Embedded Wire Heating Pipe for Washer Fluid Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen wiper systems face challenges in heating and transporting washer fluid efficiently due to pressure losses caused by electrical heating wires, leading to increased costs and bulkiness, especially when integrating two spray lines in compact devices.
Innovation Solution
A pipe with extruded sleeves containing embedded electric wires and washer fluid channels, allowing for simultaneous heating and fluid transport without obstacles, reducing bulk and cost, and featuring a flexible material with aligned cross-sections and a weakening rim for easy separation and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a sheathed electrical heating wire is submerged in the pipe to heat the washer fluid, then the washer fluid can be heated effectively, but pressure losses in the flow of the washer fluid increase, causing a decrease in jet output pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function and fluid transport function into a single integrated pipe structure. The electrical heating wires are embedded within the pipe walls rather than being submerged in the fluid flow path, merging the heating element and transport conduit into one component that eliminates flow obstruction while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating wires are positioned in the radial dimension (embedded in the pipe wall thickness) rather than occupying the axial flow dimension. This dimensional relocation allows heating to occur without the wires obstructing the fluid flow path, thus maintaining pressure while providing thermal energy.
2Stress or pressure
If a larger diameter pipe is used to reduce pressure losses, then jet output pressure is maintained, but the device bulk increases, making it difficult to reconcile with compact devices such as the wiper blade with two spray lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions (heating, fluid transport, electrical power delivery) into a single pipe structure, eliminating the need for separate heating elements that would increase bulk. This functional merging allows maintaining small pipe dimensions while achieving effective heating without compromising pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe is constructed as a composite structure with heating wires embedded within the pipe wall material. This composite design allows the pipe to function as both a structural conduit and a heating element, maximizing space utilization and minimizing overall device volume while maintaining performance.
3Stress or pressure
If pumps with a higher flow rate are used to compensate for pressure losses, then jet output pressure is maintained, but the cost of the wiper device increases as well as greater current consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is integrated into the pipe structure itself rather than being a separate system, eliminating energy losses associated with separate heating components and their connections. This integration reduces the total energy required to achieve the same heating effect, lowering current consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of electrical wires obstructing flow into a benefit by embedding them in the pipe wall where they heat the fluid through resistive heating. This transforms what would be a flow-obstructing element into an efficient heating source that directly warms the fluid without requiring additional energy for separate heating mechanisms.
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
This solution enables efficient heating and transport of washer fluid with reduced pressure losses and costs, facilitating compact integration of two spray lines while simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The electric wires have heating elements or are designed to be connected to heating elements of the wiper blade
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe for heating and transporting a washer fluid for a windscreen wiper blade with a first spray line and a second spray line is disclosed. The pipe includes an extruded sleeve with at least two washer fluid circulation channels, in which sleeve at least two electric wires that are provided with heating elements of said pipe are embedded within the mass of the sleeve. In the pipe, the at least two electric wires are parallel to the at least two washer fluid circulation channels, the first washer fluid circulation channel is connected to said first spray line of the wiper blade, and the second circulation channel for the washer fluid is connected to said second spray line of the wiper blade.