Translucent Heating Element Sensor Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface heating elements in electric vehicles and other applications face issues with visibility and homogeneous heating due to the presence of sensors and heating tracks, which disrupt the aesthetic appeal and heating uniformity, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A surface heating element with a transparent or translucent substrate where the heating surface is defined on the front side, and sensors are arranged outside the heating surface, allowing for homogeneous heating and temperature monitoring without visible disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are arranged within the heating surface area, then temperature monitoring function is achieved, but the heating surface is fragmented and heating homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the heating surface area and positioned in the non-heating area instead. This allows the sensor to perform temperature monitoring without interfering with the heating tracks' ability to heat the surface uniformly. The heating tracks can continuously cover the entire heating surface without being interrupted by sensor components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heating tracks and sensors are overlaid on a transparent substrate, then heating and sensing functions are integrated, but the components become visible and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is relocated to a different spatial dimension - specifically to the non-heating area surrounding the heating surface. This dimensional separation allows both the heating tracks (on the heating surface) and sensor (in the non-heating area) to coexist on the transparent substrate without overlapping, maintaining the substrate's visual clarity while integrating both functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are placed on the front side of the substrate, then easy access for installation is achieved, but visibility through the substrate is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is segmented into two functional zones: a heating surface area where heating tracks are placed, and a non-heating area where the sensor is positioned. This segmentation allows the sensor to be accessible for installation while being positioned in an area that does not obstruct the visual or light transmission properties of the transparent substrate in the heating region.
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 ensures that the heating surface is not interrupted by sensors, maintaining homogeneous heating and translucency, thus enhancing both functional and aesthetic aspects.
Implementation Method 1
This heating element has at least one conductor track as a heating track for electrically heating the substrate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a surface heating element (1) with a transparent or translucent substrate (10) which forms a front side of the surface heating element (1) and which defines a flat, curved or multidimensionally shaped heating surface (11), and at least one sensor (21), wherein at least one heating element (12) is arranged in or on the substrate (10), which has at least one conductor as a heating path (13) for electrically heating the substrate (10), wherein the at least one sensor (21) is arranged outside the heating surface (11) and is configured to determine the temperature and/or the functionality of the at least one heating element (12) and/or the heating surface (11).