Windshield Wiper Adapter Centering for Tolerance-Resistant Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper adapters struggle to reliably connect to drive arm yokes due to dimensional tolerance deviations, leading to inconsistent mounting and potential failure in securing the wiper to the arm.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a centering means and guide member that engages with the drive arm's apertures, featuring a tongue for wedging and plastic deformation to ensure secure vertical positioning, allowing for reliable mounting and centering regardless of tolerance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adapters are used to connect windshield wiper to drive arm, then the connection can be established, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to dimensional tolerance deviations in the apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a movable tongue element that can deform plastically during installation. The tongue is initially positioned to allow insertion despite tolerance variations, then deforms under insertion force to lock the adapter securely in place, transitioning from a static to a dynamic adaptation mechanism that compensates for manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter design allows the tongue parameter (shape, position) to change during installation. The tongue deforms from its initial configuration to a locked configuration, changing its geometric parameters to adapt to the actual aperture dimensions and ensure reliable connection despite tolerance deviations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the adapter design is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the centering and securing functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: the body provides structural support and aperture engagement, while the tongue (formed as part of the body) provides both centering guidance and locking functionality. This merging allows the adapter to be manufactured as a single piece while maintaining sophisticated centering and securing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter body serves multiple purposes: it structures the connection interface, guides insertion through the tongue's centering function, and secures the connection through the tongue's locking function. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single manufactured component, balancing manufacturing simplicity with operational effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the adapter uses rigid structure for stability, then structural stability improves, but the adaptability to tolerance variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into a rigid body portion and a flexible tongue portion. The body maintains structural stability and provides the primary connection interface, while the tongue segment is designed to be more compliant, allowing deformation to adapt to tolerance variations in the aperture dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is designed as a thin, flexible element that can deform under insertion force. This flexible portion allows the otherwise rigid adapter body to adapt to variations in aperture dimensions, enabling successful installation despite tolerance deviations while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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 adapter effectively centers and secures the windshield wiper to the drive arm, enhancing the reliability of the connection and ease of installation, even with varying manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
The guide member makes it easier to install the adapter in a wiper system. The position of the adapter with respect to the drive arm is ensured by virtue of the centering means and the cooperation between the adapter and the drive arm is made more reliable by the tongue.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter intended to connect a wiper blade (7) to a drive arm (5) of a wiper system (800) for a vehicle, the adapter (IO0) comprising a head (I) and a body (2), the adapter (IO0) being formed by an upper wall (IO, 20) and two lateral flanks (I la, I lb, 2la, 2lb), the adapter (IO0) comprising a centring means (3) for centring in a vertical direction (Oz) perpendicular to the upper wall (IO, 20), characterised in that the centring means (3) is extended longitudinally by a guide member (9) configured to be engaged with the drive arm (5), the adapter (IO0) comprising a tab (4) configured to wedge the adapter (IO0) in the vertical direction (Oz). The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.