Transparent Sensor Cover Heating With Staggered Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors with plastic covers face challenges in achieving homogeneous and efficient heating to remove moisture and ice due to limited heating coil area and altered optical properties, especially in scanning sensors with larger optical apertures.
Innovation Solution
A transparent and electrically conductive coating with staggered electrodes on the cover element, arranged to generate a homogeneous electric field for uniform heating, applied to the inner surface of the cover, ensuring the optical aperture remains unobstructed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating coils are used on a plastic cover, then heating is achieved, but the heating is uneven and insufficient to remove moisture and ice due to plastic's low thermal conductivity and high thermal expansion coefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical heating coil system with a transparent conductive coating system. The coating is applied directly to the plastic cover surface and generates heat through electrical resistance when voltage is applied between electrodes. This substitution eliminates the heating coil structure that causes uneven heating on plastic surfaces, while the coating's direct contact with the cover ensures uniform heat distribution across the entire surface, effectively removing moisture and ice.
2Temperature
If heating coils are used on a plastic cover, then heating is achieved, but the optical properties of the cover are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from opaque heating coils to transparent conductive coating. The coating is made from transparent conductive materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), which allow light to pass through while still providing electrical conductivity for heating. This parameter change maintains the optical transparency of the cover while enabling the heating function, thus resolving the conflict between heating capability and optical properties.
3Temperature
If heating coils are used in scanning optical sensors, then heating is achieved, but the heating is inefficient due to limited area available for heating coils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional heating coil arrangement to a two-dimensional transparent conductive coating that covers the entire surface area of the cover. The coating extends across the full aperture area, allowing heating to occur over the entire surface simultaneously. This dimensional expansion from line-based coils to area-based coating significantly increases heating coverage and efficiency, especially in scanning sensors with large optical apertures where coil area is limited.
4Temperature
If a transparent conductive coating is applied to the cover, then large-area homogeneous heating is achieved, but the coating may be affected by environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the transparent conductive coating is applied to the inner surface of the cover, and the cover itself acts as a protective enclosure. The coating is nested within the cover's internal cavity, shielding it from direct exposure to environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and mechanical damage. This nested arrangement protects the coating while maintaining its heating function, resolving the conflict between heating performance and environmental durability.
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 large-area, homogeneous heating of the cover, maintaining transparency and extending the service life of the sensor by minimizing electrical resistance disparities between electrodes and coating, suitable for scanning sensors.
Implementation Method 1
A transparent and electrically conductive coating with staggered electrodes on the cover element, arranged to generate a homogeneous electric field for uniform heating
Implementation Method 2
arranged to generate a homogeneous electric field for uniform heating
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A heated cover for an optical sensor comprises a transparent cover element, a transparent and electrically conductive coating arranged on the cover element, and at least two electrodes spaced apart from each other and each in contact with the conductive coating. The distance between each pair of electrodes is defined along a spacing line across the coating. Each of the at least two electrodes further has at least one contact position at which the respective electrode is connected to a voltage source. The contact positions of each pair of electrodes are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the spacing line.