Windscreen Wiper Blade Upper Part Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior windscreen wiper devices suffer from inconsistent pressure distribution due to temperature-dependent rigidity and shape variations, affecting wiping quality.
Innovation Solution
The upper part of the windscreen wiper device is made more rigid through reinforcement with a metal insert or using a more rigid material, while the groove walls are semi-rigid to allow bending and secure retention of the longitudinal strip, ensuring a constant pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the upper part and spoiler are made rigid, then structural stability is improved, but pressure distribution consistency deteriorates due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The upper part is designed with non-uniform rigidity: the region adjacent to the groove walls is made more rigid to maintain structural stability, while other regions retain flexibility to accommodate temperature-induced expansions and contractions. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between structural stability and pressure distribution consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper part is constructed as a composite structure combining materials with different rigidity characteristics. This allows the upper part to exhibit enhanced rigidity in critical areas for structural stability while maintaining overall flexibility to adapt to thermal variations, thereby ensuring consistent pressure distribution on the windscreen.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the upper part is made more rigid, then shape stability is improved, but adaptability to windscreen curvature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upper part features localized rigidity enhancement only in the region adjacent to the groove walls, while other portions remain flexible. This allows the upper part to maintain its overall shape stability while still adapting to the curvature of the windscreen through deformation in the less rigid regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper part is effectively segmented into regions of different rigidity: a more rigid zone near the groove walls for shape stability, and more flexible zones elsewhere for adaptability to windscreen curvature. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of both shape stability and curvature adaptability.
3Reliability
If the groove walls are made semi-rigid, then retention reliability is improved, but bending flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The groove walls are designed with semi-rigidity specifically at the interfaces with the longitudinal strip to ensure reliable retention, while maintaining sufficient bending flexibility in other portions of the walls to accommodate the curvature of the windscreen. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between retention reliability and bending flexibility.
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 achieves a consistent pressure distribution and improved wiping quality by maintaining the upper part's rigidity and allowing flexible adjustment to windscreen curvature.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic, elongated carrier element... a longitudinal groove for inserting a longitudinal strip of said carrier element therein
Implementation Method 2
said upper part is more rigid than at least one wall of said groove... ensuring a constant pressure distribution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade to be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, said wiper blade comprising an elongated upper part and an elongated lower wiping part of a flexible material, wherein said upper part is provided with retention means for retaining said lower wiping part, wherein said windscreen wiper device further comprises a spoiler at a side of said upper part facing away from said lower wiping part, wherein a longitudinal groove for inserting a longitudinal strip of said carrier element therein is defined between said upper part and said spoiler, which windscreen wiper device further comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end thereof, with the special feature that said upper part is more rigid than at least one wall of said groove.