Windshield Wiper Jet Ejectors for Full Coverage Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper designs fail to effectively clean the middle and upper regions of a vehicle's windshield, leading to reduced visibility and increased accident risk, as the jet of cleaning fluid from stationary nozzles does not reach these areas, and previous solutions either waste energy or are complex and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper with movable arms and jet ejectors that oscillate along the length of the wiper, distributing cleaning fluid through multiple openings for comprehensive cleaning, allowing simultaneous fluid ejection and wiper movement to cover the entire windshield area efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a stationary nozzle is used to spray cleaning fluid, then the nozzle structure is simple, but the cleaning fluid cannot reach the middle and upper regions of the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The single stationary nozzle is segmented into multiple jet ejectors distributed along the entire length of the wiper blade. Each jet ejector sprays cleaning fluid at a specific location, ensuring complete coverage of the windshield surface including middle and upper regions that were previously unreachable.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet ejectors are made dynamic by integrating them with the oscillating wiper blade. As the wiper blade oscillates back and forth, the jet ejectors move with it, dynamically distributing cleaning fluid across the entire windshield surface area, thereby expanding the effective cleaning coverage.
2Reliability
If an offset nozzle is used to eject cleaning fluid, then the nozzle can follow the flexible strip movement, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jet ejector design merges the nozzle function directly with the wiper blade structure. The jet ejectors are integrated into the oscillating wiper assembly, combining the cleaning fluid ejection function with the mechanical wiping action in a single unified structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet ejectors serve multiple functions: they eject cleaning fluid, follow the oscillating motion of the wiper blade, and are distributed along the entire length of the blade. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate offset nozzle mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable cleaning effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a single nozzle moves with the wiper, then the structure is simpler, but the cleaning fluid cannot be distributed along the entire length of the wiper
Solution Approach 1:
The single moving nozzle is segmented into multiple jet ejectors distributed along the entire length of the wiper blade. Each jet ejector is positioned to spray cleaning fluid at a specific location, ensuring uniform distribution of cleaning fluid across the full width and length of the windshield surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid distribution is extended from a single-point source to a distributed linear array along the entire length of the wiper blade. This dimensional transformation from point to line distribution ensures comprehensive coverage of the windshield surface area.
4Reliability
If the wiper oscillates to clean the windshield, then the cleaning action is effective, but more time and energy are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The jet ejectors spray cleaning fluid onto the windshield surface before the wiper blade makes contact. This preliminary action of pre-wetting and loosening dirt reduces the effort required by the oscillating wiper blade, thereby reducing the energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet ejectors continuously spray cleaning fluid along the entire length of the wiper blade during its oscillating motion. This continuous distribution of cleaning fluid ensures that the wiper blade always has optimal lubrication and cleaning agent supply, maintaining high cleaning efficiency with reduced energy expenditure.
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
This design ensures thorough cleaning of the windshield in less time and with reduced energy consumption, while being simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture, thus addressing the inefficiencies of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
Jet ejector has a number of openings though which distributed cleaning fluid is ejected out on windshield of vehicle
Implementation Method 2
Oscillation of frame causes distribution of cleaning fluid in jet ejector
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a windshield wiper with jet ejectors for use in vehicles. Each windshield wiper with jet ejectors includes a movable arm that oscillates a frame. Frame is provided with and oscillates along with at least one flexible element and a jet ejector. Cleaning fluid tube is connected to jet ejector and supplies cleaning fluid to jet ejector. Oscillation of frame causes distribution of cleaning fluid in jet ejector. Jet ejector has a number of openings though which distributed cleaning fluid is ejected out on windshield of vehicle. Simultaneous action of ejection of cleaning fluid and oscillation of flexible element(s) provide cleaning of windshield along the entire length of frame. Thus, conventional partial cleaning of windshield due to inappropriate distribution of cleaning fluid is eliminated by distributing fluid along the entire length of windshield wiper. Appropriate and fast cleaning of windshield increases visibility improvement for the driver.