Anti-fog system

The anti-fogging system addresses visibility issues by illuminating the duct when certain conditions are met, reducing reflection brightness differences and enhancing driver comfort.

JP2026101705APending Publication Date: 2026-06-23MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
Filing Date
2024-12-11
Publication Date
2026-06-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The visibility outside a vehicle is reduced due to brightness differences in reflections of the dashboard and air outlets on the windshield, causing visual and psychological burdens on the driver.

Method used

An anti-fogging system with an air outlet, duct, light source, and control device that illuminates the duct when specific illumination conditions are met to reduce the brightness difference in reflections, using sensors and a camera to determine these conditions.

Benefits of technology

Improves visibility by reducing the brightness contrast of reflections, thereby alleviating the visual and psychological burden on the driver.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Regarding the anti-fogging system, it improves visibility from the outside of the vehicle and reduces the visual and psychological burden on the driver. [Solution] The disclosed anti-fogging system comprises an air outlet 5, a duct 6, a light source 14, and a control device 9. The air outlet 5 is located on the upper surface of the dashboard 4 of the vehicle 1. The duct 6 is connected to the air outlet 5 and circulates the conditioned air generated by the vehicle's blower 3. The light source 14 is installed inside the duct 6 and irradiates visible light toward the inner surface of the duct 6. The control device 9 performs lighting control to turn on the light source 14 when illumination conditions are met that cause the reflection of the air outlet 5 on the windshield 2 to become strong.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an anti-fogging system for a windshield.

Background Art

[0002] At the lower part of the front glass (front windshield glass) of a vehicle, an anti-fogging system (defrosting system, demisting system) may be provided to ensure the visibility in front of the vehicle. The anti-fogging system has a function of removing condensed water and frost adhering to the front glass by blowing warm air or dry air onto the inner surface of the front glass. The outlets for blowing warm air or dry air are arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction along the lower edge of the front glass (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The upper surface of the dashboard where the outlets are formed is likely to be brightly illuminated by external light incident from the front glass. On the other hand, external light hardly enters the duct part inside the outlets. Therefore, when the dashboard is reflected on the front glass on a sunny day at noon, the image of the upper surface of the dashboard with high brightness and the image of the outlets with low brightness overlap with the scenery outside the vehicle, which may make the driver feel annoyance in visibility and difficulty in grasping the situation. In other words, there is a problem that the visibility outside the vehicle is reduced due to the brightness difference of the reflection around the outlets, increasing the visual and psychological burdens on the driver.

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an anti-fogging system that addresses the aforementioned challenges, improves visibility from the outside of the vehicle, and reduces the visual and psychological burden on the driver. Beyond this objective, another objective of this invention is to achieve effects and benefits derived from the various configurations described in the "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" section below, which cannot be obtained with conventional technologies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The disclosed anti-fogging system can be implemented in the following embodiments (examples of application) and solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward is an additional embodiment that can be appropriately selected and each is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward disclose any embodiments or configurations that are essential to this case.

[0007] Embodiment 1. The anti-fogging system disclosed hereto performs defrost control to remove frost or condensation from the windshield of a vehicle and comprises an air outlet, a duct, a light source, and a control device. The air outlet is located on the upper surface of the vehicle's dashboard. The duct is connected to the air outlet and circulates conditioned air generated by the vehicle's ventilation system. The light source is provided inside the duct and irradiates visible light toward the inner surface of the duct. The control device performs lighting control to turn on the light source when illumination conditions are met that cause the reflection of the air outlet on the windshield to become strong.

[0008] Embodiment 2. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the illumination condition includes the illumination of the upper surface of the dashboard being equal to or greater than a predetermined illumination. Embodiment 3. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the control device increases the brightness of the light source as the illuminance increases.

[0009] Embodiment 4. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the illumination condition includes the condition that no raindrops are detected on the surface of the windshield. Embodiment 5. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the illumination condition includes the current time being during the daytime. Embodiment 6. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the lighting control is performed when the conditions for condensation on the windshield are not met.

[0010] Embodiment 7. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the anti-fog system includes a camera. The camera is preferably installed inside the vehicle and captures the reflection of the air vents on the windshield. Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the illumination conditions are met based on the image captured by the camera.

