Wiper Blade Adapter Segmented Grid Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wiper adapter technologies have limited precision and stiffness, leading to suboptimal control and water drainage issues, particularly due to sparse and curved guiding patterns which can cause sticking and reduced transmission force.
Innovation Solution
The adapter features two parallel walls with projecting sliding-guidance patterns distributed in rows and columns, forming drainage channels inclined relative to the longitudinal axis, enhancing stiffness, guidance, and water drainage, while maintaining precise control and force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the adapter uses sparse curved guiding patterns, then the adapter structure is simple, but the guidance precision and stiffness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding patterns are segmented into multiple discrete rows and columns instead of continuous curved patterns. This segmentation increases the number of contact points between adapter and connector, improving guidance precision and stiffness while maintaining manufacturability through standardized pattern elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding patterns transition from two-dimensional curved surfaces to a three-dimensional grid structure with rows and columns. This dimensional change creates multiple levels of guidance contact points, significantly enhancing stiffness and precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the adapter walls are made thinner to reduce size, then the adapter becomes more compact, but the stiffness and control precision decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is segmented with integrated guiding patterns that create internal reinforcement zones. These segmented patterns act as structural ribs within the walls, maintaining stiffness while allowing thinner overall wall thickness for compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter walls incorporate integrated guiding patterns that function as composite structural elements. The combination of wall material and pattern geometry creates a composite structure with enhanced stiffness-to-weight ratio, enabling compact dimensions without sacrificing strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the adapter uses smooth contacting surfaces, then the manufacturing is easier, but water drainage is poor causing sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth contacting surfaces are segmented with integrated drainage channels between the guiding patterns. This segmentation allows water to drain through defined pathways while maintaining smooth contact surfaces for easy manufacturing. The channels are formed as integral parts of the pattern structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Drainage channels are introduced as intermediary elements between the contacting surfaces. These channels serve as mediators that facilitate water drainage without interfering with the primary guidance function, preventing sticking while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the adapter uses fewer and thicker patterns, then the structure is simpler, but the guidance is insufficient and wall portions between patterns are non-guided
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding patterns are segmented into a systematic grid of rows and columns, distributing guidance coverage uniformly across the adapter surface. This segmentation ensures that wall portions between patterns remain minimal and guided, improving overall guidance coverage without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter (112) for connecting a wiper blade to a drive arm, the adapter comprising two substantially parallel walls (28) connected together by at least one connecting element (30), said walls comprising first inner side faces (28a) between which said at least one connecting element extends, and outer side faces (28b) comprising protruding sliding guide patterns (132), characterised in that said patterns are divided into lines and columns.