Windshield Wiper Clip with Integrated Scrubbing Brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield wipers are ineffective in removing bugs and insects attached to the windshield, as they are designed primarily for water removal and lack specific means to dislodge stuck or bonded debris.
Innovation Solution
A clip attachable to a windshield wiper that incorporates a removable brush or scrubbing device, allowing for effective bug removal during normal operation, with features such as a fastener on the wiper frame and integrally connected scrubbing device for enhanced attachment and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional rubber wiper blades are used, then water removal effectiveness is improved, but bug removal capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a rubber wiper blade with a brush device into a single hybrid assembly. The rubber blade maintains water removal effectiveness while the attached brush provides bug removal capability, resolving the contradiction by merging two different cleaning mechanisms into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: the rubber portion handles liquid water removal while the brush portion handles stuck-on bug removal. This multi-functional design allows a single wiper system to address both cleaning needs effectively.
2Reliability
If hand wiping with towel and solvent is used, then bug removal effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation during vehicle movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system is designed to clean bugs automatically during normal wiper operation without requiring separate manual intervention. The brush device is integrated into the wiper mechanism, allowing it to self-clean bugs as the wiper naturally moves across the windshield during vehicle operation.
3Reliability
If brush-like device is added to wiper, then bug removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush device is designed as a separate, modular component that can be attached to or removed from the wiper blade. This segmentation allows the brush to be added only when bug removal is needed, maintaining simplicity for standard water cleaning while providing enhanced capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush device is designed with flexible mounting that allows it to adapt to the wiper's movement and pressure variations. The dynamic design accommodates the natural flexing and pressure changes of the wiper system without requiring complex rigid mounting mechanisms.
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 solution provides a low-cost, easy-to-manufacture and use windshield wiper system capable of effectively removing bugs and insects from windshields, improving visibility and safety by leveraging the natural movement of the wiper to scrape debris in one direction, reducing streaking and enhancing bug removal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a brush-like device attached to the windshield wiper, with means to adjust the pressure applied by the device to the windshield, is most effective in removing bugs or insects attached or stuck thereon
Implementation Method 2
a removable brush or scrubbing device that functions to effectively remove bugs from the windshield of a vehicle during normal operation of the wipers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a windshield wiper clip adapted for connecting a scrubbing blade to a windshield wiper, the clip comprising a base member; a first end wall connected to the base member and a second end wall connect to the base member opposite the first end wall, a first top component to the first end wall and a second top component connected to the second end wall; at least one further top component connected to the base member, the further top component including at least one finger projection, the at least one finger projection, base member, first end wall and first top component defining a scrubber receiving portion, and at least one of the finger projections, the base member, second end wall and second top component defining a wiper receiving portion; wherein the clip connects a scrubber to a wiper in order to accommodate bug removal during movement of the wiper about a windshield. The invention also includes and integrated clip and scrubber, as well as wiper-scrubber system. A novel scrubber mount having rounded shoulders is also described.