Near-Infrared Sensor Cover Heater Wire Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near-infrared radar devices face detection interference due to snow accumulation on the sensor cover, as metal heater wires reflect near-infrared radiation, reducing the transparency and effectiveness of the sensor's detection function.
Innovation Solution
A near-infrared sensor cover with a heater wire configuration featuring straight line portions and connection portions, strategically positioned to minimize reflection of near-infrared radiation while maintaining sufficient heat for snow melting, with an optimal interval and diameter to balance transparency and snow-melting functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal heater wire is disposed on the near-infrared sensor cover to melt snow, then the snow melting function is improved, but the near-infrared radiation transparency deteriorates due to reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the heater wire by specifying a diameter of 0.03mm to 0.07mm and an interval of 5mm to 15mm between adjacent wires. These parameter adjustments reduce the wire's cross-sectional area and spacing, thereby decreasing near-infrared radiation reflection while maintaining sufficient heat generation for snow melting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of the heater wire and a transparent resin layer with specific infrared transmittance properties. This composite configuration allows the resin layer to act as an optical window that transmits near-infrared radiation while the embedded heater wire provides thermal functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between transparency and heating capability.
2Power
If the heater wire diameter is increased to enhance snow melting capability, then the snow melting function is improved, but the near-infrared radiation transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the heater wire diameter to a specific range of 0.03mm to 0.07mm. This parameter change balances two competing requirements: the wire must be thick enough to generate sufficient heat for snow melting, yet thin enough to minimize near-infrared radiation reflection and maintain sensor transparency.
3Reliability
If the interval between heater wires is decreased to improve heat distribution, then the snow melting function is improved, but the near-infrared radiation transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies an optimal interval of 5mm to 15mm between adjacent heater wires. This parameter adjustment ensures uniform heat distribution across the sensor cover surface for effective snow melting, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient spacing to minimize the total reflective area and preserve near-infrared radiation transparency.
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 configuration ensures necessary snow-melting functionality while restricting near-infrared radiation reflection to an acceptable level, allowing for effective detection even in snowy conditions by optimizing the interval and diameter of the heater wire.
Implementation Method 1
a heater wire disposed on one side of the cover main body portion in the thickness direction and configured to generate heat when energized
Implementation Method 2
the near-infrared radiation may be irradiated to the heater wire and reflected when the heater wire is wired to the near-infrared sensor cover since the heater wire is formed of metal
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a near-infrared sensor cover to be applied to a near-infrared sensor including a transmitting unit that transmits near-infrared radiation and a receiving unit that receives near-infrared radiation reflected by an object. The near-infrared sensor cover includes a cover main body portion disposed with a thickness direction thereof to be coincide with a transmission and reception direction of the near-infrared radiation and covering the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, and a heater wire disposed on the cover main body portion to generate heat when energized. The heater wire includes plural straight line portions that extend in parallel to each other and plural connection portions that connect end portions of adjacent straight line portions. An interval between adjacent straight line portions ranges from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a diameter of the heater wire ranges from 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm.