JP2006335115A - Snow melting heater for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a snow melting heater for an automobile which can easily dissolve snow cover and freeze on a windshield, and avoid run-out of a battery while ensuring the visibility of a driver. <P>SOLUTION: The snow melting heater 10 for the automobile is equipped with planar heaters 1, 2 stickable to the inner surface of the wind shield FG of the automobile and has a transparent part of the heating area, and a control device 4 which increases or decrease the supply voltage from an on-vehicle battery 3 according to a predetermined set command, and supplies the power to the planar heaters 1, 2. A temperature sensor 11 which detects an air temperature near the wind shield FG and sends the signal to the control device 4 is disposed on the inner surface of the wind shield FG. The surface panel of the control device 4 is provided with a power switch for starting or stopping the snow melting heater 10 for the automobile, a selector switch for setting the heat generation temperature and an operation mode of the planar heaters 1, 2, and an LED lamp which lights when a voltage is applied to at least one of the planar heaters 1, 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a snow melting heater for automobiles used for preventing and eliminating snow accumulation and freezing of automobile windshields and the like.

  When a windshield is covered with snow or freezes during winter driving, it may cause poor visibility and cause a serious traffic accident.Therefore, a mechanism for blowing warm air toward the inner surface of the windshield is provided in ordinary automobiles. ing. However, such a warm air blowing mechanism is provided as a part of the vehicle interior heating device, and its snow melting capacity is limited. Therefore, snow accumulation on the windshield of automobiles used in cold and heavy snow areas. The fact is that the freeze cannot be resolved.

  Therefore, various methods have been developed in the past for techniques for eliminating or preventing such snow accumulation and freezing, but as a method related to the present application, a heating wire is attached to the windshield surface ( For example, refer to Patent Document 1), or a device in which a sheet heating element is mounted on a windshield surface (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). Both of these snow accumulation and freeze prevention technologies are designed to eliminate snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield by causing the on-board battery current to flow through the heating wire and planar heating element mounted on the windshield. .

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-55 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-28569

  By using the icing prevention device described in Patent Document 1 or the snow cover removal device described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to eliminate snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield of an automobile. In order to consume, if it is operated for a long time, the battery will be exhausted.

  In addition, in the case of the snow removal device described in Patent Document 2, since an opaque planar heating element is used, disposing the windshield over a wide range obstructs the driver's view and causes a traffic accident due to poor visibility. There is a fear.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a snow melting heater for automobiles that can easily eliminate snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield, and can prevent the battery from running up while ensuring the driver's field of view. There is.

  The snow melting heater for automobiles according to the present invention is a sheet heater that can be attached to a windshield of an automobile and at least a part of a heat generation area is transparent, and raises and lowers a supply voltage from an in-vehicle battery according to a preset command. And a control device having a function of supplying power to the planar heater.

  With such a configuration, a planar heater is adhered to the inner surface of the windshield of an automobile, and the planar heater is heated by supplying current supplied from an in-vehicle battery as a power source to the planar heater via the control device. By doing so, snow cover and freezing of the windshield can be easily eliminated. In addition, since a planar heater is used in which at least a part of the heat generating area is transparent, the driver's field of view can be ensured in any state in which the planar heater is generating heat or not. In addition, the control device can raise and lower the supply voltage from the in-vehicle battery according to a preset command to supply power to the planar heater, so that the voltage rises and falls according to the snow cover / freezing situation of the windshield. If set, power consumption is suppressed, and battery power can be avoided.

  Here, if a preset time elapses after the start-up in the control device, if an automatic step-down function for lowering the power supply voltage to the planar heater is provided, the snow on the windshield is Since it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption after freezing is thawed, it is possible to increase the effect of avoiding battery exhaustion.

  In addition, the control device may be provided with an automatic switching function for switching the power supply to the planar heater to intermittent power supply when a preset time has elapsed after startup. If such a function is provided, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption after the snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield has melted due to the heat generated by the planar heater, and thus the effect of avoiding battery exhaustion can be enhanced.

  In addition, if the control device is provided with an automatic stop function for stopping the power supply to the planar heater after a predetermined time has elapsed after startup, the windshield can generate snow and freeze due to heat generated by the planar heater. Since it becomes possible to eliminate power consumption after melting, the burden on the battery can be further reduced.

  On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is below freezing point, the control device can be provided with an automatic starting function that starts when the engine starter of the automobile is started. With this function, when the outside air temperature in the place where the car is parked is below freezing and the windshield may be snowing or freezing, the sheet heater generates heat at the same time as starting the engine. Therefore, it is possible to melt snow and freezing on the windshield in a short time. For this reason, even if the vehicle is snowed or frozen on the windshield during parking, it is possible to start driving quickly. In addition, if the car is equipped with a remote control engine starter, when the outside air temperature is below freezing, the surface heater begins to generate heat as soon as the engine is started. It can be in a state where freezing has been eliminated.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A sheet heater that can be attached to the windshield of an automobile and in which at least a part of the heat generation area is transparent, and a voltage supplied from the vehicle battery is raised and lowered according to a preset command to supply power to the sheet heater. With the control device having a function to perform the above function, it is possible to easily eliminate snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield, and to prevent the battery from running up while ensuring the driver's field of view.

(2) After a predetermined time has elapsed after startup, the control device is provided with an automatic step-down function that lowers the power supply voltage to the planar heater. Therefore, the effect of avoiding battery exhaustion can be enhanced.

(3) When a preset time has elapsed after startup, the control device is provided with an automatic switching function for switching the power supply to the planar heater to intermittent power supply, so that snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield has melted. Since it becomes possible to further reduce the subsequent power consumption, it is possible to increase the effect of avoiding battery exhaustion.

(4) When a preset time has elapsed after startup, the control device is provided with an automatic stop function for stopping power supply to the planar heater. Since power consumption can be eliminated, the burden on the battery can be further reduced.

(5) When the outside air temperature is below freezing, the control device is provided with an automatic start function that starts with the start of the engine starter of the vehicle. Can be started immediately.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a use state of a snow melting heater for automobiles according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the snow melting heater for automobiles shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an automobile shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a planar heater constituting the snow melting heater for an automobile shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the snow melting heater 10 for an automobile according to the present embodiment can be attached to the inner surface of an automobile windshield FG, and at least a part of the heat generation area is transparent. And a control device 4 having a function of feeding the sheet heaters 1 and 2 by raising and lowering the supply voltage from the in-vehicle battery 3 in accordance with a preset command. Moreover, the temperature sensor 11 which detects the temperature near windshield FG, converts it into an electrical signal, and transmits to the control apparatus 4 is arrange | positioned at the inner surface of windshield FG.

  The input side wiring 4 a of the control device 4 is connected to a fuse box 5 mounted on the automobile, and current supplied from the in-vehicle battery 3 is supplied to the control device 4 via the fuse box 5. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the plug 4 to the cigarette lighter socket (not shown) with which the motor vehicle was equipped is provided in the input side wiring 4a of the control apparatus 4, and the plug 6 is inserted in the cigarette lighter socket. Power can be supplied to the control device 4 by inserting it.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front panel 4p of the control device 4 includes a power switch 7 for starting and stopping the snow melting heater 10 for automobiles, and the heating temperature and operation mode of the planar heaters 1 and 2. And a LED lamp 9 that is turned on when a voltage is applied to at least one of the planar heaters 1 and 2. The changeover switch 8 is slidable left and right, and can be set at any one of the four positions (85, 50, 30, AUTO) displayed on the front panel 4p.

  When the changeover switch 8 is set to the leftmost 85, the surface heaters 1 and 2 are heated to 85 ° C. ± 5 ° C., maintained in that state for 5 minutes, and then automatically shifted to the heat retaining state. Continue state. Here, the heat retaining state means that the sheet heaters 1 and 2 are intermittently operated in a state where the heat generation temperature of the planar heaters 1 and 2 is set to 30 ° C. ± 5 ° C., that is, the heat generation temperature of the sheet heaters 1 and 2 is 30 ° C. ± 5 ° C. A state in which ON and OFF are alternately repeated every 3 minutes in a state set at ° C.

  Next, when the changeover switch 8 is slid to the right by one frame and set to 50, the surface heaters 1 and 2 are heated to 50 ° C. ± 5 ° C. and maintained for 5 minutes. Transition to the heat insulation state and continue that state.

  Further, when the changeover switch 8 is slid to the right by one frame and set to 30, the sheet heaters 1 and 2 are heated to 30 ° C. ± 5 ° C., and in this state, ON and OFF are alternately repeated every 3 minutes. . That is, the planar heaters 1 and 2 are maintained in the heat retaining state.

  Further, when the changeover switch 8 is set to the rightmost AUTO, the surface heaters 1 and 2 start to generate heat when the temperature sensor 11 is detected to be below freezing, starting with the start of the automobile engine starter, When the heating temperature of the planar heaters 1 and 2 reaches 85 ° C., it is automatically turned off.

  In the present embodiment, when the changeover switch 8 is switched, the voltage applied to the planar heaters 1 and 2 is raised and lowered. That is, when the changeover switch 8 is set to 85, 50, 30 or AUTO, the voltage applied to the planar heaters 1 and 2 is 14.5V, 10.5V, 1.45V or 14.5V. Such voltage raising / lowering is performed by a voltage raising / lowering circuit (not shown) built in the control device 4. This voltage raising / lowering circuit converts the direct current supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery 3 into an alternating current, boosts or lowers the voltage, and further converts it into a direct current and supplies it to the planar heaters 1 and 2.

  On the other hand, the planar heaters 1 and 2 are transparent conductor film heaters having a polyethylene film as a base material, and are adhered to the inner surface of the windshield FG by an electrostatic bonding method. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the planar heaters 1 and 2 have a tape-like conductor 14 and a thin wire-like heating element 15 sandwiched between a polyethylene base film 12 and a cover film 13. Have a structure. Two conductors 14 are arranged on both sides of the rectangular heaters 1 and 2 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of heating elements 15 are connected in parallel between the conductors 14. Yes. When a voltage is applied to the two conductors 14, the plurality of heating elements 15 generate heat, and the entire surfaces of the planar heaters 1 and 2 generate heat. In the present embodiment, “transparent heater (thin planar heater)” manufactured by U Corporation is used as the planar heaters 1 and 2.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1, when the changeover switch 8 of the front panel 4p of the control device 4 is set to any one of 85, 50, 30, and AUTO and the power switch 7 is turned on, the current supplied from the in-vehicle battery 3 is Electric power is supplied to the planar heaters 1 and 2 through a voltage raising / lowering circuit in the control device 4, and the planar heaters 1 and 2 generate heat up to a set temperature. As a result, snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield FG can be easily eliminated.

  In the present embodiment, the planar heaters 1 and 2 are disposed on the left side and the lower edge of the windshield FG, respectively, where snow is likely to accumulate when a windshield wiper of an automobile (particularly a passenger car) is activated during snowfall. Even during running during snowfall, the windshield FG is excellent in preventing snow accumulation and freezing. Further, the surface heaters 1 and 2 are transparent in the heat generation area where the conductor 14 and the heat generator 15 are not present, and the overall light transmittance is 85% or more. The driver's field of view can be ensured in both the heat generation state and the rest state.

  Furthermore, since the control device 4 can raise and lower the supply voltage from the in-vehicle battery 3 in accordance with a preset command to supply power to the planar heaters 1 and 2, depending on the snow cover / freezing situation of the windshield FG. If the voltage is set to go up and down, that is, if the changeover switch 8 is set according to the condition of snow and freezing, power consumption is suppressed by preventing unnecessary heat generation and avoiding battery run-up. can do.

  Further, as described above, when the change-over switch 8 is set to 85 or 50 and the power switch 7 is turned on, when the preset time (5 minutes) elapses after starting, the sheet heaters 1 and 2 are switched to. The control device 4 is provided with an automatic voltage step-down function for lowering the power supply voltage to 1.45V. For this reason, the power consumption after the snow cover / freezing of the windshield FG is melted by the heat generated by the planar heaters 1 and 2 can be reduced, which is effective in avoiding battery exhaustion.

  In the above case, when a preset time (5 minutes) elapses, the power supply voltage to the planar heaters 1 and 2 drops to 1.45 V, and the power supply to the planar heaters 1 and 2 is 3 The control device 4 is provided with an automatic switching function for switching to intermittent power supply every minute. Therefore, the power consumption after the snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield FG is melted due to the heat generated by the planar heaters 1 and 2 can be further reduced, and the effect of avoiding battery exhaust can be enhanced.

  In addition, when the changeover switch 8 is set to AUTO, if the temperature sensor 11 detects that the freezing point is below the freezing point, the control device has an automatic start function that starts the heat generation of the planar heaters 1 and 2 with the start of the engine starter of the automobile. 4 is provided. As a result, heat generation of the planar heaters 1 and 2 is started at the same time as the engine is started, and snow cover and freezing of the windshield FG can be melted in a short time. Even if it is a car, it becomes possible to start driving promptly. Further, in the case of an automobile equipped with a remote control engine starter, heat generation of the planar heaters 1 and 2 is started at the same time as the engine is started. Therefore, when getting into the automobile, snow cover and freezing of the windshield FG are eliminated. can do.

