Wiper Blade Fluid Channel Layout for Windshield Sensor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade devices struggle to efficiently clean sensors, such as lidar sensors, mounted above vehicle windshields, as they require additional cleaning systems, increasing technical complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
The wiper blade device incorporates an additional fluid channel extending along the longitudinal axis of the wind deflector unit, allowing for targeted spraying of wiper fluid onto sensors, and a valve unit that controls fluid flow based on the wiping angle, enabling efficient cleaning without additional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional cleaning system is added to clean sensors above the windshield, then the cleaning capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing wiper blade device is modified to perform dual functions: cleaning the windshield and cleaning sensors above the windshield. The fluid unit and wind deflector unit are adapted to spray cleaning fluid both onto the windshield surface and onto the sensor surfaces, eliminating the need for separate cleaning systems while maintaining comprehensive cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor cleaning function is merged with the existing windshield cleaning system. The fluid output unit is configured to direct cleaning fluid through the wind deflector unit onto both the windshield and the sensors above it, combining multiple cleaning functions into a single integrated system that reduces overall device complexity
2Reliability
If the fluid channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the wind deflector unit, then the fluid distribution to sensors is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid channel is configured to extend along the longitudinal axis of the wind deflector unit, utilizing the existing spatial dimension and orientation of the wind deflector structure. This approach leverages the already-established alignment references of the wind deflector unit, thereby improving fluid distribution to sensors without significantly increasing manufacturing precision requirements beyond what is already needed for the wind deflector assembly
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 solution allows for effective cleaning of sensors above windshields, reducing the need for additional cleaning systems, simplifying the integration of lidar sensors in vehicles, and lowering manufacturing and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
comprising at least one wind deflector unit for utilizing an airstream to press the wiper lip against the surface
Implementation Method 2
comprising a fluid unit for guiding wiper fluid to a fluid output, which unit comprises at least one fluid channel delimited by the wind deflector unit
Implementation Method 3
The fluid output unit comprises at least one further fluid channel which extends along a longitudinal axis of the wind deflector unit and which is arranged at least partially outside the wind deflector unit on an outer side of the wind deflector unit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is based on a wiper blade device (10a; 10b) comprising at least one wiper lip (12a; 12b) for wiping a surface (14a) and comprising at least one wind deflector unit (16a; 16b) for utilizing an airstream to press the wiper lip (12a; 12b) against the surface (14a), comprising a fluid output unit (18a; 18b) and comprising a fluid unit (20a) for directing wiper fluid to a fluid output unit, which unit comprises at least one fluid channel (22a) delimited by the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b), which channel extends along a longitudinal axis (24a; 24b) of the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b) over at least 10% of a maximum longitudinal extension (26a) of the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b).It is proposed that the fluid output unit (18a; 18b) comprises at least one further fluid channel (28a; 28b), which extends along the longitudinal axis (24a) of the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b) over at least 10% of the maximum longitudinal extension (26a) of the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b), and which is arranged at least partially outside the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b) on an outer side (30a; 30b) of the wind deflector unit (16a; 16b).