Windshield Cowling Rainwater Refill for Washer Reservoir Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional windshield cleaning systems require frequent refilling of the washer reservoir, especially in wet environments, and accessing the reservoir can be difficult for vehicle operators without mechanical or physical ease, leading to reduced visibility and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A windshield cowling that collects and conditions rainwater, dew, and snow runoff, using a collection trough and conditioning cartridge with surfactants and anti-freeze, directing the treated fluid back into the washer reservoir, and includes hatches for servicing without opening the engine hood.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the windshield washer reservoir is mounted within the engine compartment, then the system structure is compact, but accessing the reservoir for refilling becomes difficult for vehicle operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to reservoirVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cowling is divided into multiple hatches: a first hatch providing access to the collection chamber and a second hatch providing access to the reservoir. This segmentation allows operators to service the system without opening the engine hood, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and structural compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cowling acts as an intermediary structure between the engine compartment and the operator. It provides remote access to both the collection chamber and reservoir through hatches, eliminating the need to open the engine hood while maintaining the reservoir's compact mounting within the engine compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If windshield cleaning systems are used extensively in wet environments, then visibility is maintained, but the washer reservoir is exhausted quickly requiring frequent refilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility maintenanceVSAvoidtime for refilling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects and conditions windshield runoff water, storing it in the collection chamber. This self-service mechanism replenishes the washer reservoir without requiring operator intervention or external water sources, maintaining reliability while eliminating refilling time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding windshield runoff as waste, the system recovers it by collecting and conditioning the water. This recovered water is then stored and reused to replenish the washer reservoir, reducing the frequency of refilling operations while maintaining cleaning reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If a collection system is added to condition and store windshield runoff, then the washer reservoir is automatically replenished, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir replenishmentVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cowling structure serves multiple functions: it houses the collection chamber, contains the conditioning cartridge, provides access hatches for servicing, and directs conditioned water to the reservoir. This multi-functionality increases productivity while minimizing the addition of separate components, thereby controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The collection chamber, conditioning cartridge, and water delivery system are merged into a single integrated cowling assembly. This combination achieves automatic reservoir replenishment while avoiding the complexity of separate distributed components, as the entire system is accessible through hatches in the cowling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 a continuous supply of windshield washer fluid, improving visibility and safety by automatically replenishing the reservoir and allowing easy access for maintenance without raising the hood.

Implementation Method 1

a collection trough (12) sloped to drain said collected water to a collection chamber (30)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a screen (32) to filter said collected water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a lower filter (36) to remove smaller particles from said water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The windshield washer cowling includes one hatch to allow fluid to be directly added to the existing wiper fluid reservoir and another hatch to service the collection system without having to lift the engine hood for access to the wiper fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS20250010819A1Windshield washer cowling

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 WIPERFILL HLDG

AI summary

A windshield cowling and system for collecting and conditioning rainwater from the windshield of a vehicle and utilizing the collected fluid to replenish the fluids in a conventional windshield washer reservoir. Rainwater from the windshield cowling is directed through a leading edge to a conditioning cartridge capable of treating the fluid with a surfactant to form a mixed fluid. Hatches in the cowling allow access to the existing windshield washer fluid reservoir. The conditioning cartridge is disposable and accessible directly through the cowling.