  In this case, the controller 4 is provided with an automatic stop function for stopping power supply to the planar heaters 1 and 2 when a preset time (about 2 minutes) has elapsed after the heating of the planar heaters 1 and 2 has started. Therefore, the power consumption after the snow accumulation and freezing of the windshield FG is thawed by the heat generated by the planar heaters 1 and 2 can be eliminated, and the burden on the battery can be further reduced. In addition, when the temperature sensor 11 detects that the temperature of the windshield FG exceeds the limit temperature 90 ° C. of the planar heaters 1 and 2, the control device controls a safety function for stopping power supply to the planar heaters 1 and 2. 4 is provided, it is possible to prevent damage due to overheating.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 11 is disposed near the lower edge of the windshield FG. However, the temperature sensor 11 is not limited to such an arrangement. It can also be arranged near the upper edge or in other parts. Since the vicinity of the upper edge of the windshield FG is a region where the heat generated by the planar heaters 1 and 2 is relatively easily transmitted, if the temperature sensor 11 is arranged in this portion, accurate temperature control can be performed. In addition, the temperature sensor 11 can be provided side by side or built in the planar heaters 1 and 2, and with such a configuration, the temperature of the planar heaters 1 and 2 is detected with almost no time difference. Therefore, more accurate temperature control can be performed. Furthermore, since overheating of the planar heaters 1 and 2 can be immediately detected, troubles caused by overheating can be prevented.

  Next, second and third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are the parts that exhibit the same functions and effects as the constituent parts of the automobile snow melting heater 10 of the first embodiment. Is omitted.

  In the snow melting heater for automobiles shown in FIG. 6, the planar heater 1 is disposed on the left side of the windshield FG, and the planar heaters 2 a and 2 b are disposed at two left and right positions on the lower edge of the windshield FG. . Since the three planar heaters 1, 2a and 2b are arranged on the windshield FG, the snow melting ability is large, and it is suitable for trucks and buses having the windshield FG having a larger area than a passenger car. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the snow melting heater 10 for an automobile according to the first embodiment.

  In the snow melting heater for automobiles shown in FIG. 7, the planar heater 21 is disposed only at the lower edge of the windshield FG. This method is suitable for a method in which heat generation of the planar heater 21 is started when the engine starter is started in an area where there is relatively little snow. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the snow melting heater 10 for an automobile according to the first embodiment.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used as a technique for preventing and eliminating snow accumulation and freezing of windshields of various automobiles ranging from large automobiles such as trucks and buses to general passenger cars and light automobiles.

It is the schematic which shows the use condition of the snow melting heater for motor vehicles which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the snow melting heater for motor vehicles shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the control apparatus which comprises the snow melting heater for motor vehicles shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the planar heater which comprises the snow melting heater for motor vehicles shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. It is the partial schematic which shows the use condition of the snow melting heater for motor vehicles which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the partial schematic which shows the use condition of the snow melting heater for motor vehicles which is 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 2a, 2b, 21 Planar heater 3 In-vehicle battery 4 Controller 4a Input side wiring 4p Front panel 5 Fuse box 6 Plug 7 Power switch 8 Changeover switch 9 LED lamp 10 Snow melting heater for automobile 11 Temperature sensor 12 Base film 13 Cover film 14 Conductor 15 Heating element FG Windshield

Claims (5)

  A sheet heater that can be attached to the windshield of an automobile and at least a part of the heat generation area is transparent, and a function of supplying power to the sheet heater by raising and lowering the supply voltage from the in-vehicle battery according to a preset command. And a snow melting heater for an automobile.   The snow melting heater for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the controller is provided with an automatic step-down function for lowering a power supply voltage to the planar heater when a preset time has elapsed after startup.   3. The snow melting heater for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the controller is provided with an automatic switching function for switching power supply to the planar heater to intermittent power supply when a preset time has elapsed after startup.   The snow melting heater for automobiles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device is provided with an automatic stop function for stopping power supply to the planar heater when a preset time has elapsed after startup.   The automotive snow melting heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device is provided with an automatic starting function that starts when the engine starter of the vehicle starts when the outside air temperature is below freezing point.

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