Wiper Blade Spray Structure for Wider Sensor Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wiper systems for detection devices, such as cameras and sensors, often fail to evenly clean the optical surfaces due to limited jet coverage, leading to incomplete debris removal and increased complexity and cost with movable nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A wiper blade with a spraying device featuring a jet extending element and flow dividing elements that create an enlarged jet of washing fluid, allowing for effective cleaning of a larger optical surface area, including truncated shaped passages and flow control elements to manage fluid flow and generate mist or foam sprays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single impact zone nozzle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single jet is segmented into multiple sub-jets or spray patterns through the jet extending element, which creates turbulence and breaks the fluid stream into multiple directions, effectively increasing coverage without adding multiple nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The jet extending element extends the jet in radial directions perpendicular to the central axis, transitioning from a one-dimensional linear jet to a three-dimensional expanded spray pattern, thereby increasing coverage area
2Area of stationary object
If movable nozzles are employed to cover larger optical surface, then the cleaning coverage area is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jet extending element automatically creates the expanded spray pattern through fluid dynamics principles (turbulence and radial extension) without requiring external control systems, motors, or actuators, making the system self-regulating
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical movement system (motors, actuators, movable nozzles) is replaced with a fluid dynamics-based solution where the washing fluid itself creates the expansion pattern through turbulence and pressure distribution in the fluid distribution channel
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 thorough cleaning of larger optical surfaces with reduced parts and lower costs, ensuring effective debris removal and improved system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a jet extending element positioned at a downstream end of the at least one fluid distribution channel and configured to create a disturbance in the jet of the washing fluid at the downstream end such that the jet is widened or extended or enlarged
Implementation Method 2
the truncated shaped passage has a circular, elliptical, oval, or triangular base... the jet that is being discharging out from the spraying device may have a wider spray angle, and thereby a larger surface area of the jet
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wiper blade (100) for a vehicle, comprising: a body (110) that extends in a longitudinal direction; at least one conduit configured to convey washing fluid along at least a portion of the body (110); and a spraying device (105, 105a, 105b). The spraying device (105, 105a, 105b) is configured to receive the washing fluid and spray a jet of the washing fluid over an optical surface of a detection device, wherein the spraying device (105, 105a, 105b) comprises at least one fluid distribution channel (130, 143a, 143b) fluidically connected to the at least one conduit. The spraying device (105, 105a, 105b) comprises a jet extending element (135, 144a, 144b) positioned at a downstream end of the at least one fluid distribution channel (130, 143a, 143b) and configured to extend the jet of the washing fluid at the downstream end.