Portable windshield wiper angle testing device

Abstract

A portable windshield wiper angle testing device includes a dial, a mounting base for fixing the dial at its lower end, a guide groove with an arc shape and angle markings along the extension direction of the guide groove, a shaft hole at the center of the guide groove, a rotating shaft for connecting to the wiper shaft slidingly engaging with the shaft hole, a lever fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft, a left pointer and a right pointer respectively on the left and right sides of the free end of the lever, each pointer having a downwardly extending cylinder that slides in the guide groove via rollers, a magnet fixed to the lower end of each cylinder, and a base plate made of ferromagnetic material fixed to the lower end of the dial guide groove with a gap between the base plate and the magnets, the opposing surfaces of the left and right pointers forming an indicating edge, the indicating edge being collinear with the central axis of the lever.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of automotive windshield wipers, and particularly to a portable windshield wiper swing angle testing device. Background Technology

[0002] Automotive windshield wipers are devices used to wipe away raindrops and dust adhering to the windshield, improving driver visibility and increasing driving safety. After the windshield wipers are manufactured, their wiping angle needs to be tested to check if the wiping range of the wiper arm meets the requirements. Currently, wiper angle testing is conducted on a dedicated wiping angle testing bench in the wiper production workshop. However, because the testing bench cannot be easily moved, when it is necessary to analyze whether the wiper angle meets the design requirements during wiper product testing or OEM assembly, the wipers must currently be removed from the laboratory or OEM and taken to the dedicated testing bench in the production workshop for testing. Wiper angle testing is cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, causing significant inconvenience to wiper product development and assembly, affecting production progress, and reducing efficiency. Furthermore, since the installation dimensions of wipers vary, special testing fixtures are currently used to test the wiper angle. However, the manufacturing cycle of these testing fixtures is quite long. Therefore, after the initial development of a wiper product, the wiper angle cannot be tested because the testing fixture has not yet been manufactured. Consequently, unqualified products cannot be tested in a timely manner, which seriously affects the development progress. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a portable wiper angle testing device. This device features a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and ease of use, providing accurate and reliable wiper angle test results. It is not only portable but can also test the wiper angle of different wiper models, making it widely applicable.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: a portable windshield wiper angle testing device, comprising a dial, a fixing base for fixing the dial at the lower end of the dial, the dial having a guide groove of a superior arc shape, and angle markings along the extension direction of the guide groove, a shaft hole at the center of the guide groove on the dial, a rotating shaft for connecting with the wiper shaft slidingly engaging with the shaft hole, a lever fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft, a left pointer and a right pointer respectively provided on the left and right sides of the free end of the lever, the left and right pointers having downwardly extending cylinders, the cylinders slidingly engaging in the guide groove via rollers, a magnet fixed to the lower end face of each cylinder, a base plate made of ferromagnetic material fixed to the lower end of the dial guide groove, a gap between the base plate and the magnets, the opposing surfaces of the left and right pointers being the indicating edges, the indicating edges being in a straight line with the central axis of the lever.

[0005] A clearance notch is provided on the opposing sides of the left and right pointers. The long side of the clearance notch is parallel to the axis of the lever, and the wide side of the clearance notch is 1 / 2 of the width of the lever.

[0006] The upper end of the cylinders of the left and right pointers is provided with a limiting step. The roller is mounted on the cylinder, and the upper end of the roller is limited by the limiting step, so that there is a gap between the left and right pointers and the upper surface of the dial.

[0007] The rotating shaft is slidably fitted in the shaft hole of the dial through a bearing, and the fixed end of the actuating rod is sleeved on the upper end of the rotating shaft and pressed against the bearing by a nut.

[0008] The lower end of the fixed end of the lever is provided with a positioning boss, and the center of the positioning boss is provided with a mounting hole for the rotating shaft to pass through. The positioning boss is located on the upper end face of the bearing, so that there is a gap between the lever and the upper end face of the dial.

[0009] The lower end of the rotating shaft has a threaded hole for connecting the wiper shaft.

[0010] The attraction between the magnet and the base plate is less than the force exerted by the lever to move the left and right pointers.

[0011] The upper end of the fixed base is provided with an anti-rotation part to prevent the dial from rotating.

[0012] The mounting base is provided with a stepped hole. The large-diameter hole shoulder of the stepped hole is used to limit the rotation shaft, and the small-diameter hole of the stepped hole is provided with an internal thread for connecting the wiper bushing.

