Wiper Motor Worm Wheel Support Structure Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiper motor assemblies experience instability and lateral movement of the worm wheel during rotation, leading to negative impacts on the arm's pivoting mechanism, especially when motor control electronics are present, causing wobbling and cascading effects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support structure within the gear housing that is secured against rotation relative to the housing, featuring a bearing surface to receive the boss of the driven spur gear, which stabilizes the shaft and worm wheel, minimizing lateral movement and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If motor control electronics are placed above the worm wheel, then electronic control functionality is achieved, but the shaft support structure becomes compromised causing lateral movement and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two functional segments: a stationary support structure secured to the housing that provides stable lateral support, and a rotatable boss that rotates with the worm wheel. This segmentation allows the stationary portion to maintain stability while the rotatable portion accommodates the dynamic motion, resolving the contradiction between electronic control placement and shaft support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element between the stationary housing and the rotating worm wheel/shaft assembly. It mediates the conflict by providing a stable reference frame (secured against rotation) while accommodating the rotating components, thereby maintaining shaft support stability even when electronics are positioned above the worm wheel.
2Device complexity
If the worm wheel is supported only by the shaft, then the structure is simple, but lateral movement and wobbling occur during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between the shaft (which provides axial support and rotates with the worm wheel) and the support structure (which provides lateral support and remains stationary). This segmentation of support functions eliminates lateral movement and wobbling while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure introduces support in a different dimension (lateral/radial direction) rather than relying solely on the shaft's axial support. By adding this dimensional support element secured against rotation, the system achieves greater rotation stability without excessive complexity.
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
The solution effectively minimizes wobbling and cascading effects, providing stable support to the shaft and worm wheel, even when electronics are present, thereby improving the pivoting mechanism's performance and reducing negative impacts during vehicle movement.
Implementation Method 1
a support structure extending laterally within the housing, the support structure being secured against rotation relative to the housing and the worm wheel, the support structure including an opening with a bearing surface
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure enables an assembly for driving an arm of a windshield wiper of a vehicle. The assembly includes a support structure in a housing that is secured against rotation relative to the housing. The support structure has an opening with a bearing surface, where the opening is configured to receive a boss of a worm wheel such that the bearing surface faces the boss of the worm wheel.