Wiper Blade Wash Pump Control via Predicted Arm Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper systems face inefficiencies in fluid usage, leading to runoff and environmental concerns, and are often costly due to over-engineering, necessitating a solution that optimizes fluid projection and integration with vehicle elements to enhance cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper system with a wiper blade having a leading edge with holes for fluid projection, synchronized by an electronic circuit estimating the blade's position and controlling a wash pump to project fluid in tandem with the wiper blade's stroke, optimizing fluid distribution and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wash fluid is projected toward the windshield in advance of wiper action, then the windshield surface is pre-moistened for cleaning, but the wash fluid runs off without being utilized during wiping
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by projecting wash fluid onto the windshield surface before the wiper blade arrives, but precisely times this action so the fluid is applied just ahead of the wiping motion. This ensures the fluid is positioned optimally for immediate utilization during the wiper stroke, preventing both runoff waste and ensuring effective cleaning.
2Ease of manufacture
If wash fluid is concentrated on a single spot of the windshield, then the fluid application is simple, but the fluid is not distributed effectively across the windshield surface
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is segmented with multiple fluid projection holes distributed along its leading edge rather than a single集中 nozzle. This segmentation allows wash fluid to be applied at multiple locations simultaneously as the blade moves across the windshield, ensuring broad and effective coverage while maintaining system simplicity.
3Reliability
If a highly accurate and reliable windshield wiping system is implemented, then cleaning performance is optimized, but the system cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it performs the mechanical wiping function, houses the fluid projection holes for wash fluid application, and acts as the delivery mechanism for both functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fluid projection nozzles and complex positioning systems, reducing cost while maintaining reliable cleaning performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield window wiping system, including a wiper blade in contact with a windshield window; a wiper motor operatively connected to the wiper blade, configured to perform a wiper blade stroke; a reservoir for a wash fluid; a first plurality of holes on a first leading edge of the wiper blade, configured to project the wash fluid toward the windshield window; a wash pump, wherein the wash pump is hydraulically connected to the first plurality of holes; and a first electronic circuit, configured to estimate a position of the wiper blade during the wiper blade stroke based on an input to the first electronic circuit and to synchronize the projection of the wash fluid toward the windshield window with the estimated position of the wiper blade. In other aspects, a method of wiping a windshield window and a non-transitory computer readable medium are provided.