[0013] The base plate is in the shape of an arc and is used to shield the guide groove.

[0014] The above technical solution includes a dial, with a mounting base at the lower end for fixing the dial. The dial has a guide groove in the shape of an arc, and angle markings are provided along the extension direction of the guide groove. A shaft hole is located at the center of the guide groove on the dial. A rotating shaft for connecting to the wiper shaft slides within the shaft hole. A lever is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft. A left and right pointer are respectively located on the left and right sides of the free end of the lever. Each left and right pointer has a downward-extending cylinder, which slides within the guide groove via rollers. A magnet is fixed to the lower end of each cylinder. A base plate made of ferromagnetic material is fixed to the lower end of the dial's guide groove, with a gap between the base plate and the magnet. The opposing surfaces of the left and right pointers form indicating edges, which are aligned with the central axis of the lever. This testing device has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. In use, first fix the mounting base of this testing device onto the windshield wiper, then fix the rotating shaft to the wiper shaft, and finally fix the actuation lever. At this point, the dial is fixed, and the wiper shaft can drive the rotating shaft to rotate together. Turn on the wipers; the wiper shaft drives the rotating shaft to rotate, which in turn causes the actuation lever to swing left and right. The actuation lever driven by the wiper shaft simulates the wiper arm. When the actuation lever swings to the left, the left pointer slides along the guide groove to the left, always indicating the leftward limit of the lever's swing. When the actuation lever swings to the right, the right pointer slides along the guide groove to the right, always indicating the rightward limit of the lever's swing. After the actuation lever swings repeatedly several times, turn off the wipers. The angle between the left and right pointers at this point is the swing angle of the actuation lever, i.e., the wiper's swing angle. The angle between the left and right pointers can be read from the angle markings on the dial. Specifically, the larger value minus the smaller value on the angle markings corresponding to the left and right pointers is the wiper angle. Furthermore, the magnets fixed to the lower ends of the left and right pointer cylinders exert an attractive force on the base plate. This force is equivalent to the friction of the wiper arm. Under the influence of the magnets, the left and right pointers neither rotate randomly nor slide freely within the guide grooves of the dial. The left and right pointers only slide within the guide grooves when propelled by the lever, thus ensuring the validity of the angles indicated by the pointers and providing an accurate and reliable wiper angle. The left and right pointers do not swing left and right with the wiper shaft, facilitating precise data reading and making the angle reading more accurate and reliable. This testing device offers high accuracy. This testing device is portable, allowing for wiper angle testing anywhere, saving time and effort, and facilitating wiper product development and vehicle installation, thereby improving production and R&D efficiency. Furthermore, this testing device can also test the wiper angle of different models of wipers. It has good versatility and wide applicability, saves costs, and can be used to test the wiper angle in the early stages of wiper product development, thus improving the development progress of wiper products.

[0015] A clearance notch is provided on each of the opposing sides of the left and right pointers. The long side of the clearance notch is parallel to the axis of the actuating lever, and the wide side of the clearance notch is half the width of the actuating lever. The clearance notch is used to allow the actuating lever to move, ensuring that when the left and right pointers are moved, half of the free end of the actuating lever fits into the clearance notch, aligning the indicating edges of the left and right pointers with the central axis of the actuating lever. This ensures that when the left and right pointers are brought together, their indicating edges coincide and are on the same straight line as the central axis of the actuating lever, meaning the initial angle readings of the left and right pointers are zero.

[0016] Both the left and right pointers have a limiting step at their upper ends. The rollers are mounted on the cylinders, and the upper ends of the rollers are limited by the limiting steps, leaving a gap between the left and right pointers and the upper surface of the dial. The limiting steps prevent the left and right pointers from sticking to the dial and generating additional friction.

[0017] The rotating shaft is slidably fitted into the shaft hole of the dial via a bearing. The fixed end of the actuating rod is sleeved on the upper end of the rotating shaft, abutting against the bearing and secured by a nut. The fixing of the actuating rod to the rotating shaft is simple. A positioning boss is provided at the lower end of the fixed end of the actuating rod, with a mounting hole at its center for the rotating shaft to pass through. The positioning boss is located on the upper surface of the bearing, leaving a gap between the actuating rod and the upper surface of the dial. The positioning boss also prevents additional friction between the actuating rod and the dial.

