Rear Wiper Flow Straightening for Vortex Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rear wipers on vehicles can float due to vortices generated by the interaction between traveling winds under and above a rear spoiler, leading to a lock back state where the wiper apparatus is unable to effectively wipe the rear windshield.
Innovation Solution
A wiper apparatus is designed with a flow straightening portion that inclines from its base to the top, positioned on the rear side and lower side of an ornamental member creating a space for air flow, and a projecting portion on the ornamental member that overlaps the wiper apparatus in the vehicle width direction, which helps to straighten the vortices and prevent floating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rear spoiler is arranged with a space between it and the tailgate to improve aerodynamic performance, then air flow is enhanced, but vortices are generated on the rear side causing the rear wiper to float and lock back
Solution Approach 1:
A flow straightening portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the rear spoiler and the rear wiper. This flow straightening portion includes a surface that inclines from the base toward the top, acting as a mediator to straighten the airflow and eliminate vortices before they reach the rear wiper, thereby preventing the wiper from floating while preserving the aerodynamic benefits of the rear spoiler configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightening portion is divided into multiple inclined surfaces that segment the airflow path. By dividing the flow control function into multiple segmented surfaces, the patent effectively manages the complex vortex patterns generated by the rear spoiler, straightening the air flow in a stepwise manner to prevent wiper floating
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 effectively prevents the wiper from floating and ensures proper operation by applying downforce and stabilizing the wind flow, thereby suppressing lock back and maintaining effective wiping of the rear windshield.
Implementation Method 1
a traveling wind A1 flowing under a rear spoiler 6′ and a traveling wind A2 flowing above the rear spoiler 6′ may merge and generate reversely rotating large vortices W on the rear side
Implementation Method 2
the wiper apparatus is provided with a flow straightening portion standing on the wiper apparatus and including a surface portion that inclines to a vehicle body rear side from a base portion toward a top portion
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper apparatus 4 is configured to wipe a rear windshield of a vehicle body rear portion. Above the vehicle body rear portion, the wiper apparatus is arranged on a rear side and a lower side of an ornamental member arranged to form a space to flow air between the ornamental member and an upper surface portion of the vehicle body rear portion. The wiper apparatus is provided with a flow straightening portion standing on the wiper apparatus and including a surface portion that inclines to a vehicle body rear side from a base portion toward a top portion.