Wiperless Windscreen Assembly Using Airflow and Hydrophobic Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle windshields equipped with wipers pose safety hazards due to their aggressive surface, potential for people to cling to them, reduced visibility areas, and limited wiping coverage.
Innovation Solution
A windshield set without wipers, featuring a first air injection system for water drainage and a heating network to prevent ice or snow formation, combined with a hydrophobic coating to facilitate water sliding and a second air injection system to aid in water evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If windshield wipers are installed to clear water from the windshield, then water evacuation capability is improved, but safety hazards increase due to aggressive surfaces and potential for people to cling to them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wiper arms and blades from the vehicle assembly, extracting the harmful mechanical components while retaining the water evacuation function through alternative means (air injection system and hydrophobic coating). This eliminates safety hazards associated with wiper arms at head height and gripping opportunities for pedestrians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a combination of pneumatic (air injection) and surface property-based (hydrophobic coating) mechanisms. The air injection system projects compressed air along the windshield to evacuate water, while the hydrophobic coating facilitates water sliding, eliminating the need for mechanical contact with the windshield surface.
2Productivity
If windshield wipers are installed to clear water from the windshield, then visibility is improved, but visibility area is reduced by the presence of wiper arms and blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes wiper arms and blades from the windshield area, extracting the obstructing elements that reduce the driver's visibility. The alternative water evacuation system (air injection + hydrophobic coating) operates without physical components in the driver's field of view, maximizing the visible glass area.
3Productivity
If windshield wipers are installed to clear water from the windshield, then water evacuation is achieved, but wiping area is limited in relation to the windshield surface
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating applied to the entire outer surface of the windshield provides universal water repellent properties across the full windshield area, not limited to specific wiping zones. The air injection system complements this by providing active evacuation across the entire surface, ensuring complete coverage without the geometric limitations of mechanical wiper paths.
4Productivity
If a hydrophobic coating is applied to the windshield to facilitate water sliding, then water evacuation is improved, but the coating may reduce visibility through optical effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the hydrophobic coating specifically to the outer surface of the windshield where water contact occurs, while maintaining the inner surface and driver's visibility zone free of coating that could interfere with optical properties. This localized application ensures water repellency where needed while preserving optical clarity for the driver.
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
Ensures good visibility in all weather conditions, eliminates safety risks associated with wiper arms, and provides continuous and effective water evacuation without the limitations of wiper cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a heating network (16) integrated into the windscreen (12) and capable of heating said windscreen (12)
Implementation Method 2
a first air injection system (14) arranged to blow air towards the lower edge (26) of the windscreen (12)
Implementation Method 3
The outer surface 22 is provided with a hydrophobic coating 34. More particularly, the entire outer surface 22 is coated with the hydrophobic coating 34 in the visibility zone 32.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a windshield assembly (10) for a vehicle, the assembly comprising a windshield (12), the windshield (12) having an upper edge and a lower edge. The assembly (10) includes a first air injection system (14) and a heating network, the first air injection system (14) extending along the upper edge of the windshield (12), the first air injection system (14) being arranged to blow air towards the lower edge, the heating network being capable of heating said windshield (12).