Inductive Windshield Heater for Camera Window Defogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for camera viewing windows require electrical terminals and wiring, which increase complexity and reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A heating device using a primary induction coil to generate a magnetic field, which induces heat in a secondary induction coil in contact with the windshield, eliminating the need for direct electrical connections and allowing for efficient condensation removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical terminals and wiring are attached to the windshield for heating, then heating function is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system (terminals and wiring) with an electromagnetic induction system. The primary coil generates a magnetic field that induces current in the secondary coil embedded in the windshield, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections to the glass surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the power source and the windshield heating element. The primary coil acts as a mediator that transfers energy wirelessly to the secondary coil, which then heats the windshield without requiring direct electrical contact.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrical terminals and wiring are attached to the windshield for heating, then heating function is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system (terminals and wiring) with an electromagnetic induction system. The primary coil generates a magnetic field that induces current in the secondary coil embedded in the windshield, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections to the glass surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the electrical terminals and wiring components from the heating system. By using electromagnetic induction, the system eliminates the need for these components entirely, reducing the overall number of parts required for assembly.
3Reliability
If induction coils are used for heating, then reliability increases and complexity decreases, but temperature control precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit monitors the heating process and adjusts the electrical power delivered to the primary induction coil to maintain the desired temperature of the viewing window, ensuring precise temperature control despite the wireless heating mechanism.
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 provides effective condensation removal without electrical connections, reducing assembly complexity and enhancing reliability while maintaining precise temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a primary induction coil positioned proximate the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to receiving electrical power from a power supply
Implementation Method 2
a secondary induction coil overlaying the primary induction coil configured to receive the magnetic field from the primary induction coil and generate heat
Implementation Method 3
The secondary induction coil heats the viewing window when the primary induction coil receives the electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a housing, a primary induction coil, a controller circuit, and a secondary induction coil. The housing retains a camera lens. The primary induction coil is positioned proximate the housing and generates a magnetic field in response to receiving electrical power from a power supply. The controller circuit is in electrical contact with the primary induction coil and controls the electrical power delivered to the primary induction coil. The secondary induction coil overlays the primary induction coil and receives the magnetic field from the primary induction coil and generates heat. The secondary induction coil is in direct contact with a windshield of a vehicle and heats the viewing window when the primary induction coil receives the electrical power.