Wiper Adapter Axial Locking Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper devices face challenges in intuitive and easy assembly/disassembly due to complex connections between wiper arm and blade adapters, requiring significant user effort and tools.

Innovation Solution

A wiper device with a wiper arm adapter featuring manual actuating elements and latching elements that can be deflected manually, allowing for a simple and intuitive connection in the axial direction, preventing rotation, and optimizing force transmission along the vertical axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex connection system is used between wiper arm and blade adapters, then connection stability is improved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult requiring tools and significant user effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate positive locking elements on the wiper arm adapter and corresponding locking recesses on the blade adapter. These segmented components work together to provide both stable connection and easy operation through simple axial movement without requiring complex mechanisms or tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a simple connection system is used between adapters, then assembly and disassembly become easy, but connection stability and force transmission are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system incorporates dynamic positive locking elements that can be easily deflected during assembly to engage with the locking recesses, providing simple operation. Once engaged, these elements maintain stable connection and force transmission through their rigid locked position, achieving both ease of operation and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If positive locking elements are not accessible from outside, then structural integrity is maintained, but manual deflection and operation become impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanual deflection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating elements are nested within the adapter body structure, allowing users to access and operate them from the outside. This nested design enables manual deflection of the positive locking elements while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the adapter, as the actuating elements are integrated into the existing structure rather than requiring external modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 easy and intuitive assembly/disassembly of wiper arm and blade adapters without tools, ensuring a stable and efficient connection that simplifies the installation process while maintaining effective force transmission.

Implementation Method 1

at least one positive locking element which is designed to be deflected during assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2734419B1Wiper device
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2734419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2734419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2734419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to wiper device, comprising an adapter (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e; 10f; 10g; 10h), which forms a point of articulation to a wiper arm or a wiper blade (12a; 12e; 12h) and has at least one form-closure element (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b; 16c, 18c; 16d, 18d; 16e, 18e; 16f, 18f; 16g, 18g; 16h, 18h) for translational assembly with an additional adapter (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f; 14g; 14h) in an axial direction, the at least one form-closure element being provided for the form-closed connection to at least one form-closure element (20a, 22a; 20b, 22b; 20c, 22c; 20d, 22d; 20e, 22e; 20f, 22f; 20g, 22g; 20h, 22h) of the one additional adapter (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f; 14g; 14h) in the axial direction. According to the invention, the wiper device has at least one actuating element (24a, 26a; 24b, 26b; 24c, 26c; 24d, 26d; 24e, 26e; 24f, 26f; 24g, 26g; 24h, 26h), which is designed to be deflected in order to deflect the at least one form-closure element (20a, 22a; 20b, 22b; 20c, 22c; 20d, 22d; 20e, 22e; 20f, 22f; 20g, 22g; 20h, 22h) during disassembly.