Vehicle Window Fog Control via Adaptive Heating and Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems for fog removal and prevention on windshields are not adequately controllable, leading to inefficiencies in clearing fog and preventing its formation, affecting visibility and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a monitoring device, a heating device, an air conditioning device, and a control device that adjusts the air conditioning and heating device's driving force based on detected fogging and heating performance, with the monitoring device positioned to detect the environment through a light-transmissive window and the heating device located in a space between the window and its base member to effectively manage fog.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating device operates continuously at high power to remove fog, then fog removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and unnecessary operation occurs when fog is not present
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device continuously detects the surrounding environment through the window member and provides feedback to the control device. When fog or condensation is detected on the window member, the control device activates the heating device to remove it. When no fog is detected, the heating device is deactivated, preventing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining fog removal effectiveness when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device operates dynamically with variable power levels rather than continuously at fixed power. The control device adjusts the heating power based on real-time fog detection results, increasing power when fog is present and decreasing or stopping when clear, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining effective fog removal capability
2Measurement precision
If the monitoring device is positioned close to the window member to improve detection accuracy, then detection precision is improved, but the space available for air conditioning flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is positioned to face a specific local area of the window member where fog or condensation is most likely to form. The detector's detection surface is oriented to monitor the inner surface of the window member directly, achieving high detection precision for the critical monitoring area without requiring the entire device to be placed in the air conditioning flow path
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is arranged in a spatial configuration where the detector faces the window member through a reduced space, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to achieve close monitoring distance. The base member is positioned such that the detection surface can closely approach the window member inner surface while the air conditioning device operates in the lateral dimension, maintaining adequate flow space
3Reliability
If the heating device is positioned in the space between the base member and window member to improve heating efficiency, then heating performance is improved, but the space for monitoring device installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is segmented into a heating element and a base member structure. The heating element is positioned in the space between the base member and window member to achieve high heating efficiency, while the base member provides structural support and houses the monitoring device. This segmentation allows the heating and monitoring functions to share the limited space without interfering with each other
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is nested within or adjacent to the base member structure, while the heating element is positioned in the remaining space between the base member and window member. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space, allowing both the monitoring device and heating element to coexist in the limited volume without compromising either function
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 configuration enhances fog removal and prevention by increasing air conditioning and heating device forces when needed, ensuring effective fog clearance and prevention while minimizing unnecessary operation, thus improving visibility and occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that is constituted by an electric heating wire is provided as a heating device together with a camera, in order to remove fog on the windshield
Implementation Method 2
an air conditioning device configured to perform air conditioning in the movable body
Data Source
AI summary
A movable body has a monitoring device that monitors a surrounding environment of the movable body through a window member. The movable body includes a heating device that heats a portion of the window member within a monitoring area of the monitoring device, an air conditioning device, and a control device. The monitoring device includes a detector that detects the surrounding environment, and a base member that faces an inner wall of the window member and is disposed such that a detection surface of the detector is located within a space between the base member and the window member. The space is in communication with the inside of the movable body, and the control device sets the driving force of the air conditioning device to be greater when a decrease in heating performance of the heating device is detected.