[0018] The lower end of the rotating shaft has a threaded hole for connecting the wiper shaft. The wiper shaft has an external thread that engages with the nut that presses the wiper arm. The rotating shaft can be fixed by engaging the threaded hole with the external thread of the wiper shaft, making installation simple and convenient.

[0019] The attraction between the magnet and the base plate is less than the force exerted by the lever to move the left and right pointers. The lever can effectively move the pointers. The magnitude of the attraction between the magnet and the base plate can be changed by adjusting the distance between the magnet and the base plate, or by replacing the magnet with one of different magnetic strengths.

[0020] The upper end of the fixed base is provided with an anti-rotation part to prevent the dial from rotating. The anti-rotation part restricts the rotation of the dial and improves the accuracy of the test results.

[0021] The mounting base has a stepped hole. The large-diameter shoulder of the stepped hole is used to limit the rotation shaft, and the small-diameter hole of the stepped hole is provided with an internal thread for connecting the wiper bushing. The mounting base is fixed to the bushing on the wiper that is fitted over the wiper shaft. This not only makes installation simple, but the stepped hole of the mounting base also serves to guide the connection between the rotation shaft and the wiper shaft.

[0022] The base plate has an arc shape to shield the guide groove, which can reduce the amount of material consumed in making the base plate.

[0023] This portable wiper angle testing device for automobiles features a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and easy operation. The data read by the left and right pointers is accurate and reliable, with good consistency in test results and high accuracy. Furthermore, it allows for wiper angle testing anytime, anywhere, saving time and effort and improving the efficiency of wiper production and R&D. The device's versatility and wide applicability ensure the timely progress of wiper product development.

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating how the left and right pointers are separated during testing.

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the interaction between the dial, the rotating shaft, and the dial.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the scale.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the pointer and the magnet.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the toggle lever.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed base;

[0032] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the fit between the mounting base, base plate, and dial. Detailed Implementation

