Infrared Wiper Blade Durability Detection via Windshield Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers often fail to detect the optimal exchange time of wiper blades, particularly at night, leading to potential accidents due to reduced visibility caused by degraded wiper blade performance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an optical sensor with an infrared light emitting unit and receiving unit, coupled with a controller, to determine the exchange time of wiper blades by comparing reflected infrared quantities through the windshield glass, accompanied by a cluster alarm lamp to notify the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If drivers rely on visual stripe patterns on windshield glass to detect wiper blade degradation, then the detection method is simple and requires no additional devices, but the detection reliability deteriorates at night when visibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary device that detects infrared radiation from the wiper blade. This mediator translates the physical state of the wiper blade (rubber degradation) into a detectable signal (infrared radiation intensity), enabling reliable detection independent of ambient lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual detection method (driver visually inspecting stripe patterns on glass) with an optical sensing system. This substitution uses infrared radiation detection instead of human visual inspection, eliminating the limitation of nighttime visibility while maintaining automated detection capability.
2Reliability
If an optical sensor system is installed to detect wiper blade durability through infrared radiation, then detection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor system is integrated into the vehicle's existing infrastructure, potentially sharing components with other sensing systems. The controller that processes the sensor data can also integrate with the vehicle's existing warning and notification systems, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in infrared radiation parameters (intensity, wavelength characteristics) to detect wiper blade degradation. By focusing on specific parameter changes rather than comprehensive analysis, the system achieves reliable detection with simplified processing requirements.
3Device complexity
If the wiper blade is used for predetermined time without monitoring, then the system remains simple with no additional components, but loss of information occurs when drivers miss the exchange time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the optical sensor continuously monitors wiper blade condition and the controller provides real-time information to the driver through visual or audible warnings. This closed-loop feedback ensures drivers receive timely information about wiper blade degradation and exchange timing, eliminating information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and warning before the wiper blade reaches critical degradation. By monitoring infrared radiation changes over time and providing advance warning, the system enables drivers to plan and execute wiper blade replacement at the optimal time, preventing visibility issues before they occur.
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 drivers to easily identify the exchange time of wiper blades, ensuring clear visibility and safe driving by using infrared detection and alerting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor including a light emitting unit radiating an infrared ray to a windshield glass and a light receiving unit receiving the infrared ray reflected through the windshield glass
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving unit receiving the infrared ray reflected through the windshield glass
Implementation Method 3
A lens of the light emitting unit is a polyspheric lens for emitting the infrared ray at a plurality of angles to a plurality of light receiving units
Implementation Method 4
The windshield glass is provided with a plurality of prisms between the light emitting unit and the plurality of light receiving units for refracting the infrared ray radiated from the light emitting unit to the light receiving units
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for detecting durability of a wiper blade, may include an optical sensor including a light emitting unit radiating an infrared ray to a windshield glass and a light receiving unit receiving the infrared ray reflected through the windshield glass, wherein the wiper blade may be positioned between the light emitting unit and light receiving unit, and a controller comparing an infrared receiving quantity of the windshield glass transferred from the light receiving unit with a reference receiving quantity to determine an exchange time of the wiper blade.