Windscreen Wiper Adapter Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices for windscreen wiper blades on vehicle windshields lack reliability in maintaining the adapter's position on the drive arm, leading to potential misalignment and incorrect operation during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a connector, an adapter, and an intermediate piece with movable parts that allow for nominal locking and disengagement, featuring lugs and cams to securely hold the adapter in place, facilitating intuitive assembly and disassembly while preventing manual disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking pin housed in a slot is used to block the adapter in the arm, then the adapter can be retained in position, but the reliability of the blocking mechanism is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: the intermediate piece with lugs provides the blocking function, while the cam provides the actuation function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate piece is made movable relative to the adapter, allowing it to dynamically engage and disengage from the arm slots. This dynamic capability enables reliable blocking during operation while allowing easy release when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If the adapter is directly fixed on the arm without an intermediate locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adapter may become misaligned or incorrectly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate piece acts as a mediator between the adapter and the arm. It provides precise positioning through its lugs that engage with slots in the arm, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring complex direct fixing mechanisms. This intermediary component simplifies the overall structure while maintaining high positioning precision.
3Reliability
If the holding means are always engaged to secure the adapter, then the adapter remains reliably positioned, but assembly and disassembly operations become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cam is positioned to preliminarily engage with the intermediate piece, holding the lugs in the engaged position with a light preliminary force. This preliminary engagement maintains reliability during operation while allowing easy release when the cam is actuated, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanism operates periodically - engaged during normal operation to provide reliable positioning, and disengaged during assembly/disassembly operations. The cam enables this periodic transition, allowing the system to switch between these two states as needed, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
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
Enhances the reliability of the adapter's locking mechanism, reduces the risk of incorrect operation, and simplifies the assembly process by using visible external parts like the jumper or lever, ensuring a secure hydraulic and electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
the disengagement means comprise at least one cam acting on the stop(s) so as to drive them in said retraction direction
Implementation Method 2
This blocking pin belongs to the adapter and is located at the end of a flexible tab
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for fixing a wiper blade (16) on a drive arm (12) of a wiping system (10), said device comprising an end piece (14) of arm (12), a connector (20) intended to be fixed to the blade (16), a connection adapter (50) of the connector (20) to said arm (12), and an intermediate piece (40), said adapter (50) comprising means for retaining on the arm in a nominal locking position, said intermediate piece (40) being movable in said end piece (14) relative to the adapter (50), and comprising means for disengaging and/or locking said retaining means, so as to allow mounting and/or dismounting of the adapter (50) on the arm (12) and/or so as to retain the adapter (50) on the arm (12) in the nominal locking position. The invention also relates to a wiping system (10) comprising such a fastening device.