Camera Window Heater Control to Prevent Overheating Defoggers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle window glass heating systems, the camera heater can be overheated by radiant heat from the window glass, leading to potential deformation and impaired camera sensing functions, especially when the driver turns off the heating switch, causing fog to persist in the camera's viewing area.
Innovation Solution
A window glass heating device with a camera heater control unit that monitors the operation of the window heater and limits power supply to the camera heater to prevent overheating, using information such as window heater operation data, elapsed time, and environmental conditions to alternate power supply periods and adjust the camera heater's operating time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera heater operates continuously to defog the camera-imaging window area, then the camera viewing area remains clear, but the camera heater becomes overheated by radiant heat from the window glass
Solution Approach 1:
The camera heater control unit operates the camera heater in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The heater is activated for a first period when fogging is detected, then deactivated for a second period to prevent overheating. This periodic operation maintains defogging effectiveness while controlling the camera heater temperature by allowing cooling intervals between heating cycles.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the driver turns off the heating switch after short time, then energy consumption is reduced, but fog remains in the camera-imaging window area
Solution Approach 1:
The camera heater control unit autonomously monitors the operation state of the window heater and automatically controls the camera heater without requiring continuous user input. When the window heater is turned off, the control unit detects this state and automatically activates the camera heater to maintain clear viewing, then manages its own operation timing and power control to prevent overheating, providing self-service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera heater control unit continuously monitors the operation state of the window heater and uses this feedback information to adjust camera heater operation. When the window heater state changes (e.g., turned off), the control unit receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the camera heater accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains viewing clarity while managing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the window heater operates for long duration, then the window glass is thoroughly defogged, but the camera heater receives excessive radiant heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic operation timing where the camera heater is activated only during specific time windows when the window heater is not operating or has just completed its defogging cycle. This timing coordination ensures the window glass receives sufficient heating for thorough defogging while the camera heater operates in intervals that avoid exposure to excessive radiant heat, preventing overheating.
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 maintains the camera's functionality by preventing overheating, ensuring continuous defogging of the camera-imaging window area without requiring constant user intervention and maintaining the camera's sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A window glass heating device that prevents or removes fog of (hereinafter referred to as defogging) window glass of a vehicle by heating the window glass
Implementation Method 2
a camera heater that is an electric heater which heats a camera-imaging window area which is a part of the window glass included in an imaging area of a camera
Implementation Method 3
the camera heater may be overheated by radiant heat from the window glass heated by the electric heating wire
Data Source
AI summary
A window glass heating device for a vehicle is provided with a window heater configured to heat a whole area of a window glass, a window heater control unit configured to control the window heater, a camera heater that is an electric heater which heats a camera-imaging window area which is a part of the window glass included in an imaging area of a camera that images a vehicle exterior from a vehicle interior via the window glass, and a camera heater control unit configured to control supply of power to the camera heater. The camera heater control unit is configured to acquire window heater operation information, acquire a temperature of the camera heater, and control supply of power to the camera heater such that the temperature of the camera heater is within a predetermined temperature range based on the window heater operation information.