Rear Wiper Motor Assembly with Position-Dependent Kill Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rear wiper systems lack a mechanism to automatically deactivate the wiper and washer fluid pump when the rear window is open or the cabin enclosure is removed, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and potential washer fluid leakage due to the absence of fluid isolation between front and rear washer systems.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly with a rotatable output shaft and a pivotable wiper arm, coupled with a kill switch that prevents electrical current from reaching the motor assembly when the wiper and rear window are spaced apart, allowing for independent operation of front and rear washer systems without fluid supply lines, enabling easy removal and installation of the cabin enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rear wiper system operates continuously without deactivation mechanism, then the wiper can always be ready to clean the rear window, but energy is wasted when the rear window is open or cabin enclosure is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a switch that detects the position of the wiper arm relative to the rear window to provide feedback to the motor assembly. When the wiper arm is not in contact with the rear window (indicating the window is open or cabin is removed), the switch sends a signal to deactivate the motor assembly, preventing energy waste while maintaining readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper system automatically deactivates itself based on its own operational state. The switch integrated with the wiper arm mechanism detects when the system is not in use and automatically cuts power to the motor assembly without requiring external control, enabling the system to serve itself by managing its own energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If the rear wiper system lacks fluid isolation between front and rear washer systems, then the system structure is simpler, but washer fluid can leak when the rear window is open or cabin enclosure is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the fluid isolation requirement by providing separate, independent fluid supply lines for the front and rear washer systems. This allows the rear washer system to operate independently without being connected to the front system, preventing fluid leakage when the cabin enclosure is removed while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular independence.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cabin enclosure requires fluid supply line disconnection for removal, then fluid isolation is maintained, but the removal and installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The washer system is segmented into independent front and rear modules with separate fluid supply lines. This segmentation allows the cabin enclosure to be removed or installed without disconnecting any fluid lines, as the rear washer system is self-contained and isolated by design, thereby simplifying the removal process while maintaining fluid isolation.
4Ease of operation
If the wiper system operates without position-based deactivation, then continuous operation is simpler to control, but the switch cannot prevent electrical current from reaching the motor assembly when the wiper is not in contact with the rear window
Solution Approach 1:
The switch provides automatic feedback based on the wiper arm's position relative to the rear window. When the wiper arm is not contacting the rear window, the switch automatically interrupts electrical current to the motor assembly. This feedback mechanism maintains control simplicity while preventing energy waste through automatic deactivation based on operational state.
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 solution ensures the rear wiper system is deactivated when not in use, preventing energy wastage and reducing the risk of washer fluid leakage, while allowing for quick and easy removal of the cabin enclosure without disconnecting fluid supply lines, simplifying manufacturing and reducing components.
Implementation Method 1
The wiper may include a spring biasing the arm toward the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle may include a motor assembly, a wiper and a switch. The motor assembly may be mounted to a spare tire carrier on a tailgate of the vehicle and may include an output shaft that is rotatable relative to the spare tire carrier. The wiper may be attached to the output shaft for rotation with the output shaft relative to a rear window pane of the vehicle. The switch may be electrically connected to the motor assembly and may be operable to allow electrical current to reach the motor assembly when the wiper is in contact with the rear window pane. The switch may be operable to prevent electrical current from reaching the motor assembly in response to the wiper and the rear window pane being spaced apart from each other.