Autonomous Windshield Wiper Heating Control Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper blade heating systems require specific vehicle electrical architecture and computer programming for efficient energy use, limiting their installation as aftermarket equipment and not accommodating seasonal variations without initial integration.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous control device that acquires and regulates electrical power supply for windshield wiper blade heating circuits based on external temperature and vehicle speed, allowing independent operation without vehicle computer systems, integrated with a satellite positioning module and temperature probe for adaptive power modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating circuit is integrated into the vehicle's original electrical system with computer control, then energy efficiency and wiper blade integrity are improved through regulated power supply, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into independent functional modules: temperature sensor, speed sensor, microcontroller unit, and power regulation circuitry. This modular architecture allows the system to be installed as a separate aftermarket addition without integrating into the vehicle's complex original electrical system, while still providing regulated power supply to protect the heating circuit and wiper blade integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device autonomously monitors temperature and vehicle speed parameters, processes this information through its microcontroller, and automatically regulates power supply to the heating circuit without requiring vehicle computer system intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex vehicle system integration while maintaining reliable operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating circuit requires vehicle computer programming for control, then energy efficiency is improved through adaptive power regulation, but the ease of manufacture and aftermarket installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed as a universal aftermarket solution that can be installed on any vehicle regardless of the original equipment configuration. It independently performs temperature monitoring, speed sensing, power regulation, and heating control functions that would otherwise require vehicle-specific computer programming, thereby enabling energy-efficient operation without limiting aftermarket installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The standalone control device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's simple electrical system and the heating circuit. It receives basic electrical power from the vehicle, processes environmental and operational data through its own sensors and microcontroller, and provides intelligent power regulation to the heating element, eliminating the need for complex vehicle computer system integration.
3Device complexity
If the heating circuit operates without temperature and speed sensing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of energy increases due to unregulated power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The control device incorporates temperature sensors and vehicle speed sensors that continuously monitor operating conditions and feed this information to the microcontroller. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts power delivery to the heating circuit - reducing or eliminating power when temperature thresholds are met or vehicle is in motion, thereby preventing energy waste without requiring complex manual control systems.
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
Enables efficient and safe heating circuit operation for windshield wiper blades as aftermarket equipment, optimizing energy use and extending wiper blade integrity across various climatic conditions without requiring specific vehicle electrical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a data item representing a temperature outside the vehicle... said acquisition means being configured to transmit said data
Implementation Method 2
a data item representing the instantaneous speed of the vehicle... said acquisition means being configured to transmit said data
Implementation Method 3
an electrical heating circuit integrating a resistive heating element, such as an electrical heating resistor, which, when it is supplied with electric current, produces heat
Implementation Method 4
produces heat that is dissipated around the resistive element and/or is at least partially transferred to the elements with which it is in contact, in particular, for example, the strip of the wiper blade and/or its retention structure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention proposes an autonomous device for controlling a heating circuit of an automotive vehicle windscreen wiper blade, comprising a module for regulating the electrical power supply of the heating circuit, furnished with an input for connecting to an electrical energy generator and with an output for connecting to a said windscreen wiper blade heating circuit. This device comprises means for acquiring, at an instant t, a datum representative of a temperature outside the vehicle on the one hand and of a datum representative of the instantaneous speed of the vehicle on the other hand, the said acquiring means being configured to transmit these data to the regulating module.