Heated Wiper Blade Connector for Articulated Power Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wipers require manual scraping of ice during freezing weather, which is time-consuming and can scratch the glass, and existing electric heating systems face issues with maintaining electrical connection during articulation.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper blade assembly with an electrical connector comprising two coaxial parts that rotate relative to each other, ensuring a male connector moves within a female groove to maintain a constant power supply, allowing effective electrical connection regardless of the blade's articulated position, combined with heating elements and voltage-responsive bristles for efficient ice removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid electrical connector is used to ensure stable power supply, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but the connector cannot accommodate articulation movement of the wiper blade
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and accommodate the articulation movement of the wiper blade while maintaining continuous electrical contact. The connector transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible one that can dynamically adapt to changing positions during wiper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector incorporates flexible elements such as thin conductive films or flexible cables that can bend and flex during articulation. These flexible components maintain electrical connectivity while accommodating the range of motion required for wiper blade articulation, solving the contradiction between rigidity for stable connection and flexibility for movement accommodation.
2Productivity
If manual scraping is used to remove ice from the windshield, then ice removal is achieved, but it is time-consuming and can scratch the glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical scraping action with an automated heating system. Electrical heating elements embedded in the wiper blade generate thermal energy that melts ice through thermal conduction, eliminating the need for mechanical contact between a scraper and the glass surface, thus preventing scratches while improving ice removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system utilizes the phase transition of ice from solid to liquid by applying thermal energy. The heating elements raise the temperature of the ice above its melting point, causing it to transition from a solid state that requires mechanical scraping to a liquid state that can be easily wiped away, thereby eliminating the scratching risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heating elements are added to the wiper blade for ice melting, then ice removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are integrated directly into the wiper blade structure, merging the heating function with the existing blade components. This consolidation approach adds ice removal capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the blade's existing structure as the heating substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional wiping, articulation movement, and ice melting through integrated heating elements. This multi-functionality approach adds ice removal capability without requiring a separate dedicated ice removal device, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 effective electrical connection and efficient ice removal without scratching, reducing manual effort and time, with enhanced coverage and reduced weight and cost.
Implementation Method 1
electric heating means for heating the wiper blade, the wiper blade being therefore heated and moved across the windshield in order to transfer heat from the blade to melt any ice on the windshield
Implementation Method 2
transfer heat from the blade to melt any ice on the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield wiper blade assembly has a windshield wiper blade with an articulation element for articulating the blade to a wiper arm. An electrical connector includes two coaxial parts configured to rotate relative to each other, one part of which being intended to be secured to the articulation element and the other part of which being intended to be secured to the wiper arm. One part of the two coaxial parts is a male part including at least one male connector and the other part is a female part including at least one female connector associated with the at least one male connector, The least one female connector is arranged in a circular groove, so that said at least one male connector is able to move in rotation inside the groove and to contact the at least one female connector during the rotation of the two coaxial parts relative to each other.