Wiper Blade 4-Bar Linkage for Cleaning Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper blades fail to balance ease of operation and cleaning force, often sacrificing one for the other, as they either operate smoothly but lack cleaning efficacy or maintain effective contact but are difficult to move.

Innovation Solution

A wiper blade design featuring a mounting part, an angle maintaining bendable part with a 4-bar linkage structure and a contacting edge that allows line contact with the cleaning surface, made of elastic material with a rectangular internal cavity and low friction silicone rubber, enhancing both operational ease and cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wiper blade is designed to operate smoothly with lateral inclination, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning force deteriorates due to surface contact at small angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcleaning force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper blade is divided into three functional segments: mounting part, angle maintaining bendable part, and contacting edge. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the mounting part for attachment, the bendable part for maintaining optimal angle through 4-bar linkage structure, and the contacting edge for effective line contact cleaning, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and cleaning force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The angle maintaining bendable part incorporates a dynamic 4-bar linkage structure that automatically adjusts and maintains the optimal contact angle between the contacting edge and cleaning surface during operation. This dynamic mechanism ensures the blade operates smoothly while maintaining effective cleaning geometry, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and cleaning force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the wiper blade maintains a small angle with the cleaning surface for smooth operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the contact angle reduces leading to poor cleaning performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth operationVSAvoidcontact angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The 4-bar linkage structure in the angle maintaining bendable part creates a dynamic mechanism that automatically maintains a predetermined optimal contact angle between the contacting edge and cleaning surface. This dynamic angle maintenance ensures both smooth operation and precise cleaning geometry without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the critical parameter of contact angle from a fixed small angle to a maintained optimal angle through the elastic deformation and 4-bar linkage mechanism. The angle maintaining bendable part undergoes elastic deformation to preserve the optimal contact angle, transforming the parameter from variable to controlled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves harmonization of operational ease and cleaning force by maintaining a large contact angle with the cleaning surface, reducing friction and improving cleaning effectiveness while allowing smooth movement.

Implementation Method 1

an angle maintaining bendable part which is continuously formed from the mounting part and has one or more longitudinal internal cavities; and a contacting edge which is continuously formed from the angle maintaining bendable part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3257710B1Wiper blade
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 KIMBLADE CO LTD
  • EP3257710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3257710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3257710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a wiper blade, by balacing the opposite characteristics between the ease of operation and the cleaning force, the overall shape of the wiper blade is inclined laterally with elasticity in accordance with the moving direction of the blade mounting means for ease of operation , and the contact portion of the wiper blade for performing the cleaning is capable of maintaining an angle close to a right angle with respect to the cleaning surface, so that the wiper blade is also excellent in cleaning force.