Ranging Sensor Window Heating for Snow and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ranging devices face challenges in maintaining measurement accuracy due to snow accumulation on the transmission window, which requires inappropriate heater energization levels leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A ranging device with a controller that adjusts the heater energization based on outside temperature, vehicle speed, and optionally snowfall conditions to optimize heating and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater energization level is set high without exception to remove snow from the transmission window, then snow removal effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater energization level is made dynamic by adjusting it according to vehicle speed and outside temperature. The controller varies the energization level based on real-time driving conditions, transitioning from fixed high energization to adaptive variable energization that matches actual snow accumulation risk and heat loss characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heater energization parameter based on outside temperature and vehicle speed. At higher vehicle speeds, the energization level is increased to compensate for greater heat loss, while at lower speeds or higher temperatures, the energization level is reduced to save power while maintaining snow removal effectiveness.
2Temperature
If the heater energization level is increased to maintain transmission window temperature in cold conditions, then temperature maintenance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater energization is dynamically adjusted based on outside temperature and vehicle speed. The system transitions from static high energization in cold conditions to dynamic energization that responds to real-time temperature and speed changes, optimizing the balance between temperature maintenance and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from outside temperature sensors and vehicle speed sensors to continuously adjust the heater energization level. This closed-loop control ensures the transmission window maintains appropriate temperature while minimizing power consumption by adapting to changing environmental conditions.
3Temperature
If the heater energization level is increased to compensate for heat loss at high vehicle speeds, then temperature maintenance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts heater energization based on vehicle speed, recognizing that heat loss increases with speed. The controller increases energization level proportionally to speed to maintain temperature, rather than using a fixed high energization level that would waste power at low speeds.
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 controller ensures appropriate heater energization, effectively melting snow while minimizing power usage, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
a heater 20 configured to heat the transmission window 121
Implementation Method 2
effectively melting snow while minimizing power usage
Data Source
AI summary
A ranging device is configured to emit a transmitted wave and detect a reflected wave from an object illuminated by the transmitted wave, thereby measuring a distance to the object. At least one of the transmitted wave and the reflected wave is transmitted through a transmission window. A heater is configured to heat the transmission window. A controller is configured to control energization of the heater in response to an outside temperature that is a temperature outside the ranging device and a speed of the vehicle.