Windshield Washer Fluid Supply System with Multi-Channel Duct
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield washer systems fail to effectively operate at low temperatures without anti-freeze agents, leading to clogged nozzles and wipers due to frozen washer liquid, especially below -18 °C without anti-freeze or -5 °C with insufficient anti-freeze.
Innovation Solution
A windshield washer fluid supply system utilizing a multi-channel duct with separate liquid and air channels in thermal contact, where heated air from the HVAC system is used to transfer heat to the washer fluid, allowing for efficient defrosting and operation without additional tubing or changes to the HVAC system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heated air is used to defrost washer fluid in existing systems, then the washer fluid can be heated, but the system requires additional tubing and modifications to the HVAC system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the washer fluid heating function with the existing HVAC system by integrating the ductwork routing, eliminating the need for separate heating components. The washer fluid duct is routed through the HVAC system's air distribution paths, allowing waste heat from the HVAC system to be utilized for preventing washer fluid freezing without adding complex dedicated heating infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing HVAC system is made multi-functional by using its air distribution ducts not only for climate control but also for heating the washer fluid. This allows the same infrastructure to serve dual purposes: maintaining cabin temperature and preventing washer fluid freezing, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If anti-freeze agent is added to washer fluid, then the freezing point is lowered, but the cost increases and the problem shifts to lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the washer fluid by routing its duct through the HVAC system's warm air paths before the fluid reaches the nozzle. This preventive heating action ensures the washer fluid remains above freezing temperatures throughout delivery, eliminating the need for anti-freeze agents and addressing the freezing problem before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical solution (anti-freeze agents) with a thermal solution (HVAC system heating). Instead of relying on chemical additives to lower the freezing point, the system uses thermal energy from the HVAC system to maintain the washer fluid temperature above freezing, substituting a mechanical/thermal approach for a chemical one.
3Temperature
If washer fluid is heated using known systems, then the fluid temperature increases, but the nozzles or wipers become clogged by frozen washer liquid at temperatures below -5 °C to -18 °C
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC system's air distribution ducts serve as an intermediary heating pathway for the washer fluid. By routing the washer fluid duct through these pre-warmed air paths, the system indirectly heats the washer fluid using the warm air as a thermal mediator, ensuring the fluid reaches the nozzle in a liquid state even in sub-freezing environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-heating the washer fluid through the HVAC system's warm air paths before the fluid can freeze and clog the nozzle. This anticipatory heating counteracts the freezing tendency of the washer fluid in cold temperatures, preventing clogging before it occurs.
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 system efficiently defrosts frozen washer liquid, ensuring continuous operation even at low temperatures without anti-freeze agents, by using heated air to thaw frozen washer fluid before it reaches the nozzle, thus preventing clogs and maintaining windshield cleaning functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first multi-channel duct comprising at least one liquid channel for conducting washer fluid and at least one air channel for conducting heated air, the liquid channel and the air channel being separate from each other but in thermal contact with each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a windshield washer fluid supply system (1), comprising: a washer fluid reservoir (4) for holding washer fluid, a washer fluid pump (5) for pumping washer fluid from the reservoir into a first supply duct (6) connected to a first input port (7) of an adapter (8), the adapter having a second input port (9) for receiving heated air, and having an output port (11) connected to a multi-channel duct (12a) comprising at least one channel (13) configured for guiding the washer liquid, at least one other channel (14) configured for guiding heated air for heating or defrosting the washer liquid. The present invention also relates to a windshield washer fluid system (3) comprising a windshield washer fluid supply system (1).