Sensor Housing Heat Conduction for Windshield De-icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrangements in motor vehicles face challenges in ensuring the windshield is clear of ice and fog before starting, as electrical heating systems are typically only activated when the ignition is turned on, and air circulation around optical sensors is insufficient for effective de-icing.
Innovation Solution
A heat-conducting element is placed on the same side of the windshield as the sensor housing, allowing heat to be conducted from the vehicle's interior into the area between the windshield and sensor housing, enabling indirect de-icing without active electrical heating, and is designed to be opaque to maintain detection range and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical heating elements are activated to de-ice the windshield, then the windshield can be cleared of ice and fog, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase, and heating is only available after ignition is switched on
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing itself serves as a heating element by utilizing its internal electronics and processor to generate waste heat, which is then conducted to the windshield through a thermally conductive element. This eliminates the need for separate heating elements, reducing system complexity while maintaining de-icing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive element is introduced as an intermediary between the sensor housing and the windshield to transfer heat efficiently. This mediator enables heat conduction from the sensor housing to the windshield without requiring direct contact or complex heating system integration.
2Temperature
If air circulation is improved to enable passive heating of the windshield, then de-icing can occur before ignition, but the sensor housing blocks air flow and prevents effective circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical air circulation system is replaced with a thermal conduction system. Instead of relying on air flow to heat the windshield, the solution uses direct thermal conduction through a thermally conductive element from the sensor housing to the windshield, bypassing the need for complex air circulation paths.
3Reliability
If a thermally conductive element is added to conduct heat from the sensor housing to the windshield, then de-icing is enabled without additional heating elements, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is designed to serve multiple functions: optical sensing and thermal conduction for windshield de-icing. By integrating the heating function into the existing sensor housing structure, the solution avoids adding separate heating elements while maintaining de-icing capability, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 allows for effective and cost-efficient de-icing of the windshield area around the optical sensor, ensuring the sensor's functionality is maintained before the journey begins, without the need for additional heating elements, and prevents moisture condensation while maintaining the optical signal's detection range.
Implementation Method 1
The heat-conducting element is suitable for conducting heat from an interior of the motor vehicle into the area of the pane in which the optical sensor is arranged, in particular into the space between the pane and the optical sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising a disc (3), a sensor housing (5), and an optical sensor (6), wherein the sensor housing (5) is arranged on one side (13) of the disc (3) such that a space (11) is formed between the sensor housing (5) and the disc (3), in which the optical sensor (6) is arranged. To enable defrosting of the disc (3) in a particularly simple and therefore cost-effective manner in a region (12) of the sensor housing (5), a heat-conducting element (4) is arranged between the sensor housing (5) and the side (13) of the disc (3) to conduct heat from outside the sensor housing (5) between the sensor housing (5) and the disc (3).