Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an enhanced anti-fogging window system, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on July 9th, 2021, published on November 4th, 2021, and assigned serial number 0339604.
The Ford Authority Take
Back in January 2021, Ford Europe revealed its new Windscreen Weather Station, a system that is able to clear a vehicle’s windshield automatically if it detects conditions that would lead to that crucial area getting obscured by fog. The system utilizes multiple sensors located on the windshield near the rearview mirror to detect temperature changes and moisture in the air. If the Windscreen Weather Station determines that a windshield might fog up, it’s able to activate the HVAC system and direct airflow to the windshield to prevent that from happening.
This new Ford patent seems to follow that technology by also utilizing a vehicle’s climate control system and a variety of sensors to determine when a windshield might be prone to fogging, then take action to prevent that from happening and obstructing the view of the driver. In addition to determining whether cool or warm air is needed to defog the windshield, the system can also control the speed of the blower and toggle between air conditioning mode, outside air, and defrost, depending on what’s best for each unique situation.
The benefits of such a system are quite obvious – it would prevent the driver from having to toggle through settings to try and defog a windshield, which can be a big distraction. The system would also presumably prevent a windshield from fogging up in the first place, which could lead to an accident. Whether or not this technology materializes on a production vehicle remains to be seen, but it seems like a viable idea at the very least.
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Comment
Ford needs to abandon the idea of trying to control window fogging.
I have a 2021 Bronco Sport with manual climate control. Anytime there is high humidity, the AC turns on regardless of temperature, or climate control settings. there is no indicators the AC is on except the ice cold air coming out the vents, and the is no way to turn it off.
With the cold air on the windshield, it fogs up on the outside, and the wipers are not very effective at clearing it. In the pre-dawn hours in northern Indiana while driving to work we always have high humidity. even at 55 degrees outside it has fogged up my windshield on the outside. FORD: please give me control of my AC, so I can keep my windshield clear, and save some gas at the same time!!!!