Universal Windscreen Wiper Connecting Device with Pivot Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aftermarket windscreen wiper blades often require separate products and packaging for each length and style of oscillating wiper arm, leading to confusion for customers and increased costs for manufacturers, as they are not universally compatible with different types of wiper arms.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a pivotally attached joint part featuring cylindrical lugs and a front nose portion with fingers, allowing easy attachment and detachment to various oscillating wiper arms, including pin-style, bayonet-style, and top lock-style, by engaging with the arms' legs and top edges, facilitating a universal fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate products and packaging are provided for each length and style of oscillating wiper arm, then compatibility with specific wiper arm types is ensured, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is designed with a universal interface that can attach to multiple types of oscillating wiper arms (pin-style, bayonet-style, top lock-style) through a single standardized design. The joint part incorporates adjustable components that can accommodate different wiper arm configurations, allowing one product to serve multiple functions across various vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device is divided into modular components including a base, joint part with main body portion, front nose portion, and rear portion with lugs. This segmentation allows the different parts to be independently optimized while maintaining overall compatibility, with each segment serving a specific function in the attachment mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable parts are provided for attachment to two or more different types of oscillating wiper arms, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to customer confusion
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than providing multiple interchangeable parts for different wiper arm types, the invention uses a single universal connecting device design that can attach to all major wiper arm styles. This eliminates customer confusion about which part to select, as only one type of connecting device is needed regardless of the specific wiper arm configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device incorporates dynamic elements such as the pivotally attached joint part that can rotate and adjust its configuration. The front nose portion with living hinge allows the device to adapt its shape and engagement method based on the specific wiper arm type, providing automatic compatibility without requiring customer knowledge or selection of different parts.
3Ease of operation
If cylindrical lugs are used for receiving and engaging legs on the oscillating wiper arm, then ease of operation is improved by allowing easy rotation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lugs are designed with cylindrical (curved) surfaces instead of flat or angular geometries. This curvature allows the lugs to rotate smoothly along the cylindrical surface during attachment and detachment operations, reducing friction and making the operation easier for customers while the cylindrical shape is well-suited for standard manufacturing processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper blade (26) of a flexible material and a connecting device (22) for attachment with an oscillating wiper arm. The connecting device includes a base (32) and a joint part (34) which is pivotally attached with the base. The joint part includes a main body portion (40) which extends in a longitudinal direction between opposite longitudinal ends. Adjacent one of the longitudinal ends, the joint part has a front nose portion (42). Adjacent the opposite longitudinal end, the joint part includes a rear portion (44). The rear portion includes a pair of lugs (52) which extend in opposite lateral directions for receiving and engaging legs on the oscillating wiper arm. The lugs are generally cylindrical in shape for allowing more easy rotation of the joint part relative to the legs of the oscillating wiper arm during attachment and detachment of the connecting device to and from the oscillating wiper arm.