Wiper Drive Wheel Electrical Contact Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window wiper drive mechanisms for vehicles, particularly rear window wipers, require large reduction gear housings due to bulky switches and linkage elements, which results in space and material inefficiencies, especially with the integration of vehicle body controllers that manage motor operations.
Innovation Solution
A wheel for the window wiper drive system featuring electrical contact means with a limited angular extension on its surface, allowing for reduced housing size by using non-conductive materials and innovative slider tracks that prevent short-circuits, enabling efficient communication of the wiper blade's position to the controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bulky switches and linkage elements are used, then the wiper control function is reliable, but the reduction gear housing volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical switches and linkage elements with electrical contact means integrated into the wheel. The wheel itself becomes the signaling element, with electrical contacts that engage with sliders to provide position information to the controller, eliminating the need for separate mechanical switching mechanisms and reducing housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel serves multiple functions: it transmits mechanical motion through the linkage while simultaneously providing electrical position signaling through integrated electrical contact means. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated switching components, thereby reducing the overall housing volume.
2Loss of substance
If electrical contact means with limited angular extension are used, then material usage is reduced, but ensuring reliable electrical contact becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the electrical contact means in the axial direction of the wheel rather than increasing their angular extension in the radial plane. This allows the contacts to engage with sliders over a longer axial distance, ensuring reliable electrical connection while keeping the angular footprint minimal, thus reducing material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the electrical contact means, specifically extending them axially rather than radially. This parameter change allows the contacts to maintain reliable engagement with the sliders during wheel rotation while occupying minimal angular space, achieving both material reduction and contact reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the wheel is made of non-conductive material, then manufacturing is simplified, but electrical contact means must be separately attached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical contact means with the wheel by integrating them into a single molded component. The electrical contacts are embedded or overmolded onto the non-conductive wheel material, creating a unified part that simplifies assembly while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of using non-conductive wheel material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction where electrical conductive elements are integrated into or attached to the non-conductive wheel material. This creates a composite structure that combines the manufacturing advantages of molded non-conductive parts with the electrical functionality of conductive elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Wheel (100) for a vehicle window wiper drive system, said wheel comprising electrical contact means (400), a first and a second electrical contact means (410, 411) of said electrical contact means being in electrical continuity, and the first and the second electrical contact means being for a respective slider (200a, 200b), said wheel being characterized in that the angular extension (α) of said electrical contact means in the plane of the wheel is strictly less than 360° and said electrical contact means being situated on a face of the wheel intended to receive a linkage.