Dual-Beam Windshield Wiper Blade for Center Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional beam wiper blades experience premature failure due to concentrated force at the center, particularly when used as aftermarket blades on various windshields, leading to issues with wrapping and contact maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A wiper blade design featuring a central connection device with upper and lower beams, where the longitudinal ends of the upper beam contact the lower beam, distributing force more evenly and reducing stress concentrations, along with a cover that enhances aerodynamics and pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional beam blade design is used, then the blade maintains a lower profile and provides uniform force distribution, but the blade experiences concentrated force at the center connection point leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The single beam blade is divided into two separate beams (first beam and second beam) that are positioned side-by-side. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across two separate structural elements rather than concentrating it in one beam at the center connection point, thereby reducing stress concentration and improving overall blade durability
Solution Approach 2:
The first beam and second beam are merged together at their longitudinal ends to form a unified dual-beam structure. This merging allows the two beams to work together as a single assembly while maintaining the force distribution benefits of segmentation, creating a more robust connection interface with the wiper arm that reduces premature failure
2Adaptability or versatility
If beam blades are designed with sharp curvature for original equipment, then they provide good contact with the windshield, but they fail to wrap properly when used as aftermarket blades on various windshields
Solution Approach 1:
The dual beam structure provides enhanced flexibility and dynamic adaptation capability. The two beams can independently flex and conform to different windshield curvatures, allowing the blade to dynamically adjust its shape during operation. This dynamic behavior enables proper wrapping on various windshield geometries without requiring pre-configured sharp curvatures for specific vehicle models
Solution Approach 2:
The blade design allows for variation in beam curvature parameters to accommodate different windshield shapes. By adjusting the curvature radius and flexibility characteristics of the dual beam structure, the same basic design can be adapted to work with multiple windshield geometries, enhancing versatility for aftermarket applications across different vehicle models
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper blade may include a central connection device having an upper passage and a lower passage. An upper beam may be provided in the upper passage and a lower beam may be provided in the lower passage. The lower beam may also support a wiper strip. In use, the upper beam may forcibly contact the lower beam. A cover may be provided, and the cover may have an airfoil cross-sectional profile. A wiper blade assembly is also disclosed utilizing an embodiment of a wiper blade with a connector for connecting the wiper blade with a wiper arm of a vehicle.