Vehicle Window Cleaning Apparatus With Suction Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windscreen wipers often leave water droplets on the glass due to deteriorated wiper blades that fail to maintain contact across the full length, impairing driver visibility, especially in dirty or greasy conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a fluid extraction opening on the wiper blade, a suction pump, and a fluid tight conduit to actively draw water away from the window using pressurized air, combined with a controller to monitor and adjust operation based on water and dirt presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wiper blades are used to clean the windscreen, then the wiper blades can scrape water and dirt to the edge of the glass, but the wiper blades leave droplets of water on the windscreen and their performance deteriorates over time due to material degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts water from the windscreen surface using a suction system. A fluid extraction opening is provided in the wiper blade, connected via a fluid tight conduit to a suction pump that actively draws water and dirt away from the glass surface, preventing water droplet accumulation and improving visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the traditional wiper blade function with an integrated fluid extraction system. The wiper blade is merged with a suction apparatus including an extraction opening, conduit, and pump, creating a hybrid system that both wipes and actively removes water from the windscreen.
2Productivity
If the suction pump is powered by a dedicated pressurized air source, then the fluid extraction can be effective, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pressurized air system multi-functional by using it for both engine induction (original purpose) and powering the suction pump (new purpose). The fluid extraction opening is connected to the existing pressurized air source, allowing the same air supply to serve dual functions without requiring a separate dedicated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own pressurized air supply (from the induction system) to power the suction pump, rather than requiring an external or dedicated air source. The vehicle's existing infrastructure serves the additional function of driving the fluid extraction system.
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 reduces the amount of water and dirt left on the windscreen, improving driver visibility by ensuring consistent contact and enhanced cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
The suction pump may comprise a venturi duct through which air flows; and wherein the outlet of the fluid tight conduit is in fluidic communication with the flow of air at a throat of the venturi duct.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for cleaning a window of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes: a fluid extraction opening provided on the vehicle in proximity to the window of the vehicle; a suction pump mounted in the vehicle; and a fluid tight conduit extending between the fluid extraction opening and the suction pump.