Vehicular Wiper Arm with Dual-Drive Extension Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular wiper devices with four-joint link mechanisms have a fixed wiping range and cannot be enlarged, limiting their ability to effectively clean the windshield, especially areas near the upper corners.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular wiper device incorporating a first wiper arm, a swing mechanism, an extending mechanism, and a controller, where the swing mechanism is driven by a first drive source and the extending mechanism is driven by a second drive source, allowing the wiper arm to be extended or retracted in its longitudinal direction to vary the wiping range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a four-joint link mechanism is used to set the wiping range, then the wiping path is fixed and cannot be enlarged, but the structure becomes simpler and more reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system is divided into two independent drive sources: a first drive source for swinging the wiper arm back and forth, and a second drive source for extending or drawing the wiper arm in its longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows the wiping range to be variable while keeping each individual mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper arm's length is made dynamically adjustable through the extending mechanism driven by the second drive source. This allows the wiping range to be enlarged or reduced as needed, transforming a static wiping path into a dynamic one that can adapt to different cleaning requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single pivot point mechanism is used, then the structure is simpler, but the wiping range is limited to a simple sectoral shape and cannot reach upper corner areas
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper arm movement is extended from a single rotational dimension (swinging about a pivot point) to two dimensions by adding the extending mechanism that moves the wiper arm in its longitudinal direction. This dimensional expansion enables the wiper to reach upper corner areas of the windshield that were previously inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper system is designed to perform multiple functions: the first drive source provides the swinging motion for general wiping, while the second drive source provides the extending motion for reaching difficult areas. This multi-functionality allows a single wiper blade to cover the entire windshield surface effectively.
3Area of stationary object
If the wiper arm length is fixed, then the mechanism is simpler and more reliable, but the wiping range cannot be enlarged to cover more surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper arm's length is made dynamically adjustable through the extending mechanism driven by the second drive source. This allows the wiping range to be enlarged or reduced as needed, transforming a static wiping path into a dynamic one that can adapt to different cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Before the wiper blade begins its wiping motion, the extending mechanism can pre-position the wiper arm at the desired length and position. This preliminary action ensures that the wiper is optimally positioned to cover the required surface area before the actual wiping process begins.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular wiper device includes a first wiper arm, a first drive source, a rocking mechanism, a second drive source, an extension and retraction mechanism, and a control unit. A first wiper blade for wiping a surface to be wiped of a vehicle is connected to the front end of the first wiper arm. The first drive source is directly or indirectly affixed to the vehicle body. The rocking mechanism is driven by the drive force of the first drive source and reciprocates and rocks the first wiper arm. The second drive source is directly or indirectly affixed to the vehicle body separately from the first drive source. The extension and retraction mechanism is driven by the drive force of the second drive source and extends and retracts the first wiper arm in the longitudinal direction thereof. The control unit controls the drive of the first drive source and the second drive source so that the extension and retraction operation of the first wiper arm performed by the extension and retraction mechanism will correspond to the rocking operation of the first wiper arm performed by the rocking mechanism.