Vehicle Windscreen Cleaning Cycle with Sensor-Based Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current windshield cleaning systems for vehicles require manual intervention and may not effectively remove dry dirt, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential overuse of windshield washer fluid, as the driver cannot assess the windshield's condition remotely.
Innovation Solution
A method that includes a test phase for water and/or rain presence, followed by a washing phase and a controlled wiping phase, using a specialized washing liquid and reduced spraying pressure, and slow brush movements to ensure effective impurity removal without unnecessary fluid use, allowing remote activation of the cleaning cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the washing device is systematically activated before the wiping device, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the windscreen washer fluid is overconsumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary test phase using an optical sensor to detect the presence of water or rain on the windscreen before activating the washing device. This preliminary detection allows the system to conditionally activate the washing phase only when necessary, avoiding systematic overuse of washer fluid while ensuring cleaning effectiveness when water is present
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an optical sensor to detect the windscreen condition and provides feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device intelligently decides whether to activate the washing phase, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes fluid consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Loss of substance
If the wiping device is activated without preliminary washing, then the fluid consumption is reduced, but the wiper blade life is reduced due to damage from solid impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary detection of water or rain presence before activating the wiping device. When water is detected, the washing phase is activated first to dissolve solid impurities, protecting the wiper blade. When no water is detected, the system skips the washing phase and goes directly to wiping, reducing fluid consumption while still protecting the blade when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning cycle is made dynamic and adaptive based on real-time windscreen conditions. The system can switch between different cleaning modes (washing only, washing then wiping, or wiping only) depending on the detected presence of water or rain, optimizing both fluid consumption and wiper blade protection for each specific condition
3Loss of substance
If the driver manually assesses the windshield condition before cleaning, then the fluid usage is optimized, but the cleaning process requires manual intervention and cannot be performed remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-assessment of the windscreen condition using an integrated optical sensor that automatically detects the presence of water or rain. This eliminates the need for manual driver assessment while enabling remote activation, as the system independently determines whether washing is necessary based on sensor feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual assessment process is replaced with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor automatically detects windscreen conditions, substituting the driver's manual assessment with an automated electronic detection mechanism that enables remote operation while maintaining fluid usage optimization
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
Ensures effective windshield cleaning by optimizing the cleaning cycle based on the windshield's condition, reducing fluid consumption, and prolonging wiper blade life by avoiding unnecessary washing and using a tailored washing liquid and movement pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a test phase for the presence of water and/or rain on the windshield
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The method involves performing remote activation of a cleaning cycle of a windscreen of a motor vehicle. Presence of water and/or rain on the windscreen is tested (S8). A prior washing phase is activated (S9) based on a negative result of the testing phase with an aid of the wiping device of the vehicle. A waiting phase is activated (S10) before the windscreen wiping phase is activated. A windscreen wiping phase is activated (S11) based on a positive result of the testing phase with the aid of the wiping device. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an on-board control device (2) a remote controller (3) a computer program comprising a set of instructions for performing a method for cleaning a windscreen of a motor vehicle (4) a system for cleaning a windscreen of a motor vehicle.