Contactless Windshield Wiping Using Compressed Air Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield-wiping apparatuses with wiping elements often wear out quickly and fail to achieve a thorough cleaning due to contact with the windshield.
Innovation Solution
A windshield-wiping apparatus that uses a compressed gas generator to direct compressed air through nozzles arranged along a guide bar, allowing the wiping element to pass over the windshield in a contactless manner, thereby achieving a good wiping result without wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiping element contacts the windshield to achieve thorough cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the wiping element wears out quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact-based wiping system with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The compressed air is directed through nozzles onto the windshield surface, eliminating mechanical contact between the wiping element and the windshield, thus preventing wear while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses compressed air (pneumatics) as the primary cleaning medium. A compressed air generator produces high-pressure air that is channeled through a distribution system with multiple nozzles positioned along the wiping element, creating a pneumatic wiping effect without physical contact
2Duration of action of moving object
If a contactless wiping method is used to prevent wear, then the wiping element durability is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping element is divided into multiple sections with individually positioned nozzles along its length. This segmentation allows compressed air to be distributed at multiple points simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage and effective cleaning across the entire windshield surface without requiring heavy mechanical pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cleaning approach by using high-velocity compressed air instead of slow-moving contact materials. The compressed air is delivered at controlled pressures and angles optimized for removing rain and dirt particles, achieving effective cleaning through kinetic energy rather than mechanical friction
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 solution achieves a good wiping result by effectively removing rain and dirt without wearing out the wiping element, and can be enhanced by increasing nozzle density near sensor devices and using a cleaning agent with the compressed air.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed gas generator (14) which is configured as a compressor for air... exits out of nozzles (32)... blows away any existing rain and dirt particles (36)
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield-wiping apparatus (10) is proposed, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiping element (18) that can be moved over a windshield (12) to be wiped. According to the present invention, a compressed gas generator (14) generating compressed gas is provided, and the wiping element (18) is configured so as to pass over the windshield (12) in a contactless manner.