Vehicle Imaging Heater Layout That Keeps Thermistors Out of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heater devices for vehicles capture thermal fuses or thermistors in the imaging device's field of view, leading to poor image quality for vehicle control systems.
Innovation Solution
A heater device with a heating wire and thermistor configuration that routes a thin first line in the heating area and a wider second line outside the imaging area, with a disconnection point, and positions the thermistor across the disconnection area to avoid capture in the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal fuse or thermistor is placed at the position corresponding to the heating wire to prevent abnormal heating, then heating safety is improved, but the thermal fuse or thermistor is captured in the captured image, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning the thermistor placement from a two-dimensional plane (within the imaging field) to a three-dimensional space (above the imaging field). The thermistor is positioned above the transparent substrate at a height that places it outside the imaging device's field of view, while still maintaining its function of detecting heating wire temperature. This spatial dimensionality change allows the safety device to remain functional without degrading image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent substrate serves as an intermediary structure that separates the imaging field from the safety device placement area. By positioning the thermistor above the substrate rather than on it, the patent creates a spatial buffer zone that prevents the thermistor from being captured in images while maintaining thermal detection capability through the substrate.
2Manufacturing precision
If the heating wire is made thin to be hardly captured in the captured image, then image quality is improved, but it becomes difficult to form a thermal fuse and thermistor as thin as the heating wire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the thickness requirements of different heating wire segments. The first line (heating wire) is made thin to avoid image capture, while the second line (power supply line) is made wide for ease of manufacturing and connection. This localized differentiation allows each component to have optimal dimensions for its specific function without compromising overall manufacturability.
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
Prevents abnormal heating and captures thermistor components outside the imaging field, ensuring high-quality image capture for vehicle control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heating wire formed on or above the transparent substrate and connected to the first power supply terminal at one end of the heating wire and electrically connected to the second power supply terminal at another end of the heating wire
Implementation Method 2
a thermistor detecting a temperature of the heating wire and interrupting or lowering a current of the heating wire when the temperature of the heating wire reaches a predominated temperature or greater
Data Source
AI summary
A heater device according to the present invention comprises: a first line where an electrically-heated wire is routed to a region to be heated on a transparent substrate; and a second line that is connected to first and second power supply terminals and is wider than the first line. In addition, a wire break region is formed in the second line, a thermistor is connected so as to span the wire break region, and a portion of the first line is within the wire break region.