Wiper Motor Segmented Housing for Dust Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wiper motors with speed reduction mechanisms face issues with dust and grease accumulation on the circuit board due to the proximity of the speed reduction mechanism, leading to reduced heat dissipation, malfunction, and decreased detection accuracy, necessitating frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A brushless motor design where the speed reduction mechanism and control board are positioned on opposite ends of the rotating shaft, with a sensor magnet and MR sensor detecting rotational states, preventing dust and grease from reaching the control board and enhancing precision and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the circuit board is arranged in the gear housing to cover the speed reduction mechanism, then the control board can be compactly integrated, but dust and grease from the meshing portion are easily attached to the circuit board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of control boardVSAvoiddust and grease attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into two separate compartments: a gear housing for the speed reduction mechanism and a control board housing for the circuit board. This segmentation physically separates the circuit board from the dust-generating meshing portion, eliminating the contamination problem while maintaining compact integration through the connected housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board is extracted from the gear housing and placed in a separate control board housing. This extraction removes the circuit board from the harmful environment of dust and grease generated by the speed reduction mechanism, while the two housings remain connected to maintain overall system compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of energy

If the circuit board is covered with extraneous matters, then heat dissipation is reduced, but this leads to malfunction and lowered detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the housing into separate gear and control board compartments, the circuit board is protected from dust and grease accumulation. This prevents the formation of heat-insulating layers on the circuit board, maintaining effective heat dissipation and ensuring reliable operation of circuit elements and magnetic sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If maintenance is performed frequently to prevent malfunction, then reliability can be maintained, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented housing design with separate compartments prevents dust and grease from reaching the circuit board, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance. The speed reduction mechanism is enclosed in its own housing, containing contaminants within that compartment while protecting the control board housing from contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively prevents dust and grease from reaching the control board, improving heat dissipation, reducing maintenance needs, and enabling precise control of the rotating shaft over a long period while maintaining high reliability.

Implementation Method 1

coils wound around teeth of the stator; and a motor case part formed into a cylinder shape; each coil generates an electromagnetic force for rotating the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

a sensor magnet fixed to the other end portion of the rotating shaft; and a rotation sensor provided to a portion of the control board facing the sensor magnet and detecting a rotational state of the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3480925B1Wiper motor
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 MITSUBA CORP
  • EP3480925B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3480925B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3480925B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a wiper motor including a motor unit having a rotating shaft, and a gear unit having a speed reduction mechanism for reducing and outputting the speed-reduced rotation, a first speed reduction gear forming a speed reduction mechanism is provided to one end side of a rotating shaft, a sensor magnet is fixed to the other end side of the rotating shaft, a control board is provided so as to face the other end side of the rotating shaft from the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a MR sensor for detecting a rotational state of the rotating shaft is provided to a facing portion of the control board to the sensor magnet, and coil end portions of coils configured to generate an electromagnetic force for rotating the rotating shaft on the basis of supply of drive current from the control board is electrically connected to the control board.