Rail Vehicle Windshield Washer Crash Element Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Windshield washer systems in rail vehicles are prone to damage or destruction during low-speed collisions, as they are typically fastened to the vehicle body and exposed to impact forces, which can also damage the front window.

Innovation Solution

The windshield washer device is coupled with a crash element that absorbs and transfers impact forces to an impact absorbing element, allowing the device to move away from the collision point and be protected from damage, with the drive device and liquid container being positioned to move into a safe space during an impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the windshield washer device is fastened to the vehicle body, then the device is securely positioned and stable during normal operation, but the device is vulnerable to damage during low-speed collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of windshield washer deviceVSAvoiddamage resistance of windshield washer device

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The windshield washer device is coupled to the crash element rather than being fixed to the vehicle body, allowing it to move dynamically during collisions. The device can disengage from its normal position and move away from the impact zone when collision forces are applied, transforming from a static fixed mounting to a dynamic collision-responsive mounting system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The crash element serves as an intermediary between the windshield washer device and the vehicle body. This intermediate component absorbs and redirects collision forces, protecting the windshield washer device from direct impact damage while maintaining secure positioning during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the windshield washer device is positioned close to the front window for effective cleaning, then the cleaning function is optimized, but the device is exposed to impact forces during collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidimpact exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling with the crash element enables the windshield washer device to dynamically reposition during collisions. Normally positioned for optimal cleaning access to the front window, the device can move away from the impact zone when collision forces are applied, reducing exposure to harmful impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The collision forces that would normally damage the windshield washer device are converted into a protective mechanism. The movement of the crash element during collision intentionally displaces the device from the impact zone, transforming the harmful collision event into a protective action that saves the device from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the windshield washer device is made robust to withstand collisions, then damage resistance is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than strengthening the windshield washer device itself, a crash element is introduced as an intermediary protective component. This separates the protection function from the cleaning function, allowing the windshield washer device to remain simple and lightweight while the crash element provides the necessary collision resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection system is segmented into separate functional components: the windshield washer device for cleaning and the crash element for collision protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without unnecessary complexity, with the crash element bearing the collision loads rather than the cleaning device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration effectively protects the windshield washer device from damage during low-speed collisions by allowing it to move away from the impact zone, reducing the risk of damage to the device and the front window, while the impact absorbing elements absorb the collision energy.

Implementation Method 1

the impact energy is absorbed by the impact absorbing element during the movement of the crash element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact energy absorption: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS9027484B2Front-arrangement for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a screen cleaning device

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH

AI summary

A front arrangement for a rail vehicle comprising a crash element with a forward facing crash surface, and a windshield washer device which, in turn, comprises a drive device and a front window wiper device drivable by said drive device. The crash element includes at least one impact absorbing element. The windshield washer device is fastened to the crash element for the vehicle, and is movable relative to a support of the front arrangement and thus, movable relative to the load-bearing construction of the vehicle so as to move backward during the occurrence of the impact forces and to enable absorption of the acting impact energy by the impact absorbing element.