Sensor Holder With Moisture-Absorbing Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounts for light-sensitive sensors behind windshields can cause fogging due to inadequate ventilation and temperature differences, obstructing the camera's field of view, especially under external weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A mount with a housing lined by a moisture- and light-absorbing material, such as black molleton fibers, and ventilation slits to prevent fogging and ensure air exchange, acting as a filter for particles and moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an almost closed housing is used to shade the windshield area, then the structural integrity and shading effectiveness are improved, but fogging occurs due to insufficient ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates a porous foam material that simultaneously provides structural integrity and enables moisture absorption. The foam's cellular structure allows it to maintain mechanical strength while absorbing excess moisture from the air inside the housing, preventing condensation and fogging on the windshield surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior surface of the housing is selectively lined with moisture-absorbing material in the areas most prone to fogging. This localized application of functional material addresses the fogging problem specifically where it occurs most, without requiring the entire housing to be fully permeable or complex in structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation is increased to prevent fogging, then fogging is reduced, but the housing becomes less effective at shading and temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material provides controlled porosity that allows gradual moisture transport while maintaining thermal insulation. The cellular structure permits moisture diffusion to prevent fogging while the same structure retains heat, preserving the housing's temperature control and shading effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture-absorbing foam acts as an intermediary substance between the enclosed air space and the windshield surface. It mediates moisture transfer, absorbing excess humidity from the air and releasing it gradually, thereby preventing direct condensation on the windshield while maintaining the enclosed thermal environment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a transparent additional pane is attached to prevent fogging, then fogging is reduced through thermal insulation, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the housing, absorbs moisture to prevent fogging, and maintains thermal insulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components like additional transparent panes, reducing device complexity while achieving fogging prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure and moisture control function are merged into a single integrated component. The foam-lined housing combines structural enclosure with active moisture management, eliminating the need for separate fogging prevention mechanisms and simplifying the overall device design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If heating elements are applied to the windshield to prevent fogging, then fogging is prevented, but electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing system is self-regulating through the moisture-absorbing foam material, which passively manages humidity levels without requiring external energy input. The foam automatically absorbs and releases moisture based on environmental conditions, eliminating the need for powered heating elements and reducing electricity consumption to zero for fogging prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive physical absorption mechanism of the foam material replaces the active thermal system of heating elements. Instead of using electrical energy to heat and evaporate moisture, the system uses the chemical-physical absorption properties of the foam to control humidity, substituting a low-energy material-based solution for a high-energy mechanical/thermal system.
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
Prevents fogging by absorbing moisture and ensuring adequate ventilation, maintaining a clear view for the camera while reducing reflections and particle filtration.
Implementation Method 1
the material according to the invention absorbs moisture from the air in the area of the pane that is shaded by the holder
Implementation Method 2
the exchange of air through the ventilation slits being able to be increased in a simple manner with a fan attached in front of them
Implementation Method 3
The moisture-absorbing material should be light-absorbing in a particularly advantageous manner in terms of color and surface structure, so that this lining of the inner wall of the housing does not cause any reflections on the pane
Implementation Method 4
the material according to the invention also acting as a filter for particles and moisture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The mounting (3) for a light-sensitive sensor behind a transparent panel (1), e.g. for an electronic camera (2), has an inner housing wall (4) covered with a moisture-absorbent material (5) opposite the panel, which also absorbs light. The material is of black molleton fibers. The housing can have ventilation slits and a fan.