[0011] Embodiment 8. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 7 described above, it is preferable that the control device calculates the brightness difference between the bright and dark parts of the air outlet in the reflection based on the captured image, and adjusts the brightness of the light source so that the brightness difference becomes a predetermined brightness difference. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the disclosed anti-fogging system, by controlling the lighting to illuminate the light source when illumination conditions that cause strong reflections on the air vents are met, the difference in brightness of the reflections can be reduced. This improves the visibility of the vehicle's exterior and reduces the visual and psychological burden on the driver. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a vehicle to which the anti-fogging system according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] (A) and (B) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the duct, with (A) showing the light source in the off state and (B) showing the light source in the on state. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the reflection of the air outlet (when the lights are off). [Figure 4] This diagram shows the reflection (when the light is on) at the air outlet. [Figure 5](A) is a graph showing the relationship between the illuminance X on the top surface of the dashboard and the brightness Y of the light source, and (B) is a graph showing the relationship between the brightness difference Z of the image captured by the camera and the brightness Y of the light source. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart for determining the conditions for implementing lighting control. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] [1. Structure] Figure 1 is a block diagram of vehicle 1 to which the anti-fogging system according to the embodiment is applied. This anti-fogging system performs control to remove frost or condensation adhering to the surface of the windshield 2. Frost adhering to the outer surface of the windshield 2 can be removed by blowing warm air onto the inner surface of the windshield 2. Similarly, condensation adhering to the inner surface of the windshield 2 can be removed by blowing warm air or dry air onto the inner surface of the windshield 2.

[0015] Hereafter, the control that removes frost or condensation from the windshield 2 will simply be referred to as defrost control. The warm or dry air used in defrost control is generated by the blower 3 (air conditioning system, heating system) installed in the vehicle 1. This anti-fogging system is sometimes called a defroster or demister. Hereafter, the warm or dry air used in defrost control will be referred to as air conditioning air.

[0016] The anti-fog system in this embodiment includes an air outlet 5, a duct 6, a light source 14, and a camera 8. The air outlet 5 is an opening that blows conditioned air toward the windshield 2. The air outlet 5 is located on the upper surface of the dashboard 4 of the vehicle 1. The air outlet 5 is positioned, for example, near the front end of the dashboard 4, extending in the vehicle width direction along the lower edge of the windshield 2.

[0017] A hollow duct 6 is interposed between the air outlet 5 and the blower device 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the duct 6 is connected to the air outlet 5, and the lower end of the duct 6 is connected to the blower device 3. The conditioned air generated by the blower device 3 in the defrost control flows through the inside of the duct 6, is discharged from the air outlet 5, and is blown onto the inner surface of the windshield 2 located above the dashboard 4.

[0018] The air outlet 5 may be provided with fins 7 for adjusting the direction of the flow of the conditioned air. The fins 7 are plate members having the function of a rectifying plate for adjusting the flow direction of the conditioned air so that the conditioned air discharged from the air outlet 5 is evenly supplied to the entire windshield 2. The number of fins 7 can be arbitrarily set. The fins 7 may be pivotally supported rotatably with respect to the duct 6, or may be fixed with respect to the duct 6.

[0019] A light source 14 is provided inside the duct 6. The light source 14 is a light emitting device that irradiates visible light toward the inner surface of the duct 6, and is, for example, an incandescent bulb or a light emitting diode. The light source 14 is fixed inside the duct 6 at a position and in a direction capable of illuminating the inner surface of the duct 6. The light source 14 is disposed, for example, at a position closer to the fins 7 below the fins 7 (that is, near the upper end of a dark place where external light hardly reaches).

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), a recessed portion 15 may be provided on the inner surface of the duct 6, and the light source 14 may be disposed inside thereof. The recessed portion 15 is formed in a shape that recesses the inner surface of the duct 6 outward when viewed from the inside of the duct 6. The shape and size of the recessed portion 15 may be set, for example, so that the entire light source 14 is accommodated outside the inner surface of the duct 6. The light of the light source 14 may be directly irradiated or indirectly irradiated onto the inner surface of the duct 6.

[0021] Camera 8 is an imaging device that captures the reflection 20 of the air vent 5 on the windshield 2 (see Figure 3). Camera 8 is installed inside the vehicle 1, for example, near the ceiling or near the driver's seat headrest. Camera 8 may capture still images or video. Camera 8 may have the function of capturing only the image of the area around the dashboard 4 reflected on the windshield 2, or it may have the function of capturing the area outside the windshield 2 as well (drive recorder function). The images captured by Camera 8 are input to the control device 9.

