Wiper Arm Pipe Bracket Using Spring-Nested Hose Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiping systems for motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively fixing flexible pipes for cleaning fluids to drive arms, leading to bulkiness, high design and manufacturing costs, and the need for specific assembly tools and components for each drive arm configuration.
Innovation Solution
A fixing support system comprising a cylindrical body with a sleeve that fits within the spring volume of the drive arm, allowing for snap retention of the pipe and accommodating different spring diameters through elastic deformation and radial slots, facilitating easy installation and standardization across various drive arm types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixing means are used to attach the hose to the drive arm, then the hose is securely retained, but the fixing mechanism becomes bulky and requires specific assembly tools
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing support is inserted into the volume surrounded by the spring coils, nesting the fixing mechanism within the existing spring structure. This eliminates the need for external bulky fixing components while maintaining secure hose retention through the sleeve's elastic engagement with the drive arm
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic fixing support automatically engages with the drive arm by being inserted into the spring volume, requiring no specific assembly tools. The elastic material allows the support to self-adjust and secure the hose through its inherent flexibility and radial expansion capability
2Reliability
If specific fixing means are designed for each drive arm configuration, then the hose is properly fixed, but design, manufacturing, and storage efforts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic fixing support is designed as a universal component that can be inserted into the volume surrounded by spring coils of different diameters. The elastic material allows the same fixing support design to adapt to various drive arm configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specific fixing means and enabling standardization across different wiper blade models
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
This solution reduces the bulk and cost of the fixing mechanism, enables simple and effective retention of the cleaning fluid pipe, and allows for standardization across different drive arm configurations, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and aesthetics by minimizing visible components.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing support (5) comprises an elastic body (50) which is configured to be inserted, in a radial direction, into a volume (141) surrounded by the spring coils (140)
Implementation Method 2
The body (50) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (53) arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of the body (50), extending from a front longitudinal end (50b) of the body (50). The longitudinal slot (53) allows movement of material in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis (500) of the body (50)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mounting bracket (5) for a pipe (4) supplying fluid to a driving arm (1) of a motor vehicle wiper system (100), the driving arm (1) comprising at least one spring (14), the mounting bracket (5) comprising at least one sleeve (51) configured to hold the supply pipe (4). The mounting bracket (5) according to the invention comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical body (50) linked to the sleeve (51) and configured to be inserted into a space (141) surrounded by the spring (14) of the driving arm (1). The invention also relates to a driving arm (1) comprising such a mounting bracket (5) and to a method for assembling such a driving arm (1), comprising a preliminary step of inserting the body (50) of such a mounting bracket (5) into at least part of the aforementioned space (141).