Wiper Blade Fluid Dispensing for Full Aircraft Windshield Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft windshield wiper systems are limited in their ability to effectively clean water or debris from the windshield due to traditional fluid nozzles that only reach a limited portion of the windshield, restricting visibility for pilots and co-pilots.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper system with integrated nozzles on the wiper blade that sweeps across the windshield, coupled with a controller and fluid control unit to manage fluid dispensing, temperature, and flow rate, allowing for comprehensive cleaning and improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional fluid nozzles extending through the aircraft body are used, then the system structure is simple, but the fluid coverage area is limited and cannot clean the entire windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is segmented into multiple nozzles distributed along the wiper blade length, with each nozzle serving a specific section of the windshield. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the entire windshield surface while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular nozzle placement and independent fluid delivery channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery approach transitions from a single-point nozzle at the windshield edge to a distributed linear array of nozzles along the wiper blade. This dimensional change from point-source to line-source fluid delivery expands the coverage area across the windshield surface, enabling comprehensive cleaning while the wiper blade moves across the glass.
2Reliability
If fluid nozzles are positioned at the edge of the windshield, then the system is easy to manufacture, but the cleaning effectiveness is limited to a portion of the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is merged with the wiper blade structure, integrating nozzles directly into the blade assembly. This combination ensures that fluid is delivered precisely where needed along the entire contact length of the wiper blade, maximizing cleaning effectiveness while simplifying manufacturing by consolidating two functions (wiping and fluid delivery) into a single integrated component.
3Productivity
If multiple nozzles are integrated on the wiper blade, then the windshield cleaning coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the mechanical wiping element and as the fluid delivery platform. By integrating nozzles into the blade structure, the system achieves comprehensive windshield coverage through a single unified component rather than separate fluid delivery and wiping mechanisms, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 thorough cleaning of the windshield by dispensing fluid from multiple points, adjusting flow rate and temperature, and controlling wiper speed, enhancing visibility and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating unnecessary apertures and optimizing aerodynamics.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element positioned within the aircraft and configured to heat the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a pump positioned within the aircraft and configured to force the fluid to flow through the fluid line
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An aircraft windshield wiper system includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade coupled to a first end of the wiper arm, and an output shaft coupled to a second end of the wiper arm. The wiper blade includes a fluid dispensing system including nozzles, a fluid control unit, fluid lines, fluid source, and a user interface. The wiper blade with the fluid dispensing system is configured to dispense a variety of fluids directly from the wiper blade onto the windshield of an aircraft.