[0022] Figure 3 is an example of an image taken from inside the vehicle using camera 8, capturing the dashboard 4 and the lower part of the windshield 2. In this image, the reflection 20 of the open air vent 5 reflected on the windshield 2 is superimposed with the scenery outside the vehicle 1 (road markings, road shoulder, sidewalk plantings, etc.) visible through the windshield 2. The reflection 20 of the air vent 5 includes bright areas 21 with a relatively large amount of reflected light and dark areas 22 with a relatively small amount of reflected light.

[0023] The bright areas 21 correspond to the parts that are brightly illuminated by the ambient light entering from the windshield 2. For example, the reflection 20 on the top surface of the dashboard 4 and the part of the air vent 5 above the fins 7 are the bright areas 21. On the other hand, the dark areas 22 correspond to the parts that are not easily illuminated by the ambient light entering from the windshield 2. For example, the reflection 20 on the part below the fins 7 (the inside part of the duct 6) is the dark area 22.

[0024] When the dashboard 4 is reflected in the windshield 2 during sunny daytime, the difference in brightness Z (contrast) between the bright areas 21 and dark areas 22 in the reflection 20 of the air vents 5 may become large. The larger the difference in brightness Z, the clearer and more noticeable the reflection 20 itself becomes, thus reducing the visibility of the external scenery 23. Therefore, the anti-fog system of this embodiment implements lighting control to turn on the light source 14 in order to reduce the above-mentioned difference in brightness Z.

[0025] Figures 2(A) and 2(B) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the duct 6 showing the light source 14 in the off and on states. In the off state, the inner surface of the duct 6 is dark, and the brightness difference Z between the bright areas 21 and dark areas 22 in the reflection 20 is large. On the other hand, in the on state, the inner surface of the duct 6 is brightly illuminated, and the brightness difference Z between the bright areas 21 and dark areas 22 in the reflection 20 is small. The dashed line in Figure 2(B) indicates the illumination range of the light source 14. It is preferable to set the orientation range of the light source 14 so that the light emitted from the light source 14 does not easily leak upwards above the air outlet 5 (so that it does not directly shine on the windshield 2).

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the above anti-fogging system is equipped with a glass temperature sensor 10, a vehicle room temperature and humidity sensor 11, an illuminance sensor 12, a raindrop sensor 13, and a control device 9. The glass temperature sensor 10 is a detector that detects the surface temperature (glass surface temperature) of the windshield 2. The vehicle room temperature and humidity sensor 11 is a detector that detects the temperature (cabin temperature) and humidity (cabin humidity) inside the vehicle. The illuminance sensor 12 is a detector that detects the illuminance X on the top surface of the dashboard 4. The raindrop sensor 13 is a detector that detects the adhesion of rain to the windshield 2. The information detected by the various sensors 10 to 13 (glass surface temperature, cabin temperature, cabin humidity, illuminance X, and rainfall information) is transmitted to the control device 9.

[0027] The control device 9 is a computer for performing lighting control. The control device 9 incorporates a processor, main memory, and storage. The processing content (program) of the control device 9 is stored in the storage, and its contents are read into the main memory as appropriate and executed by the processor. The control device 9 may be provided together with other electronic control devices that have other functions. For example, the functions of the control device 9 may be included in an air conditioning ECU or a vehicle body ECU.

[0028] The control device 9 determines whether the illumination conditions are met such that the reflection 20 of the air vents 5 on the windshield 2 is strong, and performs lighting control when the illumination conditions are met. Conditions A to E below are examples of specific illumination conditions. Conditions A to E are all examples of illumination conditions such that the reflection 20 of the air vents 5 on the windshield 2 is strong. Conditions F to H are examples of specific subconditions for determining whether condition E is met.

[0029] Lighting control may be performed when any one of conditions A to E is met, or when multiple of conditions A to E are met. Furthermore, each of conditions A to E may be set as an AND condition or an OR condition for performing lighting control.

[0030] Condition A. The illuminance X on the top surface of the dashboard 4 is equal to or greater than the predetermined illuminance X0. Condition B. The difference in brightness Z between the bright area 21 and the dark area 22 exceeds a predetermined difference in brightness Z0. Condition C. The weather is sunny (no rain). Condition D. It is daytime. Condition E. Condensation conditions on windshield 2 are not met. Condition F. The glass surface temperature exceeds the first temperature. Condition G. The difference between the glass surface temperature and the interior temperature is less than the second temperature. Condition H. The number of crew members is less than or equal to the prescribed number.

