Vehicle Mirror Heater-Electrochromic Connection for Voltage Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current connection systems for heaters and electro-optic assemblies in vehicle mirrors face challenges in efficiently distributing heat and maintaining electrical coupling, particularly with high-voltage PTC heaters that can damage electro-optic components.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a mirror assembly with a heating assembly that includes conductive pathways with vias or notches, where conductive traces extend to these pathways and are electrically coupled to electrodes through conductive intermediaries, ensuring effective heat distribution and electrical isolation to prevent component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a heating assembly is directly connected to the electro-optic assembly, then heat distribution is simplified, but electrical components may be damaged by high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heating assembly as an intermediary component between the power source and the electro-optic assembly. This heating assembly includes a heating trace that distributes heat across its surface area, acting as a voltage-distributing medium that prevents concentrated high voltage from reaching the electro-optic components. The heating assembly's distributed trace structure inherently divides the voltage, protecting sensitive electro-optic elements while maintaining thermal coupling for defrosting functionality.
2Reliability
If conductive traces are used to connect heating and electro-optic assemblies, then electrical coupling is achieved, but unwanted electrical communication may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conductive pathways into distinct, isolated routes. The heating assembly's trace is separated from direct connection to electro-optic electrodes, with each electro-optic electrode receiving power through its own dedicated conductive trace that originates from the heating assembly's distributed trace rather than sharing a common high-voltage path. This segmentation prevents unwanted electrical communication while ensuring reliable individual coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different electrical properties to different regions of the connection system. The heating assembly's trace has high voltage tolerance and distributed resistance, while the electro-optic electrode connections use low-resistance, isolated pathways. The heating assembly itself acts as a local voltage-distributing zone that transforms the electrical characteristics before power reaches the electro-optic components, creating locally optimized electrical environments for each functional region.
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
This configuration allows for efficient warmth distribution along the heating assembly while preventing unwanted electrical communication with the electro-optic assembly, ensuring safe and effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
A heating trace distributes warmth along an area of the heating assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror assembly includes an electro-optic assembly that has a front element substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The electro-optic assembly further has a second element substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, the second and third surfaces facing each other to define a gap. A first electrode is coupled to the second surface and a second electrode is coupled to the third surface. An electro-optic medium is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The mirror assembly further includes a heating assembly that has a heating trace distributing warmth along an area of the heating assembly, a first conductive trace, and a second conductive trace. A first conductive intermediary electrically couples the first conductive trace to the first electrode and a second conductive intermediary electrically couples the second conductive trace to the second electrode.