Window Wiper Assembly with Lateral Motion for Full Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window wiper assemblies for vehicles, such as automobiles and SUVs, are inadequate in cleaning the entire window surface, leading to blind spots and distorted viewing, which can compromise safe operation, especially in harsh conditions, as they typically form arc-shaped cleaning patterns and are limited in reach.
Innovation Solution
A window wiper assembly with a guide rail, wiper arm, and pivot arm system that allows for lateral motion, using conventional wiper blades and motor assemblies, to ensure complete window cleaning without manual intervention, featuring modular components for easy repair and adaptation to various vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional wiper assembly with arc-shaped cleaning pattern is used, then the wiper can be simple in design and easy to install, but it cannot clean the entire window surface, leaving blind spots and distorted viewing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper arm is designed to move laterally between two positions in addition to its normal oscillating motion. This dynamic addition of lateral movement allows the wiper blade to cover the entire window surface including areas previously unreachable by conventional arc-shaped wipers, thereby improving cleaning coverage without fundamentally changing the basic wiper structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is divided into two independent motions: the traditional oscillating arc motion and the new lateral sliding motion. This segmentation allows each motion to be optimized independently - the oscillation provides the primary cleaning action while the lateral movement expands the coverage area to eliminate blind spots
2Device complexity
If a singular wiper for rearward window cleaning is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning coverage is limited and cannot provide full surface cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The single wiper assembly is equipped with lateral motion capability that allows it to slide between two positions, dynamically expanding its effective cleaning area. This transforms a static single-point cleaning system into a dynamic system that can cover the entire rearward window surface through coordinated lateral and oscillating motions
Solution Approach 2:
The same lateral motion mechanism can be applied to both front windshield wipers and rearward window wipers, making the invention universally applicable to different vehicle types and window configurations. A single wiper design can serve multiple cleaning functions across different vehicle applications
3Area of stationary object
If dual-acting wipers with synchronized operation are used, then extended cleaning coverage is achieved, but the wiper assembly complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two separate wiper assemblies with complex synchronization mechanisms, the invention segments the cleaning function into oscillating motion (performed by the motor) and lateral motion (performed by the arm). This allows a single wiper to achieve extended coverage without requiring a second wiper or complex synchronization systems
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral motion mechanism is integrated into the wiper arm itself, allowing the arm to dynamically adjust its position laterally. This dynamic capability enables one wiper to cover the area that would traditionally require two wipers, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining extended cleaning coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A window wiper assembly for cleaning a surface of a vehicle window, which includes a guide rail mountable to a frame member supporting the window, a wiper arm having an elongate body configured with an opening and integrally connecting to a head portion for mounting thereto wheel assemblies capable of traversing interiorly within the guide rail, a glide post having a wheeled portion for slidably interacting with an integrated rail associated with the opening, a wiper blade assembly mounted to a bottom side of the elongate body, and a pivot arm equipped with first and second mount fittings respectively connecting to a shaft of the glide post and an output shaft of a wiper drive motor, whereby rotation of the output shaft aptly acts on the pivot arm to advance lateral movement of the wiper arm along the guide rail with that of the wiper blade assembly to effect entire surface cleaning of the window.