Wiper Arm Snap-Fit Structure for Low-Workspace Blade Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connecting structure of wiper arms and blades requires a large workspace and limited rotation angles for attachment and detachment, leading to poor workability due to the need for significant positional changes between attachment and rotation postures, which restricts design flexibility and increases the risk of the wiper blade coming off during operation.
Innovation Solution
A connecting structure featuring a snap-fit mechanism with flexible claws and protrusions that allow for easier assembly and detachment, where the claws can bend to increase the groove opening width, reducing the need for large positional changes and improving the wiper blade's stability during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the width of the attachment groove is set smaller than the diameter of the connecting shaft in rotation posture to prevent the wiper blade from coming off, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the rotation angle range for attachment and detachment posture becomes narrow, worsening the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The groove width is made variable through the elastic deformation of the pair of claws. In rotation posture, the groove width is smaller than the connecting shaft diameter to prevent detachment. During attachment/detachment, the claws elastically deform to increase the groove opening width, allowing easier operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between connection reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the claws changes from rigid to elastically deformable during the attachment process. By utilizing elastic deformation, the groove width parameter dynamically changes: smaller than the shaft diameter during rotation for reliability, and larger than the shaft diameter during attachment/detachment for ease of operation, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If the wiper blade position is set to greatly change between rotation posture and attachment/detachment posture to prevent coming off, then the connection reliability is improved, but the workspace required and rotation angle needed increase, worsening the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The groove width dynamically changes through elastic deformation of the claws, allowing the connection to be reliable during rotation (groove width < shaft diameter) while requiring minimal workspace for attachment/detachment (groove width > shaft diameter temporarily). This eliminates the need for large positional changes and reduces the required workspace.
3Ease of operation
If the groove width is set to allow easy attachment and detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection reliability deteriorates as the wiper blade may come off during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The groove width is dynamically adjusted through elastic deformation of the claws. During attachment/detachment operations, the groove width is temporarily increased to be larger than the shaft diameter for ease of operation. During rotation, the groove width returns to being smaller than the shaft diameter to ensure connection reliability and prevent the wiper blade from coming off.
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 enhances the workability of attaching and detaching the wiper blade by reducing the required workspace and rotation angles, preventing misassembly, and allowing for more design freedom, while maintaining the wiper blade's stability and ease of replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The pair of claws have flexibility for bending in a direction of increasing an opening width of the groove
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting structure of a wiper arm includes a connecting shaft provided on a wiper arm and a snap-fit provided on a wiper blade. The snap-fit includes a pair of claws defining a groove that can be engaged with the connecting shaft. A slit defined by inner walls facing each other is provided on both sides of the pair of claws in a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. A first protrusion protruding toward inside of the slit is provided on one of the inner walls, and a second protrusion protruding toward inside of the slit is provided on the other of the inner walls. The first and second protrusions are arranged offset from each other in a direction along an axial direction of the connecting shaft.