Windshield Washer Fluid Bottle Heater Using Power Converter Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window washer fluid systems in vehicles struggle to efficiently warm the fluid, especially in colder environments, due to challenges in cooling electrically powered heat-generating devices without additional cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A thermally conductive plastic window washer fluid container with a tapered design and integrated cooling fins, utilizing heat from an electric power converter to warm the fluid, where the side walls, bottom wall, and top are made from polycarbonate with ceramic materials like aluminum nitride or boron nitrate, and a thermally conductive coating enhances thermal energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrically powered devices are used to generate heat for warming washer fluid, then the washer fluid warming effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function and cooling function into a single integrated system. The washer fluid bottle serves dual purposes: storing washer fluid and acting as a heat sink for cooling electrical devices. The thermal interface directly couples the electrical device to the bottle, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems while using the same structure for both warming the fluid and dissipating heat from the electrical component
Solution Approach 2:
The washer fluid bottle is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it stores washer fluid, warms the fluid through thermal conduction from electrical devices, and serves as a thermal management system for cooling those same electrical devices. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the existing structure serve dual purposes without adding complexity
2Temperature
If additional cooling systems are added to cool electrically powered devices, then the device temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the washer fluid bottle itself as the cooling medium for the electrical devices. The bottle's thermal mass and connection to the ambient environment (through the vehicle's cooling airflow) provide passive cooling without requiring additional active cooling systems. The electrical device's heat is dissipated through the bottle structure, which serves its own cooling needs
3Temperature
If the container walls are made thicker to improve thermal energy retention, then the thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different wall thicknesses to different portions of the bottle. The bottom wall, which is in direct thermal contact with the electrical device, is made thicker to maximize thermal conduction and energy retention where it is most needed. The side and top walls are made thinner to reduce material usage and manufacturing complexity in areas where thermal retention is less critical. This localized variation in thickness optimizes thermal performance while maintaining ease of manufacture
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
Effectively warms the windshield washer fluid, improving cleaning efficiency in cold conditions without additional cooling systems, by dissipating heat generated by the electric converter through the container's structure, maintaining the converter within a desired temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally conductive plastic window washer fluid container... utilizing heat from an electric power converter to warm the fluid... dissipating thermal energy through the container's structure
Implementation Method 2
integrated cooling fins... dissipating thermal energy through the container's structure
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed windshield washer fluid storage system includes a fluid storage container with a thermal interface. The thermal interface provides for the transference of thermal energy into the container from a heat producing electrical component. Thermal energy from the component is communicating into the container to cool the component and heat washer fluid within the container.