Vehicle Side Mirror Cleaning for In-Motion De-Icing and Wiping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side mirror cleaning systems are inadequate for cleaning mirrors during vehicle transit and in various weather conditions, increasing the risk of accidents due to obstructed visibility.
Innovation Solution
A mirror cleaning system comprising a housing with a spray nozzle and wiper blade, integrated with the vehicle's power and fluid sources, allowing for independent operation to clean and de-ice side mirrors without requiring the vehicle to stop, using a housing that clips onto the side mirror and utilizing the vehicle's windshield wiper fluid and battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a driver stops to clean side mirrors manually, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate due to vehicle stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The side mirror cleaning system performs cleaning operations automatically without requiring driver intervention or vehicle stoppage. The system includes a housing that attaches to the side mirror, a spray nozzle that sprays cleaning fluid onto the mirror surface, and a wiper blade that automatically wipes the mirror, enabling the mirror to clean itself while the vehicle remains in motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing cleaning systems are used, then some cleaning capability is provided, but adaptability to various weather conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is designed to handle multiple weather conditions and contamination types through its multi-functional components. The spray nozzle can apply cleaning fluid effective against snow, ice, dirt, and other debris, while the heating element provides thermal treatment for icy conditions, and the wiper blade mechanically removes various types of contaminants, making the system adaptable to diverse weather scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and properties of cleaning materials to address different weather conditions. The heating element raises the temperature to melt ice and snow, the spray nozzle delivers cleaning fluid in appropriate quantities and pressures, and the wiper blade adjusts its wiping action to effectively remove various types of debris accumulated under different weather conditions.
3Reliability
If a cleaning system is added to the vehicle, then cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into separate functional modules that can be independently attached to and removed from the side mirror. The housing contains the spray nozzle and wiper blade mechanisms, which can be installed as a unit on the existing side mirror assembly. This modular approach allows the cleaning functionality to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire mirror system, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enables safe and efficient cleaning of vehicle side mirrors in motion, reducing the risk of accidents by providing a self-sufficient system that can operate independently of dedicated power and fluid sources, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spray nozzle attachable to the housing, such that the spray nozzle is configured to spray the mirror
Implementation Method 2
a wiper blade securable to the housing, such that the wiper blade is configured to wipe the mirror
Implementation Method 3
any heating element included is configured to de-ice or de-frost the transparent window and/or the original vehicle side mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror cleaning system, an improved mirror for a vehicle having the system installed thereto, and a method of cleaning the improved mirror using the system. The system includes a housing attachable to a vehicle side mirror, a heating element operably connected to a power source, a wiper, and a spray nozzle fluidly connected to a cleaning fluid source. The system is designed to de-ice and de-frost the improved mirror, spray cleaning fluid thereon, and wipe debris and fluids to improve driver visibility.