Wiper Spoiler Support Bar Segmentation for Torsional Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle window wiper devices lack torsional resistance while maintaining a low weight, and they often suffer from inefficiencies in transmitting wind deflection forces to the holding unit, leading to potential instability and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
The wiper device incorporates a wind deflector unit with a support bar that divides the longitudinal channel into two channels, allowing for even force transmission to the holding unit, and is produced using a coextrusion process with two partial wind deflector elements of different hardness, enhancing stability and reducing weight. Additionally, the wind deflector unit has a concave outer surface and triangular cross-section elements for improved material efficiency and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wind deflector unit uses a simple single-channel longitudinal structure, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the torsional resistance is insufficient and force transmission to the holding unit is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal channel is divided into two separate channels by the support bar, creating distinct force transmission paths that improve torsional resistance while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The support bar itself acts as a segmented element that reinforces the wind deflector unit without requiring a completely complex design.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflector unit is produced using a coextrusion process with two partial wind deflector elements of different hardness, creating a composite structure that optimizes both strength and flexibility. This composite approach enhances torsional resistance while keeping the manufacturing process efficient.
2Strength
If the wind deflector unit uses more material and heavier construction, then the torsional resistance and strength are improved, but the overall weight of the wiper device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coextrusion process creates a composite structure with two elements of different hardness, optimizing material usage. The softer element provides flexibility and weight reduction, while the harder element delivers the necessary strength and torsional resistance, achieving a favorable strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the wind deflector unit have different material properties - the two partial elements have different hardness values tailored to their specific functional requirements. This local differentiation of material quality allows the structure to achieve high strength where needed while minimizing overall weight.
3Reliability
If the support bar divides the longitudinal channel into two channels, then the force transmission to the holding unit becomes more even and stable, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal channel is segmented into two channels by the support bar, creating separate force transmission paths that improve stability and reliability. The support bar integrates seamlessly into the coextrusion process, so the segmentation is achieved without requiring post-manufacturing assembly or complex manufacturing steps.
4Weight of moving object
If the softer partial wind deflector element is exposed without lateral closure, then the material usage and weight are reduced, but the element is vulnerable to damage from external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The harder partial wind deflector element laterally closes off the softer element, creating a protective nested structure. The softer element is effectively housed within or alongside the harder element, which shields it from external damage while minimizing additional material usage.
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 design achieves a balance of torsional resistance and low weight, ensuring stable and quiet operation by effectively transmitting wind forces and protecting the softer elements from damage, while also reducing material usage and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-elastic element which has at least one extension which, in a normal operating state, is at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, preferably at least 30% and particularly advantageously at least 50% is elastically changeable, and which in particular generates a counterforce that is dependent on a change in extension and preferably proportional to the change and counteracts the change
Implementation Method 2
a unit that is provided to deflect a headwind acting on the wiper device and/or to use it to press a wiper strip onto a vehicle window
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiping device, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane, comprising a spring element (16a-16g), a retaining unit (10a-10g) that has a retaining element (12a-12g) with a longitudinal guide channel (14a-14g) for guiding the spring element (16a-16g), and comprising a spoiler unit (22a-22g). According to the invention, the spoiler unit (22a-22g) has at least one supporting rib (72a-72g, 74a-74g) that extends from an inner contour of the spoiler (22a-22g) in the form of a projection and that is provided in order to transmit the downforces that occur from the spoiler (22a-22g) to the retaining unit (10a-10g).