Windshield Wiper Spring with Coiled Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Windshield wiper assemblies face challenges in maintaining sufficient contact and pressure on windshields due to weak spring tension and wind lift, especially on vehicles with varying dimensions and configurations, leading to inadequate wiping performance at high speeds or in strong winds.
Innovation Solution
A specially configured and sized resilient rod spring with U-shaped hook sections and a coiled intermediate section that can be adapted to various windshield wiper assembly models, providing increased pressure and flexibility to fit different sizes and shapes, enhancing the contact between the wiper blade and windshield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a helical spring extends between the drive arm and the wiper arm with the hinge connecting the drive arm and the wiper arm being located between the attachment points of the helical spring thereto, then the wiper arm is urged into contact with the windshield, but the spring does not have sufficient space to exert a long moment arm thus creating weak pressure on the wiper blade
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement transitions from a linear extension between attachment points to a configuration that wraps around the drive arm, utilizing the third dimension (circumferential space) to create an effective moment arm. This allows the spring to exert torque around the drive arm's circumference rather than along a straight line, effectively increasing the moment arm length without requiring additional linear space.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is configured to wrap around and nest along the drive arm structure, utilizing the existing space around the drive arm. This nesting arrangement allows the spring to achieve a longer effective moment arm by following the contours of the drive arm, maximizing the lever arm length within the constrained space available on the wiper assembly.
2Force
If the spring is made extremely strong to create sufficiently strong torque to generate good pressure on the wiper blade, then the wiping action is improved, but the device complexity increases and the spring may not fit on all existing types of windshield wiper assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The spring design incorporates attachment mechanisms that can accommodate various drive arm configurations. The spring includes loops or attachment points that can engage with different types of drive arm structures (round, rectangular, oval cross-sections), making it universally compatible across multiple wiper assembly models while maintaining the required torque output.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring configuration allows for adjustment and adaptation to different drive arm geometries. The attachment points and wrapping configuration can be modified to suit specific drive arm shapes and sizes, enabling the same spring design to function effectively across different vehicle models and wiper assembly types without sacrificing torque generation capability.
3Reliability
If aftermarket devices are fitted to increase spring force acting on the wiper arm, then better contact between wiper blade and windshield is provided, but the devices may not fit on all existing types of windshield wiper assemblies of different dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The spring incorporates universal attachment features including loops and engagement points designed to fit multiple drive arm configurations. The attachment mechanism can accommodate different drive arm cross-sections (round, rectangular, oval) and sizes, ensuring reliable installation across various vehicle models and wiper assembly types while maintaining consistent contact pressure on the windshield.
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 spring effectively increases the pressure between the wiper arm and windshield, ensuring better contact and improved wiping performance across various windshield wiper assembly models, regardless of size or shape, while withstanding high-speed winds without damage.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient rod having a plurality of sections adapted to removably attach to a windshield assembly wiper... an intermediate coiled section... The spring effectively increases the pressure between the wiper arm and windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A spring for windshield wiper assemblies is comprised of a resilient rod having a plurality of sections adapted to removably attach to a windshield wiper assembly of a vehicle. The rod includes a first hook section at one end section thereof; a second hook section located at an opposite end section thereof. An intermediate coiled section attached to and located adjacent the first hook section, and a connector section defining an axis along its length and connected between the intermediate coiled section and the second hook section.