Transparent Windshield Heating for Rapid Vehicle Defrosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for defrosting, deicing, and defogging vehicle windshields using hot air from HVAC systems are time-consuming and energy-intensive, requiring 20-30 minutes and 5.2 kWh of energy.
Innovation Solution
An electrical heating system employing a transparent metallic layer within the windshield that conducts electrical current to heat the glass, combined with a control module and power supply, allowing for rapid and efficient defrosting, deicing, and defogging by applying voltage to both the windshield and HVAC components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hot air from HVAC system is used to defrost windshield, then the windshield can be defrosted, but it takes 20-30 minutes and consumes 5.2 kWh of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical HVAC air heating system with an electrical resistive heating system. Transparent metallic layers embedded in the windshield and HVAC components directly convert electrical energy to heat through Joule heating, eliminating the need for mechanical air circulation and heat transfer through vents. This substitution reduces defrosting time from 20-30 minutes to under one minute.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heating elements selectively to specific locations where heat is most needed - the windshield glass and critical HVAC components like the outside heat exchanger. By placing transparent metallic layers directly in the windshield and on HVAC components, the system delivers concentrated heating power exactly where required, rather than relying on general cabin air circulation, thereby dramatically reducing defrosting time.
2Temperature
If hot air from HVAC system is used to defrost windshield, then the windshield can be defrosted, but it consumes 5.2 kWh of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive HVAC air heating system with direct electrical resistive heating. The transparent metallic layers and HVAC component heaters convert electrical energy to heat with near 100% efficiency through Joule heating, eliminating energy losses associated with air circulation, heat transfer through ducts, and thermal mass heating of cabin air. This reduces energy consumption from 5.2 kWh to 0.12 kWh.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent concentrates heating energy precisely where needed - directly in the windshield glass and on HVAC components - rather than distributing heat throughout the entire cabin air volume. This localized heating approach minimizes energy waste by avoiding the thermal mass of cabin air and furniture, reducing total energy consumption from 5.2 kWh to 0.12 kWh.
3Loss of time
If transparent metallic layer is applied to windshield, then defrosting time is reduced to under one minute, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transparent metallic films or layers that can be applied to or integrated within the windshield structure. These thin-film heating elements provide the necessary heating function while maintaining windshield transparency and minimizing structural complexity. The flexible nature of thin films allows for easy integration into existing windshield designs without requiring complex mechanical modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical HVAC heating systems with simple electrical resistive heating through transparent metallic layers. This substitution eliminates the need for blowers, ducts, and complex control systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving rapid defrosting in under one minute.
4Productivity
If voltage is applied to HVAC components, then the system efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical heating elements directly to HVAC components such as the outside heat exchanger, eliminating the need for separate mechanical defrost systems. By integrating resistive heating into existing HVAC components, the system improves efficiency by preventing frost accumulation that would impede heat transfer, while adding minimal complexity through simple electrical connections rather than complex mechanical defrost mechanisms.
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 can defrost a windshield in under one minute and consumes only 0.12 kWh of energy, offering significant time and energy savings compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent metallic layer configured to be mounted to a transparent material, conduct electrical current, and increase in temperature to heat the transparent material in response to electrical current running across the transparent metallic layer
Implementation Method 2
a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to heat and cool a passenger cabin of the vehicle, the HVAC system including a heat pump
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical heating system for a vehicle. The system includes: a transparent metallic layer configured to be mounted to a transparent material, conduct electrical current, and increase in temperature to heat the transparent material in response to electrical current running across the transparent metallic layer; a power supply; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to heat and cool a passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a control module. The control module is configured to: apply voltage from the power supply to the transparent metallic layer to heat the transparent material; and apply voltage from the power supply to a component of the HVAC system to heat the component of the HVAC system.