[0031] The illuminance X value included in condition A can be detected by camera 8 or illuminance sensor 12. The predetermined illuminance X0 value may be a fixed value set in advance, or it may be a variable value that changes according to the region, weather, current time, etc. Information such as the region in which vehicle 1 is traveling, weather, and current time may be transmitted from other electronic control devices (not shown), or it may be obtained via an information and communication network such as the Internet.

[0032] The brightness difference Z value included in condition B can be calculated by the control device 9 based on the image captured by camera 8. For example, the brightness of the bright area 21 and the dark area 22 of the air outlet 5 in the reflection 20 are quantified, and the difference between them is calculated as the brightness difference Z. The predetermined brightness difference Z0 value may be a fixed value set in advance, or it may be a variable value that changes according to the area in which the vehicle 1 is traveling, the weather, the current time, etc.

[0033] Condition C is determined based on the detection information from the raindrop sensor 13. For example, if no raindrops are detected on the surface of the windshield 2, it is determined that the weather is sunny. Condition D is determined based on the current time. For example, it is determined whether the current time falls within the time period between sunrise and sunset. Sunrise and sunset times may be fixed times set in advance, or they may be variable times calculated based on the current location of vehicle 1 and the season (date).

[0034] Conditions E to H are for confirming that condensation does not occur on the windshield 2, or that conditions are such that condensation is unlikely to occur. The first temperature in condition F may be a fixed value set in advance, or it may be a variable value set according to the temperature and humidity of the cabin. In the latter case, for example, the dew point temperature may be calculated based on the temperature and humidity of the cabin, and the first temperature may be the value obtained by adding a predetermined temperature to that dew point temperature. Thus, condition F is met when the possibility of condensation occurring on the windshield 2 is low, and is not met when the possibility of condensation is increasing. Conditions G and H are for making a simple judgment about the possibility of condensation.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of an image captured by camera 8 during lighting control, illustrating the reflection 20 of the air vent 5 on the windshield 2. When the light source 14 is illuminated, the area of ​​the dark area 22 shown in Figure 3 decreases, or the dark area 22 almost disappears, and the brightness difference Z (contrast) between the bright area 21 and the dark area 22 in the reflection 20 becomes smaller. Therefore, visibility when looking at the outside world through the windshield 2 is improved, and the visual and psychological burden on the driver is reduced.

[0036] If the luminance Y of the light source 14 is adjustable, the luminance Y of the light source 14 may be adjusted according to the illuminance X. For example, as shown in Figure 5(A), the light source 14 is turned off (off state) when the illuminance X is less than a predetermined illuminance X0, and turned on (on state) when the illuminance X is equal to or greater than the predetermined illuminance X0. Here, the luminance Y of the light source 14 when the illuminance X is a predetermined illuminance X0 is defined as the predetermined luminance Y0. Within the range where the illuminance X is equal to or greater than the predetermined illuminance X0, the luminance Y of the light source 14 may be increased as the illuminance X increases, within the range of the predetermined luminance Y0 or greater.

[0037] Alternatively, the brightness Y of the light source 14 may be changed according to the brightness difference Z. For example, as shown in Figure 5(B), when the brightness difference Z is less than a predetermined brightness difference Z0, the light source 14 is turned off (off state), and when the brightness difference Z is equal to or greater than the predetermined brightness difference Z0, the light source 14 is turned on (on state). Here, the brightness Y of the light source 14 when the brightness difference Z is a predetermined brightness difference Z0 is defined as the predetermined brightness Y0. Within the range where the brightness difference Z is greater than or equal to the predetermined brightness difference Z0, the brightness Y of the light source 14 may be increased as the brightness difference Z increases, within the range greater than or equal to the predetermined brightness Y0.

[0038] Regarding the adjustment of the brightness Y of the light source 14, feedback control based on the brightness difference Z may be implemented. That is, the brightness Y of the light source 14 may be adjusted so that the brightness difference Z becomes a predetermined brightness difference Z0. For example, if the brightness difference Z exceeds the predetermined brightness difference Z0, the brightness Y of the light source 14 may be increased, and if the brightness difference Z is less than the predetermined brightness difference Z0, the brightness Y of the light source 14 may be decreased.

