Windscreen Wiper Drive Bracket Additional Bearing Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper devices face challenges in optimally positioning the wiper system on the passenger side, leading to unsatisfactory wiping performance and increased bearing loads due to the large distance between the bearing in the wiper drive and the coupling drive attachment.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an additional bearing point on the drive console to absorb radial forces from the second wiper shaft, reducing the load on the internal bearing and allowing for a more flexible design that adapts to the drive bracket and coupling drive requirements, while also reducing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second wiper shaft passes through the drive bracket with a single bearing in the wiper drive, then the structure is simple, but the bearing load increases and the wiping performance on the passenger side deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support function is segmented into two locations: one bearing in the wiper drive and another bearing in the drive bracket. This segmentation reduces the load on each individual bearing and improves the support for the second wiper shaft, thereby enhancing wiping performance while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drive bracket serves as an intermediary structure that provides an additional bearing support point. This intermediary element distributes the bearing forces and improves the overall support for the second wiper shaft without requiring complete redesign of the wiper drive mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing is positioned far from the coupling drive attachment point, then the wiper drive design is flexible, but the bearing load increases due to the large distance
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support is added in a different spatial dimension (in the drive bracket rather than only in the wiper drive housing), creating a three-point support system that reduces the moment arm and bearing load while preserving design flexibility
3Strength
If a larger bearing is used to support the increased radial forces, then the bearing load capacity increases, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support function is divided between two smaller bearings (one in the wiper drive, one in the drive bracket) rather than using one large bearing. This segmentation allows each bearing to be more compact while collectively supporting the same or greater load, reducing the overall installation space required
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The windscreen wiper device (1) has a wiper drive (2), a drive bracket (3) and two wiper shafts (5,6), where the wiper drive is arranged at the drive bracket. A wiper bearing (7) is provided for supporting the former wiper shaft. The latter wiper shaft protrudes from the wiper drive and in which the wiper drive is supported by a bearing (12) arranged in the wiper drive. The drive bracket has an additional bearing point (9) for supporting the latter wiper shaft. The bearing point is provided to receive the forces in the radial direction from the latter wiper shaft.