Integrated Wiper Blade Adapter Unit Reducing Articulation Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper blades with articulation devices have a structurally large overall height, leading to increased wind noise due to a large contact surface when used on vehicle windshields.
Innovation Solution
A wiper blade design featuring a permanently attached adapter unit with a bolt-like fixing element that engages with a recess on the wiper arm, eliminating the need for a base connection device and reducing the overall height of the articulation device, while allowing for secure and pivoted attachment of the wiper arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a base connection device with adapter unit is used for articulation, then the wiper blade can be securely attached to the wiper arm, but the overall height increases and wind noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the base connection device and adapter unit into a single integrated adapter unit that is permanently attached to the wiper strip. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and reduces the overall height while maintaining secure attachment functionality through the bolt-like fixing element engaging with the recess on the wiper arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the base connection device from the articulation mechanism, keeping only the essential adapter unit with fixing elements. This extraction removes unnecessary components that contribute to increased height and wind noise while preserving the core attachment function.
2Reliability
If a base connection device with adapter unit is used for articulation, then the wiper blade can be securely attached to the wiper arm, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (base connection device and adapter unit) into a single integrated adapter unit permanently attached to the wiper strip. This reduces the total number of components while maintaining secure attachment through the bolt-like fixing element that engages with the wiper arm recess.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a larger contact surface is provided for articulation, then the attachment is more stable, but wind noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides stability through localized contact surfaces at specific points (rounded support surfaces and lateral contact surfaces) rather than requiring a large overall contact area. This localized quality approach maintains attachment stability while minimizing the total surface area exposed to wind, thereby reducing wind noise.
Data Source
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AI summary
In the case of a wiper blade for a window wiper, with a wiper strip (112) and an adapter unit (160) for coupling the wiper strip (112) to a wiper arm (190), the adapter unit (160) is fastened permanently to the wiper strip (112) and has a wall element (261) which faces the wiper strip (112) and on which at least one bolt-like fixing element (355) is provided, said fixing element being designed to engage in at least one recess (390), which is provided on the wiper arm (190), in order to fix the wiper arm (190) to the adapter unit (160).