Vehicle Sensor Wiper Linkage for Rectilinear Blade Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle wiping devices face challenges in converting rotary motion from a drive motor into a rectilinear motion for wiper blades, particularly in compact systems like vehicle detection systems, leading to mechanical interference and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A drive assembly with a pivot connection and a slide connection is used to convert rotary motion into rectilinear motion, allowing the wiper blade to move back and forth without interference, utilizing a carriage and lever system that enables independent movement of the wiper blade along a guide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drive assembly with multiple conversion mechanisms is used to convert rotary motion to rectilinear motion, then the wiper blade can achieve the desired rectilinear movement, but the device complexity and mechanical interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverectilinear movement conversionVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive assembly is divided into distinct functional modules: a rotary drive mechanism (motor with gear), a sliding mechanism (carriage with guide rails and sliding blocks), and a connecting rod mechanism. Each module performs a specific function in the motion conversion process, making the overall system more manageable and less interfering mechanically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage acts as an intermediary component between the rotary drive mechanism and the wiper blade assembly. It receives rotary motion from the motor through guide rails and sliding blocks, converts it to rectilinear motion, and transmits it to the wiper blade, thereby mediating the motion conversion while reducing direct mechanical interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drive assembly components are positioned to achieve rectilinear motion, then the wiper blade can move independently along the guide, but mechanical interference with other system components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent movement capabilityVSAvoidmechanical interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage moves along guide rails in a dimension parallel to the optical axis, while the wiper blade moves perpendicular to the optical axis. This dimensional separation allows independent movement of the wiper blade along the guide without mechanical interference with other system components positioned in different spatial dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact drive assembly is used in vehicle detection systems, then space is saved, but mechanical interference and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive assembly sizeVSAvoidmechanical interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding blocks are nested within the carriage structure, and the guide rails are integrated into the carriage housing. The connecting rod is housed within the carriage assembly. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume of the drive assembly while maintaining the functionality of each component, reducing space occupation without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4172008B1Wiping device for a detection system
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP4172008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4172008B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4172008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wiping device (3) for a detection system (1) of a vehicle, comprising an arm (9), a wiper (10), a drive motor (5) for driving the arm (9), and a drive assembly (6) comprising a carriage (8) which moves in straight lines and connects the drive motor (5) and the arm (9), said arm (9) being borne by said carriage (8). The drive assembly (6) comprises at least one pivot connection and at least one slide connection that are interposed between the drive motor (5) and arm (9).