A method includes: predicting, by a computer device, a time a user will start driving a vehicle; determining, by the computer device, freezing conditions; determining, by the computer device, a time to start a deicing system of the vehicle based on the predicted time and the determined freezing conditions; and generating, by the computer device, an output to start the deicing system at the determined time. A system includes: a windshield wiper that is selectively driven by a windshield wiper motor; a wiper sensor configured to detect an amount of deflection of the windshield wiper from a baseline position; and a computer operatively connected to the windshield wiper motor and the wiper sensor, the computer being configured to: actuate the windshield wiper motor; receive data from the wiper sensor while the windshield wiper motor is actuated; and determine a thickness of ice on a windshield based on the received data.

A heating device for a lens barrel of an automotive camera assembly includes a heating element adapted to apply heat along the circumference of the lens barrel, and a tension socket and/or a tension ring adapted to press a ring-shaped part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference. A camera system, an external rear view device, and a motor vehicle, each with at least one such heating device are also described.

An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a lens unit including a plurality of lenses stacked on each other to guide light to the imaging unit, a heater member used for a heater configured to heat a top lens closest to an object among the lenses included in the lens unit, and a reflection suppressor disposed between a region outside of an effective region of the top lens and the heater member, the reflection suppressor being configured to suppress light reflection. The reflection suppressor includes a first reflection suppressor disposed on the top lens side and having an uneven surface, and a second reflection suppressor disposed on the heater member side, the first reflection suppressor being layered on the second reflection suppressor. A surface of the second reflection suppressor facing the heater member is smoother than a surface of the second reflection suppressor facing the first reflection suppressor.

A bracket includes a bracket material layer, and a cell foam attached to the bracket material layer for directing heat from a heating element toward glass. The heating element is attached to the cell foam for raising a temperature of the glass disposed on or over the heating element.

A heater for vehicular sensors is configured to pass sensing energy and thereby permit placement of the heater directly over the sensing area in the path of the sensed energy. In this way, direct heating of the sensing area is provided minimizing the energy necessary to prevent icing and improving deicing speed.

Provided are a planar heat generating body and a vehicle windshield device that are capable of effectively suppressing adhesion of foreign matter thereto. The planar heat generating body includes: a heat generating wire that repeatedly folds so as to cover a surface surrounded by an outline; and a conducting wire for supplying current to the heat generating wire, that has a lower electrical resistance than the heat generating wire, as a result of having a greater width than the heat generating wire, and follows the outline.

A car window glass includes a glass plate having a conductor layer, a connection terminal, and a power line. The connection terminal includes metal-plate first and second join parts joined to the conductor layer via the first and second solder layers, a metal-plate bridge section connected to the first and second join parts and spaced apart from the conductor layer, and a fixing part for fixing the power line to a bridge section main surface. The power line extends from the fixing part along a glass plate main surface, and the side opposite of the side facing the glass plate main surface is free of the bridge section, and the starting point of the power line extending from the fixing part is positioned in the upper direction of a virtual line connecting the center portions of the first and second join parts with each other.

A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.

A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.

Systems and methods for simultaneously performing engine coolant stagnation and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler cooling in an engine include providing a coolant circuit configured to flow coolant through both a block of the engine and an EGR cooler of a cooled EGR (CEGR) system of the engine, a main pump on the coolant circuit that is driven by an electric motor or a crankshaft of the engine to pump coolant through a block of the engine, and a secondary pump on the coolant circuit that, when energized, is configured to pump coolant through the coolant circuit, and, during a cold start of the engine, de-energizing the electric motor or disconnecting the main pump from the engine crankshaft to stagnate coolant in the engine block and energizing the secondary pump to flow coolant through the EGR cooler of the CEGR system.