Windscreen Wiper Arm Nozzle Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing windscreen wiper systems are inefficient in cleaning the windshield due to the nozzle spraying washing fluid at a large distance, resulting in excessive liquid consumption and potential damage to the car's body, as the fluid often spreads beyond the windshield.

Innovation Solution

A windscreen wiper arm design with a detachably connected nozzle that is positioned close to the windshield, allowing the nozzle to spray washing liquid directly onto the windshield before the wiper arm moves upward, ensuring effective cleaning with reduced liquid usage and minimizing damage to the car's body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the nozzle is fixedly mounted on the bonnet at a large distance from the windscreen, then the washing fluid can be sprayed onto the windscreen, but the fluid spreads beyond the windshield causing excessive liquid consumption and potential damage to the car's body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing fluid consumptionVSAvoiddamage to car body from fluid spread

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component that couples the nozzle to the wiper arm assembly, enabling precise positioning of the nozzle near the windscreen while maintaining a secure connection. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve both effective fluid delivery and controlled spray pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle is positioned to spray washing fluid onto the windscreen before the wiper blade makes contact, ensuring the fluid is already in place for immediate wiping action. This preliminary positioning of the fluid application prevents spread and maximizes cleaning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the nozzle is positioned close to the windscreen, then washing fluid is applied directly to the windshield reducing consumption, but the nozzle may interfere with the wiper arm movement or structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing fluid consumptionVSAvoidwiper arm structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper arm assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the wiper arm member, the adapter, and the nozzle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the wiper arm for sweeping motion, the adapter for precise positioning, and the nozzle for fluid delivery - while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the nozzle, enables precise positioning near the windscreen, allows for easy attachment and detachment of the nozzle, and maintains compatibility with the existing wiper arm movement mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables efficient windshield cleaning with reduced liquid consumption and prevents damage to the car's body by ensuring the washing fluid is applied directly to the windshield, improving visibility and reducing the risk of corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

said shaft is rotatable alternately in a clockwise and in a counter-clockwise sense carrying said mounting head into rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 2

said mounting head is fixed for translation to a carriage, wherein said carriage can be translated alternately in a one linear direction and in another counter linear direction carrying said mounting head into translation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTranslational motion:

Implementation Method 3

A windscreen wiper arm design with a detachably connected nozzle that is positioned close to the windshield, allowing the nozzle to spray washing liquid directly onto the windshield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3746339B1A windscreen wiper arm, particularly for automobiles

Publication Date: 2023.03.08 FEDERAL MOGUL SA

Figure 1(A)~1(C)
Figure 2(A)~2(C)
Figure 3(A)~3(C)

AI summary

A windscreen wiper arm (1), particularly for automobiles, being able to oscillate upwardly and downwardly between a downward position and an upward position, and comprising a wiper arm member having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, as well as a wiper rod (2), wherein said wiper arm member at one end thereof is arranged to be pivotally connected to a mounting head mounted on a drive shaft, and wherein said wiper arm member at another end thereof is rigidly connected to said wiper rod, wherein said wiper rod at one end thereof extends inside the U-shaped cross-section of the wiper arm member, and wherein said wiper rod at another end thereof is rigidly connected to an adapter (3) arranged to be connected to an elongated wiper blade to be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, wherein said adapter, at the location of its connection to said wiper blade, has a U-shaped cross-section with a base (4) and two spaced-apart legs (5, 6), and wherein said U-shaped cross-section is mounted offset in a plane of said base relative to a longitudinal axis of said wiper rod, with the special feature that said windscreen wiper arm is provided with a nozzle (9) for spraying a washing liquid onto said windscreen to be wiped, wherein said nozzle is detachably connected to said adapter at a lateral side of said windscreen wiper arm facing towards said upward position.