Segmented Wiper Blade Rotary Joints Curvature Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Windshield wiper devices struggle to maintain consistent contact with sharply curved windshields, leading to streaks and fogging, and existing solutions fail to provide a simple and cost-effective way to replace wiper blades.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper device with a bendable wiper arm featuring an elongated upper and lower part connected by rotary joints and a receiving slot for the wiper rubber, equipped with a locking mechanism to secure the rubber in place, allowing for easy exchange and ensuring a large wiping surface without streaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the wiper blade is made rigid to maintain contact pressure on the windshield, then the wiping force is improved, but the ability to adapt to sharply curved windshields deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is divided into multiple rigid segments (first wiper blade element, second wiper blade element, etc.) connected by flexible joints. Each segment can be replaced independently, and the flexible joints allow the segmented structure to adapt to curved windshields while maintaining contact pressure through the rigidity of individual segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade incorporates flexible joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the blade's shape during operation. These joints enable the blade to change its configuration to match the windshield curvature while maintaining adequate contact pressure through the combined rigidity of segments and flexibility of joints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wiper blade structure is made complex to improve wiping performance on curved surfaces, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is segmented into multiple replaceable elements connected by flexible joints. This segmentation allows individual elements to be replaced independently without replacing the entire blade assembly, simplifying maintenance while the flexible joints provide the necessary adaptability to curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible joints are designed as separate, extractible components that connect the rigid segments. This extraction principle allows the rigid segments to be easily removed and replaced while the flexible joints remain, maintaining the adaptability function without requiring replacement of the entire blade structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the wiper blade is designed as a single integrated piece to simplify structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating a single complex integrated piece, the blade is segmented into multiple simpler elements that are easier to manufacture individually. These segmented elements can be replaced independently, improving ease of repair while each individual element remains simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple simple rigid segments and flexible joints are combined to create the complete wiper blade assembly. Each component is simple to manufacture, but their combination provides the functional complexity needed for both adaptability and ease of replacement.
4Reliability
If the contact pressure of the wiper arm is increased to prevent fogging, then the wiping effectiveness is improved, but the user-friendliness and handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade uses flexible joints that allow dynamic adaptation to the windshield surface, maintaining effective contact pressure without requiring excessive force from the wiper arm. This dynamic adaptation improves wiping reliability while keeping the system easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible joints change the geometric parameters of the wiper blade configuration during operation, allowing the blade to conform to the windshield curvature. This parameter change enables effective wiping with moderate contact pressure, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
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
The device provides reliable, streak-free wiping and allows for simple and cost-effective replacement of wiper blades, adapting well to various windshield curvatures and improving user-friendliness.
Implementation Method 1
several connecting elements are provided for connecting the upper part and the lower part, the connecting elements being spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extension of the wiper blade and being attached to the upper part and/or the lower part by means of a rotary joint
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device for a vehicle, for wiping a windscreen (4), comprising a wiper blade (2) having an elongate upper part (10) and an elongate lower part (12) which are at least partly flexible. Also provided are multiple connecting elements (18) for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), the connecting elements being mutually spaced along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2) and being attached to the upper part (10) and/or the lower part (12) by a rotary joint (20), and the connecting elements (18) being designed to allow a movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along the longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2). The windscreen wiper device also comprises, on the lower part (12) a receiving slot (50) on one side (57) facing towards the windscreen (4), along the longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), wherein the receiving slot (50) is designed so that a wiper blade element (51) can be exchanged.