Wiper Blade W-Shaped Cross-Section for Wind Lift Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen wiper devices suffer from high wind lift and excessive raw material usage, as well as significant 'reversal noise' during oscillatory movement, which affects their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The windscreen wiper device features a wiper blade with a W-shaped cross-section, including stop surfaces formed by channels that limit oscillatory movement, a central longitudinal groove with a flexible carrier element, and a spoiler for reduced wind resistance, along with a bayonet-style connecting mechanism for the oscillating arm, optimizing curvature and material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional yokeless blade design is used, then the structure is simple, but wind lift is high and wind resistance is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is segmented into multiple functional components: a flexible carrier element with specific curvature, a separate wiping element with defined geometry, and a connecting device with pivotable joints. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the carrier element manages wind lift through curvature while the wiping element handles the actual wiping function, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and wind resistance reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including a pivotable connecting device that allows the wiper blade to adapt its angle relative to the oscillating arm, and a flexible carrier element that can deform to reduce wind lift. The wiping element can also tilt during operation to optimize its position. These dynamic adaptations enable the blade to maintain simplicity while actively reducing wind resistance through movement rather than complex fixed structures.
2Strength
If excessive raw material is used in the wiper blade, then structural strength is sufficient, but material consumption and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating material only where structurally necessary. The carrier element uses material strategically to achieve the required curvature and flexibility, while the wiping element is designed with minimal material at the tip for optimal wiping contact. The connecting device uses material precisely at the pivot points for strength, while other areas remain minimal. This localized material distribution maintains structural strength while minimizing overall material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier element is designed as a flexible thin-walled structure that achieves the required structural strength and curvature through its geometry and elastic properties rather than through massive material sections. This flexible shell approach allows the blade to maintain strength while using minimal material, reducing both weight and raw material consumption compared to rigid, material-intensive designs.
3Device complexity
If the wiper blade lacks stop surfaces for oscillatory movement, then the structure is simpler, but reversal noise is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stop surface function with the existing channel structure of the carrier element. The channels that provide structural support and flexibility are extended or shaped to also serve as stop surfaces that limit the oscillatory movement of the wiping element. This merging eliminates the need for separate stop components, maintaining structural simplicity while effectively reducing reversal noise through the integrated channel design.
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 results in improved wind lift test results, reduced raw material consumption, and decreased 'reversal noise' during operation, enhancing the wiper's performance and efficiency while maintaining a lower profile.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic, elongated carrier element... which wiper blade includes a central longitudinal groove, in which groove a longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed
Implementation Method 2
said wiper blade is provided with a spoiler at a side thereof facing away from a windscreen to be wiped
Implementation Method 3
said bottom is provided with stop surfaces on opposite sides of said wiping element, and said stop surfaces limit an oscillatory movement of said wiper element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A windscreen wiper device (1) comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, said wiper blade (2) comprising a wiping element (14) which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade (2) includes a central longitudinal groove (3), in which groove (3) a longitudinal strip (4) of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (6) for an oscillating arm (7), wherein said oscillating arm (7) is pivotally connected to said connecting device (6) about a pivot axis near one end thereof, with the special feature that said groove (3) extends in downward direction beneath the longitudinal strip (4) for forming at least two longitudinal hollow channels (18) on opposite sides of said wiping element (14), said channels (18) each being defined by said longitudinal strip (4) and a bottom (19) of said groove (3).