Vehicle windshield cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield cleaning systems do not effectively maintain a consistent temperature for cleaning fluid, leading to inefficiencies in de-icing and cleaning, and can result in fluid boiling and mineral deposits, which clog nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A system with an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for dispensing heated fluid, and a control circuit to energize a heating element, maintaining the fluid temperature between 49 and 57 degrees Celsius to prevent boiling and optimize cleaning efficacy, while using thermal sensors and fuses for safety and altitude adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cleaning fluid is heated to high temperature to improve de-icing effectiveness, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but fluid may boil and form mineral deposits that clog nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temperature sensors to continuously monitor the cleaning fluid temperature and feeds this information back to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the heating element operation based on this feedback to maintain temperature within the optimal range of 49-57°C, preventing both insufficient de-icing and fluid boiling that causes nozzle clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise temperature parameter ranges (49-57°C) for the cleaning fluid to optimize de-icing effectiveness while preventing boiling. This parameter control ensures the fluid remains in a safe operational state that avoids mineral deposit formation and nozzle clogging while maintaining cleaning efficacy.
2Productivity
If heating element is continuously energized to maintain fluid temperature, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit energizes the heating element periodically rather than continuously, based on temperature sensor feedback. The heater is activated only when the fluid temperature drops below the target range, and deactivated when the range is achieved, creating a periodic on-off action that maintains cleaning efficiency while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the temperature sensor and control circuit to automatically regulate heating without continuous external intervention. Once the system is activated, it self-regulates the heating element operation based on real-time temperature conditions, maintaining optimal cleaning temperature while consuming energy only when necessary.
3Reliability
If temperature control system is added to maintain consistent fluid temperature, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors fluid temperature and provides feedback to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism enables automatic temperature regulation, ensuring consistent cleaning effectiveness while using a relatively simple control architecture that manages the additional complexity through automated control logic.
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 system provides consistent, effective heating of cleaning fluid to improve de-icing and cleaning efficiency, prevent nozzle clogging, and adapt to varying altitudes and fluid types, ensuring the fluid remains below boiling point.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a control circuit for energizing the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 1a
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface includes an inlet port (32) for receiving an amount of fluid, a housing bounding a reservoir (103) in fluid communication with the inlet port, and an outlet port (34) in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element (30) heats fluid that passes from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger (80) in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to the fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins (84) that extend outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through the reservoir. A control circuit (14) energizes the heater element with a voltage to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir.