Windshield Wiper Nozzle Laminar Flow Liquid Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper blade designs with liquid projection devices consume excessive washing liquid and cause streaks on windshields due to inefficient liquid distribution, leading to reduced visibility for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle is structured and oriented to project a jet of liquid onto the squeegee lip, allowing it to flow laminarly along the squeegee, with a one-piece pipe integrated into the cap for precise dimensional tolerance and flexible orientation, reducing liquid consumption and streaks by ensuring a focused and efficient liquid distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large conical jet of liquid is projected simultaneously onto a significant part of the squeegee lip, then the squeegee lip is covered with washing liquid, but washing liquid consumption increases and streaks are caused on the windshield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing liquid consumptionVSAvoidstreaks on windshield
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid projection is segmented into multiple separate jets projected at different positions along the squeegee lip rather than one large conical jet. This segmentation allows each jet to flow laminarly along the lip without spreading widely, reducing both liquid consumption and streak formation while ensuring complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each liquid jet is directed at a specific local position on the squeegee lip with precise orientation and angle. The jets are tailored to flow along specific sections of the lip, creating localized wetting zones that combine to cover the entire lip surface without excessive spreading or ricocheting that causes streaks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If multiple liquid jets are projected at different positions along the squeegee lip, then liquid consumption is reduced and streaks are minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing liquid consumptionVSAvoidnozzle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate nozzle units are merged into a single integrated nozzle structure that projects multiple jets simultaneously. This combining approach maintains the benefits of segmented liquid projection while simplifying the overall device structure, reducing the number of separate components, and easing manufacturing and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the nozzle is oriented to project liquid at a specific angle for laminar flow, then liquid flows efficiently along the squeegee lip, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow efficiencyVSAvoidnozzle orientation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is oriented at a specific angle (approximately 45 degrees) that creates an equipotential condition for liquid flow along the squeegee lip. This optimal angle allows the liquid to flow laminarly under gravity and surface tension forces without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, as the flow dynamics are favorably aligned at this specific orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 significantly reduces washing liquid consumption and minimizes streaks on windshields by ensuring a laminar flow of liquid along the squeegee lip, enhancing driver visibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and flexibility in nozzle orientation.

Implementation Method 1

The jet of liquid touches the surface of the squeegee lip in a limited place and close to the end in a sufficiently tangent way so that it can then flow along the squeegee lip, over the major part of the lip of the squeegee, mainly laminar.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

In this rest position, the flexible lip of the flexible squeegee resting on the glazed surface, this flexible lip forms a concavity over its entire length, concavity in which the jet of projected liquid can then flow more easily and further while maintaining an essentially laminar flow.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConcavity formation for fluid channeling:

Implementation Method 3

If the washing liquid has not flowed over the entire length of the squeegee lip, when the squeegee is raised, the centrifugal force will ensure the distribution of the liquid to the end of the squeegee opposite to that which carries the nozzle.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2707259B1Windshield wiper blade including a device for spraying liquid onto the lip of the scraper
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2707259B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2707259B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2707259B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle windshield wiper blade comprising an elongate flexible scraper (1), a cap (3) covering one end of the scraper (1), and a device (2) for spraying liquid onto the wiping lip of the scraper (1). The wiper blade is characterised in that the liquid-spraying device (2) comprises: a nozzle (4) structured and oriented such as to spray a jet of liquid from one end of the scraper (1), which jet then flows along the lip of the scraper (1); and a duct portion (5) integral with the cap (3), said duct portion having one end connected to the nozzle (5) and another end intended to be connected to a liquid supply pipe.