Wiper Blade Support Element Longitudinal Displacement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blades with elastically flexible carriers face issues with the support element shifting longitudinally, which disrupts the distribution of contact pressure forces and affects the wiper blade's functionality, and current designs often require additional components for secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A wiper blade design featuring a flat spring steel strip support element inserted into a channel with a connection adapter that includes a round pin with a bevel and locking edge, preventing longitudinal displacement and allowing for secure, cost-effective assembly without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the support element is inserted into the channel without additional locking components, then the assembly is simple and cost-effective, but the support element can shift longitudinally disrupting contact pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the support element itself by integrating a locking protrusion directly onto the support element. This eliminates the need for separate locking components while maintaining the reliability of longitudinal displacement prevention. The support element now serves dual purposes: providing structural support and preventing longitudinal movement through its integrated locking feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element performs its own locking function through the integrated locking protrusion that engages with the channel structure. The support element is self-sufficient in preventing its own longitudinal displacement without requiring external locking mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the support element is secured with additional locking components, then longitudinal displacement is prevented, but the assembly becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the support element itself by integrating a locking protrusion directly onto the support element. This eliminates the need for separate locking components while maintaining the reliability of longitudinal displacement prevention. The support element now serves dual purposes: providing structural support and preventing longitudinal movement through its integrated locking feature.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used for secure attachment, then the support element is firmly secured, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the support element itself by integrating a locking protrusion directly onto the support element. This eliminates the need for separate locking components while maintaining the reliability of longitudinal displacement prevention. The support element now serves dual purposes: providing structural support and preventing longitudinal movement through its integrated locking feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element performs its own locking function through the integrated locking protrusion that engages with the channel structure. The support element is self-sufficient in preventing its own longitudinal displacement without requiring external locking mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliability.
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 effectively secures the spring steel strip against displacement, ensuring consistent contact pressure distribution and easy assembly, while reducing the number of components needed, thus maintaining the wiper blade's functionality and lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pin is a round pin with a conical chamfer and a locking edge. When inserted into a bore, the conical chamfer can slide over a detent edge, and after the pin engages, it is held in place by the detent edge.
Implementation Method 2
the preload and pre-bending of such a spring steel band are specifically designed for use with the wiper blade, and it is only through this pre-bending that the contact forces on the windshield are distributed along the entire length of the wiper blade
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper blade having at least one wiper strip (1) and an elastically flexible wiper strip carrier (2), particularly made of plastic, which receives a support element (9) in the cross-section in one or more channels (17), wherein the support element (9) is enclosed in the region of a connection adapter (5) in recesses (15) in the wiper strip carrier (2) at least in part by retaining elements (16) of the connection adapter (5), such that the connection adapter (5) is connected to the wiper strip carrier (2) by the support element (9); a blocking pin (11) inserted into the connection adapter (5) secures the support element (9) in position in the longitudinal direction of the wiper strip carrier (2) relative to the connection adapter (5) by means of contact surfaces (26) in the connection adapter (5) and contact surfaces of the support element (9).