Transparent Partition for Vehicle Windshield Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-operated electric vehicles face inefficiencies in heating and defrosting windshields due to limited waste heat, leading to increased battery power consumption and reduced vehicle range, especially at low temperatures, and existing systems often result in undesirable temperature distribution and drafts within the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A heating system featuring a fan unit producing a hot air flow and a predominantly transparent partition unit that redirects the air flow between the windshield and an inner region, creating a heating zone while preventing hot air from reaching the passenger area, allowing for efficient heating and defrosting while maintaining a comfortable temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high fan power is used to defrost the windshield quickly, then the defrosting speed is improved, but the temperature in the head space becomes uncomfortably high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefrosting speedVSAvoidhead space temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle interior is divided into two separate zones by the transparent partition: a heating zone between the windshield and partition where hot air is concentrated for efficient defrosting, and a passenger zone where temperature is maintained at comfortable levels. This spatial segmentation allows independent temperature control in each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different temperature conditions are created in different spatial locations: high temperature is localized in the heating zone near the windshield for rapid defrosting, while the passenger area maintains a moderate, comfortable temperature. The partition enables these contrasting local conditions to coexist without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If heating power is increased to heat the vehicle at low ambient temperatures, then the heating effectiveness is improved, but the battery power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Heating is concentrated locally in the heating zone between the windshield and partition rather than being distributed throughout the entire vehicle interior. This localized heating approach achieves effective windshield defrosting with minimal energy input, avoiding the high power consumption associated with heating the entire passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent partition itself becomes a heat retention element that traps hot air in the heating zone, creating a self-sustaining thermal environment. The partition reduces heat loss and maintains temperature in the heating zone without requiring continuous high-power input, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If a vertical temperature distribution occurs with hot air rising to the head space, then the windshield heating is effective, but drafts are perceived in the head region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindshield heating effectivenessVSAvoiddraft perception

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent partition extracts and contains the hot air flow within the heating zone, preventing it from rising into the passenger head space. This removes the source of drafts from the passenger area while preserving the heating function in the windshield zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition creates separate air flow paths: hot air is confined to circulate in the heating zone between the windshield and partition, while the passenger zone maintains its own independent air environment. This segmentation prevents the harmful draft effect from reaching passengers while maintaining effective windshield heating.

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

This solution enables efficient windshield heating and defrosting with reduced battery power consumption, maintaining a comfortable temperature distribution by concentrating heat in the windshield area and using ventilation openings to direct warm air to the foot space, thus enhancing vehicle range and passenger comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a fan unit configured to produce a hot air flow at the inner side of the windshield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

the hot air flow is guided at least partially in a heating region between the windshield and the partition unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11358440B2Heating system for a vehicle windshield

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A heating system for a windshield of a vehicle, in which a fan unit is configured to produce a hot air flow at the inner side of the windshield. In order to enable efficient heating of a windshield of an electric vehicle, there is provision for the heating system to have an at least predominantly transparent partition unit, which in a shielding position is secured in the vehicle in such a manner that it is arranged in the longitudinal vehicle direction between at least a predominant portion of the windshield and an inner region which is provided for passengers, whereby the hot air flow can be guided at least partially in a heating region between the windshield and the partition unit.