Telescopic Washer Nozzle Heating Assembly for Ice Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated vehicle surface cleaning devices face issues with electrical components being prone to corrosion and frequent wire breakage due to bending, especially in dynamic pop-up nozzles, and lack modularity for easy assembly and switching between heated and non-heated versions.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic vehicle surface cleaning device with a separate heating unit sub-assembly that is stationary relative to the nozzle carrier, using a self-regulating PTC resistor heating element with a heat conductive body, arranged in close proximity to the nozzle aperture to prevent ice buildup without exposed electrical contacts, and allowing for easy assembly and conversion between heated and non-heated modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical elements are integrated into the nozzle or nozzle carrier close to the aperture for static nozzles, then heating function is achieved, but exposed electrical contacts or sliding connections are subject to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a stationary heating unit sub-assembly and a movable washing unit. The heating element is contained within the stationary heating unit, separating the electrical components from the moving nozzle carrier, thus preventing corrosion while maintaining heating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A stationary heating unit sub-assembly acts as an intermediary between the electrical power source and the movable nozzle. This intermediate structure provides a stable mounting point for electrical components, eliminating direct exposure to corrosive environments while still enabling heat transfer to the nozzle aperture.
2Reliability
If electrical wiring is provided for movable cleaning units, then heating function is achieved, but frequent bending causes wire breakage due to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a stationary heating unit with fixed electrical wiring and a movable washing unit. This segmentation ensures that electrical wires remain stationary and are not subjected to bending during telescopic movement, preventing fatigue-induced breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical wiring and heating element are extracted from the movable nozzle carrier and placed in a separate stationary heating unit. This extraction eliminates the problem of wire bending and breakage while maintaining the heating function during nozzle movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heated version is provided separately from non-heated version, then modularity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into a separate, optional heating unit sub-assembly that can be independently added or removed. This allows the same washing unit to function as either a heated or non-heated version, providing versatility without permanently increasing the base device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing unit is designed with universal compatibility to work with or without the heating unit sub-assembly. This universal design allows a single washing unit structure to serve multiple functions (heated or non-heated versions) by simply adding or removing the optional heating component.
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
The solution prevents electrical component corrosion and wire breakage while ensuring effective ice prevention at the nozzle aperture under freezing conditions, allowing for easy assembly and modularity in the cleaning device.
Implementation Method 1
a self-regulating PTC resistor heating element
Implementation Method 2
a heat conductive body arranged in close proximity to the nozzle aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic vehicle surface cleaning device comprising a washing unit, the washing unit comprising a nozzle carrier housing, a nozzle carrier and at least one fluid nozzle with at least one nozzle aperture, the nozzle carrier being movable relative to the nozzle carrier housing between first and second positions, the first position being a rest position and the second position being an extended position, the device further comprising a heating unit, the heating unit being configured as a heating sub assembly of the device and the heating unit comprising a heating element carrier with an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element carrier being fixed relative to the nozzle carrier housing and being configured such that the heating element is arranged in front of and adjacent to the nozzle aperture in the rest position of the nozzle carrier such that an air gap remains between a heating surface of the heating element and the nozzle aperture.