Sensor Thawing Device Using Heated Air Discharge for Vehicle Radars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for thawing sensors in vehicles, such as using heating wires, are limited in their ability to operate the radar and can deteriorate the external appearance of the vehicle. Additionally, these methods are not applicable to all types of sensors and structures.
Innovation Solution
A sensor thawing device that uses high-temperature air (hot air) to thaw sensors, allowing for rapid thawing operations without the limitations of heating wires. The device is designed to be positioned in various directions and is integrated into the vehicle's design to maintain its appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating wires are used to thaw sensors, then the sensors can be thawed, but the radar cannot be operated during heating wire operation and the external appearance of the logo part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the logo part by providing a separate heating device (hair dryer) that can thaw sensors without requiring heating wires to be integrated into the logo part. This allows the radar to operate independently during the thawing process, resolving the contradiction between sensor thawing capability and radar operation.
2Reliability
If heating wires are applied to thaw sensors, then sensor thawing is achieved, but the method is limited to specific structures like logo-integrated radar sensors and cannot be applied to single injection-molded products, other sensors, or charging doors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a universal heating device (hair dryer) that can thaw multiple types of sensors and structures (logo-integrated radar sensors, single injection-molded products, other sensors, and charging doors) without requiring structure-specific heating wire integration. This resolves the contradiction between sensor thawing capability and adaptability to different sensor types and structures.
3Productivity
If the sensor thawing device is exposed to the outside continuously, then rapid thawing operation can be performed, but the external appearance of the vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the air discharge part movable, allowing it to be exposed to the outside only when needed for thawing operations and retracted when not in use. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between rapid thawing operation capability and maintaining the vehicle's external appearance by ensuring the air discharge part is exposed to the outside only temporarily during operation.
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 sensor thawing device effectively thaws a wide range of sensors, including those on single injection-molded products and charging doors, without damaging the vehicle's appearance. It enables rapid and efficient thawing operations, ensuring the normal functioning of radars and other sensors without time delay.
Implementation Method 1
a heating wire mounted on a logo part, and the heating wire applies heat
Implementation Method 2
a rapid thawing operation may be performed by the sensor thawing device on a radar and a sensor without time delay by quick heat generation according to a principle of a hair dryer using a fan and a heating wire
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a sensor thawing device that discharges high-temperature air in a target direction, which is any one of left, right, down, or up directions, to an air discharge duct extended from a molding box coupled to a radiator grill. The device heats outside air introduced into a heat source line with a heat source including a heating wire to convert the outside air into high-temperature air. The device supplies the high-temperature air to an air distribution box, moves the air discharge duct in the target direction by forming the air pressure with a part of the high-temperature air by using an air pressure actuator, and supplies the air discharge duct with the remaining high-temperature air through a moving duct.