Asymmetric Wiper Adapter Curved Profile Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper systems for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving a balance between being robust, efficient, durable, and compact while minimizing wind resistance, air intake, and ease of use, with current connection systems failing to provide an optimal compromise between these constraints.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a secant connecting wall and distinct length profiles for the first and second walls, featuring a locking mechanism and a curved profile to minimize air intake and facilitate ergonomic locking/unlocking, is designed to connect the wiper blade to the drive arm, utilizing a polymer material and metal components for structural integrity and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional adapter connection system is used between the drive arm and wiper blade, then the connection is robust and efficient, but the shape becomes bulky creating excessive wind resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs a curved profile design where the connecting wall has a curved external face with a specific radius of curvature (5-100mm, preferably 7-30mm). This curvature allows the adapter to streamline with the airflow along the glass surface, reducing wind resistance and preventing air intake that would cause brush detachment, while maintaining the structural robustness needed for reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters of the adapter including the radius of curvature of the connecting wall (5-100mm), the length ratio between first and second walls, and the positioning of the curved profile. These parameter changes transform the adapter from a bulky rectangular shape to an aerodynamically optimized form that reduces drag while preserving connection strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the adapter design is simplified to reduce part count and assembly time, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the locking mechanism may become less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter integrates multiple functions into a single component: the connecting wall provides both structural connection and aerodynamic streamlining, the curved profile simultaneously reduces wind resistance and defines the locking geometry, and the first wall with locking means combines retention and release functions. This merging reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining reliable locking through the integrated design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the adapter is made more compact to reduce wind resistance, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the locking mechanism becomes harder to access for blade replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter features an asymmetric design where the first wall extends further than the second wall, creating an elongated profile along the drive arm. The locking means is positioned on the first wall at a location that remains accessible from the vehicle exterior. This asymmetric configuration allows the adapter to be compact in the critical aerodynamic directions while maintaining access to the locking mechanism for easy blade replacement.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (15) intended for connecting a wiper blade to an end portion (23) of a drive arm, including a first wall (16) and a second wall (19), the first wall (16) and the second wall (19) being interconnected by at least one linking wall (22), characterised in that the linking wall (22) intersects a median longitudinal plane (P2) of the adapter (15), and in that the first wall (16) has a first length (L1) which is greater than a second length (L2) of the second wall (19), the first length (L1) and the second length (L2) being measured according to straight lines parallel to the median longitudinal plane (P2), and in that the first wall (16) is provided with a means (33) for locking and/or unlocking the adapter (15) on the end portion (23).