Pivoting Vehicle Gutter for Aerodynamic Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gutter channels on vehicles, formed from static incongruities, disrupt the smooth exterior surface and reduce aerodynamic efficiency by increasing drag, even when not in use during rainy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A wiper system with a gutter that moves between a stowed and deployed position, integrated with the windshield wiper, using a common drive mechanism to extend along the lateral edge of the windshield, preventing rain from reaching the side windows while maintaining a continuous aerodynamic surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If static gutter channels are formed from incongruities in paneling, then rain water can be caught and guided over the vehicle, but the exterior surface is disrupted and aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the gutter channel movable rather than static. The gutter can be deployed when rain is detected and retracted when not in use, allowing the exterior surface to remain smooth during normal driving conditions, thus reducing aerodynamic drag while maintaining rain water control capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the gutter function from the main body paneling, creating a separate movable component. This allows the gutter to be independently controlled and retracted into a recess, separating the rain protection function from the aerodynamic surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between rain water management and aerodynamic efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If a movable gutter is integrated with the wiper system, then the exterior surface remains smooth and aerodynamic, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gutter mechanism with the existing wiper system by integrating the drive mechanism and control systems. The gutter is positioned adjacent to the wiper assembly and shares common mounting structures and control electronics, which minimizes the increase in overall device complexity while achieving the desired aerodynamic benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the wiper assembly to serve dual purposes: windshield cleaning and rain water channeling. The gutter integrates with the wiper's mounting structure and control system, allowing a single assembly to perform multiple functions without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wiper system includes a drive mechanism, a wiper and a gutter each connected to the drive mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The wiper has a stowed position and an extended position. The drive mechanism reciprocally moves the wiper about a pivot axis to sweep a defined area of a windshield. The drive mechanism moves the gutter together with the wiper about the pivot axis between a stowed position and a deployed position wherein the gutter extends along a lateral edge of the windshield. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the gutter in the deployed position allowing the gutter to be statically disposed at the deployed position while the wiper is reciprocally moved about the pivot axis.