Windscreen Wiper Connecting Piece Reinforcement Rib
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art windscreen wiper devices suffer from a lack of durable connection between the wiper blade and connecting pieces, leading to premature failure under high forces, as the wiper blade can come loose from the end caps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an internal reinforcement rib within the connecting piece, made of plastic or overmoulded plastic and metal, which abuts the spoiler and engages the wiper blade laterally, ensuring a secure and watertight connection, and using engaging members with gripping teeth to prevent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connecting piece is made without internal reinforcement, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the connection strength between the wiper blade and connecting piece deteriorates, causing the wiper blade to come loose under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The internal reinforcement rib is pre-formed within the connecting piece structure to prevent the wiper blade from coming loose. The rib creates preliminary structural resistance against detachment forces, counteracting the tendency of the blade to separate from the connecting piece under high forces during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece is formed as an integrated composite structure where the reinforcement rib and the main body are molded as one piece. This composite design combines structural support functions within a single component, achieving both strength and simplified assembly while preventing blade detachment.
2Reliability
If the connecting piece structure is simplified without internal reinforcement, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates, leading to premature failure under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement rib is pre-formed as an integral part of the connecting piece during the molding process. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that the rib is already in the correct position and configuration before assembly, maintaining high connection reliability while avoiding complex post-manufacturing adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement rib and the connecting piece are merged into a single integrated component through one-piece molding. This combination eliminates the need for separate reinforcement elements and their associated precision alignment requirements, achieving both high reliability and manufacturing simplicity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the spoiler is completely removed at the free end, then the connection durability is improved, but the aerodynamic function of the spoiler is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is segmented such that it is removed only from the specific region at the free end where it would interfere with the connecting piece and wiper blade interface. The rest of the spoiler structure remains intact, preserving its aerodynamic function while eliminating the harmful interference at the critical connection zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler modification applies the principle of local quality by removing the spoiler only in the specific local area at the free end where it causes connection problems. The spoiler retains its full length and aerodynamic function in other regions, achieving localized problem solving without sacrificing overall performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A windscreen wiper device (1) of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material having one groove (3), in which groove (3) a longitudinal strip (4) of the carrier element is disposed, wherein free ends of said wiper blade (2) are connected to a respective connecting piece (8), wherein said wiper blade (2) is provided with a spoiler (7) at a side thereof facing away from said windscreen to be wiped, with the special feature that at least one connecting piece (8) comprises an internal reinforcement rib (9) connecting lateral sides of said connecting piece (8), wherein said spoiler (7) is removed along a portion of the length of said wiper blade (2) at a free end of said wiper blade (2) facing said connecting piece (8), and wherein in mounted position said internal transverse reinforcement rib (9) abuts said spoiler (7).