Reusable Wiper Blade Assembly With Rotatable Elastomeric Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper blades degrade over time, leading to reduced effectiveness, visibility issues, noise, and potential damage to the windshield, necessitating frequent replacements that generate waste and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A refillable wiper blade assembly featuring an elastomeric element with multiple wiping surfaces that can be rotated and reused, allowing only the worn surface to be replaced, thus extending the wiper blade's service life and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wiper blades are replaced when they degrade, then visibility and safety are maintained, but waste increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade assembly is segmented into a reusable support structure and replaceable elastomeric elements. The support structure includes a spoiler, spline, and adapter assembly that can be reused, while only the worn elastomeric wiping surfaces need replacement. This segmentation allows partial reuse of the wiper blade components, reducing waste while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the support structure components (spoiler, spline, adapter assembly) after the elastomeric elements wear out. Instead of discarding the entire wiper blade assembly, the reusable portions are retained and new elastomeric elements are attached, thereby recovering valuable components and reducing material waste.
2Reliability
If entire wiper blade assemblies are replaced, then effectiveness is restored, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is divided into consumable elastomeric elements and durable support structure components. This segmentation enables selective replacement of only the worn elastomeric portions while retaining the reusable support structure, thereby reducing material consumption and cost compared to replacing the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure components (spoiler, spline, adapter assembly) are designed to be universal and compatible with multiple elastomeric elements. This multi-functionality allows the same support structure to be reused across different elastomeric replacements, reducing the need to manufacture new complete assemblies and lowering material consumption.
3Device complexity
If traditional wiper blades are used, then simplicity is maintained, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wiper blade into reusable and replaceable components, the patent reduces the frequency of complete replacements needed. This decreases waste generation and environmental impact while maintaining relatively simple construction. The segmented design allows targeted replacement of only the worn elastomeric elements rather than the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent promotes recovery and reuse of support structure components, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills. By recovering the spoiler, spline, and adapter assembly for continued use, the environmental impact is reduced while the overall device structure remains simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a wiper blade assembly for a windshield of a vehicle. The wiper blade assembly includes a spoiler, an elastomeric element, and a wiper blade spline. The elastomeric element is removeably coupled to the spoiler via the wiper blade spline. The elastomeric element can attach to the wiper blade spline in one of a first orientation and a second orientation. The elastomeric element includes a first blade having a first profile and a second blade having a second profile. The elastomeric element can further include a third blade having a third profile. The first blade, the second blade, and the third blade can be positioned 120 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the elastomeric element.