Windscreen Wiper Pin Configuration for Fishtailing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat blade windscreen wiper devices suffer from the 'fishtailing phenomenon, where the wiper blade vibrates uncontrollably parallel to the windscreen, leading to deteriorated wiping performance, especially at high speeds, due to lack of effective stabilization.
Innovation Solution
The use of separate pins, one type allowing upward and downward movement perpendicular to the windscreen and another type exerting a transverse force, to securely attach the wiper blade to the longitudinal strip, preventing longitudinal movement and lateral vibration, thereby enhancing the wiper's ability to follow windscreen curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiper blade is securely attached to the longitudinal strip to prevent longitudinal movement, then the wiping performance is improved, but the ability of the wiper blade to follow windscreen curvature is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the wiper blade and longitudinal strip is segmented into two independent pin systems: first pins prevent longitudinal movement at the connecting device location, while second pins allow longitudinal movement elsewhere. This segmentation enables different regions of the wiper blade to have different degrees of freedom, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and curvature adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection characteristics are made non-uniform along the length of the wiper blade. At the connecting device location, the connection is rigid (preventing longitudinal movement) to ensure wiping performance. At other locations, the connection is flexible (allowing longitudinal movement) to enable curvature following. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wiper blade is rigidly fixed to prevent any movement, then stability is improved, but the fishtailing phenomenon occurs due to uncontrollable vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static rigid fixation to a dynamic system with controlled degrees of freedom. The second pins enable longitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative to the longitudinal strip, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to vibrations and prevent the fishtailing phenomenon while maintaining overall stability through the first pins.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wiper blade is allowed to move freely to follow curvature, then adaptability is improved, but longitudinal movement causes deterioration of wiping properties
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into regions with different movement constraints. The first pins create a fixed connection zone at the connecting device location to maintain wiping properties, while the second pins create movable zones elsewhere to enable curvature following. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
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 configuration effectively prevents the 'fishtailing phenomenon, improving wiping performance by ensuring the wiper blade securely adheres to the windscreen, maintaining effective contact and reducing vibrations, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency at various speeds.
Implementation Method 1
said pin cooperates with a recess provided along an exterior edge of said longitudinal strip in order to block any movement of said wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relative to said longitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade
Implementation Method 2
said pin of the second type is used, said pin of the second type exerting a transverse force on said wiper blade in order to block any lateral movement of wiper blade at the location of the interconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade
Implementation Method 3
said pin allows a movement of said longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at least perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped
Implementation Method 4
By allowing the longitudinal strip to move in upward and downward direction perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped against the resiliency of the flexible material of said wiper blade, the wiper blade is optimally capable to follow any curvature of the windscreen to be wiped
Data Source
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AI summary
A windscreen wiper device (1) of the flat blade type, comprising an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material including at least one longitudinal groove, in which at least one longitudinal strip (4) is disposed and comprising a connecting device (5) for an oscillating arm, being connected to the flexible material of said wiper blade by at least one pin (14), wherein said pin cooperates with a recess (21) provided along an exterior edge of said longitudinal strip in order to block any movement of said wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relative to said longitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade, wherein said pin allows a movement of said longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at least substantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.