Lens Heating System for Fog Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Condensation on lenses, such as those in eyeglasses or camera systems, occurs when moving between different temperature zones in cold storage facilities, leading to reduced visibility and efficiency due to fogging, which existing solutions fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system that heats the lens above the dew point to prevent or mitigate condensation by using a heating element controlled by a processor that measures temperature and humidity levels, applying heat before entering a warmer zone to maintain clear visibility and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lens is heated to prevent condensation, then visibility through the lens is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility through lensVSAvoidenergy consumption of heating system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates the heating element before the lens enters a temperature zone where condensation would occur, based on predicted movement between climate zones. This preliminary heating prevents condensation formation while allowing the system to turn off the heater when not needed, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining visibility reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temperature sensors and humidity sensors to continuously monitor lens conditions and environmental parameters. The processor receives this feedback data and dynamically adjusts heating activation and intensity based on actual condensation risk, ensuring the heater operates only when necessary to maintain visibility while minimizing energy waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the lens is heated continuously to prevent condensation, then visibility is maintained, but battery power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility through lensVSAvoidbattery lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system predicts when the lens will move between climate zones and activates heating only in advance of those transitions. This selective preliminary action maintains visibility reliability during critical transitions while avoiding continuous heating that would deplete battery power, thereby extending battery lifetime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous heating, the system employs periodic heating cycles triggered by detected or predicted temperature transitions. The heater is activated only during periods when condensation risk exists and deactivated during stable temperature periods, maintaining visibility while conserving battery energy for extended operational duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of time

If the lens is heated quickly to remove condensation, then visibility is restored faster, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to clear condensationVSAvoidenergy consumption of heating system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies heat gradually in advance of condensation formation or immediately upon detection, rather than waiting for heavy condensation to accumulate and then applying high heat. This controlled preliminary or early intervention removes condensation efficiently while minimizing the total energy required compared to aggressive post-condensation heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies just enough heat to prevent or remove condensation based on real-time sensor feedback, avoiding excessive heating. The processor modulates heating intensity to match the actual condensation level and environmental conditions, achieving adequate visibility restoration with minimal energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 prevents or reduces lens fogging, ensuring continuous clear vision and improved operational efficiency by maintaining the lens temperature above the dew point, even when moving between different climate zones.

Implementation Method 1

A system that heats the lens above the dew point to prevent or mitigate condensation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

Condensation on lenses, such as those in eyeglasses or camera systems, occurs when moving between different temperature zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11513370B2Mitigation of lens condensation using heat

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 LINEAGE LOGISTICS LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for heating a lens to mitigate fogging. The methods can include identifying a temperature of the lens, identifying an ambient temperature of an environment of the lens, determining whether the lens is susceptible to fogging based at least on the temperature of the lens and the ambient temperature of the environment of the lens, and in response to determining that the lens is susceptible to fogging, causing a heating element to apply heat to the lens to mitigate fogging of the lens.