Rivian is trying to patent heated headlight lenses to assist enhance the efficiency of the lighting on its electrical pickup vans and SUVs in snow, ice, and rain.
The LED headlights which have turn out to be the usual within the auto business do not give off a lot waste warmth on a regular basis as earlier HID or halogen lights, which may typically soften any amassed moisture by themselves. That is what Rivian is attempting to deal with with this patent, which was submitted to america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) Jun. 21, 2023, however solely revealed by that workplace Dec. 26, 2024.
Rivian heated headlight patent picture
In that doc, Rivian discusses including a layer of carbon nanotube materials to the outer lens of a headlight. This may be surrounded by a silver bus-bar heating component, which might transmit warmth to the nanotube layer, warming it and in flip permitting it to soften something accumulating on the headlight lens.
Carbon nanotube materials is comprised of tube-shaped lattices of carbon atoms lower than a nanometer in diameter—therefore the identify. Carbon nanotubes are identified to gave good thermal conductivity, which could clarify Rivian’s alternative of the fabric right here.
Rivian heated headlight patent picture
There’s been a lot speak of the significance of heated seats, and even heated seat belts, in EVs as a extra environment friendly means to combat chilly temperatures with minimal extra power draw. However that is extra about lighting know-how than powertrain know-how, particularly the necessity to clear LED lighting components of amassed precipitation that might partially block them.
Not all patented concepts attain manufacturing, and it is unclear how a lot of a precedence heated headlights are for Rivian proper now. The automaker is getting ready to start out manufacturing of its more-affordable R2 electrical SUV in 2026 and open a brand new Georgia plant by 2028, with the latter anticipated to obtain a lift from a $6.6 billion federal mortgage.
