Transparent Windshield Heating Layer for Rapid Defrost and Defog
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for defrosting, deicing, and defogging vehicle windshields using hot air from HVAC systems are time-consuming and energy-intensive, requiring 20-30 minutes and consuming 5.2 kWh of energy.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a transparent metallic layer on the windshield to heat the glass electrically, using a PETD heater system with a control module that senses temperature, humidity, and dew point to efficiently apply voltage and heat the windshield, potentially reducing defrosting time to under a minute and energy consumption to 0.12 kWh.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hot air from HVAC system is used to heat the windshield, then the windshield can be defrosted, deiced, and defogged, but the process takes 20-30 minutes and consumes 5.2 kWh of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical HVAC air heating system with an electrical heating system that uses a transparent metallic layer to generate heat directly on the windshield surface through electrical current, eliminating the need for air circulation and mechanical heat transfer components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal convection (hot air) to direct electrical heating (Joule heating), fundamentally altering the physical parameter of heat transfer method to achieve faster and more efficient windshield defrosting
2Temperature
If hot air from HVAC system is used to heat the windshield, then the windshield can be defrosted, deiced, and defogged, but the process consumes 5.2 kWh of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive HVAC system with a direct electrical heating system that applies power only to the transparent metallic layer on the windshield, eliminating energy waste associated with air circulation, heating large volumes of air, and mechanical system operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heating locally and directly to the windshield surface through the transparent metallic layer, rather than heating large volumes of air throughout the vehicle cabin, thereby concentrating energy where it is most needed and reducing overall energy consumption
3Productivity
If a transparent metallic layer is used to heat the windshield electrically, then defrosting time is reduced to under a minute and energy consumption to 0.12 kWh, but the system complexity increases with multiple sensors and control modules
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves multiple functions: it receives inputs from various sensors (glass temperature, humidity, cabin temperature, exterior temperature, occupant detection, vehicle speed), determines remedial actions, and controls electrical current to the transparent metallic layer, consolidating control logic into a single multi-functional unit
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates multiple sensors that provide continuous feedback to the control module, enabling it to monitor glass temperature, humidity levels, and environmental conditions, then adjust the electrical current accordingly to optimize heating performance while preventing overheating and managing energy consumption
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 system quickly and efficiently defrosts, deices, and defogs windshields by heating the windshield through electrical current, providing significant time and energy savings compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent metallic layer configured to be mounted to the glass, conduct electrical current, and increase in temperature to heat the glass in response to electrical current running across the transparent metallic layer
Data Source
AI summary
A system for electrically heating glass configured for installation on a vehicle. The system includes: a transparent metallic layer configured to be mounted to the glass, conduct electrical current, and increase in temperature to heat the glass in response to electrical current running across the transparent metallic layer; a glass temperature sensor configured to sense a glass temperature of the glass; a humidity sensor configured to sense humidity of at least one of cabin humidity inside the vehicle and exterior humidity outside of the vehicle; a cabin temperature sensor configured to sense cabin temperature of the vehicle; an exterior temperature sensor configured to sense exterior temperature outside of the vehicle; and a control module.