Cowl Top Rib Structure to Suppress Wiper Blade Wind Flapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle front structures without a groove for accommodating the wiper mechanism's blade, the wiper rubber is subjected to traveling wind, leading to flapping and noise transmission into the vehicle cabin.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure design featuring a cowl top garnish with an exposed surface extending to the windshield glass at the same height as the engine hood, incorporating a rib that redirects traveling wind upward, preventing it from blowing against the wiper blade, and integrating the washer nozzle with the rib for a sleek appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the exposed surface of the cowl top garnish extends to the windshield glass in a planar shape without a groove, then the appearance is improved and the structure is simplified, but the traveling wind directly blows against the blade from below causing flapping and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl top garnish is segmented into multiple functional zones: a planar exposed surface for appearance, a rib structure for wind flow control, and a wiper mechanism mounting area. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising the overall aesthetic or functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib acts as an intermediary element between the planar exposed surface and the wiper mechanism. It redirects the traveling wind upward before it can reach the blade, thereby protecting the blade from direct wind impact while maintaining the sleek planar appearance of the main surface.
2Device complexity
If the wiper mechanism is exposed without a groove, then the structure is simplified, but the blade flaps in the wind and transmits noise to the vehicle cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The rib serves as a protective intermediary that intercepts and redirects wind flow away from the blade. This prevents the blade from flapping and eliminates the source of noise transmission to the vehicle cabin, while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potentially harmful direct wind impact on the blade into beneficial upward wind flow redirection. The rib captures the traveling wind and redirects it upward, preventing harmful flapping while maintaining the simplified exposed structure.
3Shape
If the washer nozzle is integrated with the rib, then the appearance is improved by concealing the nozzle, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The washer nozzle is merged with the rib structure, integrating two functional elements into a single unified component. This consolidation improves appearance by concealing the nozzle within the rib while the rib's wind redirection function remains intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects traveling wind upward to protect the blade, provides structural support for the wiper mechanism, and serves as a housing for the washer nozzle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
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 design effectively suppresses blade flapping and noise, while maintaining a visually appealing appearance by redirecting wind flow and concealing the washer nozzle within the rib.
Implementation Method 1
the traveling wind flowing along the engine hood from the front of the vehicle is changed to the upward flow by the rib
Data Source
AI summary
The cowl top garnish includes an exposed surface and a rib. The exposed surface includes a front end having the same height as the rear end of the exposed surface of the engine hood, and extends in a planar shape from the front end to the windshield glass. The rib is provided in front of the wiper pivot, protrudes from the exposed surface of the cowl top garnish, and extends in the vehicle width direction along the blade.