Vehicle Exterior Heating Elements for Snow and Ice Melting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively prevent and remove snow and ice accumulation from vehicle exteriors, posing safety and operational challenges, especially in cold weather conditions, as existing systems are limited to windows and lack automated solutions for the entire vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing heating elements, such as electric radiant heating cables or hydronic radiant heating tubes, secured within a vehicle's exterior, which are controlled by environmental sensors to automatically melt snow and ice, with options for power sources including onboard and remote power systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating elements are installed on vehicle exteriors to melt snow and ice, then snow and ice removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating elements that can be separately installed on different vehicle surfaces (roof, hood, trunk, sides). Each heating element operates independently but contributes to the overall snow and ice removal function, allowing the system to be implemented in stages and simplified for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements serve multiple functions: they heat the vehicle exterior surfaces to prevent snow and ice accumulation, and can also function as thermal pathways to transfer heat to the engine compartment for cold weather engine starting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems.
2Ease of operation
If automated sensor-controlled heating is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are installed on the vehicle exterior surfaces to detect the actual temperature conditions. The sensor signals are fed back to the control system, which automatically activates or deactivates the heating elements based on the detected temperature, ensuring the vehicle surfaces remain above freezing point without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own temperature sensors and control mechanisms to automatically manage the heating elements. The system self-regulates by turning the heating on when temperatures approach freezing and turning it off when the threshold is exceeded, eliminating the need for external monitoring or manual operation.
3Shape
If heating elements are secured within vehicle exterior surfaces, then aerodynamic and safety designs are preserved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are installed within recesses or channels that are integrated into the vehicle's exterior surface design. The heating elements are nested within the existing body structure, allowing them to be concealed within the vehicle's aesthetic and aerodynamic contours while remaining functional. This approach maintains the vehicle's external appearance and aerodynamic properties while incorporating the heating system.
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 provides an automated and efficient means to prevent and remove snow and ice from vehicle exteriors, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by using environmental feedback to activate heating elements when necessary, thus ensuring continuous vehicle functionality in snowy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The heating elements consist of electric radiant heating cables
Implementation Method 2
hydronic radiant heating tubes... utilizes hot fluid (water/glycol solution) from the radiator or engine block as its heating medium
Implementation Method 3
electric radiant heating cables or hydronic radiant heating tubes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for melting snow and/or ice on a vehicle comprises a precipitation sensor, a surface temperature sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heater, and a programmable controller. The programmable controller comprises a memory unit and a processor to store and execute a cut-off surface temperature Tc, and program modules, respectively. A heater control module is configured to deactivate the heater based on the surface temperature being greater than the cut-off surface temperature. The heater could be an electric heater and a hydronic heater. The electric heater is electrically coupled to at least any one of, an alternator, an onboard power system, and a remote power source, via a relay. Further, the heater control module is configured to activate the heater based on an ambient temperature being lower than freezing point of water and precipitation being present outside the vehicle, thereby melting snow and/or ice on the vehicle.