Deposited Sensor Cover Heater for Unobstructed De-Icing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental conditions such as ice, snow, or condensation can interfere with the operation of RADAR and LIDAR systems on vehicles by blocking radiation emission or detection, and existing detectors are too small to incorporate effective heaters for de-icing or defogging.
Innovation Solution
A heater is deposited onto the interior surface of a sensor cover using an electrically conductive material, such as silver, which is applied via screen printing or robotic deposition and cured to form a wire-like trace or connector pads, ensuring the heater does not obstruct radiation passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is incorporated into the sensor cover to remove ice, snow or condensation, then the reliability of radiation detection is improved, but the small size of the detector and thin cover material make it challenging to include an effective heater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or bulky heating elements with a deposited heater layer formed by screen printing or robotic deposition of electrically conductive material. This substitution enables effective heating functionality while maintaining the thin profile and small size constraints of the sensor cover, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and form of the heating element from a discrete mechanical component to a deposited material layer. By applying electrically conductive material in fluid form and curing it to form wire-like traces or connector pads, the system achieves effective heating with minimal thickness, addressing the challenge of incorporating heaters in thin cover materials.
2Reliability
If a heater is added to the sensor cover, then de-icing and defogging capability is improved, but the heater may obstruct radiation passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the heater pattern selectively in specific locations on the sensor cover, forming wire-like traces or connector pads only where needed for de-icing and defogging. This localized application ensures that radiation passage areas remain unobstructed while providing heating functionality where required, resolving the contradiction between de-icing capability and radiation transmission.
3Reliability
If traditional heater installation methods are used, then heating functionality is achieved, but distortion or appearance issues occur on the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heater installation methods with a deposition process that applies electrically conductive material in fluid form, which is then cured to form the heater pattern. This substitution eliminates the distortion and appearance issues associated with mechanical installation while maintaining effective heating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the installation method from mechanical attachment to material deposition and curing. By applying the heater as a deposited layer rather than installing discrete components, the system achieves heating functionality without causing cover distortion or appearance degradation.
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 provides effective de-icing and defogging without obstructing radiation, maintaining system reliability and avoiding distortion or appearance issues, with superior control over heater position and configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the depositing comprises screen printing
Implementation Method 2
curing the deposited electrically conductive material
Implementation Method 3
the curing comprises heating the electrically conductive material
Implementation Method 4
A heater is deposited onto the interior surface of a sensor cover using an electrically conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device includes an emitter configured to emit radiation a detector configured to detect radiation reflected from an object and a cover having an interior surface facing the emitter or detector and allowing the radiation to pass through the cover. The sensor device also includes a heater with a wire-like trace directly deposited on the interior surface of the cover formed of a fluid comprising an electrically conductive material that was deposited onto a portion of the cover and cured. The heater has an electrically conductive connector pad formed with the heater by directly depositing and curing the fluid comprising the electrically conductive material directly on the interior surface of the cover simultaneously with forming the heater. The heater is positioned and arranged to sufficiently heat the cover while not blocking an area through which radiation must pass for proper operation of the emitter and the detector.