Heated Lamp Lens Assembly for Snow and Condensation Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED lighting systems generate minimal heat, leading to accumulation of snow, ice, and condensation on lenses, which existing heating solutions fail to effectively address without overheating the lens.
Innovation Solution
A controlled heating system using a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater and thermal heat sink, integrated with power circuitry and elongate thermally conductive heat pipes, is applied to the LED lamp assembly to provide targeted heat to the lens, preventing ice and condensation buildup while maintaining lens clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a heating wire is provided on the back surface of the cover element, then snow and ice can be melted from the lens, but the lens may overheat and suffer thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed with localized heating zones at specific positions (front, rear, and side portions) of the lens rather than uniform heating. This allows targeted melting of snow and ice accumulation while distributing thermal energy to prevent excessive temperature concentration in any single area, thereby avoiding lens overheating and thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system operates dynamically by controlling the activation and intensity of different heating zones based on detected snow and ice conditions. The system can selectively activate only the necessary heating portions rather than running all heaters continuously, thereby providing effective de-icing while maintaining overall temperature control to prevent lens overheating.
2Use of energy by moving object
If LED lighting systems are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the lens accumulates snow, ice, and condensation due to minimal heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are integrated directly into the lens structure, merging the lighting and heating functions into a single unified system. This allows the LED lighting system to maintain low energy consumption for illumination while the integrated heating elements provide targeted thermal energy only where needed to prevent snow, ice, and condensation accumulation, rather than heating the entire lens uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is designed to automatically activate when snow, ice, or condensation is detected on the lens, providing self-service de-icing functionality. The system monitors lens conditions and activates heating only when necessary, maintaining energy efficiency while effectively preventing accumulation of harmful substances on the lens surface.
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 solution effectively removes snow, frost, and condensation from lenses without overheating, ensuring clear light transmission in various applications, including vehicles, boats, and stationary lighting systems, by using self-regulating PTC heaters and thermally conductive components for efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a positive temperature coefficient heater provided within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a thermal heat sink provided in the enclosure and physically affixed in thermally conductive relation with the positive temperature coefficient heater
Implementation Method 3
at least one elongate and thermally conductive heat pipe affixed in thermally conductive relation with the heat sink proximate the lens
Implementation Method 4
a positive temperature coefficient heater provided within the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A heated light enclosure having an adaptable heating system is provided with a controlled heating system to deliver enough heat to a lens on a lamp assembly to remove snow, frost, and/or condensation without overheating the lens. By heating the lens using a combination of one or more of PTC heaters, heat sinks and heat pipes, accumulation of snow, ice, or vapor is mitigated or eliminated from a surface of the lens, thereby enabling light to transmit through the lens. Applications include lamps and bulbs on conveyance devices, including vehicles, boats, planes, and trains, as well as sedentary structures, such as lamp posts, street lights, railroad crossing markers and lights, and airport ground and runway lighting systems.