Perpendicular Wiper Strip Separation Unit Reduces Blade Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for separating double-extruded wiper strips are not precise enough and result in significant wear of the wiper strip separating unit, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

The wiper strip separating unit is moved perpendicular to the transport direction and equipped with oscillating cutting blades or a cutting wire, and in some cases, a laser beam guided through a liquid jet, to achieve precise and low-wear separation of wiper strips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a stationary knife is used to cut wiper strips in the transport direction, then the cutting process is simple, but the precision of separation deteriorates and wear on the cutting tool increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of cutting processVSAvoidprecision of separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wiper strip separating unit movable rather than stationary. The unit is moved perpendicular to the transport direction during the cutting process, which improves separation precision by ensuring proper alignment between the cutting edge and the wiper strip, while also reducing wear on the cutting tool through optimized contact dynamics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces motion in a new dimension (perpendicular to the transport direction) to resolve the contradiction. By moving the separating unit in this additional dimension, the cutting precision is improved without complicating the basic cutting mechanism, as the motion is orthogonal to the existing transport direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a stationary knife is used to cut wiper strips, then the device structure is simple, but wear on the separating unit increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of separating unitVSAvoidwear resistance of cutting tool
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable design of the separating unit reduces wear by optimizing the cutting dynamics. The perpendicular motion ensures that the cutting edge engages the wiper strip in a controlled manner, distributing wear more evenly and reducing the overall wear rate, thereby improving reliability without adding excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the separating unit is moved perpendicular to transport direction, then precision of separation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of separationVSAvoidcomplexity of separating unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a movable separating unit that travels perpendicular to the transport direction. This dynamic approach improves separation precision by ensuring accurate positioning during cutting, while the mechanism is designed to be as simple as possible, using basic guide rails and drive mechanisms that do not significantly increase overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enhances the precision and durability of the separation process, reduces wear on the cutting tools, and lowers production costs by minimizing miscuts and extending maintenance intervals.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first separating blade (20b, 20c, 20d) is set into a harmonic oscillation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a laser beam (28e), which runs in a liquid jet (30e), is intended to separate the wiper strips (10e, 12e)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP2900527B1Method for separating wiper strips, in particular of dual extruded wiper strips
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2900527B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2900527B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2900527B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention proceeds from a method for separating wiper strips (10a - 10e, 12a - 12e), in particular dual extruded wiper strips (10a - 10e, 12a - 12e), comprising a wiper strip separation unit (14a - 14e), the wiper strips (10a - 10e, 12a - 12e) being moved in a direction of conveyance for separation. According to the invention, the wiper strip separation unit (14a - 14e) is at least partly moved in a direction (16a - 16e) that is at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance.