Wiper Blade Spray Channel Heating Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper blade systems face challenges in simplified electrical contacting and efficient heating of spray channels and supply lines to prevent icing and enhance cleaning effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The wiper blade integrates a heating element in the form of a heating loop within the spray channel, which extends along the longitudinal side of the wiper blade, allowing direct heating of the washing liquid and supply lines, with optional additional heating sections for the supply lines, and automatic control based on environmental and operational parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating element is integrated into the spray channel of the wiper blade, then the heating effectiveness and cleaning performance are improved, but the device complexity and constructive effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidconstructive effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the spray channel structure of the wiper blade, merging the heating function with the existing spray channel. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating components and reduces constructive effort while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray channel structure is designed to serve dual purposes: as a fluid conduit for washing liquid and as a housing for the heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If the heating element is placed inside the spray channel, then direct heating of washing liquid is achieved, but the electrical contacting becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing liquid temperatureVSAvoidelectrical contacting
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection points of the heating element are extracted and positioned at accessible locations on the wiper blade body, separate from the internal spray channel. This allows for simplified electrical contacting while the heating element remains positioned for optimal heating of the washing liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Electrical connection elements are introduced as intermediaries between the power source and the heating element inside the spray channel. These intermediaries facilitate electrical contact while allowing the heating element to remain positioned for direct heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If additional heating sections are added for supply lines, then icing prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveicing preventionVSAvoidheating system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into distinct heating sections: one integrated into the spray channel for direct heating of washing liquid, and additional heating sections integrated into the supply lines for icing prevention. This segmentation allows targeted heating where needed without requiring a single complex heating system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements for the supply lines are integrated directly into the supply line structure, merging the heating function with the fluid conduit. This integration prevents icing of the supply lines without requiring separate external heating components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design achieves effective heating of the washing liquid, reduces electrical energy demand, prevents icing, and enhances the cleaning effect while simplifying the installation of the heating element and reducing additional constructive efforts.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (20) is provided inside the wiper blade (2), wherein the at least one heating element (20) heats this spray channel (9, 10) or the washing and cleaning liquid guided in the spray channel (9, 10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2265477B1Wiper blade and windshield wiper system having such a wiper blade
Publication Date: 2014.09.17 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP2265477B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2265477B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2265477B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiper blades for cleaning windows on vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, having at least one preferably strip-like wiper blade body (5) having at least one wiping rubber mounted on the wiper blade body and forming at least one wiping lip (7.2), having at least one spray channel (9, 10) on the wiper blade (2, 2a) for a washing and cleaning fluid, and having at least one nozzle opening (11) on the spray channel for deploying the washing and cleaning fluid.