Wiper Blade Actuator Section for Silent Lip Reversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiper strips generate noise due to the pendulum movement of the wiper lip during reverse wiping, causing impact forces against the windshield, which existing designs have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating actuator sections made of functional polymers that contract upon voltage or light activation, allowing the wiper lip to fold over gently without hitting the window, with control elements arranged above the base for compact design and precise force control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical pendulum principle is used to rotate the wiper lip during reversal, then the wiper lip can change orientation, but significant impact forces and noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pendulum principle with an artificial muscle actuator that uses electroactive polymer material. This substitution eliminates the flip-over motion and impact forces by directly actuating the wiper lip orientation through electrical signals, transforming the mechanical system into an electro-mechanical system that operates without harmful impacts and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation parameter from mechanical force to electrical voltage. The electroactive polymer material responds to voltage changes by changing its length, which directly controls the wiper lip orientation. This parameter change allows for precise, controlled movement without the sudden mechanical impacts characteristic of pendulum-based systems
2Ease of operation
If the wiper lip flips over during reversal, then orientation change is achieved, but the entire wiper blade and arm accelerate and decelerate rapidly causing impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pendulum principle with an artificial muscle actuator that uses electroactive polymer material. This substitution eliminates the flip-over motion and impact forces by directly actuating the wiper lip orientation through electrical signals, transforming the mechanical system into an electro-mechanical system that operates without harmful impacts and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator sections are positioned and pre-configured in the legs of the wiper blade structure, ready to provide counterbalancing force before reversal occurs. The artificial muscles can actively compensate for the changing center of gravity and provide smooth transition forces, preventing the rapid acceleration and deceleration that cause impact
3Device complexity
If control elements are integrated into the wiper blade structure, then compact design is achieved, but space for control elements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control elements with the wiper blade structure by integrating them into the handle or support element area. The artificial muscle actuators are embedded within the existing structural components, combining the functional actuation elements with the structural support elements, thereby achieving compact design without requiring additional space
Solution Approach 2:
The control elements are nested within the existing structural components of the wiper blade. The artificial muscles are positioned within the legs or support elements, utilizing the internal space of existing structures rather than adding external components, thus achieving integration in a space-efficient manner
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 solution eliminates the 'flip-over-noise' by ensuring stable and silent operation of the wiper lip during reverse movement, maintaining effective wiping edge orientation and reducing noise significantly.
Implementation Method 1
the functional polymer is actuated by voltage and/or light... the functional polymer contracts when actuated
Implementation Method 2
the functional polymer is actuated by voltage and/or light... when actuated by light
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A wiper blade for a wiper frame for wiping window panes (5), in particular motor vehicle window panes, having a wiping lip (3) which is arranged on a base (2), two limbs (6) departing from the base (2), which can be connected at their ends to the wiper frame, in particular by profiles interacting with holding means of the wiper frame, and the wiper blade (1) consisting of rubber-elastic material. An actuator section (9) is arranged in each of the limbs (6), at least part of the cross section of said actuator section, preferably the whole cross-section, consisting of a functional polymer (10).