Vehicle Ranging Window Heater Control for Dirt Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ranging devices mounted in vehicles face decreased measurement accuracy due to snow adhesion on the cover, and continuous heater activation can lead to dirt accumulation on the light transmissive window when there is no snow, causing evaporation of water droplets and subsequent staining.
Innovation Solution
A ranging apparatus with a transmitter, detector, light transmissive window, heater, snow accumulation condition determiner, and heater controller that controls heater energization based on ambient temperature and snow conditions to prevent dirt accumulation, including stopping heater activation when no snow is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater is continuously activated to prevent snow adhesion on the light transmissive window, then snow removal effectiveness is improved, but water droplet evaporation occurs causing dirt accumulation and staining on the window
Solution Approach 1:
The heater control system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic conditional operation. The controller dynamically adjusts heater activation based on real-time detection of snow accumulation conditions and ambient temperature, activating the heater only when snow removal is actually needed rather than continuously, thereby preventing water droplet evaporation and dirt accumulation while maintaining snow removal effectiveness when required
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using the snow accumulation condition determiner to detect whether snow is present on the light transmissive window and the ambient temperature determiner to check temperature conditions. This feedback information is fed to the heater controller which adjusts heater activation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents unnecessary heater operation and the associated harmful effects of dirt accumulation
Solution Approach 3:
The system changes the operational parameters of the heater from continuous high-power operation to conditional intermittent operation. By monitoring snow accumulation condition and ambient temperature parameters, the system adjusts the heater's activation state and power consumption, reducing energy waste and preventing water droplet evaporation that leads to dirt accumulation while maintaining effective snow removal when conditions require it
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heater is activated based on ambient temperature alone, then energy consumption is reduced when not needed, but measurement accuracy decreases when snow accumulates on the window
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the snow accumulation condition determiner to adjust heater activation decisions. When snow accumulation is detected on the light transmissive window, the controller activates the heater regardless of ambient temperature alone, ensuring measurement accuracy is maintained. The feedback loop continuously monitors both snow conditions and temperature to make informed heater control decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The ranging apparatus performs self-diagnosis by using its own detection capabilities (snow accumulation condition determiner and ambient temperature determiner) to monitor its own operational state. The system automatically determines when heater activation is needed to maintain its own measurement accuracy, eliminating the need for external control and enabling autonomous maintenance of optimal operating conditions
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 reduces the risk of dirt sticking to the light transmissive window by optimizing heater usage according to snow and ambient conditions, maintaining measurement accuracy and preventing stains.
Implementation Method 1
The heater is configured to apply heat to the transmissive window
Implementation Method 2
configured to emit a transmit wave and detects a reflected wave resulting from reflection of the transmit wave from an object to determine a distance between itself and the object
Data Source
AI summary
A ranging apparatus is provided which is mountable to a vehicle and includes a transmitter, at least one detector, a light transmissive window, a heater, a snow accumulation condition determiner, a snowfall condition determiner, and a heater controller. The heater works to heat the transmissive window. The snow accumulation condition determiner determines a snow accumulation condition of a surface of the light transmissive window. The snowfall condition determiner determines a snowfall condition around the vehicle. The heater controller works to control energization of the heater depending upon the snow accumulation condition and the snowfall condition. The heater controller stops energizing the heater for a period of time when it is determined that there is neither the snow accumulation on the surface of the light transmissive window nor the snowfall around the vehicle.