Windshield Defrosting Control Using Cabin Light Magnitude

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric and petroleum-electric hybrid vehicles face challenges in effectively defrosting windshields during freezing precipitation due to limited battery charge and lack of heat, leading to reduced driving range and prolonged charging times when comfort systems are used simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control unit that retrieves ambient temperature data and senses light magnitude from within the cabin to compare with baseline data, generating a defroster command to activate the windshield defroster only when necessary, optimizing battery power use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electric heaters are used to generate comfort level and defrost windshield, then the vehicle can maintain interior temperature and clear windshield, but the vehicle battery charge is depleted unnecessarily and the vehicle may not be drivable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindshield defrosting effectivenessVSAvoidbattery charge consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters of the defrosting system by using light magnitude detection to trigger defroster activation only when precipitation accumulation is detected, rather than continuous operation. This conditional activation based on environmental parameters reduces energy consumption while maintaining defrosting effectiveness when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through light magnitude sensors that continuously monitor the windshield surface condition. The sensor data feeds back to the control unit, which activates the defroster only when light magnitude changes indicate precipitation accumulation, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage based on actual conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If all comfort controls are operated simultaneously to warm and defrost the vehicle, then the vehicle interior is kept comfortable and windshield is clear, but the charging period is prolonged and the vehicle range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior comfort maintenanceVSAvoidcharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic light magnitude sampling to monitor windshield conditions and triggers defroster activation only during periods when precipitation is detected. This periodic monitoring and conditional activation replaces continuous operation, reducing energy consumption during charging periods and minimizing the impact on charging time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by activating the defroster only when light magnitude changes indicate precipitation accumulation, rather than running all comfort controls continuously. This selective activation provides sufficient defrosting functionality while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during charging periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 effectively mitigates windshield freezing precipitation while conserving battery charge, reducing the impact of cold weather on vehicle range and charging time, ensuring the vehicle remains operational and charged efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

sensing ambient light from within a vehicle cabin to produce light magnitude sample data... compare the light magnitude sample data with a baseline light magnitude sample data... When the light magnitude sample data compares unfavorably with the baseline light magnitude sample data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and refraction: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10220675B1Vehicle windshield defrosting control based on frozen precipitation accumulation

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A device and method for mitigating freezing-precipitation accumulation for a vehicle window are described. The device and method include retrieving ambient temperature data. When the ambient temperature data exceeds a temperature threshold for freezing precipitation, sensing ambient light from within a vehicle cabin to produce light magnitude sample data and comparing the light magnitude sample data with a baseline light magnitude sample data from within the vehicle cabin. When the light magnitude sample data compares unfavorably with the baseline light magnitude sample data, generating a vehicle window defroster command for transmission to activate a vehicle window defroster operable to be powered by a vehicle battery source.