Flat Wiper Blade Pivot Mounting Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper devices with flat wiper blades have a pivotable mounting between the wiper arm and blade that is costly, prone to wear, and not environmentally protected, with high technical complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

The pivotable mounting is integrated into the wiper blade, featuring a support element and a pivotable connecting element that engages with the wiper arm, allowing a flat and aerodynamic design with reduced wear and cost, and protection from environmental influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pivotable mounting is provided at the free end of the wiper arm, then the wiper blade can be mounted on the wiper arm, but the technical outlay and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional design by moving the pivotable mounting from the wiper arm side to the wiper blade side. The connecting element with pivotable mounting is now part of the wiper blade assembly rather than the wiper arm, which reduces complexity and cost at the wiper arm while maintaining mounting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable mounting function is extracted from the wiper arm and integrated into the wiper blade's connecting element. This separation allows the wiper arm to have a simpler, more cost-effective design while the wiper blade assembly contains the necessary pivotable mounting mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the pivotable mounting is provided at the free end of the wiper arm, then the wiper blade can be mounted on the wiper arm, but the mounting is subject to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the design and placing the pivotable mounting on the wiper blade side rather than the wiper arm side, the wear-prone components become part of the replaceable wiper blade assembly. This means wear occurs in components that can be easily replaced with the wiper blade, rather than in the permanent wiper arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the pivotable mounting is provided at the free end of the wiper arm, then the wiper blade can be mounted on the wiper arm, but the mounting is exposed to environmental influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidenvironmental protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element with pivotable mounting is nested within the wiper blade assembly structure. The support element and connecting element are integrated in such a way that the pivotable mounting is protected within the overall wiper blade construction, shielding it from direct environmental exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If the pivotable mounting is provided at the free end of the wiper arm, then the wiper blade can be mounted on the wiper arm, but the height is increased and aerodynamics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidaerodynamic profile

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By placing the pivotable mounting on the wiper blade side rather than extending it from the wiper arm end, the overall height and profile of the wiper arm assembly are reduced. This inverted configuration allows for a flatter, more aerodynamic design while maintaining the necessary pivotable mounting functionality within the blade assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7716780B2Wiper device comprising a flat wiper blade and wiper arm

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS

AI summary

A wiper device for wiping a vehicle windscreen, including a drivable wiper arm and a flat wiper blade arranged on the wiper arm. The flat wiper blade includes a wiper blade rubber, a support for supporting the wiper blade rubber, and a connection for connecting a free end of the wiper arm. The support is in the form of band-like elongate spring blades. The connection includes a support element fixedly arranged on the support and a connecting element that partially pivots the support element. The connecting element is releasably connected to the free end of the wiper arm.