Heated lens

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12338972-B2
Application number	US-202318338953-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2023
Priority date	Jun 21, 2023
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A system is provided. The system can include a lens. The lens can include a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer can be configured to thermally couple with a heating element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a lens comprising a carbon nanotube layer and integrated into a headlamp of a vehicle, the headlamp comprising a shell to position the lens;
the carbon nanotube layer configured to thermally couple with a heating element coupled to the carbon nanotube layer at an outside edge of the lens to surround the lens at a location between the lens and the shell of the headlamp; and
the heating element to thermally couple with a busbar affixed to an outer surface of the shell of the headlamp.

2. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a thermocouple to monitor a temperature of the lens at a contact point between the busbar and the heating element; and
the heating element controlled based on the monitored temperature of the lens.

3. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a thermocouple to monitor a temperature of the carbon nanotube layer; and
the heating element is controlled based on the monitored temperature of the carbon nanotube layer.

4. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
the carbon nanotube layer between a first layer comprising first polycarbonate and a second layer comprising second polycarbonate; and
the carbon nanotube layer is configured to modify heat of the first layer and the second layer by conducting current from the heating element.

5. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a controller to:
monitor a surface of a vehicle for precipitation; and
modify heat of the carbon nanotube layer in response to detection of precipitation on the surface.

6. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a controller to:
monitor an environment surrounding a vehicle; and
modify heat of the carbon nanotube layer in response to detecting precipitation in the environment.

7. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a controller to:
monitor a pressure at a surface of a vehicle; and
modify heat of the carbon nanotube layer in response to detection that the pressure at the surface of the vehicle exceeds a threshold.

8. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
the headlamp comprising a stadium shape, and
the headlamp includes:
one or more peripheral lights, and
a plurality of additional lights.

9. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
the headlamp including:
a plurality of lights, and
the lens between the plurality of lights and an environment surrounding the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a controller to modify heat of the carbon nanotube layer to cause the lens or the carbon nanotube layer to reach a predetermined temperature.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube layer is transparent to allow light to pass through the lens.

12. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
the carbon nanotube layer between a first layer of polycarbonate and a second layer of polycarbonate;
a battery coupled with the carbon nanotube layer via a conductor;
the conductor contacting the carbon nanotube layer via the busbar affixed to the outer surface of the shell of the headlamp;
a controller coupled with the battery; and
the controller to cause the battery to heat the carbon nanotube layer through the conductor and the busbar.

13. A vehicle, comprising:
a lens, the lens comprising a carbon nanotube layer and integrated into a headlamp of a vehicle, the headlamp comprising a shell to position the lens; and
the carbon nanotube layer configured to thermally couple with a heating element coupled to the carbon nanotube layer at an outside edge of the lens to continuously surround the lens at a location between the lens and the shell of the headlamp; and
the heating element to thermally couple with a busbar affixed to an outer surface of the shell of the headlamp.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 , comprising:
the carbon nanotube layer between a first layer comprising first polycarbonate and a second layer comprising second polycarbonate; and
the carbon nanotube layer is configured to modify heat of the first layer and the second layer by conducting current from the heating element.

15. The vehicle of claim 13 , comprising:
a controller to:
monitor a characteristic of an environment surrounding the vehicle; and
modify heat of the carbon nanotube layer in response to determining the characteristic satisfies a condition.

16. The vehicle of claim 14 , comprising:
a controller to:
monitor an environment surrounding a vehicle; and
modify heat of the carbon nanotube layer in response to detecting precipitation in the environment.

17. The vehicle of claim 13 , comprising:
the headlamp includes:
a plurality of lights, and
the lens between the plurality of lights and an environment surrounding the vehicle.

18. A method, comprising:
monitoring, by a processor, a condition;
determining, by the processor, satisfaction of the condition;
responsive to the satisfaction of the condition, heating, by the processor, a carbon nanotube layer of a lens integrated into a headlamp of a vehicle, the headlamp comprising a shell to position the lens, by applying an electric current to a heating element coupled to the carbon nanotube layer at an outside edge of the lens to continuously surround the lens at a location between the lens and a shell of a vehicle, and
the electric current applied to the heating element through a busbar affixed to an outer surface of the shell of the headlamp.

19. The method of claim 18 , comprising:
transmitting, by the processor, a signal to a battery of the vehicle, the signal causing the battery to direct current through the carbon nanotube layer.

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Wickramasinghe Shammika Ashan
• Guzewich Ellis Robert
• Baker Simon
• Thaliath Vinu
• Ravikumar Siddharth
• Pelaez Luis Guillermo Sagastume

Classifications

• F21S41/2805

  Cover glass · CPC title

• B60S1/026

  using electrical means · CPC title

• H05B3/145

  Carbon only, e.g. carbon black, graphite · CPC title

• H05B2203/013

  Heaters using resistive films or coatings · CPC title

• H05B3/84 Primary

  Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields · CPC title