Wiper Blade Backing Structure for Uniform Force Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield wiper blades face challenges in effectively distributing the force from the wiper arm to the wiper strip, leading to inefficiencies in cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A wiper blade design featuring an elongate wiper strip with an elastic backing element and a mounting base, where the backing element has descending legs with claws that form a cavity to receive the wiper strip, allowing the force from the wiper arm to be distributed along the length of the strip, and covered by first and second cover sections for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional brackets or beam structures are used to distribute force from the wiper arm to the wiper strip, then the wiper blade can maintain structural integrity, but the force distribution efficiency and cleaning performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The backing element is segmented into multiple functional zones including a mounting base section, an intermediate section with vertebrae, and end sections with claws. This segmentation allows each zone to perform specific force distribution functions, improving overall cleaning efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The backing element incorporates flexible vertebrae and elastic materials that allow dynamic adaptation to the windshield surface. This dynamic structure enables optimal force distribution across varying contact conditions, enhancing cleaning performance without requiring a complex rigid framework
2Ease of manufacture
If the wiper strip is integrated permanently with the backing element, then the structure is simpler, but replacement of worn wiper strips requires replacing the entire wiper blade
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is divided into replaceable modules: the mounting base with intermediate section remains permanent while the end sections with claws and wiper strips can be independently replaced. This modular design simplifies manufacturing of each component and enables easy replacement of worn strips without replacing the entire blade
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the wiper strip and end section to be discarded and replaced while retaining the expensive mounting base and intermediate section. This extends the service life of the wiper blade and reduces waste, as the permanent portion can be reused multiple times
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 design enhances the distribution of force along the wiper strip, improving cleaning efficiency and allowing for easy replacement of the wiper strip without replacing the entire wiper blade.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic elongate backing element... capable of distributing the force along the length of the wiper strip
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper blade including an elongate wiper strip, an elastic backing element and a mounting base. The wiper strip including a lip, a wide portion, and narrower intermediate portion between the lip and the wide portion. The backing element having a top portion from which two legs descend, such that each leg includes a claw that extends towards the opposite leg and has ends that define a gap sized to receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip. The top portion, legs and claws of defining a wiper strip cavity where the wide portion of the wiper strip is disposed. The mounting base disposed on a section of the backing element and capable of connecting the wiper blade to a wiper arm and receiving force from same, such that the mounting base applies the force from the wiper arm to the backing element, which distributes same along the wiper strip.