Washer Tank Lower-Pipe Layout to Reduce Heat Loss and Frost Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The temperature of washer fluid in existing washer tanks decreases due to heat loss through pipes and ventilation ports penetrating the tank's wall surface, leading to ineffective frost dissolving performance.
Innovation Solution
A washer tank design with the inflow, outflow pipes, and heating element positioned at the lower portion to minimize heat loss, and an optional outer container for enhanced insulation, along with an air release pipe extending downward to maintain temperature retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the water supply pipe, water transport pipe, or ventilation portion penetrates through the upper side wall surface of the water tank, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat escapes upward from these penetrating components causing the washer fluid temperature to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design by moving the pipe penetration location from the upper side wall surface to the lower side wall surface of the water tank. This inversion prevents heat escape because the heated washer fluid rises to the upper portion due to convection, and placing pipes at the lower side avoids direct heat loss paths. The heating element is also positioned at the lower side to efficiently heat the incoming cold fluid before it rises and mixes with the bulk fluid.
2Temperature
If the heating portion is positioned at the upper side of the water tank, then the heated fluid can rise naturally, but heat escapes more easily from the upper wall surface reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned at the lower side of the water tank to perform preliminary heating of the cold washer fluid before it enters the main storage volume. This preliminary action heats the fluid at the source, and the natural convection current then distributes this heat throughout the tank as the warmed fluid rises and circulates, preventing direct heat loss from the upper wall surface.
3Ease of operation
If pipes penetrate through the upper side wall surface, then installation is simple, but the washer fluid temperature decreases due to heat escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design by moving the pipe penetration location from the upper side wall surface to the lower side wall surface of the water tank. This inversion prevents heat escape because the heated washer fluid rises to the upper portion due to convection, and placing pipes at the lower side avoids direct heat loss paths. The heating element is also positioned at the lower side to efficiently heat the incoming cold fluid before it rises and mixes with the bulk fluid.
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 design effectively suppresses temperature decrease of the washer fluid, ensuring it remains at a high temperature for effective frost dissolving, even in cold conditions, by reducing heat escape and enhancing insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating portion which heats the washer fluid
Implementation Method 2
the washer fluid heated by the heating portion rises in the storage space inside the first container
Data Source
AI summary
A washer tank according to an embodiment includes: a first container which stores a washer fluid and retains a temperature of the washer fluid; an inflow pipe through which the washer fluid flows into a storage space in the first container; an outflow pipe through which the washer fluid flows out of the first container from the storage space; and a heating portion which heats the washer fluid, in which all the inflow pipe, the outflow pipe, and the heating portion are disposed in a lower portion of the first container.