[0039] [2. Flowchart] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the lighting control process. The conditions for performing lighting control in this flowchart are "condition A is met, or condition B is met, or conditions C and D are both met" and "condition E is met." The process in this flowchart is repeatedly performed by the control device 9 at a predetermined cycle.

[0040] In step A1, information detected by various sensors 10-13, information from images captured by camera 8, and information about the current time are acquired by the control device 9. In step A2, based on the detection information from the illuminance sensor 12, it is determined whether the illuminance X on the top surface of the dashboard 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined illuminance X0. If the conditions in step A2 are met (condition A is met), the process proceeds to step A6; otherwise, the process proceeds to step A3.

[0041] In step A3, it is determined whether the weather is sunny or not based on the detection information from the raindrop sensor 13. If the conditions in step A3 are met (condition C is met), the process proceeds to step A4; otherwise, the process proceeds to step A5. In step A4, it is determined whether it is daytime or not based on the current time. If the condition in step A4 is met (condition D is met), the process proceeds to step A6; otherwise, the process proceeds to step A5.

[0042] In step A5, based on the image captured by camera 8, it is determined whether the brightness difference Z between the bright area 21 and the dark area 22 of the air outlet 5 exceeds a predetermined brightness difference Z0. If the condition in step A5 is met (condition B is met), the process proceeds to step A6; otherwise, the process proceeds to step A9. In step A6, it is determined whether the conditions for condensation on the windshield 2 are met, based on the glass surface temperature, cabin temperature, cabin humidity, etc. If the conditions in step A6 are met (i.e., condition E is negated), the process proceeds to step A9; otherwise, the process proceeds to step A7.

[0043] In step A7, the luminance Y of the light source 14 is calculated based on the illuminance X and brightness difference Z. In the following step A8, lighting control is performed. Here, the lighting state of the light source 14 is controlled so that the luminance Y calculated in step A7 is obtained, and the processing for that cycle ends. On the other hand, in step A9, lighting control is not performed, and if the light source 14 was lit, it is turned off, and the processing for that cycle ends.

[0044] [3. Effects] (1) The above-described anti-fogging system performs defrost control to remove frost or condensation from the windshield 2 of the vehicle 1. This anti-fogging system comprises an air outlet 5, a duct 6, a light source 14, and a control device 9. The air outlet 5 is located on the upper surface of the dashboard 4. The duct 6 is connected to the air outlet 5 and circulates the conditioned air generated by the blower 3 of the vehicle 1. The light source 14 is provided inside the duct 6 and irradiates visible light toward the inner surface of the duct 6.

[0045] The control device 9 performs lighting control, which turns on the light source 14 when the illumination conditions are met such that the reflection 20 of the air outlet 5 on the windshield 2 becomes stronger. This control reduces the brightness difference Z between the bright area 21 and the dark area 22 of the air outlet 5 in the reflection 20. This improves visibility when looking at the outside world through the windshield 2. Therefore, it can reduce the visual and psychological burden on the driver.

[0046] (2) Preferably, the illumination conditions include the condition that the illumination X on the top surface of the dashboard 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined illumination X0 (Condition A). This allows for accurate determination of the illumination conditions under which reflections 20 actually become stronger, and enables a more reliable reduction of the brightness difference Z of the reflections 20. Therefore, the effect of improving visibility can be enhanced, and the visual and psychological burden on the driver can be further reduced.

[0047] (3) The control device 9 preferably increases the brightness Y of the light source 14 as the illuminance X on the top surface of the dashboard 4 increases. For example, as shown in Figure 5(A), the brightness Y may be set as a function of illuminance X. This enhances the effect of reducing the brightness difference Z in reflections 20, further improving visibility. Therefore, the visual and psychological burden on the driver can be reduced.

[0048] (4) Preferably, the illumination conditions include the condition that no raindrops are detected on the surface of the windshield 2 (condition C). This allows the light source 14 to be turned on in sunny weather when reflections 20 are likely to occur. Also, the light source 14 can be turned off in rainy weather when the surrounding illumination environment is dark, eliminating reflections 20 on the inside of the duct 6. Thus, visibility can be further improved, and the visual and psychological burden on the driver can be reduced.

