Segmented Windshield Wiper with Swivel Joints for Curved Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield wiper devices struggle to maintain consistent contact with sharply curved windshields, leading to incomplete wiping and fogging, as they require manual adjustment to compensate for various parameters like rain, snow, and wind pressure.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper device with an elongate, partially bendable upper and lower part connected by swivel joints, employing the 'fin jet' principle, allowing the lower part to arch under compressive force and adapt to curvature, ensuring uniform contact pressure and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid wiper arms are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to curved windshields deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is divided into multiple segments (upper part, lower part, and connecting elements) that can move independently. This segmentation allows each part to adapt to different sections of the curved windshield while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connecting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic structure with movable connecting elements that allow relative movement between the upper and lower parts. This dynamics enables the blade to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining stability through controlled motion.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment of wiper pressure is implemented, then wiping performance on flat surfaces improves, but complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade automatically adjusts to the windshield curvature through its own structural design with movable connecting elements, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by the user. The system serves itself by adapting to different windshield shapes without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade changes its geometric parameters (shape, angle, position) automatically through the movement of connecting elements, allowing it to adapt to different windshield curvatures without manual adjustment. This dynamic parameter change ensures reliable wiping performance across various conditions.
3Reliability
If increased pressure on the windshield is applied, then wiping effectiveness improves, but contact uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is segmented into multiple independent parts that can apply pressure locally to different sections of the windshield. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain optimal contact pressure on its specific section, ensuring uniform contact across the entire curved surface while maintaining overall wiping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements allow dynamic adjustment of the angle and position of the upper and lower parts, enabling the wiper blade to distribute pressure uniformly across the curved windshield surface. This dynamic adaptation ensures that pressure is applied effectively without creating uneven contact points.
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 achieves reliable, streak-free wiping by automatically adapting to windshield curvature, reducing the need for manual adjustment and improving cleaning efficiency across different vehicle models.
Implementation Method 1
The windshield wiper device according to the invention is designed in such a way that it is constructed according to a so-called fin jet principle. This fin ray principle is derived from the structure of the fins of certain fish. According to the fin jet principle, the lower part of the windshield wiper device, and advantageously also its upper part, does not deviate in the direction of the compressive force when a compressive force occurs on the lower part, but arches in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of connecting elements for connecting the upper part and the lower part are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extension of the windshield wiper device and are fastened to the lower part by means of swivel joints
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device (2; 28, 30; 74; 78) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The windscreen wiper device (2; 28, 30; 74; 78) has an elongate upper part (10) which is at least partially of bendable design. Furthermore, said windscreen wiper device contains an elongate lower part (12) which is at least partially of bendable design. Furthermore, there is a plurality of connecting elements (18) for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), wherein the connecting elements (18) are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent (8) of the windscreen wiper device (2; 28, 30; 74; 78) and are fastened to the lower part (12) by means of rotary joints (20).