Vehicle Washer Fluid Module Sealing for Easy External Filling
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer fluid systems require users to open the vehicle bonnet and lean over the engine compartment to fill the washer fluid, which is inconvenient and prone to water trapping and dirt contamination, and can be difficult in low temperatures, while also causing aerodynamic losses and noise.
Innovation Solution
A washer fluid system with a modular design featuring a reservoir, a lid element, and two seal members that minimize the gap between the lid and adjacent vehicle subsystems, allowing easy access for filling without opening the bonnet, while providing a reliable seal to prevent water and dirt entry and reducing aerodynamic drag and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filling unit is arranged at an outer surface of the vehicle, then the filling operation becomes easier and more accessible, but water trapping and dirt contamination occur around the filling unit
Solution Approach 1:
The filling unit is segmented into a modular washer fluid module that can be independently sealed and closed off from the external environment. The module includes a reservoir with a lid element that creates a sealed closure, separating the filling mechanism from direct external exposure while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A lid element acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the filling unit. This lid provides a sealed closure that prevents water and dirt from entering the filling area while still allowing controlled access for filling operations through its opening functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If a gap exists between the lid element and adjacent subsystems, then assembly and manufacturing are easier, but water collects and freezes in the gap causing operational difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal member is introduced to bridge the gap between the lid element and adjacent subsystems. This seal member can deform and adapt to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining continuous sealing contact, preventing water accumulation even when gaps exist for assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed with compensating features that anticipate and accommodate manufacturing variations. By incorporating this sealing element beforehand in the design, the system pre-cushions against potential water ingress due to gap variations, ensuring reliable sealing under freezing conditions.
3Reliability
If the lid element is designed to tightly seal the reservoir opening, then sealing performance improves, but the lid becomes harder to open especially in low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be compliant during closing operations for effective sealing, but to release easily when opening force is applied. The seal can deform under compression to create a tight seal, yet can be overcome by sufficient opening force without requiring excessive effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing force parameters are optimized to provide sufficient sealing pressure for reliability while remaining within manageable opening forces. The seal member's material properties and geometric parameters are selected to achieve the right balance between sealing effectiveness and operability across different temperature conditions.
4Volume of moving object
If the reservoir is located below the bonnet in the engine compartment, then space utilization is efficient, but the filling operation requires opening the bonnet and leaning over the engine compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The filling unit is extracted as a separate, accessible module that can be positioned at the outer surface of the vehicle rather than being integrated deep within the engine compartment. This extraction allows the reservoir to remain space-efficient below the bonnet while the filling interface is made accessible externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling unit is repositioned from a vertical arrangement requiring bonnet opening to a horizontal arrangement at the vehicle's outer surface. This dimensional change in positioning allows easy side-access for filling operations while maintaining the reservoir's compact location within the vehicle structure.
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
Facilitates easy and clean filling of the washer fluid system, prevents water and dirt accumulation, reduces noise and aerodynamic losses, and maintains a reliable seal even in freezing conditions, enhancing vehicle performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The first seal member is arranged at least partially encircle the opening of the reservoir and configured to be deformed when the lid element is in a closed position to seal the opening of the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The second seal member is arranged on an opposite side of the lid element relative to the first seal member and configured to compress the first seal member in an opening direction of the lid element when the lid element is in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a washer fluid system (10) for a vehicle (1), a vehicle comprising such washer fluid system and a manufacturing method for such washer fluid system. The washer fluid system comprises a washer fluid module (20), a first seal member (11) and a second seal member (12). The washer fluid module is arrangeable in the vehicle to provide a washer fluid. The washer fluid module comprises a reservoir (22) and a lid element (21). The reservoir is configured to retain the washer fluid and the lid element is configured to releasably close an opening (23) of the reservoir. The first seal member is arranged at least partially encircle the opening of the reservoir and configured to be deformed when the lid element is in a closed position to seal the opening of the reservoir. The second seal member is arranged on an opposite side of the lid element relative to the first seal member and configured to compress the first seal member in an opening direction of the lid element when the lid element is in the closed position.