Vehicle Camera Window Heater Layout for Uniform Defogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating devices for vehicle front windows are inefficient in uniformly generating radiation heat, leading to incomplete removal of dew condensation, ice, and frost, which can result in blurred images or failure to capture obstacles due to non-uniform heat distribution.

Innovation Solution

The heating device positions its end portions on the outer peripheral side of the heated portion, ensuring that the central portions generate more heat and distribute it uniformly across the window, effectively removing condensation and ice through radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the heater is positioned with end portions facing the heated portion, then the heater can be connected to electrical supply lines, but the heat distribution becomes non-uniform and dew condensation removal is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat distribution uniformityVSAvoiddew condensation removal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed with non-uniform heating characteristics where the central portion generates more heat than the end portions. This local quality variation ensures that the central heated portion receives sufficient heat to effectively remove dew condensation, while the end portions provide adequate heat to the peripheral areas of the front window, achieving overall uniform heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heater configuration creates an asymmetric heat distribution pattern with the central portion generating more heat than the end portions. This asymmetry compensates for the natural heat loss that occurs at the edges of the heated portion, resulting in more uniform temperature distribution across the entire front window surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If the heater generates more heat at end portions, then electrical connection is simplified, but heat distribution becomes concentrated at edges rather than uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheater connection simplicityVSAvoidheat distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed with non-uniform heating characteristics where the central portion generates more heat than the end portions. This local quality variation ensures that the central heated portion receives sufficient heat to effectively remove dew condensation, while the end portions provide adequate heat to the peripheral areas of the front window, achieving overall uniform heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the heater is positioned to face the entire heated portion, then coverage area is maximized, but heat concentration is insufficient for effective dew condensation removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheated portion coverage areaVSAvoidheat generation intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed with non-uniform heating characteristics where the central portion generates more heat than the end portions. This local quality variation ensures that the central heated portion receives sufficient heat to effectively remove dew condensation, while the end portions provide adequate heat to the peripheral areas of the front window, achieving overall uniform heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heater design transitions from a uniform one-dimensional heating approach to a two-dimensional non-uniform heating pattern, with varying heat generation intensity across different regions of the heater. This dimensional change in heat distribution allows simultaneous achievement of wide coverage area and sufficient heat concentration at critical regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration allows for efficient and uniform heat distribution across the front window, reducing the occurrence of dew condensation and ice/frost, thereby ensuring clear imaging and reliable obstacle detection.

Implementation Method 1

the heater generates heat. The heated portion is heated by the heat generated by the heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the radiation heat generated by the heated portion is given to the front window

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3506007B1Photographing apparatus for vehicle and heating device
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3506007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3506007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3506007B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A photographing apparatus for vehicle (10) includes a photographing apparatus (30) receiving photographing light passing through a window (85), a heater (43b) that is a heating wire generating heat when receiving electricity, a heated portion (41a) to which the heater is fixed, and a pair of electrical supply lines (44c, 63) that is connected to both end portions of the heater respectively and supply the electricity to the heater. The heated portion releases radiation heat to the window when receiving heat from the heater. An amount of heat generated by the both end portions per unit time is smaller than an amount of heat generated by the heater's portion (43b1) other than the both end portions. The both end portions of the heater are positioned on outer peripheral side with respect to the heated portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the heated portion.