Elastic Tongue Wiper Adapter for Variable Hook Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen wiper adapter designs cannot accommodate wiper arms with different U-shaped hook transverse widths, leading to geometric and mechanical imbalances and improper positioning of the wiper blade.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with two elastically deformable lateral tongues, each with a vertical internal facet, spaced by a second distance less than the first, allowing it to adjust between a rest and flexed position to fit hooks of varying widths, combined with a convex front section and locking lugs for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed-distance lateral flange design is used in the adapter, then the adapter can accommodate one specific hook width, but it cannot adapt to wiper arms with different transverse widths
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs elastically deformable lateral tongues that can dynamically adjust their position. The tongues are designed to be flexible enough to deform during installation and operation, allowing the adapter to accommodate different hook widths without requiring multiple fixed configurations or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter changes its geometric parameters through the elastic deformation of the lateral tongues. By allowing the tongues to deform, the effective distance between the internal facets changes to match different hook widths, enabling a single adapter design to work with multiple hook size specifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an elastically deformable lateral backlash tab is used to adapt to smaller hook widths, then the adapter can fit different hook sizes, but it induces geometric and mechanical imbalance in the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter design incorporates asymmetric positioning of the lateral tongues relative to the central axis. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with the elastic deformation capability, allows the tongues to make contact with the hook at optimal positions that maintain balance, rather than relying on a symmetric backlash tab that creates imbalance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral tongues act as intermediary elements between the adapter body and the hook. These tongues transmit forces and maintain alignment through their elastic deformation, serving as a mediator that accommodates size differences while preserving connection stability and geometric balance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the adapter uses a rigid structure with fixed internal facet spacing, then the manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot accommodate hooks with varying transverse widths
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates thin, flexible lateral tongues made from elastic material that can deform to accommodate different hook widths. These flexible elements are integrated into the adapter body, maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity while providing the necessary adaptability through their elastic properties rather than requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
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
Enables secure mounting of wiper blades on wiper arms with different transverse widths without inducing mechanical imbalances, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
Implementation Method 1
each of which is elastically deformable and comprises a vertical internal facet, the internal facets of the two tongues are spaced transversely from each other by a second distance less than said first distance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6B
AI summary
The invention provides an adapter (12) for connecting a wiper blade to a hook-shaped end of a wiper arm, the adapter comprising a body (44) with a convex external profile, intended to be received in a concave base of the end hook (C), two vertical lateral wings (40) whose opposing internal faces (46) are spaced transversely apart by a first distance (D1), to cooperate with external lateral faces of a first end hook of a large transverse width, characterized in that it comprises two lateral tabs (70), each of which is elastically deformable and has a vertical internal facet (74), and in that the internal facets (74) of the two tabs (70) are spaced transversely apart from each other by a second distance (D2) less than the first distance (D1), to cooperate with a second end hook of a small transverse width,thus allowing the use of the same adapter model for connecting wiper arms of different dimensions.