Windshield Washer Fluid Heating via Degassing Unit Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield washer fluid heating systems that utilize the engine's degassing unit as a heat source face challenges in installing the reservoir due to shape and location constraints, limiting flexibility in vehicle integration.
Innovation Solution
A device where the degassing unit's wall is partially coated with an outer shell forming an internal volume connected to the windscreen washer fluid circuit, allowing for efficient heat exchange with a small and constant thickness, enabling rapid heating of the fluid without disrupting the thermal balance of the cooling circuit, and incorporating a bubble evacuation mechanism in the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reservoir at least partially surrounds the degassing unit, then heating efficiency is improved, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the heating function into two independent parts: the degassing unit remains a separate component while the reservoir is equipped with a dedicated heating element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the degassing unit for its primary function and the reservoir for heating efficiency - while maintaining installation flexibility as the reservoir can be positioned anywhere in the engine compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element integrated into the reservoir serves multiple purposes: it heats the washer fluid directly in the reservoir and also provides thermal energy to the degassing unit when fluid circulates through the connected circuit. This multi-functionality improves overall system efficiency without requiring the reservoir to physically surround the degassing unit.
2Temperature
If the reservoir is positioned to optimize heating, then thermal efficiency is improved, but installation constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic thermal system where the heating element can operate at different power levels and the fluid circulation between the reservoir and degassing unit can be adjusted. This allows the system to adapt to different installation configurations and operational requirements, maintaining thermal efficiency regardless of the reservoir's specific position in the engine compartment.
3Productivity
If heat exchange is intensified between reservoir and degassing unit, then heating performance is improved, but thermal balance of cooling circuit is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates thermal feedback control where the heating element's operation is regulated based on the temperature of the washer fluid and the thermal state of the degassing unit. This feedback mechanism ensures that heat is transferred efficiently to the washer fluid while preventing excessive heat extraction that would disrupt the engine cooling circuit's thermal balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the heating system, using a controllable heating element that can adjust its power output rather than relying on fixed passive heat exchange. This allows optimization of heat transfer to the washer fluid while maintaining the thermal stability of the overall cooling system by modulating heat extraction from the degassing unit.
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
This solution effectively heats the windshield washer fluid while providing flexibility in reservoir placement and maintaining the thermal balance of the engine's cooling circuit, ensuring efficient cleaning and defrosting capabilities without imposing installation constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (20) integrated into the reservoir and designed to heat the liquid contained therein
Implementation Method 2
a pump taking the liquid therefrom and delivering it under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device has an outer wall (9) covering a wall of a hemispherical lower hot part (1) of a degassing case in an engine cooling circuit of a motor vehicle, where the outer wall is in the form of a spherical shell. The outer wall defines an internal chamber that is fixed to a pipe (12) connected to an outlet of a pump of a windscreen washer system, where thickness of the internal chamber ranges from 2 to 4 mm. The internal chamber is fixed to another pipe (13) connected to a washer fluid projection system that projects washer liquid from the reservoir.