Wiper Arm Hose Routing via Coupling Lever Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper arm designs with hose lines face issues of damage exposure, aesthetic concerns, and production complexity due to hose line routing outside the arm, leading to interference with spring elements and increased costs for die-cast components.
Innovation Solution
A wiper arm design with a U-shaped coupling lever and axially offset hose line and spring element arrangement within the folding joint, utilizing a separate fixing element to prevent interference and allow for tool-free assembly, enabling the hose line to be routed invisibly and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hose line is routed outside of the wiper arm, then the hose assembly is accessible and easy to install, but the hose assembly is exposed and there is an increased risk of damage to the hose assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The hose line is routed through the interior cavity of the wiper arm, nesting the hose within the protective structure of the arm itself. This conceals the hose from external damage while maintaining accessibility during assembly, as the hose can be installed through the open structure before the arm is fully assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper arm is designed with a segmented structure that includes an interior cavity specifically designed to accommodate the hose line. This segmentation allows the hose to be routed separately from the external surface while still being integrated into the overall arm structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the hose line is routed outside of the wiper arm, then installation is simpler, but routing the hose line outside of the wiper arm is often undesirable for aesthetic reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The hose line is nested within the interior cavity of the wiper arm, making it invisible from the exterior. This maintains the clean, streamlined aesthetic of the wiper arm while still allowing for relatively simple installation during the assembly process.
3Shape
If the hose line is guided on the wiper arm in such a way that it is hidden behind or in the wiper arm, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the hose line and a spring element can interfere with one another in the area of the hinged joint
Solution Approach 1:
The hose line and spring element are arranged in different spatial dimensions within the wiper arm structure. The hose is positioned in the interior cavity while the spring element operates in a different plane or location, allowing both components to coexist without interference while maintaining the concealed routing of the hose.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper arm structure incorporates localized features such as recesses, channels, or designated pathways within the interior cavity that specifically guide the hose line away from areas where the spring element operates. This local differentiation of space prevents interference while maintaining the overall concealed routing.
4Shape
If the hose line is hidden within the wiper arm, then the aesthetic appearance is improved and protection is enhanced, but it is difficult to produce the coupling lever from sheet metal by embossing and bending
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling lever is designed with an integrated interior cavity that nests the hose line within its structure. This cavity is formed as part of the lever itself, allowing the hose to be concealed without requiring separate housing or complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lever serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical coupling function, houses the interior cavity for hose routing, and integrates the hose guide features. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate components, maintaining manufacturability from sheet metal while achieving concealed hose routing.
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 solution provides a protected, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective routing of the hose line, preventing damage and simplifying assembly while ensuring correct attachment, thus enhancing the durability and affordability of the wiper arm.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element which is engaged with the pin in order to exert a torque between the coupling lever and the guide lever via the folding joint
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A wiper arm comprises a coupling lever for fastening to a rotatable wiper shaft, a guiding lever for attaching a wiper blade, and a folding joint having a folding axis for connecting the guiding lever to the coupling lever. The coupling lever comprises a profiled element, which has a U-shaped cross-section, and a pin, which extends between the opposite legs of the profiled element. The wiper arm also comprises a spring element, which engages with the pin in order to apply a torque between the coupling lever and the guiding lever via the folding joint, and a hose line for conducting a liquid along the wiper arm. The hose line and the spring element are arranged in the profiled element of the coupling lever in the region of the folding joint.