Aircraft Wiper Control via Weather Radar Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft windshield wipers require manual operation by pilots, which can be tedious and distracting during flight, and existing systems lack automatic control and adaptive speed adjustment based on precipitation levels detected by weather radar.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft windshield wiper control system that integrates with the aircraft weather radar and avionics module to automatically control wiper speed and operation, using a wiper control module to generate signals for the wiper motor drive, enabling adaptive speed settings and automatic activation based on detected precipitation levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual wiper control is used, then pilots have direct control over wiper operation, but pilot workload increases and distraction occurs during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system automatically activates and adjusts its operation based on precipitation detection from the weather radar system, eliminating the need for pilot intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring environmental conditions and adjusting wiper operation accordingly, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and pilot time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the weather radar system to continuously monitor precipitation conditions and automatically adjusts wiper operation in response. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the wiper system to respond dynamically to changing weather conditions without requiring pilot input, reducing workload while maintaining effective windshield clearing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed wiper speed settings are used, then control system is simple, but adaptive response to varying precipitation levels is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper control system transitions from static fixed speed settings to dynamic speed adjustment based on real-time precipitation detection. The system automatically varies wiper operation parameters according to the intensity and type of precipitation detected by the weather radar, enabling adaptive response while integrating seamlessly with existing aircraft systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The weather radar system, already present for navigation and weather avoidance, is additionally utilized to detect precipitation for wiper control. This multi-functional use of the radar system provides adaptive wiper speed control without adding dedicated sensing equipment, thereby increasing adaptability while minimizing additional system complexity.
3Extent of automation
If automatic wiper control is implemented, then pilot workload is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic wiper control function is merged with the existing weather radar system and integrated into the aircraft's avionics architecture. By combining multiple functions (weather detection, precipitation detection, and wiper control) into a unified system that leverages existing hardware and software platforms, the patent achieves high automation while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides automatic and adaptive windshield wiper operation, reducing pilot workload by automatically activating and adjusting wiper speed in response to precipitation levels, ensuring clear windshields during flight without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
an aircraft weather radar system that detects precipitation in a travel path of an aircraft
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft windshield wiper control system (30) includes an aircraft weather radar system (22) mounted in an aircraft (10) and that detects precipitation in a travel path of an aircraft (10) and an integrated avionics module (24) that receives aircraft weather information from the aircraft weather radar system (22). The system (30) also includes an aircraft wiper blade motor (50), a wiper blade motor drive and a wiper control module (26) that receives aircraft weather information from the integrated avionics module (24) and generates a wiper control signal, based on the received information that controls operation of the wiper blade motor drive to cause motion of the aircraft wiper blade motor (50).