Sliding Windscreen Mount Arm for Single-Technician Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen installation apparatuses are complex, heavy, and prone to damage, making them difficult to use and maintain, especially for a single technician.
Innovation Solution
A windscreen installation apparatus with a sliding and rotatable support arm that engages with a U-shaped mount structure, allowing for easy positioning and manipulation of the windscreen, featuring a spherical stop to prevent over-sliding and a two-part support arm for dismantling and storage, which reduces weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a telescopic arm or slidable anchor arrangement is used to enable windscreen positioning, then the apparatus can be operated by a single technician, but the construction becomes complex and the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into two separate parts: a fixed support arm attached to the mount structure, and a movable support arm that slides within the fixed arm. This segmentation allows the movable arm to be extended or retracted independently, enabling single technician operation while keeping each component relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the movable support arm and the fixed support arm. The guide structure receives the movable arm and guides its sliding movement, simplifying the overall construction by providing a dedicated guiding mechanism rather than requiring complex joint structures
2Length of moving object
If a telescopic arm is used to extend the reach of the apparatus, then positioning capability is improved, but the weight and potential for damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into a fixed support arm and a movable support arm that can be extended or retracted. This allows the apparatus to achieve greater reach only when needed, while maintaining a compact, lighter configuration during storage or transport by retracting the movable arm portion
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm transitions from a static, fixed-length structure to a dynamic, adjustable-length structure. The movable support arm can slide within the fixed support arm to change the effective reach of the apparatus, allowing optimization between reach and weight based on operational requirements
3Strength
If the support arm is made as a single piece for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the apparatus becomes harder to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into a fixed support arm and a movable support arm that can be separated. This allows the apparatus to be disassembled into smaller components for easier storage and transport, while each individual arm segment maintains sufficient structural strength for its intended function
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm structure transitions from a permanently fixed single-piece design to a dynamic assembly that can be separated and recombined. The fixed support arm remains permanently attached to the mount structure, while the movable support arm can be detached when needed for storage or transport
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
The apparatus is more straightforward to use, lighter, and more robust, allowing for effective windscreen positioning and manipulation with reduced risk of damage, even if the support arm is slightly damaged.
Implementation Method 1
the mount assembly may include a side glass anchor device enabling securing of the mount assembly to the vehicle side glass
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Apparatus for use in handling windscreens for example for installation in a vehicle, includes a windscreen anchor assembly (2) comprising a windscreen anchor device (14) and a support arm (16) extending away from the windscreen anchor device (14). A mount assembly (3) is provided for supporting the windscreen anchor assembly (2). The mount assembly (3) includes a mount structure (11) for engaging with the support arm (16) such that the support arm (16) can slide bodily in its longitudinal direction with respect to the mount structure (11).