Windscreen Wiper Connecting Device for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windscreen wiper devices experience the 'fishtailing phenomenon' at high speeds, leading to deteriorated wiping performance due to uncontrollable vibrations of the wiper blade parallel to the windscreen, especially when connected to an oscillating arm.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece connecting device with a U-shaped cross-section is clamped onto the flexible wiper blade using a combination of pinching and melting operations to apply controlled pressure, preventing lateral movement and reducing vibrations by deforming the device's inwardly bent edges and outwardly bent parts, thereby securing the wiper blade effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiper blade is connected to the oscillating arm using conventional connection devices, then the wiper blade can be attached to the oscillating arm, but the wiper blade suffers from fishtailing phenomenon and uncontrollable vibrations at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device changes the physical state of the flexible material through thermal melting and plastic deformation, transforming it from a flexible state to a hardened clamped state. This parameter change enables the connection device to apply continuous controlled pressure to suppress vibrations while maintaining the attachment function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical fastening methods with a combination of thermal melting and plastic deformation processes. The connection device is thermally melted and then mechanically deformed to create a permanent clamp, substituting traditional mechanical assembly with a thermomechanical process that provides superior vibration control
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the connecting device applies pressure to the wiper blade to prevent lateral movement, then vibrations are reduced, but the flexible material may deform upon introduction of the longitudinal strip
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device is thermally melted before the longitudinal strip is inserted into the groove. This preliminary thermal softening action prepares the flexible material to accommodate the strip without resistance, preventing deformation during assembly while enabling subsequent clamping action
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal melting process acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the mechanical stress that would otherwise deform the flexible material. By softening the material beforehand, the insertion of the longitudinal strip occurs without excessive force, preventing positioning errors
3Device complexity
If the connecting device is made in one piece with U-shaped cross-section, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fixation reliability may be compromised without proper deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device merges multiple functions into a single one-piece U-shaped component: structural support, thermal melting, plastic deformation, and clamping. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining fixation reliability through the combined thermomechanical action of the integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The one-piece connection device undergoes parameter changes through thermal melting and plastic deformation, transforming from a rigid U-shaped structure to a contorted clamped form. This parameter transformation enables the simple one-piece design to achieve reliable fixation that would otherwise require multiple components
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 significantly reduces the 'fishtailing phenomenon, enhancing wiping performance by maintaining a controlled and predetermined pressure on the wiper blade, thus improving its operational efficiency even at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
said connecting device is clamped onto the flexible material of the wiper blade, wherein a controlled and predetermined pressure is applied by said connecting device onto said wiper blade
Implementation Method 2
a melting operation is carried out at these locations, which melting operation is particularly carried out by ultrasonic heating
Implementation Method 3
Locally melting said connecting device has the result that locally inwardly extending protrusions are formed
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
A windscreen wiper device, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (7) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade (7) is of the flat blade type and includes at least one groove (19), in which groove (19) a longitudinal strip (20) of the carrier element is disposed, and wherein said windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (1) for detachably connecting said wiper blade (7) to an oscillating arm near one end thereof around a pivot axis, wherein said connecting device (1) is fixated to said flexible material of said wiper blade (7) by deformation of said connecting device (1) in order to block any lateral movement between said longitudinal strip (20) and said wiper blade (7) at the location of their interconnection and between said connecting device (1) and said wiper blade (7) at the location of their interconnection.