Transparent Heated Windshield with Segmented Conductive Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically heatable automotive glazing panels, such as windshields, suffer from inhomogeneous electric fields due to discrete data transmission windows, leading to thermal stresses and light spots that can cause damage and interfere with vision.

Innovation Solution

An electrically heatable, transparent article with a conductive coating on a substrate, featuring localized transparent regions without conductive coating, bounded by current collection regions connected via ohmic resistors and insulating separation lines, ensuring a homogeneous electric field and preventing hot and cold spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a discrete transparent region (data transmission window) is created in the electrically conductive coating, then data transmission functionality is enabled, but the homogeneity of the electric field is destroyed causing hot and cold spots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission functionalityVSAvoidelectric field homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a discrete transparent region with different electrical properties (higher transparency, lower conductivity) within the broader conductive coating. This localized modification allows data transmission functionality in specific areas while maintaining the overall electric field homogeneity through careful design of the transparent region's boundaries and electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the electrically conductive coating into multiple regions including the discrete transparent region for data transmission and surrounding conductive regions. By dividing the coating into electrically isolated segments with controlled connections, the patent maintains electric field homogeneity while enabling localized data transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the electrically conductive coating is continuous, then electric field homogeneity is maintained, but data transmission windows cannot be created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric field homogeneityVSAvoiddata transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the continuous conductive coating by creating localized transparent regions with distinct electrical properties. These regions maintain overall electric field homogeneity while providing specific areas for data transmission, thus applying local quality to balance conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the continuous conductive coating into multiple electrically isolated regions, allowing creation of data transmission windows while maintaining electric field homogeneity in the remaining conductive areas. The segmentation enables both continuity and discontinuity where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If discrete transparent regions are created in the coating, then data transmission is enabled, but thermal stresses and light spots occur causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission window functionalityVSAvoidthermal stresses and light spots

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses thermal stresses and light spots by carefully designing the local electrical properties around transparent regions. By controlling the electrical conductivity and transparency distribution locally, the patent minimizes thermal stress concentrations and light spot formation while maintaining data transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the conductive coating to create electrically isolated regions around transparent areas, preventing current concentration at the boundaries of data transmission windows. This segmentation reduces thermal stress and light spot formation by distributing electrical load more evenly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves a significantly improved homogeneity of the electric field, preventing thermal stresses and light spots, thus protecting the windshield from damage and ensuring clear vision.

Implementation Method 1

electrically extensively heatable, transparent coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

homogeneity of the electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS8841585B2Transparent article which can be electrically extensively heated, method for the production thereof and the use thereof

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

AI summary

An electrically heatable, transparent article and a method for fabricating such article are described. The article comprises an electrically conductive transparent coating and a transparent substrate. The coating is in contact with electrical bus bars and delimits a localized region, which contains a coating-free transparent region.