Lateral-Nozzle Wiper Arm Layout for Full Windshield Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle wiper systems with nozzles integrated into the wiper arm fail to provide an optimal trajectory for liquid distribution across the glazed surface, leading to incomplete cleaning, especially when the nozzle is positioned too close to the rotation axis.

Innovation Solution

A wiper arm design featuring a spraying device positioned on the longitudinal part closer to the first end, with a duct extending along the drive member and connecting to a pipe inside the rotating shaft, allowing the nozzle to spray liquid efficiently across the glazed surface during the back-and-forth motion, ensuring better coverage by being arranged remotely from the rotation axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the nozzle is arranged on the drive member close to the rotation axis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the liquid trajectory becomes tight and cannot correctly cover the glazed surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle positioning simplicityVSAvoidliquid coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is repositioned from a radial arrangement (close to rotation axis) to a longitudinal arrangement (far from rotation axis) along the wiper arm. This dimensional change in nozzle positioning transforms the spray trajectory from a tight circular path to an extended arc that covers the entire glazed surface area effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the nozzle is arranged remotely from the rotation axis, then the liquid trajectory covers the glazed surface correctly, but the duct must extend along the drive member increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid coverage areaVSAvoidduct configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The duct is designed as a flexible component that can dynamically adapt its configuration as the wiper arm moves through its arc of motion. This flexibility allows the duct to extend along the drive member when needed for liquid delivery, then retract or conform to the arm's movement, reducing the effective complexity while maintaining proper nozzle positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible coupling or intermediate section is introduced between the drive member and the nozzle to bridge the gap created by the extended positioning. This intermediary component accommodates the relative motion and positioning requirements, allowing the nozzle to be placed optimally while managing the duct routing complexity through a specialized connecting element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the nozzle sprays liquid during wiper arm motion, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the nozzle must be stationary or rotatory around the rotation axis limiting positioning flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidnozzle positioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it remains stationary or rotatory around the rotation axis to maintain proper spray trajectory during wiper motion, while simultaneously being positioned remotely along the longitudinal axis to achieve optimal coverage. This multi-functional design allows the same nozzle structure to satisfy both the motion compatibility requirement and the positioning flexibility requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

The described configuration enables the liquid to be sprayed uniformly across the glazed surface, effectively covering the entire area, even when the wiper arm is in motion, thereby ensuring thorough cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a spraying device configured to spray a liquid on a glazed surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3943347B1Wiper arm with lateral nozzle
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 VALEO AUTOSYSTY
  • EP3943347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3943347B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3943347B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wiper arm for a wiping device of a vehicle, comprising a longitudinal part (6) and a drive member linked one another by a pivot linkage, the longitudinal part (6) comprising a first end (61) which is linked to the drive member and a second end opposed to the first end (61), the drive member being configured to be linked to a rotating shaft (5), characterized in that the wiper arm comprises a spraying device (12) configured to spray a liquid on a glazed surface and a duct (10), such spraying device (12) being arranged on the longitudinal part (6) closer to the first end (61) than to the second end (62), such duct (10) being configured to connect a pipe (51), which is arranged inside the rotating shaft (5), to the spraying device (12).