Vehicle Door Window Heating Element for Unfreezing Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle door windows can freeze to the window seal when temperatures drop below freezing, making it difficult to open the door due to the formation of ice from moisture in the seal or on the window edge, especially in frameless door assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door assembly with a heating element coupled to the upper edge of the window or window seal, powered by an electrical current from a control module that receives a remote unlock signal and compares the temperature to a threshold, activating the heating element when the temperature is below freezing to prevent and resolve freezing issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the window is positioned in the window seal for sealing, then the sealing performance is improved, but the window becomes frozen to the seal when temperature drops below freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The control module activates the heating element in advance when it detects a remote unlock signal and temperature below threshold, preventing the window from freezing to the seal before the door opening operation is attempted. This preliminary heating action ensures the window can be opened smoothly without ice formation interfering with the sealing contact.
2Ease of operation
If a heating element is added to prevent freezing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is controlled automatically by the control module based on temperature signals and unlock signals, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates by monitoring temperature and activating heating only when conditions indicate freezing risk, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring complex manual control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the heating element is activated continuously, then the reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated periodically or intermittently based on temperature monitoring and unlock signals rather than continuously. The control module receives temperature signals and activates heating only when temperature drops below a threshold and an unlock signal is detected, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable prevention of freezing during critical operations.
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 the window from freezing to the seal by providing heat when necessary, ensuring smooth operation of the door and reducing the effort required to open it in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element coupled to one of the upper edge of window and the window seal... cause the power source to provide the electrical current to the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for unfreezing a window from a window seal are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes a vehicle door assembly including a vehicle door and a window. The apparatus further includes a window seal that receives an upper edge of the window and a heating element coupled to the upper edge or the window seal. The system further includes a power source that provides an electrical current to the heating element and a control module configured to receive a remote unlock signal from a remote device, obtain a temperature signal indicating a temperature in response to the remote unlock signal, compare the temperature indicated by the temperature signal to a temperature threshold, and cause the power source to provide the electrical current to the heating element when the temperature is less than the temperature threshold.