Wiper Motor Layout with Link Transmission for Compact Vehicle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles requiring size reduction in the longitudinal direction, existing wiper apparatuses face challenges in locating the wiper motor on the rear side due to the need for a direct drive type's rotation shaft to serve as both the pivot and rotation center, and the link type's increased number of parts for transmitting drive power, which complicates size reduction and layout optimization.
Innovation Solution
A wiper apparatus design where the wiper motor is housed below the windshield, with a power transmission mechanism including a swing member and support shafts that allow the wiper motor to be positioned behind the windshield, reducing the number of parts needed for power transmission and enabling the motor to be located on the rear side, while a clutch mechanism disconnects power transmission when torque exceeds a predetermined value to prevent overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the wiper motor is located on the rear side of the vehicle to reduce longitudinal size, then the vehicle longitudinal dimension is reduced, but the rotation shaft cannot be positioned behind the windshield in direct drive type apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into separate functional components: the wiper motor is positioned on the rear side while the pivot shaft is positioned at the windshield, connected through a link mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned independently, resolving the contradiction between compact vehicle dimensions and shaft positioning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A link mechanism serves as an intermediary between the rear-side wiper motor and the windshield-mounted pivot shaft. This intermediary component transmits the rotational drive force from the motor to the wiper arm while bridging the spatial gap, enabling the motor to be positioned behind the windshield without compromising drive transmission.
2Length of moving object
If the link type mechanism is used to position the motor on the rear side, then the motor layout is improved, but the number of parts for power transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the link mechanism with the existing pivot shaft assembly, where the link directly connects to the pivot shaft without requiring separate intermediate transmission components. This merging reduces the total number of parts compared to traditional link type mechanisms while maintaining the ability to position the motor on the rear side.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits rotational force from the motor, provides structural support for the wiper arm assembly, and enables the motor to be positioned on the rear side. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby reducing the overall part count.
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 improves the layout of the wiper motor, reduces the number of parts, and protects the motor from excessive loads by allowing the wiper motor to be positioned behind the windshield, thus satisfying size reduction requirements and preventing overload, while maintaining effective wiper arm movement.
Implementation Method 1
a worm formed on the armature; and a worm wheel meshing with the worm
Data Source
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AI summary
A wiper apparatus is provided with: a wiper arm (14) which is swung about a rotation shaft (18); and a wiper motor (13) for generating drive power to be transmitted to the rotation shaft (18), the wiper apparatus is provided with a power transmission mechanism (19) for transmitting the drive power from the rotation shaft (18) to the wiper arm (14), the power transmission mechanism (19) is provided with: a link member (19a) fixed to the rotation shaft (18) ; and a support shaft (19b) fixed at a position on the link member (19a), which deviates from the rotation shaft (18), and configured to support the wiper arm (14), a coupling section between the support shaft (19b) and the wiper arm (14) is positioned in front of the front end of the front glass (11), and at least one part of the wiper motor (13) is located within the projection region of the front glass (11), thereby suppressing the increase in the number of parts.