Windshield Wiper Calibration via Boundary Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional windshield wiper systems require laborious manual calibration and have a large physical footprint, making them inefficient and challenging to design and manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses a motor and controller to automatically determine and set a reduced operating range of motion for the wiper arm by detecting physical boundaries on the vehicle, eliminating the need for mechanical calibration and reducing the system's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration of mechanical calibration device is used, then operating range is defined accurately, but calibration process becomes time-consuming and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating range definition accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration with an automated system using a motor to rotate the cam plate and a sensor to detect the wiper arm's position at physical boundaries. The controller automatically determines the operating range based on sensor signals, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining precise calibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting the wiper arm's contact with physical boundaries through sensor feedback. The controller autonomously processes the sensor signals to define the operating range, enabling the system to calibrate itself without external manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If motor operates in one rotational direction only, then mechanical device can swing wiper arm back and forth, but drive system requires large physical footprint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiper arm reciprocating motionVSAvoiddrive system footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reversible motor that can rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, replacing the conventional unidirectional motor. This dynamic capability allows the cam plate to be rotated bidirectionally, enabling the wiper arm to swing back and forth across the windshield while reducing the overall drive system footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the motor from unidirectional to bidirectional rotation. By modifying the rotation direction parameter, the system achieves more efficient space utilization and reduces the physical footprint of the drive system while maintaining the reciprocating motion function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11628806B2Systems and methods for calibrating a windshield wiper system

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A method of calibrating a windshield wiper system that includes moving a wiper arm, of the windshield wiper system, within at least a portion of a full range of motion defined by at least one physical boundary, determining a position of the wiper arm when it contacts the at least one physical boundary, defining, based on the determined position of the wiper arm, an operating range of motion for the wiper arm that is shorter than the full range of motion, and setting the wiper arm to operate within the defined operating range of motion.