Vehicle Window Wash Nozzle Fine Adjustment via Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window wash nozzles for vehicles offer only rough adjustments of the pivoting position, leading to undesirable nozzle element positioning due to inherent movement play during operation.
Innovation Solution
A sliding piece is mounted axially in the housing, interacting with an adjustment element to displace the sliding piece, which has a guiding cam that adjusts a transmission element transversely, allowing the nozzle element to pivot about its axis with finer precision and reducing movement play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an adjustment screw is used to pivot the nozzle element, then the nozzle element can be adjusted to different positions, but only rough adjustment is possible and movement play causes undesirable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sliding piece as an intermediary component between the adjustment screw and the nozzle element. The sliding piece converts the rotational movement of the adjustment screw into precise axial displacement, which then translates to controlled pivoting of the nozzle element through a cam mechanism. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the direct coupling that causes movement play, thereby achieving fine adjustment precision while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of adjustment precision by introducing a cam mechanism with a specifically designed profile. The cam profile transforms the axial movement of the sliding piece into rotational pivoting motion with enhanced precision. By carefully designing the cam geometry, the system achieves fine control over the nozzle element's pivoting angle, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and positioning precision.
2Device complexity
If the adjustment screw directly acts on the pivot axis, then adjustment is simple, but movement play leads to undesirable adjustment at the beginning of spraying
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding piece serves as a mediator that decouples the adjustment screw from the pivot axis. Instead of direct action, the adjustment screw moves the sliding piece axially, which then actuates the nozzle element pivoting through the cam mechanism. This indirect action eliminates the movement play that occurs in direct coupling, ensuring reliable and stable positioning from the beginning of spraying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism into distinct functional components: the adjustment screw for input, the sliding piece for motion conversion, the cam mechanism for amplification and precision, and the nozzle element for output. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability while maintaining reasonable complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a sliding piece with guiding cam is used, then fine adjustment precision is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the sliding piece: it acts as a guide for the adjustment screw, a cam follower for the pivoting mechanism, and a motion converter between linear and rotational movement. By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the design achieves fine adjustment precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding piece is designed as a multi-functional element that performs several roles simultaneously: providing precise guidance for the adjustment screw, generating the cam motion for pivoting control, and ensuring smooth transmission of movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired precision.
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 design enables precise adjustment of the nozzle element's position, reducing the risk of undesirable positioning and enhancing the robustness of the window wash nozzle.
Implementation Method 1
a guiding cam is formed on the sliding piece and interacts with a transmission element in such a manner that the transmission element is adjusted in a direction transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the sliding piece during axial displacement of the sliding piece
Implementation Method 2
the transmission element acts on the nozzle element excentrically with respect to the pivot axis of the nozzle element such that an adjustment of the transmission element brings about pivoting of the nozzle element about the pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A window wash nozzle for a vehicle includes a housing in which a nozzle element is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis. Actuation of an adjustment element pivots the nozzle element. A sliding piece mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the housing interacts with the adjustment element such that actuation of the adjustment element brings about an axial displacement of the sliding piece. A guiding cam is formed on the sliding piece and interacts with a transmission element such that the transmission element is adjusted in a direction transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the sliding piece during axial displacement of the sliding piece. The transmission element acts on the nozzle element excentrically with respect to the pivot axis of the nozzle element such that an adjustment of the transmission element brings about pivoting of the nozzle element about the pivot axis.