Flat Beam Wiper Blade U-Shaped Fixing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade mounting systems are prone to faulty operations and require complex manual maneuvers, with high surface pressures leading to wear and limited service life, especially when attempting to achieve stable lateral guidance and high wiping quality.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped fixing element with side walls and tongues is integrated into the connection element, allowing for a simple plug-in system with low wear surface pressures, using metal for increased strength and stability, and featuring latching mechanisms and pivot pin holes for additional functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a pin is used as fixing element to secure spring bars, then lateral guidance is achieved, but the mounting process becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple securing methods required
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is segmented into multiple functional parts: side walls for lateral guidance, a base for positioning, and tongues for positive connection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, achieving stable lateral guidance while simplifying the overall mounting process through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element is designed to be self-securing through its U-shaped structure that clips onto the connection element and latches automatically during mounting. The tongues automatically engage with cutouts on the spring bars, eliminating the need for additional securing operations like press fitting, adhesive bonding, or welding
2Reliability
If high surface pressures are applied to secure the fixing element, then stable connection is achieved, but wear increases and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped fixing element with its base and side walls distributes connection forces over a large surface area before they reach the contact points. This pre-distribution of forces cushions against high localized surface pressures, reducing wear on the connection surfaces and extending the service life of the wiper blade
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the pressure distribution parameter from concentrated high pressure at single contact points to distributed low pressure across multiple surfaces. The base and side walls create multiple contact areas that share the load, maintaining reliable connection while minimizing wear
3Ease of manufacture
If a plastic connection element is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade assembly uses a composite construction with a plastic connection element for ease of manufacture and a metal fixing element for strength and stability. This combination allows each component to be made from the most suitable material for its specific functional requirements, achieving both manufacturability and mechanical performance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is based on a wiper blade (10) of flat beam construction having a support element in the form of at least one pre-bent spring rail (16) to which is fastened, in the central region, a connecting element (20) for articulatedly connecting to a wiper arm, wherein the connecting element (20) has two side walls (22) with open guide profiles (28), facing toward one another, for the spring rail (16), the side walls (22) are connected to one another by means of transversely running parts (24), and the connecting element (20) is fixed relative to the spring rail (16) in the longitudinal direction by means of a fixing element (40), wherein the fixing element (40) engages into cutouts (34) on the outer longitudinal sides of the spring rail (16). It is proposed that the fixing element (40) has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile with two side walls (42) which are connected to one another by means of a base (44) and which are sunk into recesses (30) on the inner sides of the side walls (22) of the connecting element (20), wherein the base (44) of the fixing element (40) runs parallel to the base (24) of the connecting element (20), and lugs (52) are connected to the side walls (42) of the fixing element (40) as an elongation of the side walls (42) toward the spring rail (16), which lugs (52) engage into the cutouts (34) of the spring rail (16) through openings (38) in the base (24) of the connecting element (20).