Gantry Windshield Cleaning System for Large Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield wipers are ineffective in cleaning large windshields of vehicles like buses and RVs, as they fail to reach and remove debris from substantial areas, especially those outside their rotation path, and struggle with hardened-on debris due to the vertical orientation and increased impact force of insects and debris.
Innovation Solution
A windshield touch and clean system featuring a cleaning head with extension members and a gantry system that can traverse the entire windshield, equipped with a brush, vibration unit, and spray nozzle, controlled by a computer and motor for precise cleaning and fluid application, allowing for both spot and full windshield cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional rotating windshield wipers are used, then the device complexity is low, but the area of the windshield that can be cleaned is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent modules: a cleaning head with brush, a gantry system with horizontal and vertical movement capabilities, extension members for reaching different areas, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while collectively covering the entire windshield surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from the two-dimensional arc motion of conventional wipers to three-dimensional movement by introducing vertical extension members and horizontal gantry traversal. The cleaning head can move in multiple dimensions (horizontal, vertical, and depth) to access all areas of the large windshield, including corners and edges that rotating wipers cannot reach.
2Productivity
If conventional windshield wipers are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the productivity of cleaning large windshields is low
Solution Approach 1:
The control system enables automated operation where the gantry system and cleaning head can traverse and clean the windshield autonomously based on programmed sequences. The system self-regulates the movement of extension members, positioning of the cleaning head, and coordination of brush rotation and washer fluid delivery without requiring manual intervention for each movement phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous cleaning action by coordinating the horizontal gantry movement with vertical extension member adjustment and rotational brush cleaning. As the gantry traverses across the windshield, the extension members continuously adjust to keep the cleaning head in contact with the surface, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning coverage across the entire large windshield area.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional rubber blade wipers are used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the ability to remove hardened-on debris is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cleaning mechanism by using a rotating brush with bristles instead of a conventional rubber blade. The brush can rotate at controlled speeds and apply varying degrees of mechanical agitation to the windshield surface, enabling it to remove hardened-on debris, insect remains, and stubborn contaminants that static rubber blades cannot effectively eliminate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple cleaning mechanisms into a single integrated cleaning head: a rotating brush for mechanical agitation, a spray nozzle for applying washer fluid to soften debris, and a vibration unit for dislodging hardened contaminants. This combination of mechanisms works synergistically to handle various types of contamination, from loose dust to firmly adhered debris.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional windshield wipers are used, then the device complexity is low, but the visibility improvement after cleaning is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces washer fluid as an intermediary substance that is sprayed onto the windshield surface before and during the cleaning process. The fluid softens hardened debris, reduces friction between the brush and windshield, and helps lift contaminants from the surface, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanical brushing action and improving overall cleaning results for better visibility.
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 reaches and cleans the entire windshield surface, including areas outside the conventional wiper path, efficiently removing debris and improving visibility by using a combination of mechanical brushing, vibration, and fluid application.
Implementation Method 1
The head may have a vibration unit for vibrating the head while cleaning dirt off-of the windshield
Implementation Method 2
The head or the first extension member of the windshield touch and clean system may have a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid on the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for a vehicle has tracks above and below the vehicle's windshield. A brush, wiper blade and spray bar extend across the windshield at a starting side of the windshield. The spray bar provides washer fluid as the brush rotates against the windshield. The spray bar, rotating brush and wiper bar are moved along the tracks and across the windshield to an opposing, return side of the windshield where the wiper blade first contacts the windshield and the brush stops rotating and moves away from the windshield. The spray bar rotates next to the wiper blade to blow air against the windshield. The wiper blade scrapes water while air blows water off the windshield as they move back to the starting side of the windshield where they are stored in a frame along the side of the windshield when not in use.