Deployable Windshield Cleaning Head for Full-Glass Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large windshields on vehicles such as electric automobiles, buses, and RVs have areas not cleared by conventional windshield wipers, leading to obscured views due to dirt and debris, which is difficult to remove with standard wiper systems, especially given the vertical orientation that increases debris impact force and adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A windshield cleaning system with a deployable cleaning device featuring an active positioning system, including extension members and a cleaning head with a motorized brush, wiper blade, and spray nozzle, that can reach and clean the entire windshield surface, using a method involving extension and retraction mechanisms to position the cleaning head along a path and orient the wiper blade for effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional windshield wipers are used, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning area is insufficient and cannot clear large vertical windshields
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent components: a rotatable brush for agitation, a separate wiper blade for removal, and an articulated arm mechanism with multiple joints. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while collectively covering the entire windshield area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from the conventional two-dimensional planar motion of traditional wipers to three-dimensional articulated motion. The cleaning head moves along an articulated arm that can extend, retract, and position itself at various angles, enabling coverage of the entire large vertical windshield surface including areas unreachable by conventional wipers.
2Reliability
If conventional wiper blades are used, then the structure is simple, but they cannot effectively remove hardened debris on vertical windshields
Solution Approach 1:
Before the wiper blade removes debris, a rotatable brush performs preliminary agitation and loosening of hardened debris on the windshield surface. This preliminary action softens and breaks up stuck-on contaminants, making them easier for the subsequent wiper blade to remove effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable brush acts as an intermediary between the windshield surface and the wiper blade. It first contacts and agitates the hardened debris, preparing it for removal, while the wiper blade then completes the removal process. This intermediary step significantly improves the effectiveness of debris removal on vertical surfaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the windshield is made vertical for aerodynamics, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but debris impacts with greater force and sticks more strongly
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable brush creates mechanical agitation and vibration as it rotates against the windshield surface. This vibratory motion helps break the strong adhesion bonds between debris and the vertical windshield surface, loosening hardened contaminants that have stuck due to high-impact forces from aerodynamic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary agitation through the rotatable brush to counteract the strong adhesion forces on vertical surfaces before the wiper blade attempts removal. This preliminary loosening action is essential for overcoming the increased debris stickiness caused by the vertical windshield orientation.
4Area of stationary object
If conventional wipers are used, then the system is simple, but they cannot reach all areas of large windshields
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm mechanism introduces multi-dimensional positioning capability with multiple joints that can extend, retract, and angle independently. This allows the cleaning head to reach the entire large windshield surface including upper corners and edges that conventional two-dimensional wiper systems cannot access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic positioning through an articulated arm with multiple degrees of freedom. The arm can adjust its configuration in real-time to position the cleaning head at any location on the windshield, providing adaptive coverage of the entire surface area regardless of the vehicle's windshield geometry.
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 effectively cleans large windshields by agitating and removing debris with a motorized brush, followed by a wiper blade to ensure clear visibility, addressing the limitations of conventional wipers by reaching all areas and handling stuck debris efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
activating a motorized brush of the cleaning head to agitate against the surface of the window
Implementation Method 2
motorized brush to agitate against the surface of the window
Implementation Method 3
moving the wiper blade from the start position over the surface of the window along the first path
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, includes an active positioning system and a cleaning head. The active positioning system is configured to deploy from a storage position hidden from view within a covered storage space and to position the cleaning head upon the windshield. The active positioning system includes a first extension member and a second extension member that move relative to one another to position the cleaning head, and also move the cleaning head across the windshield along a path. The cleaning head can have a brush portion configured to agitate debris from the window, and a drying portion configured to dry the window after cleaning. The cleaning device can be controlled via a touch-screen display in the vehicle, enabling a user to direct that specific portions of the windshield be cleaned as desired.