspond to a file in a file system. A computer program may be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple collaborative files (e.g., files storing one or more modules, subroutines, or code portions). A computer program may be deployed to execute on one or more computers located in one location or distributed in multiple locations and interconnected by a communications network.

[0087] The processes and logic flows described in this specification may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform actions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows may also be performed by special purpose logic circuits, and the apparatus may also be implemented as special purpose logic circuits, such as FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) or ASICs (application specific integrated circuits). Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data may include non-volatile memory, media, and storage devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROMs, EEPROMs, and flash memory devices; disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated into special purpose logic circuits.

[0088] The subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, or includes a middleware component, such as an application server, or includes a front-end component, such as a client computer with a graphical user interface or a web browser, through which a user can interact with the implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or includes a combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by digital data communication (such as a communication network) in any form or medium. Examples of communication networks include local area networks ("LANs") and wide area networks ("WANs"), internets (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

[0089] Although operations are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, these operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, and not all of the operations shown need be performed. The actions described herein may be performed in a different order.

[0090] Now that some exemplary implementations have been described, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative rather than restrictive and has been presented by way of example. Specifically, although many of the examples presented herein relate to specific combinations of method actions or system elements, these actions and these elements may be combined in other ways to achieve the same purpose. The actions, elements, and features discussed in conjunction with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from similar roles in other implementations.

[0091] The words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," "characterized by," and variations thereof herein is intended to encompass the items listed thereafter, their equivalents and additional items, and alternative implementations consisting solely of the items listed thereafter. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the elements, acts, or components described.

[0092] Any implementation or element or action of the system and method mentioned in the singular form herein may also include an implementation comprising a plurality of these elements, and any plural form of any implementation or element or action herein may also include an implementation comprising only a single element. Reference in the singular or plural form is not intended to limit the currently disclosed system or method, its parts, actions or elements to a single or multiple configurations. Reference to any action or element based on any information, action or element may include a specific implementation in which the action or element is based at least in part on any information, action or element.

[0093] Any implementation disclosed herein may be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to "an implementation," "some implementations," "an implementation," etc. are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with an implementation may be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation. Any implementation may be combined, inclusively or exclusively, with any other implementation in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

[0094] References to "or" may be interpreted as inclusive, such that any term described using "or" may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the terms. References to at least one of a conjunctive list of terms may be interpreted as inclusive OR to indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the terms. For example, references to "at least one of 'A' and 'B'" may include only "A," only "B," and both "A" and "B." Such references used in conjunction with "including" or other open-ended terms may include additional items.

[0095] Where a technical feature in the drawings, detailed description or any claims is followed by a reference numeral, the reference numeral is included to enhance the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description and claims. Therefore, the presence or absence of a reference numeral has no limiting effect on the scope of any claim element.

[0096] Without departing substantially from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein, modifications may be made to the elements and actions, such as changes in size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation of the various elements. For example, an element shown as being integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, and the nature or number or position of discrete elements may be changed or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0097] For example, the description of positive and negative electrical characteristics can be reversed. An element described as a negative element can be configured as a positive element, while an element described as a positive element can be configured as a negative element. For example, an element described as having a first polarity can have a second polarity, while an element described as having a second polarity can have a first polarity. Further relative parallel, vertical, vertical or other positioning or orientation descriptions include changes within + / -10% or + / -10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel or vertical positioning. Unless otherwise expressly stated, references to "approximately", "substantially" or other degree terms include changes of + / -10% with a given measurement, unit or range. The connected elements can be electrically connected, mechanically connected or physically connected to each other directly or through an intermediate element. Therefore, the scope of the systems and methods described herein is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims are included therein.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a lens comprising a carbon nanotube layer; and The carbon nanotube layer is configured to be thermally coupled to a heating element.

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising: a thermocouple, the thermocouple being used to monitor the temperature of the lens; and The heating element is controlled based on the monitored temperature of the lens.

3. The system according to claim 1, comprising: A thermocouple, the thermocouple is used to monitor the temperature of the carbon nanotube layer; and The heating element is controlled based on the monitored temperature of the carbon nanotube layer.

4. The system according to claim 1, comprising: the carbon nanotube layer between a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a first polycarbonate, the second layer comprising a second polycarbonate; and The carbon nanotube layer is configured to modify the heat of the first layer and the second layer by conducting current from the heating element.

5. The system according to claim 1, comprising: A controller, the controller being used to: Monitor precipitation on vehicle surfaces; and The heat of the carbon nanotube layer is modified in response to detecting precipitation on the surface.

6. The system according to claim 1, comprising: A controller, the controller being used to: Monitor the environment around the vehicle; and The heat of the carbon nanotube layer is modified in response to detecting precipitation in the environment.

7. The system according to claim 1, comprising: A controller, the controller being used to: monitoring pressure at the vehicle surface; and The heat of the carbon nanotube layer is modified in response to detecting that the pressure at the surface of the vehicle exceeds a threshold.

8. The system according to claim 1, comprising: Said lens integrated into a headlamp of a vehicle; The headlamp has a stadium shape, and The headlamp comprises: one or more peripheral light sources, and Multiple additional light sources.

9. The system according to claim 1, comprising: Said lens integrated into a headlamp of a vehicle; and The headlamp comprises: Multiple light sources, and The lens is between the plurality of light sources and the environment surrounding the vehicle.

10. The system according to claim 1, comprising: The lens is integrated into a headlamp, taillight, turn signal, mirror, windshield or window.

11. The system according to claim 1, comprising: A controller is used to modify the heat of the carbon nanotube layer so that the lens or the carbon nanotube layer reaches a predetermined temperature.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube layer is transparent to allow light to pass through the lens.

13. The system according to claim 1, comprising: the carbon nanotube layer between the first layer of polycarbonate and the second layer of polycarbonate; a battery coupled to the carbon nanotube layer via a conductor; The conductor contacts the carbon nanotube layer via a bus bar; a controller coupled to the battery; and The controller causes the battery to heat the carbon nanotube layer through the conductor and the bus bar.

14. A vehicle, comprising: a lens comprising a carbon nanotube layer; and The carbon nanotube layer is configured to be thermally coupled to a heating element.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, comprising: the carbon nanotube layer between a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a first polycarbonate, the second layer comprising a second polycarbonate; and The carbon nanotube layer is configured to modify the heat of the first layer and the second layer by conducting current from the heating element.

16. The vehicle of claim 14, comprising: A controller, the controller being used to: monitoring characteristics of the environment surrounding the vehicle; and The thermal capacity of the carbon nanotube layer is modified in response to determining that the characteristic satisfies a condition.

17. The vehicle of claim 14, comprising: A controller, the controller being used to: Monitor the environment around the vehicle; and The heat of the carbon nanotube layer is modified in response to detecting precipitation in the environment.

18. The vehicle of claim 14, comprising: said lens integrated into a headlamp of said vehicle; and The headlamp comprises: Multiple light sources, and The lens is between the plurality of light sources and the environment surrounding the vehicle.

19. A method comprising: The condition is monitored by the processor; determining, by the processor, that the condition is satisfied; and In response to the condition being satisfied, the carbon nanotube layer of the lens is heated by the processor.

20. The method according to claim 19, comprising: A signal is transmitted by the processor to a battery of the vehicle, the signal causing the battery to direct an electric current through the carbon nanotube layer.

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