Wiper Blade Bridge Connection via Spring Rail Plastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade designs require complex support systems and high-temperature processes that can damage spring steel and wiper rubber, and lack efficient methods for securing the bridge to the spring rails without additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of holes in the spring rails for side parts to be plastically deformed, allowing for a firm connection of the bridge to the spring rails through processes like cold deformation, eliminating the need for additional support and high-temperature applications, and ensuring secure attachment without damaging materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-temperature processes are used to secure the bridge to the spring rails, then the connection strength is improved, but the spring steel and wiper rubber are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature processes to cold deformation processes. Instead of using heat to secure the bridge, the invention uses plastic deformation of metal tabs at ambient temperature, which eliminates thermal damage to the spring steel and wiper rubber while still achieving strong connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal processes with mechanical processes. The bridge is secured through mechanical plastic deformation of metal tabs rather than through thermal bonding or welding, substituting a mechanical fastening system that avoids the harmful effects of high temperature on sensitive materials.
2Reliability
If additional support systems and complex devices are used to secure the bridge, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function and the fastening function into a single integrated bridge component. The bridge itself, through its metal tabs, provides both structural support and secure attachment to the spring rails, eliminating the need for separate support brackets or additional fastening hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge is designed to be self-securing through its own structural features. The metal tabs that form part of the bridge body deform plastically to create interference fits with the spring rails, allowing the bridge to secure itself without requiring external support systems or complex assembly devices.
3Strength
If traditional fastening methods are used to attach the bridge to spring rails, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal tabs are pre-formed as integral parts of the bridge during the bridge manufacturing process. The tabs are bent and shaped in advance to match the geometry of the spring rail mounting holes, so that during assembly they simply need to be inserted and deformed, eliminating the need for complex fastening components or multi-step assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential fastening function from complex support systems and concentrates it into simple metal tabs that are part of the bridge structure. By removing unnecessary support brackets and complex fastening mechanisms, the design achieves strong attachment through minimal, simplified components that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
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 method provides a secure and durable connection of the bridge to the spring rails without harming the spring steel or wiper rubber, simplifying production and assembly while avoiding the need for complex devices and high-temperature processes, ensuring effective and damage-free attachment.
Implementation Method 1
holes are provided in the spring rails in the region of their ends, through which parts of the side parts reach and are plastically deformed on the side of the spring rails facing away from the central part
Implementation Method 2
The plastic deformation is expediently done by cold deformation, e.g. by upsetting, caulking, riveting, notching, bending or the like
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention is based on a wiper blade (10) with a wiper rubber (12), into the lateral longitudinal groves (20) of which two spring rails (34) are inserted as a spring-elastic supporting element, wherein the ends of the spring rails (34) are connected to each other by a bridge (24) by side parts (28) of the bridge (24) being supported on the upper side of the spring rail (34) via supporting surfaces (46) and being connected fixedly to the spring rails (34), and a central part (26) of the bridge (24) spans a cover strip (22) which upwardly bounds the longitudinal grooves (20). It is proposed that in the region of the ends of the spring rails (34) holes (36) are provided through which parts (38, 44, 54) of the side parts (28) reach and, on that side of the spring rails (34) which faces away from the central part (26), are plastically deformed in such a manner that the bridge (24) is connected fixedly to the spring rails (34).