Wiping lip cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Windshield wiper lips become contaminated with dirt and debris, leading to impaired visibility and reduced effectiveness due to adhered and dried contaminants, as well as wear and tear from environmental factors, posing safety risks during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a moisture-impermeable, elongated base support with a double-U or double-V shaped cross-section, equipped with separate surface layers for cleaning and care, allowing for effective cleaning and maintenance of wiper lips without moisture penetration, ensuring skin contact is avoided and allowing for easy handling by all users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If wiper lips are used to clean windshields, then visibility is improved, but the wiper lips become contaminated with dirt and debris that dry and crust over, reducing wiping effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidwiping effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables the wiper lip to clean itself by providing a portable cleaning tool with cleaning agents and abrasive surfaces that can be applied directly to the wiper lip without requiring removal from the windshield assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduces an intermediary cleaning system consisting of a base support with cleaning agents, abrasive surfaces, and squeezing mechanisms that mediates between the contaminated wiper lip and the cleaning function, transferring cleaning action to the wiper lip

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional cleaning methods are used, then contaminants are removed from wiper lips, but the cleaning process is complex and requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple cleaning functions into a single integrated unit: cleaning agents are applied to abrasive surfaces, which are then activated by a squeezing mechanism, combining chemical and mechanical cleaning in one device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device serves multiple cleaning purposes simultaneously: it provides mechanical abrasion through textured surfaces, chemical cleaning through applied agents, and mechanical pressure through squeezing mechanisms, all in one portable unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the base support is made thin for ease of handling, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but moisture may penetrate through the base support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidmoisture penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base support utilizes a thin flexible yet moisture-impermeable structure that maintains portability and ease of handling while preventing moisture penetration through the use of moisture-resistant materials in a thin-film configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The base support is constructed from composite materials that combine flexibility for handling with moisture-impermeable properties, creating a thin structure that resists moisture penetration while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 device effectively cleans and maintains wiper lips, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of windshield wipers, thereby improving visibility and contributing to vehicle safety by preventing contamination and wear-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

a moisture-impermeable, elongated base support (4) with a double-U or double-V shaped cross-section (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture impermeability:

Data Source

PatentEP3445619B1Wiping lip cleaning device
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 PRINZ MANFRED
  • EP3445619B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3445619B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for cleaning wiping lips on windscreen wiper cleaning blades of windscreen cleaning systems. In order to permit cleaning of wiping lips on windscreen wiper cleaning blades of windscreen cleaning systems in a simple and cost-effective manner, the device (2) provides a two-sided (18, 20), moisture-impermeable basic support (4) having a substantially N-, double V-shaped or double U-shaped cross section (8) which forms a first and a second embracing region (10, 12) in the basic body (4), the embracing-region openings (14, 16) of which are oriented in an opposed manner to each other. The basic body (4), on its first side (18) at least in a part (62) in the region of the first embracing region (10), has a first surface layer (22) composed of a first material (26), and, on its second side (20) at least in a part (64) in the region of the second embracing region (12), has a second surface layer (24) composed of a second material (28).