Resistive Heating Assembly for Electromagnetic Wave Transmitting Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Light fixtures in cold-temperature environments face issues with frost and ice accumulation on electromagnetic wave transmitting surfaces, which impairs light output, and existing solutions often require modifications to the optical housing rather than directly addressing the transmitting device.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a heating assembly with an electrically resistive element directly applied to the electromagnetic wave transmitting device, including a body with a transmitting end and a receiving end, ensures effective defrosting and maintains light output compliance with industry regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating assembly is added to prevent frost and ice accumulation, then the reliability of the light fixture in cold environments is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliability in cold environmentsVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating assembly is integrated directly onto the electromagnetic wave transmitting device, merging the heating function with the existing transmitting structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability in cold environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating assembly uses electrically resistive elements that generate heat directly at the transmitting device surface through electrical current. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for external heating systems or complex control mechanisms, improving reliability while keeping the device structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If heating is applied directly to the transmitting device, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical heating systems with electrically resistive heating elements. This substitution improves energy efficiency by directly converting electrical energy to heat at the target location, while the resistive elements themselves are simple components that can be easily manufactured and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating assembly utilizes electrical resistance as the key parameter to generate heat. By controlling the electrical properties of the resistive elements, the system achieves efficient energy conversion while maintaining simple manufacturing processes for the resistive components and their integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If modifications are made to the optical housing, then the effectiveness of frost prevention is improved, but the ease of repair worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrost prevention effectivenessVSAvoidrepairability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The heating assembly is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed on the electromagnetic wave transmitting device. This segmentation allows the heating system to be repaired or replaced without modifying the optical housing, thereby maintaining ease of repair while achieving effective frost prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is extracted as a distinct assembly rather than being integrated into the optical housing structure. This extraction allows the heating component to be serviced independently, preserving the original optical housing and simplifying repair procedures while maintaining effective frost protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 higher performance, improved reliability, and efficient energy use by directly applying resistive heat to the transmitting device, ensuring the light fixture remains operational in temperatures below freezing and meets regulatory standards.

Implementation Method 1

a heating assembly disposed on at least a portion of the transmitting end of the body. The heating assembly can include an electrically resistive element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2971943B1Heaters for electromagnetic wave transmitting surfaces
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD
  • EP2971943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2971943B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2971943B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B

AI summary

An electromagnetic wave transmitting device having a body and a heating assembly. The body can include a transmitting end and a receiving end. The heating assembly can be disposed on at least a portion of the transmitting end of the body. The heating assembly can include an electrically resistive element having an electrical connector.