Transparent Resistive De-Icing Control Using Temperature and Humidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defrosting systems in motor vehicles are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and require manual user intervention, often leading to unnecessary energy usage and obstructing visibility due to conductor placement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a resistive element with a stack of layers, including a two-dimensional material with variable resistance and a resistive material, controlled by a computer to autonomously adjust thermal power based on temperature and humidity to defrost or demist surfaces, optimizing energy use and transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a resistive element made of transparent conductive oxide is used to replace wires, then visibility is improved, but the material becomes very fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a first layer of transparent conductive oxide and a second layer of carbon or silver nanowires woven into a 3-dimensional network. This composite material combines the transparency of the conductive oxide with the mechanical strength and conductivity of the nanowire network, resolving the contradiction between visibility and fragility.
2Device complexity
If manual on/off control is used for the defrosting system, then device complexity is reduced, but energy consumption cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated control system that uses sensors to detect frost or fog conditions on the support surface. The system continuously monitors the state and automatically activates or deactivates the resistive element based on detected conditions, optimizing energy consumption by operating only when necessary rather than requiring manual user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The defrosting system is designed to autonomously detect and respond to frosting or fogging conditions without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates its operation based on environmental sensors, making the control process independent and eliminating the need for manual on/off switching.
3Reliability
If the defrosting system is left on continuously, then reliability of defrosting function is improved, but energy consumption increases and driver may forget to turn it off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of the support surface conditions through sensors that continuously or intermittently check for frost or fog presence. The defrosting system operates in periodic cycles, activating only when conditions warrant it and deactivating when clear, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from continuous 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 system optimizes energy consumption by automatically controlling defrosting and demisting based on objective criteria, ensuring efficient operation and maintaining visibility without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the wires, when carried by an electric current, dissipate a quantity of heat allowing the melting of frost likely to be present on at least one of the inner face and the outer face of the rear window
Implementation Method 2
the first layer comprising a two-dimensional material with variable resistance under the effect of an electric field and is intended to dissipate the adjusted thermal power P th
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of regulating, by means of a computer, a resistive element (100) arranged to defrost and/or defog a support (200), the method comprising: a) a loop for monitoring the temperature T and the humidity level H at the level of the support (200); b) a defrosting and/or defogging sequence which, as long as the temperature T and the humidity level H monitored by the monitoring loop a) are indicative of an absence of frost or fog on the support (200), keeps the resistive element (100) inactive, and otherwise commands, during a step b2), the circulation of a current I in the resistive element (100) so that the latter dissipates a thermal power Pth, adjusted according to the temperature T and the humidity level H, and allowing the defrosting or defogging of the support (200) for a predetermined duration Dp.