Vehicle Window Heating Control via Voltage Time Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing photographing apparatus for vehicles faces issues with heat generation variability due to fluctuations in the vehicle's electric power source voltage, leading to potential overheating and deformation of components, especially when trying to maintain a predetermined window temperature to prevent dew condensation and ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A control device adjusts the voltage application time to the heating means based on the estimated voltage value, ensuring a consistent heat generation amount for a predetermined period, regardless of the electric power source voltage, using an outside air temperature detector and vehicle speed sensor to calculate the required heat amount and stop voltage application when the target is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the voltage application time to the heater is controlled based only on the heat amount needed without considering voltage variations, then the heat amount can be calculated appropriately, but the actual heat generated may greatly exceed the target amount causing excessive temperature and component deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device estimates the voltage value supplied to the heater and uses this feedback to adjust the voltage application time. By continuously monitoring the voltage and modifying the application duration accordingly, the system ensures that the total heat generated remains within the target range, preventing excessive temperature rise and component deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage application time parameter based on the estimated voltage value. When voltage is higher than expected, the application time is reduced; when voltage is lower, the application time is increased. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures consistent heat generation despite voltage fluctuations in the electric power source.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the heater is operated to generate sufficient heat for dew condensation prevention, then the window temperature can be maintained, but voltage fluctuations may cause excessive heat generation leading to component deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses feedback from voltage estimation to regulate the heater operation. By monitoring the actual voltage supplied and adjusting the voltage application time accordingly, the system prevents both insufficient heating (which would allow dew condensation) and excessive heating (which would cause component deformation).
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage application time based on real-time voltage conditions. This dynamic control ensures that the heater generates exactly the amount of heat needed to prevent dew condensation without producing excessive heat that could deform components, adapting continuously to voltage fluctuations.
3Reliability
If the voltage application time is extended to ensure sufficient heat generation, then dew condensation can be prevented, but the heat amount may exceed the target when voltage is high causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes the voltage application time parameter based on the estimated voltage value. When voltage is high, the application time is shortened; when voltage is low, the application time is extended. This ensures that the window receives sufficient heat to prevent dew condensation while avoiding excessive temperature rise that would occur with fixed-time heating under high voltage conditions.
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 solution maintains the heat generation at a consistent level, preventing overheating and ensuring effective dew and ice removal from the vehicle's front window, thereby ensuring clear imaging data and reducing the risk of component deformation.
Implementation Method 1
heating means (41a, 43b) that is disposed inside the vehicle so as to face the window, the heating means generating heat that is given to the window when voltage of an electric power source of the vehicle is applied to the heating means
Implementation Method 2
a heater being a heating wire and a heated portion, which the heater is fixed to and gives heat received from the heater to the front window as radiation heat
Data Source
AI summary
A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus, heating means, and a control device. The photographing apparatus is disposed inside a vehicle so as to face a window of the vehicle and is configured to receive photographing light passing through the window. The heating means is disposed inside the vehicle so as to face the window. The heating means generates heat that is given to the window when voltage of an electric power source of the vehicle is applied to the heating means. The control device changes voltage application time that is time period for applying the voltage of the electric power source to the heating means so that a total amount of heat generated by the heating means for a predetermined period of time is coincident with a predetermined amount determined based at least on an outside air temperature.