Reciprocating Scrubbing Wiper Blade for Debris Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield wipers are ineffective in removing debris such as insect residue, bird droppings, and tree sap, and struggle with ice buildup, leading to obstructed views and safety issues during inclement weather, while also wasting fuel and emitting harmful emissions when idling to clear ice.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper assembly with a reciprocating scrubbing wiper blade and motorized scrubber element that moves laterally across the windshield, using a scrubber assembly with opposing sides to scrub the windshield and a fluid line positioned to minimize fluid usage, and an optional heating system for ice removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional squeegee wiper blade is used, then liquid removal is effective, but debris removal capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a squeegee blade and a scrubber blade into a single integrated wiper assembly. The squeegee blade removes liquid while the scrubber blade with abrasive particles scrubs adherent debris like insect residue and bird droppings. This merging of functions allows both liquid removal and debris removal to occur simultaneously during a single wiper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scrubber blade is constructed as a composite structure with a flexible support member and a scrubbing surface layer containing abrasive particles. This composite design provides both the flexibility needed to conform to the windshield surface and the abrasive capability to remove adherent debris, resolving the contradiction between effective contact and debris removal power.
2Shape
If the wiper blade is made thin and flexible to follow windshield contours, then contact with curved surfaces is improved, but scrubbing force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade uses a composite structure where a flexible support member provides contour-following capability while a separate scrubbing surface layer with abrasive particles provides scrubbing force. The flexible support can be made of materials like rubber or plastic that conform to curved surfaces, while the scrubbing layer contains harder abrasive particles that maintain scrubbing effectiveness despite the overall flexibility of the blade.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wiper blade have different properties: the support member is flexible for contour following, while the scrubbing surface layer is more rigid and abrasive for forceful debris removal. This local differentiation of material properties allows the blade to simultaneously follow windshield contours and apply sufficient scrubbing force where needed.
3Reliability
If engine idling is used to clear ice buildup, then ice removal is achieved, but fuel consumption increases and emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical system of engine idling with a direct mechanical scraping system. Instead of using engine heat to melt ice (which requires prolonged idling and consumes fuel), the wiper assembly mechanically scrapes ice off the windshield using the scrubber blade's abrasive action. This substitution eliminates the need for extended engine idling, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while effectively clearing ice buildup.
4Reliability
If washer fluid is sprayed to liquefy debris, then squeegee removal is improved, but fluid consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical-fluid system with a mechanical-abrasive system. Instead of relying on washer fluid to liquefy and enable squeegee removal of adherent debris, the scrubber blade directly mechanically scrubs and abrades debris like insect residue and bird droppings from the windshield surface. This mechanical approach reduces or eliminates the need for large quantities of washer fluid, decreasing fluid consumption and environmental impact.
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
Enhances visibility by effectively removing debris and ice, reduces fuel consumption and emissions by allowing quick ice clearance without engine idling, and improves windshield clarity with reduced fluid usage and minimized environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a reciprocating scrubbing wiper blade... causes the side of the scrubbing wiper blade contacting the windshield to scrub the windshield
Implementation Method 2
a motor engaged with the slider element to reciprocally move the scrubbing wiper blade
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A windshield wiper includes a support structure, a scrubbing wiper assembly, and a motor. The scrubbing wiper assembly is slidably attached to the support structure and has a central longitudinal axis extending in the elongate direction between a first end and a spaced apart second end. The scrubbing wiper assembly includes a slider element and a wiper blade rigidly secured to the slider element. The motor is mounted to the support structure and is engaged with the slider element to reciprocally move the scrubbing wiper blade along the central longitudinal axis. The reciprocation can impart a linear torque to the slider element. Methods of cleaning and polishing a windshield using a windshield wiper are also included.