Vehicle Wiper Reducing Weight and Assembly Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle wipers have a large number of components and are heavy, leading to increased load on the wiper arm and window, which can cause malfunctions and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A wiper design with reduced components, featuring a wiper strip, elastic supports, and a primary lever with auxiliary levers and yokes that are combined using through holes and protrusions for reduced friction and weight, allowing for improved assembling efficiency and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional wiper design with multiple metal components is used, then structural strength is maintained, but weight increases and assembling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (yokes, auxiliary levers, supports) into an integrated assembly where the first and second yokes are connected through the primary lever and auxiliary levers, reducing the total component count from 15-20 to a more streamlined structure while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The primary lever serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second auxiliary levers, provides structural support, and enables rotational movement for both auxiliary levers, thereby reducing the need for separate connection components
2Weight of moving object
If metal components are used for yokes and levers, then structural strength is ensured, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hybrid material approach where the wiper strip is made of flexible material (rubber or polymer) while the support structure uses a combination of metal (for strength-critical components) and potentially lighter materials, creating a composite structure that optimizes both weight and strength
3Reliability
If pins or rivets are used to rotatably combine components, then structural stability is maintained, but frictional resistance increases and assembling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for separate pins or rivets by integrating the rotational connection function directly into the primary lever and auxiliary lever design, where the levers themselves provide the rotational articulation points without requiring additional fastening components
Solution Approach 2:
The primary lever and auxiliary levers are designed to self-connect through their geometric configuration, where the levers naturally articulate with each other through built-in connection points that provide rotational movement without requiring external pins or rivets
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 design significantly reduces the number of components by half to two-thirds compared to conventional wipers, enhancing assembling efficiency, reducing weight, and eliminating the need for tools during assembly, while preventing rust and improving air flow.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of supports combined with the wiper strip, disposed in a lengthwise direction of the wiper strip and having elasticity
Implementation Method 2
a combination protrusion protruding from sidewalls of inner circumferences of the first auxiliary lever and the second auxiliary lever toward the through hole is formed to be elastically accommodated in the through hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A wiper for a vehicle including: a wiper strip (20); a plurality of supports (25) combined with the wiper strip (20); first (30) and second (32) yokes slidably supporting the plurality of supports (25); a first auxiliary lever (40) having one end combined with a middle portion of the first yoke (30); a second auxiliary lever (42) having one end combined with a middle portion of the second yoke (32); and a primary lever (60) having one end combined with the first auxiliary lever (40) and another end combined with the second auxiliary lever (42) and including an arm combination hole in which a wiper arm (100) is combined with a center of the primary lever (60), wherein the primary lever (60) is combined with the first auxiliary lever (40) and the second auxiliary lever (42), the first auxiliary lever (40) and the first yoke (30) are combined with each other, and the second auxiliary lever (42) and the second yoke (32) are combined with each other.