Heatable Windshield Power Control to Eliminate Air Vents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heatable vehicle windows require improvement in performance and functionality to eliminate the need for special vents that direct hot air flows, aiming for a simpler and energy-efficient solution.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle system comprising a heatable windshield with electrically conductive material, a control unit, and transducer means to detect environmental and state quantities, adjusting power supply based on detected conditions to efficiently defrost or defog the window, eliminating the need for direct air vents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special vents are added to direct hot air flows towards windows, then defrosting performance is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the defrosting function from the traditional HVAC vent system and transfers it to the window glass itself through integrated heating elements. The heating elements are directly incorporated into the window structure, eliminating the need for separate air delivery vents and ducts while maintaining effective defrosting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The window glass serves multiple functions: it provides structural enclosure, optical transparency, and active defrosting capability through integrated heating elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated defrosting vents, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If special vents and air delivery systems are installed, then defrosting effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are distributed locally across the window surface rather than relying on centralized HVAC air delivery. This localized heating approach targets energy directly where needed on the glass surface, improving defrosting effectiveness while reducing overall energy consumption compared to heating and circulating air through the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical HVAC air delivery system with an electrical heating system integrated into the window. This substitution eliminates the need for air pumps, ducts, and complex airflow control mechanisms, reducing energy consumption while maintaining defrosting effectiveness.
3Reliability
If vents and air delivery components are added, then window heating performance is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the defrosting function with the window glass structure itself by integrating heating elements directly into the window. This combination eliminates separate air delivery components, ducts, and vents, significantly reducing the added weight while maintaining effective window heating performance.
4Productivity
If direct air vents are installed, then defrosting speed is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into discrete heating elements that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the window structure. This segmentation allows for standardized production of heating components that can be efficiently assembled during window manufacturing, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to installing complex air delivery systems.
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 defrosts or defogs the window by calibrating power supply according to environmental and thermodynamic conditions, enhancing efficiency and eliminating the need for air vents, resulting in a lighter and more compact vehicle design while meeting compliance standards.
Implementation Method 1
A heatable window is a motor vehicle window comprising electrically conductive material with significant electrical resistance, so that the material can dissipate energy, in the form of heat, when an electric current passes through it.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An apparatus for a motor vehicle (1) includes a heatable windshield comprising an electrically conductive material, an electric power source (4) electrically connected to the electrically conductive material, transducer means (6) configured to detect environmental quantities and state quantities of the heatable windshield and to generate signals relating to the detected quantities, a control unit (15) coupled to the transducer means (6) to acquire the signals, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to adjust a power supplied to the electrically conductive material by the power source (4) as a function of at least one of the acquired signals.