[0049] (5) Preferably, the illumination conditions include the current time being during the daytime (condition D). This allows the light source 14 to be turned on during the daytime when reflections 20 are likely to occur. In addition, the light source 14 can be turned off at night when the surrounding illumination environment is dark, eliminating reflections 20 on the inside of the duct 6. Thus, visibility can be further improved, and the visual and psychological burden on the driver can be reduced.

[0050] (6) The lighting control is preferably performed when the conditions for condensation on the windshield 2 are not met (when condition E is met). This makes it possible to turn off the light source 14 in rainy weather when condensation is likely to occur, and to eliminate reflections 20 on the inside of the duct 6. Thus, visibility can be further improved and the visual and psychological burden on the driver can be reduced.

[0051] (7) The anti-fog system described above includes a camera 8. The camera 8 is installed inside the vehicle and captures the reflection 20 of the air vents 5 on the windshield 2. The control device 9 can also determine whether the illumination conditions are met based on the image captured by the camera 8. For example, the illumination X and weather conditions are estimated based on the brightness of the top surface of the dashboard 4 in the captured image, and lighting control is performed based on the estimation result. This makes it possible to suppress the reflection 20 of the air vents 5 even in the absence of an illumination sensor 12 or a raindrop sensor 13, further reducing the visual and psychological burden on the driver.

[0052] (8) The control device 9 can calculate the brightness difference Z between the bright area 21 and the dark area 22 of the air outlet 5 in the reflection 20 based on the image captured by the camera 8. The control device 9 can also adjust the brightness Y of the light source 14 so that the brightness difference Z becomes a predetermined brightness difference Z0. This makes it possible to more reliably achieve the desired predetermined brightness difference Z0 and enhance the effect of improving visibility. Therefore, the visual and psychological burden on the driver can be further reduced.

[0053] [4. Others] The light source 14 shown in Figures 2(A) and (B) is positioned inside a recess 15 formed on the inner surface of the duct 6, but the position of the light source 14 is not limited to this. For example, the light source 14 may be embedded in the fin 7. The light source 14 is positioned so as to irradiate visible light at least toward the inner surface of the duct 6. This makes it possible to realize an anti-fogging system similar to the above embodiment and obtain similar effects. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] This technology is applicable to the manufacturing industry of vehicle anti-fogging systems and to the manufacturing industry of vehicles to which anti-fogging systems are applied. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1 vehicle 2 Windshield 3. Blower 4 Dashboard 5. Air outlet 6 ducts 7 fins 8 cameras 9 Control device 10 Glass temperature sensor 11. Car room temperature and humidity sensor 12 Illuminance sensors 13. Raindrop sensor 14 Light source 15. Indented area 20 Reflections 21 Akabe 22 Dark part 23 Scenery X illuminance Y Brightness Z brightness difference

Claims

1. An anti-fogging system that performs defrost control to remove frost or condensation from the windshield of a vehicle, An air vent located on the top surface of the vehicle's dashboard, A duct connected to the aforementioned outlet, which circulates the conditioned air generated by the vehicle's ventilation system, A light source is provided inside the duct and irradiates visible light toward the inner surface of the duct, A control device that performs lighting control to turn on the light source when the illumination conditions are met that cause the reflection of the air outlet on the windshield to become stronger. An anti-fog system characterized by having the following features.

2. The aforementioned illumination condition includes the condition that the illumination of the top surface of the dashboard is equal to or greater than a predetermined illumination level. The anti-fog system according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. The control device increases the brightness of the light source as the illuminance increases. The anti-fog system according to claim 2, characterized in that...

4. The aforementioned illumination conditions include the fact that no raindrops are detected on the surface of the windshield. The anti-fog system according to claim 1, characterized in that...

5. The aforementioned illumination conditions include the current time being during daylight hours. The anti-fog system according to claim 1, characterized in that...

6. The aforementioned lighting control is performed when the conditions for condensation on the windshield are not met. The anti-fog system according to claim 1, characterized in that...

7. A camera is installed inside the vehicle to capture the reflection of the air vents on the windshield, The control device determines whether the illumination condition is met based on the image captured by the camera. The anti-fog system according to claim 1, characterized in that...

8. The control device calculates the brightness difference between the bright and dark parts of the air outlet in the reflection based on the captured image, and adjusts the brightness of the light source so that the brightness difference becomes a predetermined brightness difference. The anti-fog system according to claim 7, characterized in that...