Universal Windscreen Wiper Connecting Device for Multiple Arm Types
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen wiper devices of the 'flat blade type' face challenges in achieving a reliable connection between the wiper blade and oscillating arm, particularly when dealing with different types of hook-shaped oscillating arms that vary in distance and width of their intermediate curved sections, leading to the need for multiple joint parts and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a resilient tongue featuring downwardly extending protrusions, adaptable to engage with various types of oscillating arms, providing a universal connection by snapping into correspondingly shaped holes, eliminating the need for separate joint parts and allowing for a single type of connecting device to fit multiple arm configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate joint parts are used to connect wiper blade to different types of oscillating arms, then compatibility with various arm configurations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is designed as a universal connector that can attach to multiple types of oscillating arms (hook-shaped, J-shaped, L-shaped, straight) through a single resilient tongue structure with protrusions that adapt to different arm geometries, eliminating the need for multiple separate joint parts
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient tongue is divided into multiple segments or protrusions (first protrusion for hook-shaped arms, second protrusion for J-shaped arms, third protrusion for L-shaped arms, fourth protrusion for straight arms) that can independently engage with different arm types, allowing one connecting device to serve multiple functions
2Reliability
If original equipment joint parts are used to ensure reliable connection, then connection reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is designed as an affordable, replaceable component that can be manufactured at low cost using plastic materials and injection molding, allowing consumers to purchase inexpensive aftermarket wiper blades with compatible connectors rather than expensive original equipment parts
3Ease of manufacture
If a universal connecting device is used to reduce part variety, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the resilient tongue are designed with different properties: the first protrusion has geometry optimized for hook-shaped arms, the second protrusion for J-shaped arms, the third protrusion for L-shaped arms, and the fourth protrusion for straight arms, allowing each local region to provide optimal engagement for its specific arm type while maintaining a unified connector structure
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 solution enables a universal connection between the wiper blade and oscillating arm, reducing part complexity and allowing for the use of non-original, cost-effective wiper blades with original oscillating arms, while ensuring secure retention and easy installation and removal.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting device for an oscillating arm comprising two longitudinal arm sections (11, 12) connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate section (13), wherein said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
the resilient tongue is initially pushed in against a spring force - as if it were a push button - and then allowed to spring back into the hole provided in the oscillating arm, thus snapping, that is clipping the resilient tongue into the hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~5B
AI summary
A windscreen wiper device (1) of the "flat blade type" comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material and a connecting device (5) for a oscillating arm (6) comprising two longitudinal arm sections (11,12) connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate section (13) and a resilient tongue (14) engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole (17) provided in said oscillating arm (6), wherein said resilient tongue (14) comprises at least two, spaced-apart, downwardly extending protrusions (15,16), wherein a first protrusion (15) is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole (17) provided in an oscillating arm (6) of a first type, and wherein a second protrusion (16) is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole (17) provided in an oscillating arm (6) of a second type, said oscillating arms (6) of said first and said second types mutually differing in the distance between their respective longitudinal arm sections (11, 12).