Rear View Camera Cover Heating Using Infrared-Absorbing Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging devices and lighting modules face challenges with cover elements icing or fogging up in low temperatures and high humidity, leading to delayed operational readiness. Existing heating solutions, such as resistance wires or ITO coatings, are either inefficient or costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an imaging device or lighting module with a cover element and a filter element that absorbs infrared light, converting it into heat to efficiently defrost or defog the cover element. This is achieved by placing the lighting element in close proximity to the filter element, typically within 10 mm, to maximize heat conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If resistance wires or ITO coatings are used for heating the cover element, then the cover element can be defrosted, but the central field of vision becomes operable with a time delay due to radial heating from outside to center
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating the cover element from the outside surface (radial heating), the patent applies heating elements on the inner side of the cover element, heating from the inside outward. This inversion of the heating direction allows the central field of vision to become operable faster, as the heat source is now closer to the critical central area rather than requiring heat to travel radially from the edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (absorbing material) between the light source and the cover element that converts light energy to heat. This intermediary absorbs specific wavelengths of light and transforms them into thermal energy, which then heats the cover element from the inside, solving the time delay problem while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Temperature
If conventional heating techniques are used, then the cover element can be heated, but the implementation is expensive and complex due to contacting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical heating elements (resistance wires, ITO coatings) that require complex electrical contacting with a optical-based heating system. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used to illuminate an absorbing material that converts light to heat, eliminating the need for complex electrical contacts on the cover element itself and simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from direct electrical resistance heating to indirect optical heating. By selecting absorbing materials with specific spectral characteristics that match the LED emission spectrum, the system efficiently converts optical energy to thermal energy without requiring direct electrical contact, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lighting element is placed at a distance from the filter element, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the heat conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the absorbing material selectively in the region where light intensity is highest, optimizing the local heat generation where it is most needed. By concentrating the absorbing material in the focal region or areas of maximum light flux, the system achieves high heat conversion efficiency without requiring the entire cover element to be complex, thus balancing manufacturing simplicity with energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces the time required for the imaging device or lighting module to become fully operational by quickly removing ice or condensation from the cover element, while also being cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the energy of the emitted light is absorbed by the filter element and is converted into heat for heating the filter element and thus the cover element
Implementation Method 2
absorbed light produces heat due to radiationless deexcitation of excited energy states
Implementation Method 3
the lighting element emits light in the range of the infrared spectral range
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to an imaging device and/or lighting module comprising at least one camera and/or at least one lamp means, a cover element, a filter element and at least one lighting element, wherein the lighting element emits light in the range of the infrared spectral range, wherein the filter element is connected to the cover element or is part of the cover element, wherein at least a part of the energy of the emitted light is at least partially absorbed by the filter element and is converted into heat for heating the filter element and thus the cover element, wherein the lighting element is arranged at a distance from the filter element of at most 10 mm, preferably 5 mm, most preferably 2 mm, or the lighting element is in direct contact with the filter element to convert the energy of the emitted light into heat as efficiently as possible.It also refers to a rear view device, a driving assistance system and a vehicle with such an imaging device.