Optical Coating for Automotive Sensor Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems in automobiles, such as LIDAR and RGB cameras, face instability due to external factors like ice and water, which cause optical artifacts, and rely on inefficient resistive heating methods using indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings that are prone to failure and inefficient heat transfer through glass substrates.
Innovation Solution
An optical coating with dual wavelength ranges, one for optical heating and another for optical sensing, is applied to a transparent substrate, allowing for efficient heat generation and transfer without the need for resistive wires or busbar connections, using materials like silicon or transparent conductive coatings, and positioned on the exterior side to absorb light and transmit heat directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resistive heating of ITO coatings is used to provide heating, defogging, de-icing, then heating function is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to wire and busbar connections breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the resistive wires and busbar connections from the heating system, extracting the problematic connection elements that cause reliability issues. The heating function is achieved directly through optical absorption by the coating material without electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical resistive heating system with an optical heating system. Instead of using electrical current through resistive wires, the system uses optical energy absorbed by the coating material to generate heat, substituting mechanical/electrical components with an optical field-based approach.
2Loss of energy
If ITO coatings are used for resistive heating, then heating function is achieved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to heat transfer through glass substrate mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the heating coating on the exterior surface of the glass substrate, the location where heating is most needed. This allows direct heating of the exterior surface and adjacent materials (ice, water, fog) without requiring heat to conduct through the entire glass substrate thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating approach from volumetric heat conduction through the glass substrate to surface-level optical heating. By applying the heating coating to the exterior surface and using optical energy absorption, the system heats locally at the surface rather than requiring heat to propagate through the three-dimensional volume of the glass.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If ITO coatings with resistive wires are used, then heating is provided, but durability deteriorates in external environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vulnerable electrical connection components (wires and busbars) from the system, eliminating the points where environmental factors can cause failure. The remaining coating structure is exposed directly to the environment but lacks the vulnerable connection points that previously caused durability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, robust coating material (such as carbon-based or metal oxide coatings) that is inherently durable in external environments. Rather than using expensive, complex ITO coatings with electrical connections, the system employs simpler materials that are naturally more resistant to environmental degradation.
4Power
If optical coating absorbs light for heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but optical sensing capability deteriorates due to wavelength interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical spectrum into different wavelength ranges, with the heating coating designed to absorb specific wavelengths for heating while allowing other wavelengths to pass through for sensing. This spectral segmentation allows both heating and sensing functions to operate simultaneously without significant interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality in the spectral domain by designing the coating's optical properties to be wavelength-dependent. The coating has high absorption in the heating wavelength range and high transmission in the sensing wavelength range, allowing different parts of the spectrum to serve different functions at the same location.
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 solution provides a durable and efficient heating mechanism that enhances the reliability and cost-effectiveness of optical systems by eliminating the need for ITO coatings and busbar connections, allowing for faster heating and reduced back reflections, while maintaining optical sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coating having a first wavelength of light range for optical heating
Implementation Method 2
a second wavelength of light range for optical sensing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coating having a first wavelength of light range for optical heating; and a second wavelength of light range for optical sensing is disclosed. An apparatus can include the optical coating. An optical system can include the apparatus and a light source. Methods of making and using the optical coating, apparatus, and optical system are also disclosed.