Heated Wiper Blade With Independent Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated windshield wiper systems require costly and time-consuming replacement of both wiper blades and heating elements, as the heating elements are typically integrated within the wiper blades, necessitating rewiring and assembly challenges.
Innovation Solution
A heated wiper system with a microprocessor-controlled PC Board or Smart Wiper Blade technology that communicates with the vehicle's computer to control the heating element's temperature, using information like wiper blade temperature, ambient temperature, ignition status, and vehicle speed to adjust current supply, allowing for independent replacement of wiper blades and heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating element is integrated within the wiper blade, then the heating element can be mounted in close proximity to the wiper blade for effective ice prevention, but the replacement of the wiper blade requires replacement of the heating element or portions thereof, increasing cost and assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the wiper blade assembly and the heating element assembly. The heating element is mounted on a separate support structure that can be independently replaced from the wiper blade, allowing the wiper blade to be replaced without replacing the heating element, thus reducing replacement cost and assembly time while maintaining effective ice prevention.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heating element is mounted separately from the wiper blade, then the wiper blade and heating element can be replaced independently, but the heating element mounting structure becomes more complex requiring additional support structures and wiring arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure for the heating element is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the heating element, provides a mounting interface for the wiper blade, and incorporates electrical connection features. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall mounting structure while enabling independent replacement of the wiper blade and heating element.
3Device complexity
If conventional heating devices are used, then the heating element can be mounted integrally within the wiper, but considerable rewiring of the heating element is required when the thermostat fails and requires replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat and electrical connection components are extracted from the wiper blade and integrated into the separate heating element support structure. This allows the thermostat to be replaced by simply replacing the heating element assembly without any rewiring of the wiper blade, significantly simplifying thermostat replacement while maintaining integrated heating functionality.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective operation by allowing separate replacement of wiper blades and heating elements, improving ice removal on windshields in cold climates while reducing assembly time and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged to be received within the passage extending through each wiper element... the temperature of the heating element is controlled to prevent the build-up of ice on the wiper blade
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heated wiper system includes a wiper blade with a resilient wiper element having a passage along the wiper element from an opening at one end of where a heating element is inserted into the passage. The temperature of the heating element is controlled by controlling the current supplied to the element by a control unit contained either in the engine compartment or in a recess on the wiper blade. The control unit uses an algorithm including wiper blade and outside ambient temperature, wind chill, ignition on, motor running, heating element resistance value and wipers and varies the current supplied in dependence on a value of the resistance of the heating element.