Wiper Drive Water Shield with Sealed Pivot Grommets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive assemblies for windshield wipers are prone to corrosion and mechanical failure due to excessive water contact, as cowl covers often fail to provide reliable protection against moisture, leading to issues with the motor and linkage joints.
Innovation Solution
A water-resistant cover assembly that interfaces with the drive assembly at multiple locations, featuring grommets for pivot pass-throughs and a fluid channel to divert water away from the motor and linkage joints, while securely attaching to the vehicle body structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive assembly is located below the cowl cover for optimal performance, then the motor operates efficiently, but water contact causes corrosion and power failures
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the cowl cover and the drive assembly. This cover member includes grommets that seal around pivot holders, creating a water-blocking interface that allows mechanical connection while preventing water ingress to the motor and linkage joints.
Solution Approach 2:
Grommets made of flexible material are used to seal around the rigid pivot holders. These flexible seals conform to the pivot holder surfaces and prevent water penetration through the pivot apertures while allowing the necessary mechanical movement of the wiper linkage.
2Ease of operation
If the cowl cover includes openings for water channeling and airflow, then ventilation and drainage are improved, but water penetration to the drive assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member provides different protection levels at different locations: it includes sealed pivot apertures where water penetration must be prevented, while also incorporating a fluid channel at the rear edge to divert water away from the drive assembly. This localized differentiation of function addresses both sealing and drainage needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover interfaces with the drive assembly at multiple locations, then water protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a water barrier, provides mounting attachment points via clips to the frame tube, creates sealed pass-throughs for pivots using grommets, and includes fluid channels for water diversion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
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 cover assembly effectively prevents water ingress, reducing corrosion and mechanical failures, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the drive assembly components.
Implementation Method 1
First and second grommets, each positioned within a respective one of the first and second pivot apertures, are configured to receive and sealingly engage a pivot holder of the wiper drive assembly
Implementation Method 2
A fluid channel is also formed along a rear edge of the cover to; for example, divert water from the windshield that happens to get below the cowl cover away from the drive assembly linkage joints and the drive assembly motor
Data Source
AI summary
A cover member for a wiper drive assembly has a body portion configured to extend across and obscure the wiper drive assembly from a plan view with the body portion defining first and second pivot apertures. First and second grommets are each positioned within a respective one of the first and second pivot apertures and configured to receive and sealingly engage a pivot holder of the wiper drive assembly. A mounting structure is configured to attach the body portion to a structural member of the wiper drive assembly.