Flexible Airflow Heating Coils for Upper Windshield Defrosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive defrosters and climate control systems are inadequate in clearing ice and snow from the upper portion of windshields, which is critical for driver visibility during heavy weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A heating and cooling device with flexible air flow chambers, heating and cooling coils, and a control system that can be integrated into a vehicle's roof or used as a standalone blanket, providing conductive heating and cooling, and air filtration, powered by the vehicle's electrical system or solar power, to defrost windows and maintain driver visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional blowers near the lower half of the windshield are used, then the system is simple and energy-efficient, but ice and snow cannot be cleared from the upper half of the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is segmented into multiple independent blower units positioned at different locations (lower half and upper half of windshield). Each blower serves a specific zone, allowing targeted heating of different windshield areas without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-location (lower half only) blower arrangement to a multi-dimensional distribution network with blowers positioned at both lower and upper windshield areas, enabling comprehensive thermal coverage across the entire windshield surface.
2Reliability
If additional heating elements and air flow chambers are added to reach the upper windshield, then defrosting effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates heating elements and air flow chambers in advance to prevent ice and snow accumulation on the windshield. By maintaining the windshield surface temperature above freezing before conditions deteriorate, the system avoids the higher energy costs associated with removing heavy ice buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating elements and air flow chambers are concentrated specifically at the upper half of the windshield where ice accumulation is most problematic for driver visibility. This localized approach delivers defrosting effectiveness to the critical area without uniformly heating the entire vehicle interior, reducing overall energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If a comprehensive climate control system with multiple components is implemented, then driver visibility is maintained, but the system becomes more complex and harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is divided into modular segments (lower blower, upper blower, heating elements, air flow chambers) that can be independently accessed and serviced. This segmentation allows technicians to repair or replace specific components without disassembling the entire system, simplifying maintenance despite the system's comprehensiveness.
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 clears ice and snow from the upper windshield, enhancing driver visibility and safety by providing a comprehensive climate control system that can be adapted for various applications beyond automotive use, including comfort and medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
providing conductive heating and cooling
Implementation Method 2
The heating and cooling coils contain resistive heating elements
Implementation Method 3
providing conductive heating and cooling
Implementation Method 4
a first side of the covering provides a solid state heat transfer device to move heat out of the cooling coils to a heat sinking surface
Implementation Method 5
A plurality of flexible air flow chambers inside the covering provide air flow over the heating and cooling coils
Data Source
AI summary
A heating and cooling device is disclosed. The device has an outer covering, and a plurality of heating and cooling coils within the covering. A plurality of flexible air flow chambers inside the covering provide air flow over the heating and cooling coils, and a plurality of vents exit the outer covering from the plurality of air conduits.