Wiper Blade Adapter With Angular Indexing for Error-Proof Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of wiper blade systems in motor vehicles, with numerous adapter types required for different mounts and articulated arms, leads to increased production costs and complicates aftermarket maintenance, making it difficult to intuitively assemble adapters correctly.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a cover featuring an angular indexing system that rotates onto a main lifter of the wiper blade mount, ensuring secure attachment through complementary shapes, allowing for easy assembly and preventing reverse mounting, while being adaptable to various wiper blade types and articulated arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different adapter types are designed to accommodate various wiper blade mounts and articulated arms, then compatibility with different wiper blade types is improved, but production costs increase due to manufacturing numerous different parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal adapter design where a single adapter body can accommodate multiple wiper blade mount types through interchangeable mounting plates. The adapter body includes a standardized interface for connecting to articulated arms, while different mounting plates can be attached to the same adapter body to fit various wiper blade types (e.g., U-type, J-type, H-type mounts). This multi-functional approach allows one adapter body to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need to manufacture numerous different adapter types for different vehicle models.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter system is divided into separable components: a standardized adapter body and interchangeable mounting plates. The mounting plates can be detached and replaced depending on the wiper blade type being installed. This segmentation allows the complex adaptation requirement to be broken down into a standardized base component and simple, interchangeable interface components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different adapter types are designed for different vehicle models and wiper blade configurations, then adaptability to various articulated arms is improved, but device complexity increases due to the large number of different parts
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter body is designed as a universal component that can interface with multiple types of articulated arms through a standardized connection mechanism. The universal adapter body, combined with interchangeable mounting plates, creates a modular system that reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for completely different adapter designs for different vehicle models and articulated arm types.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter body acts as an intermediary component between the vehicle's articulated arm and the wiper blade mount. This intermediate component provides a standardized interface that mediates between different connection standards, allowing various articulated arms and wiper blade types to be compatible through a common adapter platform rather than requiring direct matching between each pair of components.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional adapter designs are used without intuitive assembly features, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates as assembly becomes non-intuitive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plates incorporate asymmetric geometric features such as shaped opening contours and positioning protrusions that do not match unless the plate is oriented correctly. For example, the opening in the mounting plate has a specific asymmetric shape that only aligns properly with corresponding features on the wiper blade mount when the plate is rotated to the correct orientation. This asymmetric design provides built-in mechanical guidance that prevents incorrect assembly while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter design incorporates self-aligning and self-correcting features that guide the assembly process without requiring external tools or complex procedures. The asymmetric geometric features automatically guide the mounting plate into the correct orientation as it is being installed, and the complementary shaped openings and protrusions provide mechanical interference that prevents incorrect assembly. This self-service approach to assembly guidance maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (300) for a wiper blade (500) mounting (400), the adapter (300) comprising a cover (200) which can be releasably attached to a main bar (410) of the mounting (400) by a single rotational movement that allows form-closure engagement between the cover (200) and the main bar (410). According to the invention, the cover (200) comprises an angular indexing system (110) for defining an axis of rotation of the cover (200), the angular indexing system (110) cooperating with an opening (416) in the main bar (410). The opening (416) and the angular indexing system (110) have an asymmetrical form in order to allow angular indexing of the cover (200) relative to the main bar (410) and, subsequently, mechanical coupling of the cover (200) on the main bar (410). The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.