Removable Magnetic Window Panels with Integrated Heating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor vehicles are ineffective in managing precipitation accumulation on all windows, particularly side windows, and do not provide continuous assistance during both operation and non-operation periods, leading to visibility issues due to ice, snow, and fogging.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle window accessory with a transparent body made of plastic or rubber, equipped with low-voltage diodes and heating elements, magnets for securement, and a controller for operational control, which can be powered by the vehicle or an independent source, and includes features like Teflon coating, advertising indicia, and a fragrance module, designed to encircle or cover all windows to prevent precipitation accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional defrosters and heaters are used, then visibility on front and rear windows is improved during vehicle operation, but side windows remain unaffected and accumulation occurs during non-operation periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility managementVSAvoidcoverage of all windows
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the window treatment into separate removable panels that can be individually applied to different windows (front, rear, and side windows). Each panel operates independently with its own heating elements, allowing comprehensive coverage of all windows while maintaining the ability to treat each window according to its specific needs and exposure to precipitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If heating elements are installed in the vehicle, then precipitation removal is achieved during operation, but the system does not provide assistance during non-operation periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecipitation removalVSAvoidoperational assistance period
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The removable window panels with integrated heating elements can be installed on windows before precipitation events occur, including during non-operation periods. This preliminary positioning allows the heating elements to prevent accumulation from the start, rather than requiring the vehicle to be in operation to activate the defrosting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Illumination intensity

If a transparent body is used to cover windows, then visibility is maintained, but the body must be securely attached and stored when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility through windowVSAvoidsecuring and storage mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window panels utilize flexible transparent materials that can conform to the window shape and be easily attached or removed. The flexibility of these thin film panels simplifies the securing mechanism, allowing them to be held in place by simple magnets or adhesive strips rather than complex mechanical fastening systems, and enables easy storage when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 inhibits precipitation accumulation on all vehicle windows, ensuring visibility and providing operational control, securement, and additional features like location identification and fragrance release, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

the body includes disposed therein a plurality of low voltage diodes and/or wiring that are operable to maintain a temperature that is different than that of the environmental surroundings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the body can include magnets on various portions thereof as needed to secure the body in either a deployed or stored position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

the outer surface of the body could have Teflon disposed thereon so as to assist in the prevention of accumulation of precipitation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3684140B1Vehicular window accessory
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 BARRETT DEVON LOREN
  • EP3684140B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3684140B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3684140B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicular window accessory that is configured to be deployed to be adjacent at least one window of the vehicle wherein the vehicular window accessory is operable to maintain a temperature so as to inhibit the accumulation of ice or snow thereon. The vehicular window accessory includes a container wherein the container has a body member stored therein. The body member is configured to be deployed to a second position wherein the body member is extended outward from the container and placed adjacent the windows of the vehicle. The container is secured within the door jamb of the vehicle and releasably secured therein with magnets. The body member includes plurality of heating elements that are electrically coupled to a controller disposed within the container. Secured along the second end of the body member are a plurality of magnets being configured to maintain the body member in the second position.