Vehicle Window Cleaning Control System with Sensor-Based Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle window cleaning systems with defrosting and insect cleaning functions consume excessive resources, as they are often activated unnecessarily or ineffectively, especially when there is no frost or minimal soiling, leading to wastage of special liquids or energy.

Innovation Solution

A control system that uses sensors and electronic means to detect the presence and quantity of frost or insects on the windshield, only activating the defrosting or insect cleaning functions when necessary, and allowing remote user activation to conserve resources and prevent overactivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the defrosting or insect cleaning function is activated continuously or without detection, then the cleaning function is always available, but the consumption of special liquid and energy increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning function availabilityVSAvoidspecial liquid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor performs preliminary detection of frost or insects on the windshield before the defrosting or insect cleaning function is activated. This preliminary action allows the system to determine whether the cleaning function is actually needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary consumption of special liquid and energy while ensuring the function is available when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor provides feedback information about the presence of frost or insects to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system intelligently activates or deactivates the defrosting or insect cleaning function, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes resource consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the defrosting or insect cleaning function is activated without quantity verification, then the function responds quickly to user demand, but the device may be ineffective against excessive frost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor performs preliminary detection not only of the presence but also of the quantity of frost or insects on the windshield. This preliminary assessment of material quantity allows the control system to determine whether the defrosting or insect cleaning function will be effective, preventing activation when the frost thickness exceeds the device's capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor provides feedback information about the quantity of frost or insects to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system intelligently activates or deactivates the function, ensuring both rapid response when appropriate and avoidance of ineffective operation when frost is too thick.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the cleaning device is activated with excessive frost, then the function attempts to clean the windshield, but the liquid is wasted and the device becomes ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction activationVSAvoidenergy and liquid waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor performs preliminary detection of frost quantity before the cleaning function is activated. This preliminary assessment prevents the system from attempting to clean when frost thickness is excessive, thereby avoiding waste of liquid and energy while maintaining ease of operation when conditions are suitable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor provides feedback about frost quantity to the control system, which uses this information to make an intelligent decision about whether to activate the cleaning function. This feedback mechanism ensures that the function is only activated when it will be effective, preventing waste of resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3414134B1System and method for controlling a device for cleaning a window of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP3414134B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3414134B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for controlling a device (1) for cleaning a vehicle window (2), said device (1) being arranged to perform a first cleaning function, suitable for example for standard cleaning of dust, and at least one second cleaning function, intended for clearing the window (2) of a specific material, in particular frost, snow or insects, adhering to the outer surface of said window, comprising at least one sensor (19) arranged to provide information on the presence of said material on at least one portion of the outer surface of the window (2) and a first electronic means (20) arranged to receive commands for executing functions of the cleaning device (1) and communicating with the latter, characterised in that it is arranged so that the first electronic means (20) responds to a first command for executing the second function by performing, with the data of said at least one sensor (19), an identification of the presence or the absence of said material and not activating the second function if it identifies the absence of said material. The invention also relates to a method using said system.