Rivian is trying to patent heated headlight lenses to assist improve the efficiency of the lighting on its electrical pickup vans and SUVs in snow, ice, and rain.
The LED headlights which have change into the usual within the auto trade do not give off a lot waste warmth on a regular basis as earlier HID or halogen lights, which might typically soften any gathered moisture by themselves. That is what Rivian is attempting to handle with this patent, which was submitted to the USA 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 could 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 selection 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 approach to battle chilly temperatures with minimal further power draw. However that is extra about lighting expertise than powertrain expertise, particularly the necessity to clear LED lighting components of gathered 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 begin 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.
