Vehicle Roof Wiper Assembly for Sensor Cleaning in Tight Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roof assemblies for semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles require numerous components and increased installation space to effectively clean multiple environment sensors, leading to higher costs and complex maintenance due to the need for multiple wiper elements and electric motors for translational movement.
Innovation Solution
A roof assembly with a combined window wiper assembly featuring two wiper elements sharing a common pivot axis, allowing one wiper element to clean the windshield or rear window and the other to clean the see-through area, reducing the number of necessary components and simplifying maintenance by using a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate wiper elements and electric motors are used to clean multiple environment sensors, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wiper elements onto a single common pivot axis, allowing one rotational mechanism to clean multiple environment sensors. This merging approach reduces the number of separate electric motors and mechanical linkages while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage across all sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The common pivot axis serves as a universal mounting structure that supports multiple wiper elements, each capable of cleaning different sensors. This multi-functional design allows a single rotational mechanism to perform the cleaning function for multiple sensors simultaneously or sequentially.
2Reliability
If multiple separate wiper elements and electric motors are used to clean multiple environment sensors, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple wiper elements onto a single pivot axis, the patent consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate motor mounts and mechanical assemblies into one compact unit. This significantly reduces the installation space required on the vehicle roof while maintaining the ability to clean all sensors.
3Reliability
If multiple separate wiper elements and electric motors are used to clean multiple environment sensors, then cleaning coverage is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple wiper elements onto a single pivot axis, which simplifies maintenance by reducing the number of separate electric motors and mechanical assemblies. This design allows for easier access and replacement of individual wiper elements while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage across all sensors.
4Reliability
If translational movement mechanism is used for wiper elements, then cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using translational movement mechanisms for each wiper element, the patent inverts the approach by using rotational movement of a single pivot axis to position multiple wiper elements. This rotational mechanism is simpler and more cost-effective while achieving the same cleaning capability.
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 reduces the number of components and installation space required, making the cleaning system more cost-efficient and easier to maintain while maintaining effective cleaning of both windows and see-through areas.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning nozzles are preferably each disposed on the roof skin of the motor vehicle in front of the see-through area with respect to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle and spray the cleaning fluid onto the see-through area to be cleaned in the direction opposite to the direction of travel
Implementation Method 2
the wiper element is moved, typically translationally, along the surface of the see-through area to be cleaned with a rubber blade disposed thereon following the spraying process so that dirt particles located on the surface are mechanically removed
Data Source
AI summary
A roof assembly for forming a vehicle roof of a motor vehicle. The roof assembly may have a panel component at least partially forming a roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof skin serving as an outer sealing surface, at least one environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals through a see-through area to detect a vehicle environment, and at least one cleaning feature. The cleaning feature may have a window wiper assembly having two wiper elements which have a common pivot axis, the one wiper element being configured to clean a windshield or a rear window and the other wiper element being configured to clean the see-through area.