Vehicle Window Heater Control for Fogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fogging of vehicle windows within the field of view of image capturing apparatuses occurs more frequently in inside air circulation states due to increased humidity, leading to unclear images and potential failure in obstacle detection and travel support operations.
Innovation Solution
A moving body control apparatus with an image capturing unit, a heater capable of heating the window portion, and an air-conditioning unit that switches between inside air circulation and outside air introduction states, where the control unit adjusts the heater's output and operation conditions differently based on the air-conditioning state to effectively prevent fogging, including increasing heater output and adjusting intermittent operation times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater output is increased to prevent fogging in inside air circulation state, then fogging prevention effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater control system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of fogging conditions and air circulation state. The control unit increases heater output specifically during inside air circulation state when fogging risk is high, and reduces output when conditions improve or outside air introduction is active, optimizing the balance between fogging prevention and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heater output parameter based on the air circulation mode. During inside air circulation state, the heater operates at higher output to counteract the increased humidity and fogging risk. When outside air introduction is active, the heater output is reduced since the incoming air has lower humidity. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching heater intensity to actual fogging risk.
2Reliability
If the heater operates continuously at high output to prevent fogging, then fogging removal effectiveness is improved, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The control unit monitors fogging conditions and switches the heater on when fogging is detected or predicted (during inside air circulation state) and off when conditions improve. This periodic operation maintains effective fogging prevention while significantly reducing heat loss compared to continuous high-output operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the image capturing apparatus and temperature/humidity sensors to monitor window condition and air circulation state. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts heater operation accordingly, increasing output when fogging is detected and decreasing it when clear, thus preventing unnecessary heat loss while maintaining fogging removal effectiveness.
3Reliability
If different heater control conditions are applied for inside air circulation and outside air introduction states, then fogging prevention effectiveness is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects the air circulation state using the existing image capturing apparatus and temperature/humidity sensors, and autonomously adjusts heater output based on pre-programmed logic for different states. This self-service approach achieves effective fogging prevention through state-based control without requiring complex manual intervention or additional sophisticated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit leverages the existing multi-functional components (image capturing apparatus serves both imaging and fogging detection purposes, temperature sensor serves both comfort control and fogging prediction) to implement state-based heater control. By making the control system respond to multiple operational states (inside air circulation, outside air introduction, fogging detected, clear window), it achieves comprehensive fogging prevention without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 effectively prevents fogging on vehicle windows by optimizing heater operation based on air-conditioning states, ensuring clearer images and reliable travel support operations, especially in high-humidity inside air circulation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to be capable of heating the transmitting portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing unit captures a periphery of a moving body through a transmitting portion. A heater is capable of heating the transmitting portion. An air-conditioning unit switches an air-conditioning state in the moving body between an inside air circulation state and an outside air introduction state. A control unit controls the heater. The control unit can make the heater operate intermittently, and perform control so that an OFF time of the heater during an intermittent operation will be shorter in the case in which the air-conditioning state is set to the inside air circulation state than the case in which the air-conditioning state is set to the outside air introduction state.