Windshield Wiper Anti-Freeze Control Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Windshield wipers often freeze to the windshield in adverse weather conditions, requiring manual intervention or continuous vehicle warming, which is inefficient and can cause damage, and existing solutions lack proactive prevention and energy management.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves monitoring ambient conditions to initiate a motor-driven sequence to prevent windshield wiper freezing, using sensors and an H-bridge circuit to periodically reverse the wiper direction until the current drawn is reduced, indicating the wipers are free, and adjusting power accordingly to conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pre-warming sequence is used to warm the windshield wiper park zone, then the windshield wipers can be released from freezing, but the system does not account for refreezing during vehicle operation and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary warming action by detecting adverse ambient conditions (temperature, precipitation) before freezing occurs and activating the wiper motor to move wipers away from the windshield surface, preventing freezing in the first place rather than requiring post-freezing intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors ambient conditions (temperature sensors, precipitation sensors) and wiper motor current draw to detect freezing conditions, providing feedback that triggers automated response sequences including motor activation and periodic direction reversal to prevent or resolve freezing
2Reliability
If a continuous warming sequence is used throughout vehicle operation, then windshield wipers remain unfrozen, but significant current is consumed even when warming is no longer required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the system uses periodic monitoring of ambient conditions and activates the warming sequence only when adverse conditions are detected, using brief motor activation periods followed by deactivation when conditions improve
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors current draw from the wiper motor to detect freezing conditions (abnormal current patterns indicate freezing), and uses this feedback to activate or deactivate the warming sequence, ensuring energy is consumed only when actually needed to prevent or resolve freezing
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
Effectively prevents windshield wiper freezing before it occurs, reduces energy consumption by only using power when necessary, and minimizes manual intervention or continuous warming sequences.
Implementation Method 1
the retentive force created by the snow and/or ice
Implementation Method 2
sensing current drawn by the motor; comparing an initial sensed current drawn by the motor when power is initially switched to the motor to a subsequent sensed current drawn by the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preventing a windshield wiper from freezing to a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) receiving information relating to an ambient condition of the vehicle; (b) switching power to a motor for driving the windshield wiper in a first direction if the received information indicates an adverse ambient condition of the vehicle; (c) sensing current drawn by the motor; (d) comparing an initial sensed current drawn by the motor when power is initially switched to the motor to a subsequent sensed current drawn by the motor a period after power is initially switched to the motor; and (e) periodically reversing the motor for driving the windshield wiper in a second direction or the first direction until the subsequent sensed current is less than the initial sensed current.