Beam Wiper Blade Support Structure for Uniform Windshield Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aircraft windshield wiper assemblies induce non-uniform stress and form gaps between the blade element and the windshield surface due to the flexibility of the blade and windshield curvature, leading to inefficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A wiper assembly design featuring a flat spring coupled to a support element via a saddle clip and load spacers, which distributes load uniformly along the blade length, reducing gaps by using a composite material support element and load spacers to enhance rigidity and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional frame and blade element structure is used, then the wiper assembly can be manufactured with simple structure, but non-uniform stress is induced over the blade element length resulting in gap formation
Solution Approach 1:
The blade element is divided into multiple sections with varying stiffness characteristics. The blade includes a root portion, intermediate portion, and tip portion, each with different structural properties to distribute stress uniformly along the length while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The blade element uses composite construction combining rigid and flexible materials. The support element is secured to the blade element along its length, creating a composite structure that provides both structural integrity and flexible stress distribution to eliminate gaps
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blade element is made flexible to accommodate windshield curvature, then adaptability to windshield shape is improved, but non-uniform stress distribution occurs leading to gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The blade element incorporates dynamic flexibility through its segmented design, allowing different portions to deflect independently to match windshield curvature while the support element maintains uniform stress distribution through its distributed attachment along the blade length
3Strength
If a rigid support element is used, then structural strength is improved, but gap formation increases due to inability to distribute load uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The support element has varying local properties along its length, with different attachment characteristics to the blade element at different positions. This creates localized flexibility zones that enable uniform stress distribution while maintaining overall structural strength
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 design achieves uniform stress distribution and minimizes gaps between the blade and windshield, ensuring effective cleaning and improved visibility by maintaining consistent contact with the windshield.
Implementation Method 1
a flat spring coupled on a first end to a first end of the support element via a first coupling and coupled on a second end to a second end of the support element via a second coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper assembly may include a wiper blade comprising: a blade element; and a support element secured to the blade element along a blade element length of the blade element. A wiper assembly may include a flat spring coupled on a first end to a first end of the support element via a first coupling and coupled on a second end to a second end of the support element via a second coupling. A wiper assembly may include a saddle clip disposed between the first end of the support element and the second end of the support element and configured to couple the flat spring to the support element, wherein a downward biasing of the saddle clip causes the wiper assembly to bias against the windshield.