Wired Laminated Window with Variable Wire Pitch for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically heatable windows with conductive elements often suffer from non-uniform heating, leading to hotspots and optical distortion, which can cause safety hazards and degrade visibility, especially when used in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The design features an array of spaced wires with varying pitch, including a wire-free area aligned with a portion of the array where the wire pitch is greater than in other portions, ensuring improved heating uniformity by adjusting the length and pitch of the wires to reduce hotspots and optical distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a wire-free area is created in the window for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but non-uniform heating and hotspots occur due to resistance differences in the wire array
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pitch of wires in different regions of the window. Specifically, the wire array has a first pitch in regions adjacent to the wire-free area and a second pitch in other regions, where the pitches differ to compensate for resistance variations. This ensures uniform power density and heating across the entire window surface, including areas adjacent to the wire-free data transmission zone.
2Temperature
If the wire pitch is increased to reduce heating in certain areas, then heating uniformity is improved, but the overall heating effectiveness of the window decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains high overall heating effectiveness by using local quality principles to adjust wire pitch only in specific regions. The wire array incorporates different pitches selectively - a first pitch in certain regions and a second pitch in other regions - rather than uniformly increasing pitch across the entire window. This localized adjustment achieves heating uniformity without sacrificing overall heating power.
3Reliability
If conductive elements are added to the window for heating, then anti-condensation and anti-ice capability is improved, but signal transmission through the window is degraded or blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by creating a wire-free area within the window structure that is free from conductive heating elements. This dedicated zone allows electromagnetic signals to pass through without interference from the heating wires, while the rest of the window maintains its heating capability through the surrounding wire array.
4Area of stationary object
If a wire array is used for heating, then heating coverage is improved, but optical distortion occurs due to non-uniform temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents optical distortion by applying local quality through spatially varying wire pitch. The wire array has different pitches in different regions - a first pitch in some areas and a second pitch in other areas - which compensates for resistance variations and ensures uniform power density and temperature distribution across the entire heated area, thereby maintaining optical clarity.
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 approach significantly enhances heating uniformity, reducing the risk of injury from hotspots and optical distortion, while allowing data transmission through the window by creating a wire-free area for devices like cameras and sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The array of spaced wires extending between the first busbar and the second busbar... electrically heatable window
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrically heatable window including two plies of glazing material, a ply of interlayer material located between the plies of glazing material, a first busbar and a second busbar, and an array of spaced wires extending between the first busbar and the second busbar. The window comprises a wire-free area aligned with the first portion and the array of spaced wires includes a first portion and a second portion. To reduce heating non-uniformity, the pitch of the wires of the first portion is greater than the pitch of the wires of the second portion. Also disclosed is a method for forming the electrically heated window and vehicles comprising the electrically heated window.