Windscreen Wiper Blade Vertebra Lateral Insertion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windscreen wiper blades with semi-rigid designs face challenges in maintaining effective contact with the windshield, leading to reduced wiping efficiency and difficulty in replacing the scraper blade without complex assembly or additional manufacturing steps.
Innovation Solution
A windscreen wiper blade design featuring a longitudinal body with laterally positioned vertebrae and an aerodynamically profiled deflector, where the body and deflector are made from different materials, ensuring contact between the vertebrae and deflector for secure holding without the need for retaining clips, and incorporating a flat wall for easy sliding and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the scraper blade is held by two bending vertebrae extending longitudinally parallel to each other, then the manufacture of the broom is simplified, but the assembly becomes more difficult and the replacement of the blade alone becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The broom is segmented into modular components: the body, the scraper blade, and the vertebrae. The vertebrae are designed as separate elements that can be independently assembled into the body through lateral insertion into grooves, allowing the blade to be replaced without replacing the entire broom assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertebrae are positioned laterally in alignment with one another and separated by a baffle partition, allowing lateral insertion into the body rather than requiring end-wise assembly. This dimensional change in assembly approach simplifies both assembly and blade replacement operations.
2Ease of operation
If the vertebrae are positioned laterally in alignment with one another and separated by a baffle partition, then the assembly and blade replacement become easier, but the contact between vertebra and body may create residual clearance reducing wiping effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The friction coefficient between the vertebrae and the body material is optimized to provide sufficient holding force. The deflector material is specifically selected to have high friction characteristics, ensuring that the vertebrae are securely held in position without excessive clearance, thereby maintaining reliable wiping effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If a longitudinal member for holding the scraper blade is added to receive the bending vertebra, then it is easier to slide the vertebra for introduction or removal, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body structure serves multiple functions: it provides the longitudinal framework, contains grooves for lateral insertion of vertebrae, and incorporates the deflector with high-friction surfaces for securing the vertebrae. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate longitudinal holding members, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining ease of vertebra installation and removal.
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 simplifies the installation and replacement of the scraper blade, maintains effective contact for improved wiping efficiency, and reduces manufacturing complexity by utilizing high friction coefficients and increased contact surfaces to secure the vertebrae in place.
Implementation Method 1
an airfoil-shaped spoiler, or deflector, which uses the wind created by the speed of the vehicle to exert a force holding the blade against the windshield
Implementation Method 2
This thin band allows, by deforming, the foot of the scraper blade to tilt towards the windshield, in one direction then in the other, during the to-and-fro movements of the blade
Implementation Method 3
The maintenance of contact between the vertebra and the material of the deflector makes it possible to take advantage of the relatively high coefficient of friction of this material and to guarantee the holding of the vertebra on the broom
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Assembly for a vehicle windshield wiper blade, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a longitudinal body (21) configured to carry a scraper blade (22), at least one stiffening vertebra (6a, 6b) extending along said body (21) to ensure its curvature, and a deflector (3) extending above said body and having an aerodynamic profile, characterized in that said body (21) comprises a flat wall (25), said at least one vertebra being in contact, for at least part of a first face, with a face of said wall (25) and for at least part of a second face with the deflector (3), said body (21) being positioned entirely on the same side with respect to said first face.