Hinged Wiper Blade Adapter for Secure Hook Arm Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper blade attachment structures are complex to manufacture and do not securely connect wiper blades to wiper arms, leading to potential disengagement during use.
Innovation Solution
A hingedly connected wiper blade adapter with a cap, spring, and locking bar design that compresses to secure the wiper arm in place and easily releases for disassembly, allowing the wiper blade to rotate on the wiper hook arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing attachment structures are used, then the wiper blade can be connected to the wiper arm, but the structure is complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into two separate components: a body portion and a cap portion that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each part to be produced using simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing processes while maintaining the overall functionality and security of the connection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap portion is designed to fit over and nest onto the body portion, with the spring mechanism and locking bar contained within the cap structure. This nested design consolidates multiple functions (locking, springing, engagement) into a compact assembly that is easier to manufacture than monolithic designs while ensuring secure connection.
2Reliability
If existing attachment structures are used, then the wiper blade can be connected to the wiper arm, but the connection may disengage during use
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically engages the locking bar with the groove on the wiper arm when the cap is installed, and automatically disengages when the cap is removed. This self-acting mechanism ensures secure connection without requiring complex control systems or manual intervention, achieving high reliability through simple automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex multi-component mechanical locking systems with a simple spring-loaded bar that engages a single groove. This mechanical substitution simplifies the overall structure while maintaining secure connection through the elastic energy storage and release properties of the spring mechanism.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then the wiper arm is held in place, but the disassembly process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with rotational movement capability relative to the body, allowing the locking bar to dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged positions. During installation, rotation compresses the spring to engage the lock; during removal, reverse rotation allows the spring to push the bar out of the groove, providing easy disassembly while maintaining secure locking during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates through periodic compression and expansion of the spring as the cap is installed and removed. This periodic action allows the same simple mechanism to provide both secure locking during use and easy release during maintenance, cycling between locked and unlocked states as needed.
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 simplifies manufacturing, securely fixes wiper blades to various wiper arms, preventing disengagement during use and allowing easy installation and removal, while being suitable for both hook-type and pin-type wiper arms.
Implementation Method 1
the spring compresses, allowing the locking bar to follow the grooves to hold the cap in place and to hold the wiper arm in place
Implementation Method 2
the spring acts as an extension spring that stretches to allow the locking bar to follow the grooves upward to release the cap from its locking position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a wiper blade adapter (200) having a body (100) for receiving a hook-type wiper arm (300) and an adapter cap (1) for locking the hook-type wiper arm (300) to the adapter (200), a first end of the adapter cap (1) is hingedly connected to a body pin (130) of the body (100), and a second end of the adapter cap (1) engages a groove (112, 122) of the body (100) to lock the adapter cap (1) to the body (100) and to the hook-type wiper arm (300).