Segmented Wiper Arm Rod for Curved Windshield Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper arm arrangements for spherically curved vehicle windows struggle to maintain optimal alignment and constant contact pressure of the wiper blade, leading to suboptimal wiping results and increased noise.
Innovation Solution
A wiper arm rod configuration with two pivotable elements, one connected to the wiper arm head and the other to the wiper blade, allowing for additional mobility and alignment perpendicular to the vehicle window, combined with spring elements for consistent contact pressure and a spacer device to maintain constant distance, reducing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single rigid wiper arm rod is used to connect the wiper arm head and wiper blade, then the structure is simple, but the wiper blade cannot maintain optimal alignment perpendicular to the spherically curved vehicle window throughout its sweeping path
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper arm rod is divided into two separate elements: a first element connected to the wiper arm head and a second element connected to the wiper blade. These elements can pivot relative to each other about a second pivoting axis that is perpendicular to the first pivoting axis, allowing the wiper blade to maintain optimal alignment with the spherically curved vehicle window while sweeping across its surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper arm rod transitions from a rigid, fixed structure to a dynamic, articulated structure with two pivotable elements. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to the spherical curvature of the vehicle window, maintaining perpendicular alignment of the wiper blade throughout the sweeping motion.
2Reliability
If the wiper blade is pressed against the vehicle window with high contact pressure, then wiping performance is improved, but noise increases and wear on the window surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated two-element wiper arm rod dynamically adapts to the spherical curvature of the vehicle window, distributing the contact pressure more evenly across the wiper blade and window surface. This dynamic alignment reduces concentrated stress points, thereby reducing noise and wear while maintaining effective wiping performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wiper arm rod maintains a fixed distance from the vehicle window, then the contact pressure is constant, but the wiper blade cannot adapt to the spherically curved surface
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wiper arm rod into two pivotable elements, the system achieves both adaptability to the curved surface and stability of contact pressure. The first element accommodates the spherical curvature through pivoting, while the second element maintains consistent contact pressure through its connection to the wiper blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of the second pivoting axis perpendicular to the first pivoting axis introduces an additional degree of freedom, allowing the wiper arm rod to navigate the three-dimensional spherical curvature of the vehicle window while maintaining stable contact pressure throughout the sweeping motion.
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 ensures optimal alignment and contact pressure, resulting in improved wiping performance and reduced noise, while minimizing friction and wear on the vehicle window.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element is arranged in the area of the two pivoting axes, wherein the first spring element between the wiper arm head and wiper arm rod is designed to exert a first pressing force on the element of the wiper arm rod facing the wiper arm head toward the vehicle window
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper arm arrangement (100) for cleaning a vehicle window (1), with a wiper arm head (10) that can be at least indirectly connected by means of a wiper arm rod (22) with a wiper blade (5) at a first end region with a drive shaft (12) and a second end region lying opposite the first end region, wherein the wiper arm rod (22) is pivotably mounted on the side facing the wiper arm head (10) in a first pivoting axis (20). The invention provides that the wiper arm rod (22) consist of two elements (26, 28), a first element (26) connected with the wiper arm head (10) and a second element (28) that can be connected at least indirectly with the wiper blade (5), and that the two elements (26, 28) be arranged so that they can pivot relative to each other in a second pivoting axis (30), wherein the second pivoting axis (30) is arranged essentially perpendicular to the first pivoting axis.