Patterned Conductive Coating for Windshield Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated windshield systems are limited by the availability of power from 12-volt automotive accessory systems, which restricts the effectiveness and utility of conductive coatings on windshield glass due to visibility and other factors, leading to inefficient clearing of ice, frost, and fog.
Innovation Solution
An electrically heatable windshield panel with a conductive coating patterned to have effective conduction regions and isolated regions, featuring locally narrow regions for enhanced current density and heat dissipation, is integrated between glass sheets, with bus bars ohmically coupled to facilitate efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conductive coating is applied to the windshield for electrical heating, then the clearing effectiveness of ice, frost, and fog is improved, but the visibility and aesthetic properties of the windshield deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive coating is applied selectively to specific regions of the windshield rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The coating concentration varies by location, with higher concentrations in areas requiring heating (perimeter and lower portions) and lower or no concentration in the driver's primary viewing area, thus providing localized heating functionality while preserving overall visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The windshield heating system is divided into multiple independent conductive regions with distinct functions: a first conductive region for general heating, a second conductive region with higher concentration for enhanced heating in specific areas, and a third non-conductive region for maintaining visibility. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the others
2Productivity
If more power is supplied to the conductive coating to improve clearing speed, then the clearing effectiveness is improved, but the power consumption exceeds the capacity of 12-volt automotive accessory systems
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive coating concentration is varied by location to optimize power distribution. Areas with higher coating concentration (second conductive region) provide higher resistance and localized heating, while areas with lower or no coating (third conductive region) consume less power. This non-uniform distribution allows the system to achieve effective clearing within the limited power available from 12-volt automotive accessory systems
3Area of stationary object
If a uniform conductive coating is applied across the entire windshield, then the heating coverage is maximized, but the current distribution becomes inefficient and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than applying a uniform coating, the system uses variable coating concentrations in different regions. The second conductive region has higher concentration for targeted heating, while the third region has reduced or no coating. This creates an optimized current distribution pattern that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining adequate heating coverage across the windshield surface
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 enables rapid and efficient clearing of windshield moisture by concentrating heat in specific areas, improving visibility and reducing power consumption while maintaining aesthetic and reflective properties.
Implementation Method 1
pass current through the conductive coating to resistively heat the windshield
Implementation Method 2
an electrically conductive coating adjacent the first glass sheet disposed between the first and second spaced apart bus bars
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically heatable panel may include a conductive coating patterned to have a conductive profile with a narrow region whereby current density is greater in the narrow region thus providing increased heat dissipation in the narrow region.