[0033] See Figures 1 to 8A portable windshield wiper angle testing device includes a dial 1, with a mounting base 11 at the lower end of the dial 1 for fixing the dial 1. The upper end of the mounting base 11 has an anti-rotation part 11-1 to prevent the dial 1 from rotating. The anti-rotation part 11-1 extends upward from the upper end of the side wall of the mounting base 11, and abuts against the linear side wall of the dial 1 to form a limit. The anti-rotation part 11-1 restricts the rotation of the dial 1, which can improve the accuracy of the test results. The dial 1 has a guide groove 1-1 with a superior arc shape, and angle markings 1-2 are provided along the extension direction of the guide groove 1-1, with angle markings 1-2 ranging from 0 to 180 degrees. The side wall of the dial 1 outside the guide groove 1-1 is semi-circular. The dial 1 has a stepped shaft hole 1-3 at the center of the guide groove 1-1. A rotating shaft 5, which connects to the wiper shaft, slides in the shaft hole 1-3 via a bearing 10. The lower end of the bearing 10 is limited by the shoulder of the shaft hole 1-3. The lower end of the rotating shaft 5 has a threaded hole 5-1 for connecting to the wiper shaft. The wiper shaft has an external thread that engages with the nut that presses the wiper arm. The threaded hole 5-1 of the rotating shaft 5 is fixed by engaging with the external thread of the wiper shaft, making installation simple and convenient. The diameter of the threaded hole 5-1 can be set differently according to different models of wiper shafts. The fixing base 11 has a stepped hole 11-2. The large-diameter shoulder of the stepped hole 11-2 is used to limit the rotating shaft 5, and the small-diameter hole of the stepped hole 11-2 has an internal thread for connecting to the wiper bushing. The diameter of the small-diameter hole of the stepped hole 11-2 can be set differently according to different models of wipers. The mounting base 11 is fixed to the bushing on the wiper shaft, which is fitted over the wiper shaft. This not only simplifies installation, but the stepped hole 11-2 in the mounting base 11 also guides the threaded connection between the rotating shaft 5 and the wiper shaft. The fixed end of the actuating rod 3 is fitted onto the upper end of the rotating shaft 5 and pressed against the bearing 10 by a nut 6, making the fixing of the actuating rod 3 to the rotating shaft 5 simple. A positioning boss 3-1 is provided at the lower end of the fixed end of the actuating rod 3. The center of the positioning boss 3-1 has a mounting hole 3-2 for the rotating shaft 5 to pass through. The positioning boss 3-1 is located on the upper end face of the bearing 10, leaving a gap between the actuating rod 3 and the upper end face of the dial 1. The positioning boss 3-1 also prevents friction between the actuating rod 3 and the dial 1. The left and right sides of the free end of the lever 3 are respectively provided with a left pointer 2 and a right pointer 4. The left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 are provided with downward-extending cylinders 12. The cylinders 12 are slidably fitted in the guide groove 1-1 through rollers 9. The rollers 9 are bearings. The guide groove 1-1 is a stepped groove that runs vertically through the center. The lower end of the rollers 9 is limited by the step on the groove wall of the guide groove 1-1. The upper end of the cylinders 12 of the left pointers 2 and the right pointers 4 are provided with a limiting step 15. The rollers 9 are mounted on the cylinders 12. The upper end of the rollers 9 is limited by the limiting step 15, so that there is a gap between the left pointers 2 and the right pointers 4 and the upper surface of the dial 1.The limiting step 15 prevents the left and right pointers from sticking to the dial 1 and generating friction. A magnet 8 is glued to the lower end of each cylinder 12. A base plate 7 made of ferromagnetic material is fixed to the lower end of the guide groove 1-1 of the dial 1. A gap is left between the base plate 7 and the magnet 8, and a gap is left between the magnet 8 and the groove wall of the guide groove 1-1. The base plate 7 has an arc shape to shield the guide groove 1-1; the arc shape reduces the amount of material needed to manufacture the base plate 7, lowering costs. The facing surfaces of the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 are the indicating edges 13. The indicating edges 13 are on the same plane as the axis of the cylinder 12, and the indicating edges 13 are on the same straight line as the central axis of the lever 3. The attraction between the magnet 8 and the base plate 7 is less than the force exerted by the lever 3 to move the left and right pointers. The lever 3 can effectively move the pointer. The strength of the attraction between the magnet 8 and the base plate 7 can be changed by adjusting the distance between the magnet 8 and the base plate 7, or by replacing the magnet 8 with one of different magnetic strengths. If the attraction between the magnet 8 and the base plate 7 is too weak, a magnet 8 with a stronger attraction can be replaced. A clearance notch 14 is provided on the opposing sides of the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4. The long side of the clearance notch 14 is parallel to the axis of the lever 3, and the wide side of the clearance notch 14 is half the width of the lever 3. The clearance notch 14 is used to allow the lever 3 to move, ensuring that when the lever 3 moves the left and right pointers, half of the free end of the lever 3 fits into the clearance notch 14, aligning the indicating edges 13 of the left and right pointers with the central axis of the lever 3. This ensures that when the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 are brought together, the indicating edges 13 of the left and right pointers overlap and are on the same straight line as the central axis of the lever 3, meaning the initial angle readings of the left and right pointers are zero. The dial 1 and pointer 4 can be made of stainless steel or plastic. The magnetic force of the magnet 8 is 0.5 to 2 N, and the distance between the magnet 8 and the base plate 7 is 3 to 6 mm.

[0034] This testing device has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and is easy to use and operate. In use, first, the fixing base 11 is installed on the bushing outside the wiper shaft to form a fixed position. The rotating shaft 5 is fixed to the wiper shaft with threads. Then, tighten the nut 6 to press and fix the actuating lever 3. At this point, the dial 1 is fixed, and the wiper shaft can drive the rotating shaft 5 to rotate together. When the wipers are turned on, the wiper shaft drives the rotating shaft 5 to rotate, and the rotating shaft 5 drives the actuating lever 3 to swing left and right. The actuating lever 3 driven by the wiper shaft simulates the wiper arm. When the actuating lever 3 swings to the left, the left pointer 2 slides to the left along the guide groove 1-1. The left pointer 2 always indicates the extreme position of the actuating lever 3 swinging to the left. When the actuating lever 3 swings to the right, the right pointer 4 slides to the right along the guide groove 1-1. The right pointer 4 always indicates the extreme position of the actuating lever 3 swinging to the right. After the lever 3 swings repeatedly, the wipers are turned off. At this time, the angle between the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 is the swing angle of the lever 3, which is the wiper swing angle. The indicating edges 13 of the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 correspond to the angle markings 1-2 on the dial 1. The angle between the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 can be read from the angle markings 1-2 on the dial 1. That is, the larger value minus the smaller value on the angle markings 1-2 corresponding to the indicating edges 13 of the left pointer 2 and the right pointer 4 is the wiper swing angle. Furthermore, there is an attractive force between the magnet 8 fixed at the lower end of the left and right pointer cylinders 12 and the base plate 7. This attractive force is equivalent to the friction force of the wiper arm. Under the action of the attractive force of the magnet 8, the left and right pointers will neither rotate arbitrarily nor slide freely in the guide grooves 1-1 of the dial 1. The left and right pointers can only slide in the guide groove 1-1 when pushed by the lever 3, thus ensuring the validity of the angles indicated by the left and right pointers, good consistency of test results, and accurate and reliable wiper angle. The left and right pointers do not swing left and right with the wiper shaft, facilitating accurate data reading and making the angle reading more accurate and reliable. This testing device has high accuracy. This testing device is portable, allowing for wiper angle testing anywhere, saving time and effort, facilitating wiper product development and vehicle installation, and improving production and R&D efficiency. Furthermore, this testing device can also test the wiper angle of different wiper models, offering good versatility and wide applicability, saving costs. It can be used not only for testing wiper angles in the early stages of wiper product development, improving the R&D progress, but also for testing wiper angles during vehicle installation at OEMs, improving production speed. It can also be used for testing wiper angles during maintenance, making it extremely convenient and flexible to use.

