Vehicle Wiper Pivot Cap Asymmetric Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front wiper systems for vehicles face challenges in draining water from pivot caps without directing it towards the electric motor, which is often positioned laterally and vulnerable to water scatter during vehicle travel.
Innovation Solution
The support structure incorporates a pivot cap with a bottom plate and flange section, featuring an opening on one side for water drainage, a protrusion on the opposite side to divert water away from the electric motor, and a groove for enhanced strength and impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drainage hole is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the pivot cap to guide water away from the pivot, then water drainage is enabled, but water may be discharged towards the electric motor due to vehicle vibration and scatter
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot cap is designed with asymmetric features: a protrusion extending in the vehicle width direction and an opening positioned at the rear end. This asymmetric configuration ensures that water drains away from the electric motor location, preventing water ingress while maintaining effective drainage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary structure that redirects water flow. By positioning the opening at the rear end and using the protrusion to guide water movement, the design mediates between the need for drainage and the need to protect the electric motor from water.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pivot cap structure is simplified with a basic drainage hole, then manufacturing is easier, but water scatter during vehicle travel causes water to reach the electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design with a rear-positioned opening and lateral protrusion provides effective water drainage away from the electric motor while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The structure uses basic geometric features rather than complex mechanisms, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable water protection.
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 ensures stable water drainage away from the electric motor, protecting it from water ingress and enhancing the structural strength of the pivot cap while reducing the risk of water reaching the motor, even during vehicle vibrations and potential collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a protrusion that protrudes upward from a region at a side opposite to the electric motor in the vehicle lateral direction is included
Implementation Method 2
water on the pivot cap is drained
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for a front wiper device for a vehicle having an annular pivot cap which surrounds, under a deck garnish, a periphery of a pivot on which a base end portion of a wiper arm is supported is provided. The pivot cap includes a bottom plate section that is in an annular shape surrounding the periphery of the pivot, and is extended to a vehicle front side, and a flange section extending upward from an edge portion of the bottom plate section. The flange section is opened at a vehicle front side, and is provided with an opening. In a region at a vehicle rear side and at an electric motor side, of the bottom plate section, a protrusion that protrudes upward from a region at a side opposite to the electric motor is included.