Wiper Adapter Connections That Isolate Fluid From Electrical Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper devices face challenges in maintaining operational reliability and preventing defects, particularly due to the risk of fluid transfer from fluidic connections to electrical connections, which can lead to failures and increased assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a wiper device with an electrical axial connection unit and a fluidic cross-connection unit that can be connected or separated independently along or parallel to the pivot axis, featuring contact elements and channel elements that allow for spatial separation and reliable detachment, reducing the risk of fluid transfer and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrical and fluidic connections are integrated in a single connection unit, then assembly is simplified, but the risk of fluid transfer to electrical connections increases and operational reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection unit is divided into separate electrical connection elements and fluidic connection elements that are spatially separated from each other. The electrical connection elements include contact pins and contact sockets, while the fluidic connection elements include plugs and sleeves, arranged in distinct regions to prevent fluid transfer to electrical contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection body serves as an intermediary structure that houses both electrical and fluidic connection elements while maintaining their spatial separation. The connection body includes a first region for electrical connections and a second region for fluidic connections, acting as a mediator that allows integrated assembly while preventing harmful fluid-electrical interaction.
2Reliability
If electrical and fluidic connections are separated into different connection units, then operational reliability is improved by preventing fluid transfer, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection elements and fluidic connection elements are merged into a single integrated connection unit that includes both types of connections. The connection body combines the first region for electrical contacts and the second region for fluidic connections, allowing simultaneous connection of both electrical and fluidic lines in one assembly operation.
3Ease of operation
If connection elements are designed for detachable connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of fluid transfer to electrical connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable connection elements are segmented into spatially separated electrical and fluidic regions. The electrical connection elements (contact pins, contact sockets) are positioned in a first region while fluidic connection elements (plugs, sleeves) are positioned in a second region, allowing easy detachment while preventing fluid transfer to electrical contacts during the connection process.
4Reliability
If connection elements are designed for permanent connection, then operational reliability is improved by preventing accidental disconnection, but ease of repair decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection elements are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow transition between connected and disconnected states. The detachable design with precise geometric fitting provides stable connection during operation while allowing intentional disconnection for repair or replacement, balancing connection stability with maintenance accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is based on a wiper device, in particular a windscreen wiper device, having a wiper arm adapter (10), having a wiper blade adapter (12) which can be coupled to the wiper arm adapter (10) along a pivot axis (14) of the wiper arm adapter (10), and having at least one electrical and/or fluidic transverse connection unit (16) which can be connected or can be disconnected by a pivoting movement of the wiper blade adapter (12) relative to the wiper arm adapter (10) about the pivot axis (14). It is proposed that the wiper device comprises at least one electrical and/or fluidic axial connection unit (18) which can be connected or can be disconnected by a translatory movement of the wiper blade adapter (12) relative to the wiper arm adapter (10), in particular along or parallel to the pivot axis (14).