Wiper Arm Washing Fluid Hose Routing and Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing fluid supply devices for wiper arms are mechanically stressed due to their arrangement, which leads to bending and potential damage, and are also exposed to environmental factors, compromising both functionality and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The supply hose is routed parallel to the wiper axis and housed within a recessed area of the bearing piece, protected by a covering element, eliminating mechanical stress and exposure, with a plug-in coupling device for easy installation and heating provisions to prevent freezing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the supply hose is arranged spaced apart from the bearing piece and guided above the water tank cover, then the hose is accessible for connection, but the hose is mechanically stressed during wiper operation and exposed to environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of supply hose for connectionVSAvoidMechanical stress resistance and protection from environmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supply hose is nested within a recess of the bearing piece, which itself is covered by a covering element. This nested arrangement protects the hose from mechanical stress and environmental factors while maintaining connection accessibility through the coupling device that protrudes through the covering element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device acts as an intermediary between the supply hose and the external water supply system. It allows connection and disconnection operations to be performed externally while the hose remains protected within the bearing piece recess, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the supply hose is arranged externally and spaced apart from the bearing piece, then installation is simple, but the hose is visually intrusive and vulnerable to mechanical damage and UV radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSimplicity of installationVSAvoidExposure to UV radiation, mechanical damage, and visual appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supply hose is nested within the bearing piece structure through a recess, and the entire assembly is covered by a covering element. This nested configuration protects the hose from UV radiation and mechanical damage while maintaining aesthetic appearance by concealing the hose from external view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering element acts as a protective shell that encloses the supply hose within the bearing piece. This thin film or shell structure provides protection against environmental factors while maintaining the simplicity of the overall installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the supply hose is routed through a recess in the bearing piece, then mechanical stress is reduced and protection is improved, but the complexity of the bearing piece structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveReduction of mechanical stress on supply hoseVSAvoidStructure complexity of bearing piece with recess and covering element

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is formed as an integrated feature of the bearing piece structure, and the covering element is mounted over this recess. This nested design reduces mechanical stress on the hose while the integration of the recess into the bearing piece minimizes the added structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration reduces mechanical stress on the supply hose, protects it from environmental influences, and allows for easy maintenance while maintaining the wiper arm's functionality and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

an electric heating device can be provided, in particular inside the supply hose, which prevents a freezing of the washing fluid in the region of the wiper arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2704927B1Device for supplying a washing fluid to a wiper arm

Publication Date: 2020.04.01 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100; 100a) for supplying a washing fluid to a wiper arm (16), with a bearing piece (20; 20a) mounted in a wiper axis (22), on which a wiper rod (17) of the wiper arm (16) is swivellably fastened, wherein a wiper blade (10) is fastened exchangeably on the wiper arm (16), and wherein at least one supply hose (25) for the washing fluid is provided which is coupled with a supply device on the vehicle side, and which is guided in or on the wiper arm (16). According to the invention, provision is made that the supply hose (25) is arranged in the region of the fastening of the bearing piece (20; 20a) on the wiper axis (22) parallel to the wiper axis (22) and spaced apart therefrom, and is covered by a covering (35) of the bearing piece (20; 20a).