LED Lens Heating via Conductive Ink Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
LED lighting systems do not generate sufficient radiation to melt snow and ice from the lens, reducing optical transmission and affecting the performance of the lighting system in colder conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a substantially clear thermoplastic substrate with a conductive ink or film circuit, including a lens heater circuit and a controller, which applies controlled power to heat the lens, utilizing a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ink trace for regulation and maintaining high optical transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED lighting system is used for illumination, then energy efficiency is improved, but ability to melt snow and ice from lens is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function with a heating function by integrating a conductive ink circuit directly onto the lens substrate. This merging allows the lens to perform dual functions: optical transmission for illumination and thermal generation for ice/snow melting, resolving the contradiction between LED energy efficiency and insufficient heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating the conductive heating circuit into the lens structure itself. The lens serves both as an optical element for light transmission and as a heating element for thermal management, enabling it to address both illumination and de-icing requirements simultaneously.
2Temperature
If incandescent or HID bulbs are used, then lens heating capability is improved, but radiation in non-visible spectrum is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional incandescent or HID bulb heating mechanism with an electrical resistive heating system using conductive ink circuitry integrated into the lens. This substitution eliminates the need for high-temperature filament or arc discharge, providing controlled thermal output without excessive non-visible radiation while maintaining effective ice/snow melting capability.
3Reliability
If snow and ice form on lens, then optical transmission is reduced, but heating requirement increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive ink circuit is integrated into the lens structure during manufacturing, allowing the heating capability to be activated preemptively or continuously at low power levels to prevent ice and snow accumulation before they significantly degrade optical transmission. This preliminary action maintains reliability while minimizing energy consumption compared to reactive high-power heating.
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 clears ice from the lens, maintaining greater than 90% transmission rate in lumens and intensity, ensuring optimal lighting performance even in icy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive ink or film circuit on the thermoplastic substrate
Implementation Method 2
a heating output of the conductive ink circuit is regulated based upon the temperature of the conductive ink circuit utilizing a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ink trace
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for lighting system lens heating are described. The systems and methods include a substantially clear thermoplastic substrate; and a conductive ink or film circuit on the thermoplastic substrate.