Fog-Resistant Lens Electrode Spacing for Uniform Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Fog-resistant structures for goggles and sports helmets face inefficiencies in power consumption and complex wiring due to temperature differences across lens or shield regions, leading to shortened battery life and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A fog-resistant structure with a transparent conductive film on one surface of the lens or shield, featuring equal spacing between linear electrodes on all regions, and insulating portions for simplified power supply connections, eliminating the need for power regulation and reducing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If linear electrodes are placed closer together in opposite side portions to reduce electrical resistance, then heat generation increases in those regions, but this causes temperature differences across the lens and wasted power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-fog performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the spacing between linear electrodes variable across different regions of the lens. Specifically, the spacing is designed to be smaller in opposite side portions and larger in central portions, which locally adjusts the electrical resistance to match the thermal requirements of each region and prevents both overheating and insufficient heating in different areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter (spacing between electrodes) to control the electrical resistance distribution. By varying the spacing parameter across different lens regions, the system achieves non-uniform current distribution that compensates for the temperature differences caused by external cooling, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution without wasted power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If power is increased to prevent fogging in the central region of the lens, then fogging is prevented, but excessive current flows through opposite side portions causing wasted power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-fog performanceVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the spacing between linear electrodes variable across different regions of the lens. Specifically, the spacing is designed to be smaller in opposite side portions and larger in central portions, which locally adjusts the electrical resistance to match the thermal requirements of each region and prevents both overheating and insufficient heating in different areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter (spacing between electrodes) to control the electrical resistance distribution. By varying the spacing parameter across different lens regions, the system achieves non-uniform current distribution that compensates for the temperature differences caused by external cooling, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution without wasted power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If complex power regulation circuits are added to control current distribution, then temperature uniformity is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power regulation function from complex electronic control circuits and implements it through a simple geometric design of electrode spacing. The non-uniform spacing physically embodies the desired current distribution pattern, eliminating the need for active regulation circuits and significantly simplifying the device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic control system (power regulation circuits) with a passive geometric configuration. The variable spacing between electrodes creates the desired current distribution through purely geometric means, substituting complex electronic regulation with a simple structural design that is easier to manufacture and maintain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 ensures uniform temperature across regions, reducing power consumption and extending battery life while simplifying the structure for easier maintenance and longer operational times.

Implementation Method 1

power is supplied from the power supply to the transparent conductive film for conduction, the lens temperature is increased to dry water vapors condensed on the lens inner surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9015868B2Fog-resistant structure and protective device for eyes

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 SWANS

AI summary

A fog-resistant structure and a protective device for eyes is configured such that a transparent conductive film is formed on one surface of a lens or shield, a linear electrode is provided on upper and lower portions of the surface of the lens or shield so that each of a central region and opposite side regions of the lens or shield has substantially equal spacing between the upper and lower linear electrodes. Thus each region of the lens or shield has no difference in temperature without regulating power supplied to the transparent conductive film, thereby eliminating wasted power consumption and allowing even a structure using a battery as the power supply to have much longer available time.