Wiper Arm Air Guide Sections for High-Speed Downforce
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiper arms for vehicle windows at high speeds face issues with increased structural height and air resistance, which can obstruct the driver's view and hinder effective cleaning due to the design of spoiler elements.
Innovation Solution
A wiper arm with a U-shaped cross section and air guide sections of varying heights, terminating surface-flush with the carrier element, and featuring through-openings and spray nozzles for optimized airflow and cleaning fluid application, reduces structural height and enhances contact pressure while improving airflow and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spoiler element is arranged on the side opposite the wiper blade to increase contact pressure at high speeds, then cleaning reliability is improved, but structural height increases obstructing the driver's view
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide sections redirect airflow from a vertical direction (affecting structural height) to a horizontal direction (affecting airflow dynamics). This dimensional change allows the spoiler function to be achieved through airflow management rather than vertical structural extension, resolving the contradiction between cleaning reliability and driver visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses air guide sections to manipulate airflow dynamics to generate downforce on the wiper blade. By utilizing pneumatic principles (airflow generation of force), the system achieves increased contact pressure at high speeds without requiring additional vertical structural elements, thus maintaining low structural height while improving cleaning reliability.
2Reliability
If a spoiler element is arranged on the side opposite the wiper blade to increase contact pressure at high speeds, then cleaning reliability is improved, but air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide sections convert the harmful effect of high-speed airflow (which would otherwise create lift and reduce contact pressure) into a beneficial downforce. By strategically guiding the airflow, the system uses the same high-speed air currents to press the wiper blade against the window, transforming the harmful aerodynamic lift into useful cleaning pressure without increasing overall air resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies pneumatic principles by using air guide sections to channel airflow in a way that generates aerodynamic downforce. This allows the system to harness airflow dynamics to improve contact pressure at high speeds while maintaining streamlined airflow paths that minimize overall air resistance, resolving the contradiction between cleaning reliability and aerodynamic efficiency.
3Productivity
If air guide sections are designed with different heights to optimize airflow, then airflow characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide sections are designed with asymmetric heights, where the first air guide section has a different height than the second air guide section. This asymmetric design optimizes airflow characteristics by creating specific flow patterns that enhance downforce generation. The asymmetry is implemented in a straightforward manner that does not significantly increase manufacturing complexity, effectively balancing airflow optimization with device simplicity.
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 enhances airflow and contact pressure, maintaining unobstructed views and effective cleaning at high speeds by minimizing structural height and optimizing airflow and fluid application, thus addressing the limitations of prior wiper arm designs.
Implementation Method 1
by way of a corresponding design of the air guide section, an increase of the pressing force of the wiper arm in the direction of the vehicle window is achieved
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper arm (10; 10a - 10d) for cleaning a vehicle window, with a carrier element (11), which is able to be connected at a first end region at least indirectly with a drive shaft and at another end region with a wiper blade (1), and with an additional element (30) connected with the carrier element (11), which additional element (30) extends in longitudinal direction of the wiper arm. It is provided according to the invention that the additional element (30) has at least one air guide section (166, 167), extending in longitudinal direction of the wiper arm (10; 10a - 10d), which at least one air guide section (166, 167) projects beyond the underside (168) of the carrier element (11) on the side facing the vehicle window.