Vehicle Camera Transmissive Member Localized Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle camera systems face challenges in promptly heating a predetermined area of a transmissive member, such as a cover glass, which is essential for clearing obstructions like rain, dew, or frost within the camera's view.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle camera system incorporating a camera mechanism with a transmissive member, a heat generator, a resistor, and an electrode unit, where the resistor is connected to the heat generator and the electrode unit supplies current to heat the transmissive member, allowing for rapid heating. The system includes a PTC layer that adjusts resistance with temperature changes and a cover to protect components, ensuring uniform heating and preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat is generated by a heating element disposed outside the angle of view area, then the entire cover glass can be heated, but the heating response time becomes slow and energy is wasted heating areas outside the camera's view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the heating element specifically within the predetermined area that corresponds to the camera's angle of view. This ensures that heat is generated only where needed for image capture, avoiding energy waste in heating areas outside the view while maintaining fast heating response for the critical region.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is segmented by dividing the cover glass into a predetermined area (within angle of view) and other areas. The heating element is positioned only in the predetermined area, creating a localized heating zone that improves response time and reduces energy consumption compared to heating the entire cover glass surface.
2Device complexity
If a heating element is disposed outside the predetermined area, then the structure is simpler, but the heating efficiency and response time for the camera area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is strategically positioned within the predetermined area to achieve fast heating response for the camera's angle of view. This localized approach, while adding some structural complexity, prioritizes heating efficiency and response time over overall structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the resistor has fixed resistance, then the circuit is simpler, but the ability to adjust heat generation according to temperature changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resistor with temperature-dependent resistance (such as a PTC resistor) to automatically adjust heat generation based on temperature changes. As the resistor temperature increases, its resistance changes, thereby regulating the heat generation in a self-regulating manner without requiring complex external control circuits.
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
The system effectively and promptly heats the predetermined area of the transmissive member, improving image capture by removing obstructions like rain, dew, or frost, while maintaining the transmissive properties and reducing the need for additional temperature adjustment mechanisms, thus enhancing the camera's performance and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generator disposed in the predetermined area of the transmissive member, the heat generator being configured to generate heat by supply of a current
Implementation Method 2
the resistor has a resistance that changes according to temperature change of the resistor
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle camera system, a camera captures an image through a predetermined area of a transmissive member. In the transmissive member, a current between a pair of electrode films is supplied to a transparent conductive film and causes the transparent conductive film to generate heat, thereby heating the transmissive member. The transparent conductive film is disposed in the predetermined area of the transmissive member. With this configuration, it is possible to heat the predetermined area of the transmissive member promptly.