Wiper Blade Adapter Geometry That Uses Airflow for Contact Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper devices require high contact pressure to ensure effective wiping performance, which can lead to unfavorable aerodynamics and reduced reliability, especially when driving quickly, potentially worsening wiping performance or making it impossible.
Innovation Solution
An adapter unit with a wind deflector surface and a pivot bearing featuring columns of varying heights, where the windward-facing column is shorter than the leeward-facing column, allowing the wiper blade to be pressed against the window by wind forces, reducing the required contact pressure and enhancing wiping performance through aerodynamic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high contact force is applied by the wiper arm to press the wiper blade against the vehicle window, then wiping performance is improved, but aerodynamic resistance increases and reliability decreases during high-speed driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aerodynamic drag force into a beneficial force by designing the adapter unit with a specific orientation that allows wind pressure to press the wiper blade against the window. The wind force, which would normally oppose the wiper arm's contact force, is instead utilized to supplement the contact pressure, improving reliability while reducing the required mechanical force from the wiper arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the adapter unit relative to the wind flow direction. By optimizing the angle between the adapter unit's reference axis and the wind flow direction, the design transforms the aerodynamic forces acting on the wiper blade, converting detrimental drag into beneficial contact pressure without increasing the wiper arm's mechanical force requirements.
2Force
If high contact force is required from the wiper arm, then a stronger and more complex wiper arm structure is needed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the previously harmful aerodynamic drag force to provide additional contact pressure on the wiper blade. This eliminates the need for an over-engineered wiper arm structure designed to compensate for aerodynamic losses, allowing for a simpler, lighter, and more cost-effective wiper arm design while maintaining sufficient contact force.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter unit design enables the wiper system to utilize environmental resources (wind flow) to perform part of the work of pressing the blade against the window. The aerodynamic forces generated during vehicle motion automatically contribute to maintaining contact pressure, reducing the burden on the wiper arm's mechanical force-generating components.
3Reliability
If unfavorable aerodynamics during high-speed driving generates opposing force, then wiping performance deteriorates or becomes impossible, but this cannot be easily corrected in conventional designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly addresses the harmful aerodynamic resistance by reorienting the adapter unit to convert the drag force into a beneficial contact pressure. The wind flow, which would normally create resistance and reduce wiping effectiveness, is instead channeled to press the wiper blade firmly against the window, ensuring reliable wiping performance even at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the wiper system by designing the adapter unit to exploit varying wind flow conditions. As vehicle speed and wind conditions change, the aerodynamic forces automatically adjust to provide appropriate contact pressure, making the system adaptive rather than static and overcoming the limitations of conventional fixed designs.
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 design improves wiping performance by utilizing wind forces to press the wiper blade against the window, allowing for a cheaper, simpler, and more reliable wiper arm with lower contact pressure, while preventing adverse aerodynamic forces that could hinder operation.
Implementation Method 1
a wind deflector surface (28) which is designed to deflect incoming air and press the wiper blade (16) against a vehicle window
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter unit which is provided for coupling, in particular releasably coupling, a wiper blade to a wiper arm, having a wind deflecting surface, which is designed to deflect inflowing air and press the wiper blade against a vehicle windshield, and a pivot bearing, which is designed to support the wiper arm in a pivotal manner relative to the wiper blade. The pivot bearing has at least two columns arranged largely vertically on an adapter base surface, wherein each of the columns has a respective joint pin which is oriented parallel or largely parallel to a bearing axis and is designed to support the wiper arm and/or a wiper arm adapter unit. According to the invention, one of the at least two columns, said column facing the wind, has a lower height than one of the at least two columns, said column facing away from the wind, in particular such that the height of the at least two columns corresponds to the height profile of the wind deflecting surface.