Heated Wiper Blade Carrier With Protected Internal Heating Foil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blades for motor vehicles face challenges in protecting the heating element from external influences and in manufacturing efficiency, as the heating element is often exposed and requires precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
The heating element is positioned between the inner rail and the plastic layer, designed as a heating foil with a meandering heating means, and can be easily shortened or arranged within an insulator film, allowing for flexible manufacturing and protection from external influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the heating element is arranged outside the carrier element, then it is easier to access for installation, but it is exposed to external influences and requires precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated inside the carrier element structure, specifically positioned between the inner rail and the plastic layer. This nesting approach protects the heating element from external influences while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a layered construction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic layer serves as an intermediary that encapsulates and protects the heating element. The heating element is positioned between the inner rail and the plastic layer, allowing the plastic to act as a protective barrier while still enabling heat transfer to the wiper strip.
2Manufacturing precision
If the heating element requires precise alignment during manufacturing, then heating performance is optimized, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-positioned within the plastic layer during the molding process. The plastic layer is formed with an integrated cavity or channel that automatically positions the heating element in the correct location, eliminating the need for subsequent alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process combines multiple steps into one: the plastic layer is molded with the heating element already in place, and the inner rail is subsequently inserted. This merging of operations eliminates separate alignment steps and reduces manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the support element is manufactured in fixed lengths, then production is simpler, but adaptability to different wiper blade sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed as a continuous or modular structure that can be dynamically adjusted to different lengths. The heating element is positioned such that it remains functional regardless of the final cut length, allowing the same base design to serve multiple wiper blade sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element can be divided into modular sections that are manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows for flexible length adjustment while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each module.
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
This configuration optimally protects the heating element from external influences and simplifies production by allowing for easy length adjustment and cost-effective manufacturing without compromising functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element is glued to the support element to heat the support element and the wiper strip, particularly at low temperatures, to prevent the wiper blade from freezing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper blade (10), in particular for a motor vehicle. Said wiper blade comprises a wiper strip (14), an elongate carrier element (12) and a heating element (24), the carrier element (12) holding the wiper strip (14), and the carrier element (12) comprising an inner rail (22), and further comprising a plastic layer (20) which sheaths the inner rail (22) of the carrier element (12). According to the invention, the heating element (24) is arranged essentially inside the carrier element (12).