Wiper Heating Channel Segmentation for Wire Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle wipers with heating elements, such as those used in 'aquablade' wipers, face issues with freezing washing liquid in fluid channels, which disables the spraying function and increases stiffness, especially in cold conditions, due to the lack of anti-freeze products.

Innovation Solution

An aerodynamic deflector with a heating channel that can be easily accessed and integrated with a heating wire, allowing for easy assembly and replacement, and featuring snap locking mechanisms to secure the heating channel, ensuring the heating wire can effectively thaw frozen washing liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heating wire is introduced into the aerodynamic deflector, then the wiper can be heated to prevent freezing, but it becomes difficult to access and replace the heating wire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating function reliabilityVSAvoidheating wire accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The aerodynamic deflector is divided into a first part and a second part that can move relative to each other. The heating channel is formed in the first part, allowing the heating wire to be easily inserted and removed when the parts are separated, thus solving the accessibility problem while maintaining heating reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable first part acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides access to the heating channel. When the first part moves relative to the second part, it opens the heating channel to allow heating wire installation or replacement, then closes to secure the heating wire in place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If washing liquid is used in fluid channels, then the spraying function is improved, but the washing liquid freezes in cold conditions disabling the spraying function and increasing wiper stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying functionVSAvoidspraying function reliability in cold conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating wire provides preliminary heating action to the washing liquid in the fluid channels, preventing freezing before it occurs. By maintaining the washing liquid above freezing temperature, the spraying function remains reliable in cold conditions without requiring anti-freeze additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature parameter of the washing liquid is changed and maintained above the freezing point through resistive heating. This parameter change prevents the phase transition from liquid to solid, maintaining the spraying function and preventing unwanted stiffness increases in the wiper structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables the restoration and maintenance of the wiper's spraying function and flexibility by heating the washing liquid, preventing freezing and maintaining mechanical integrity during cold weather.

Implementation Method 1

A known solution is to heat wipers by means of a heating resistive element arranged in the accessory which is advantageously a heating wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The accessory may comprise an aerodynamic deflector which uses the relative wind flowing on the vehicle to increase the pressure of the wiper against the window to be wiped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic pressure: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP2799295B1Wiper of motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP2799295B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2799295B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2799295B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an accessory for wiper of motor vehicle comprising at least one heating channel (16; 16a, 16b) for receiving a heating element of the wiper, characterized in that said accessory (6; 10; 26) is made of a first part (17; 27) movable with respect to a second part (18; 28) in order to open said at least one heating channel (16; 16a, 16b) longitudinally. This invention also relates to a wiper of motor vehicle comprising such accessory.