Wiper Arm Spring Energy Storage for Torque Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wiper systems for vehicles face challenges due to varying torque requirements and acyclism caused by relative wind, leading to larger, heavier, and more costly electric motors to compensate for these differences in wiping directions.
Innovation Solution
A wiper system with a spring element connected directly to the wiper arm that absorbs energy during upward movement and releases it during downward movement, reducing the size and material requirements of the drive device and mitigating acyclism by compensating for wind resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a larger electric motor is used to compensate for varying torque requirements, then the wiping reliability is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element performs preliminary action by storing energy during the upward wiping stroke when less torque is required, and releasing this stored energy during the downward stroke when greater torque is needed to overcome wind resistance, thereby compensating for torque variations without requiring a larger motor
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the torque delivery parameter by introducing a spring element that varies the torque output dynamically - the spring provides additional torque during downward movement and reduces torque during upward movement, effectively equalizing the torque requirements and allowing a smaller motor to be used
2Reliability
If a larger electric motor is used to compensate for wind resistance, then the wiping performance is improved, but the material consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded and stores mechanical energy during the upward stroke, making this energy available during the downward stroke to compensate for wind resistance, thereby eliminating the need for an oversized motor and reducing material consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element modifies the torque parameter delivered to the wiper arm, providing torque augmentation during downward movement and reducing the peak torque requirements, which allows for a more material-efficient motor design
3Device complexity
If the spring element is connected directly to the wiper arm, then the construction is simplified, but the assembly complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated directly with the wiper arm assembly, merging the energy storage function with the driving mechanism, which simplifies the overall construction by eliminating separate torque compensation components and their connections
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 spring element allows for a smaller, lighter, and less costly drive device while reducing acyclism and suppressing independent arm movement caused by wind, resulting in a more efficient and quieter operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element for storing energy. The spring element is designed to absorb energy when the wiper arm moves in the first direction of rotation and to release energy when the wiper arm moves in the second direction of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper system (100) for wiping a window, the wiper system having a wiper arm (110), a driving means (120) and a spring element (150) for storing energy. The driving means (120) is designed to move the wiper arm (110) in a first and in a second direction of rotation in order to wipe the window. The spring element (150) is designed to absorb energy during the movement of the wiper arm (110) in the first direction of rotation and to output energy during the movement of the wiper arm (110) in the second direction of rotation. The spring element (150) is connected directly to the wiper arm (110).