Transparent Sensor Pane with Hydrophilic Coating for Anti-Icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors in vehicles, airplanes, and ships face functionality limitations due to condensation and icing, which require complex heating systems and electrical contacts, increasing costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A pane with an optically transparent sensor field featuring a hydrophilic coating and encapsulation, eliminating the need for additional power and heating sources by using a hydrophilic coating that prevents fogging and icing, and an encapsulation that protects the sensor from dirt and unwanted light, with no electrical contacts or heating devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating systems and electrical contacts are added to protect sensors from condensation and icing, then sensor functionality is maintained in poor weather conditions, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic coating on the pane enables self-service by automatically preventing condensation and icing through its surface properties, eliminating the need for external heating systems and electrical contacts to maintain sensor functionality in poor weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful heating elements and electrical contacts are extracted from the system entirely. The patent replaces the active heating approach with a passive hydrophilic coating that achieves the same protective function without requiring additional components or energy input
2Reliability
If heating systems are added to prevent fogging and icing of the pane, then sensor transmission is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic coating performs the anti-fogging and anti-icing function autonomously through its inherent surface properties, eliminating the need for energy-consuming heating systems while maintaining optimal optical transmission for sensor operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally occurring condensation (which is harmful to optical transmission) into a beneficial thin water film through the hydrophilic coating, which actually improves transmission by preventing droplet formation and light scattering
3Reliability
If electrical heating elements are integrated into the pane, then anti-icing and anti-fogging is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex electrical heating elements and associated electrical contacts are completely removed from the pane structure. The patent replaces them with a simple hydrophilic coating that can be applied through standard coating processes, significantly simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter of the pane by applying a hydrophilic coating, transforming it from a hydrophobic surface that promotes droplet formation to a hydrophilic surface that forms a uniform thin water film, achieving weather resistance without structural modifications
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 optimal sensor functionality without the need for heating, reducing energy consumption and installation costs, while maintaining high transparency and effectiveness in various weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrophilic coating (3) is applied in the area of the optically transparent sensor field (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a panel having an optically transparent sensor field, comprising: a) at least one panel (1); b) at least one optically transparent sensor field (2) on the panel (1); c) at least one hydrophilic coating (3) applied to the optically transparent sensor field (2); and d) at least one encapsulation (4) applied to the optically transparent sensor field (2) and at least one sensor (5) applied in the encapsulation (4).