Claims

1. A portable windshield wiper angle testing device, characterized in that: Includes a dial (1), the lower end of which is provided with a fixing seat (11) for fixing the dial (1), the dial (1) is provided with a guide groove (1-1) in the shape of an arc, and angle lines (1-2) are provided along the extension direction of the guide groove (1-1), the dial (1) is provided with a shaft hole (1-3) at the center of the guide groove (1-1), a rotating shaft (5) for connecting with the wiper shaft is slidably engaged with the shaft hole (1-3), the upper end of the rotating shaft (5) is fixedly connected with a lever (3), the left and right sides of the free end of the lever (3) are respectively provided with a left pointer (2) and a right pointer (4), the left pointer (2) and the right pointer (4) are respectively provided with a left pointer (2) and a right pointer (4). (4) A downward-extending cylinder (12) is provided on the top. The cylinder (12) is slidably fitted in the guide groove (1-1) through the roller (9). A magnet block (8) is fixed on the lower end face of each cylinder (12). A base plate (7) made of ferromagnetic material is fixed at the lower end of the guide groove (1-1) of the dial (1). There is a gap between the base plate (7) and the magnet block (8). The opposing surfaces of the left pointer (2) and the right pointer (4) are the indicating edge (13). The indicating edge (13) and the central axis of the lever (3) are on the same straight line. The attraction between the magnet block (8) and the base plate (7) is less than the force of the lever (3) to move the left and right pointers.

2. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clearance notch (14) is provided on the opposite side of the left pointer (2) and the right pointer (4). The long side of the clearance notch (14) is parallel to the axis of the lever (3), and the wide side of the clearance notch (14) is 1 / 2 of the width of the lever (3).

3. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the cylinder (12) of the left pointer (2) and the right pointer (4) is provided with a limiting step (15). The roller (9) is mounted on the cylinder (12). The upper end of the roller (9) is limited by the limiting step (15), so that there is a gap between the left pointer (2), the right pointer (4) and the upper surface of the dial (1).

4. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft (5) is slidably fitted in the shaft hole (1-3) of the dial (1) through the bearing (10). The fixed end of the actuating rod (3) is sleeved on the upper end of the rotating shaft (5) and abuts against the bearing (10) and is pressed and fixed by a nut (6).

5. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower end of the fixed end of the lever (3) is provided with a positioning boss (3-1), and the center of the positioning boss (3-1) is provided with a mounting hole (3-2) for the rotating shaft (5) to pass through. The positioning boss (3-1) is located on the upper surface of the bearing (10), so that there is a gap between the lever (3) and the upper surface of the dial (1).

6. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the rotating shaft (5) is provided with a threaded hole for connecting the wiper shaft.

7. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the fixed base (11) is provided with an anti-rotation part (11-1) to prevent the dial (1) from rotating.

8. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed base (11) is provided with a stepped hole (11-2). The large diameter hole shoulder of the stepped hole (11-2) is used to limit the rotation shaft (5), and the small diameter hole of the stepped hole (11-2) is provided with an internal thread for connecting the wiper bushing.

9. The portable tilt angle testing device for automotive windshield wipers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base plate (7) is in the shape of an arc and is used to shield the guide groove (1-1).

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