Wiper Arm Cover With Pivot Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wiper systems face issues with covers that are prone to unintentional latching during assembly, difficult to keep open, and susceptible to removal during car washing, leading to increased assembly effort and potential loss.

Innovation Solution

A wiper arm assembly with a pivotally mounted cover that includes a locking mechanism with a nut retention feature, eliminating the need for an extra component and ensuring the cover stays in place during assembly and washing, featuring a hinge mechanism that allows easy access to the pivot shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable cover is used to close the opening at the pivot shaft, then access to the pivot shaft is provided, but the cover is susceptible to unintentional latching prior to assembly and may require an extra component for final assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to pivot shaftVSAvoidassembly components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism and retention features are integrated directly into the cover structure, eliminating the need for separate retention components. The locking mechanism includes a retention feature that engages with the pivot shaft assembly, combining multiple functions (closure, retention, and locking) into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a removable cover is used to close the opening at the pivot shaft, then access to the pivot shaft is provided, but the cover does not stay up prior to assembly and making final assembly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to pivot shaftVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover includes a detent feature that preliminarily positions and holds the cover in the open state prior to final assembly. This detent feature engages with a corresponding feature on the body, automatically maintaining the cover in the desired position without requiring additional components or steps to keep it open during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a removable cover is used to close the opening at the pivot shaft, then access to the pivot shaft is provided, but the cover is susceptible to snagging on brushes or cloths and can be inadvertently removed during car washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to pivot shaftVSAvoidcover retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover and opening are designed with curved surfaces that facilitate smooth engagement and disengagement. The curved geometry reduces snagging on external objects like brushes or cloths, allowing the cover to be easily removed and reinstalled without catching on surrounding features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position through controlled movement. The locking mechanism engages and disengages smoothly, allowing the cover to be deliberately removed for access while remaining securely locked during normal operation, preventing inadvertent removal during car washing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If conventional covers are used, then the opening is closed when access is not needed, but they result in more assembly effort of the wiper arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening closureVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover assembly is designed to be self-retaining through integrated locking and retention features. The cover automatically locks to the pivot shaft assembly and stays in the open position during assembly without requiring additional components or steps, making the assembly process self-sufficient and reducing overall assembly effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9260082B2Wiper arm assembly having pivotal cover allowing access to pivot shaft

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 PGI NORTHSTAR LLC

AI summary

A wiper arm assembly is adapted to support a wiper blade as it moves across a surface to be wiped. The wiper arm assembly includes a body and a head supported by the body and adapted to be mounted to a pivot shaft that defines a pivot axis P and drives the wiper blade in an oscillating manner across the surface to be wiped. The body also includes an opening providing access to the head mounted to the pivot shaft. The wiper arm assembly includes a cover pivotally mounted to the body at the opening and is movable about an axis A substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis P from a first position closing the opening to a second position allowing access to the head. A locking mechanism on the cover locks the cover to a nut on the pivot shaft to retain the cover in the first position closing the opening.