Vehicle Cover Heating via Optical Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for heating vehicle covers, such as radomes, often interfere with sensor operations by reducing the permeability of electromagnetic radiation when using heating wires to remove water or ice, causing signal interference.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a light guide to direct electromagnetic heating radiation from light-emitting diodes, preferably in the red and infrared wavelength range, to the cover, which absorbs this radiation for heating without affecting the sensor's operation, using materials like polycarbonate or quartz glass that are largely transparent to the sensor's radiation range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating wires are used to heat the cover, then water or ice on the cover can be removed, but the permeability of electromagnetic radiation is reduced and radar signals are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical heating wire system with an optical heating system using LEDs and light guides. The LED emits light in the wavelength range where the cover material has high absorption, converting optical energy to thermal energy locally at the cover surface without requiring electrical wires that interfere with radar signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the cover. The light guide directs and concentrates the LED light onto the cover surface, enabling precise thermal delivery while keeping the light source separate from the sensor area, thus avoiding interference with radar operations.
2Temperature
If heating wires are installed in the cover, then ice removal is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electrical wiring infrastructure with a simpler optical system. LEDs and light guides are easier to integrate into the cover structure, eliminating the need for electrical connections through the radome, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining heating functionality.
3Temperature
If electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the cover for heating, then ice removal is effective, but the cover material must be selected to absorb sensor radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by exploiting the wavelength-dependent optical properties of the cover material. The cover is designed to have high absorption in the LED wavelength range (for localized heating) while maintaining high transmission in the radar wavelength range (for sensor operation), achieving both heating effectiveness and sensor compatibility through material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting cover materials with specific optical absorption characteristics at different wavelengths. The material is chosen to have high absorption coefficient for LED wavelengths (600-1100 nm) while maintaining low absorption (high transparency) for radar wavelengths, enabling selective heating without affecting sensor performance.
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
Effectively removes water or ice from the cover without impairing the sensor unit's operability or causing signal interference, maintaining the permeability of electromagnetic radiation for sensor operations.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide, through which the heating radiation emitted by the source of electromagnetic heating radiation is guided to the cover
Implementation Method 2
the cover at least partially absorbs the electromagnetic heating radiation used, in particular the cover being made from a material or comprising a material which at least partially absorbs the electromagnetic heating radiation used
Implementation Method 3
the source of electromagnetic heating radiation comprises at least one light-emitting diode, in particular a plurality of light-emitting diodes. For example, the at least one light-emitting diode, in particular the plurality of light-emitting diodes, may emit electromagnetic heating radiation in the red and/or infrared wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
A device for a vehicle, comprising a cover, a source of electromagnetic heating radiation, which is used to heat the cover, as well as a light guide, through which the heating radiation emerging from the source of electromagnetic heating radiation is guided to the cover.