Universal Wiper Arm Adapter with Cantilevered Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper arm connection devices are limited in their ability to accommodate a wide range of wiper arms, requiring multiple adapters and components to achieve articulated connections, which complicates assembly and increases component count.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with five adapters that enable an articulated connection to ten different wiper arms by using a bearing pin and a flap with an angled cross-section, secured via a film hinge, allowing for easy assembly and secure fixation, while minimizing the number of components needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapters and components are used to accommodate different wiper arms, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is designed with a universal adapter that can accommodate multiple types of wiper arm connection elements (hook-shaped, lateral bearing pin, toplock) through a single standardized interface. The adapter includes a receiving element with a bearing surface that can engage with different wiper arm configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized adapters and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device is divided into separable components: a wiper blade with a standardized connecting element, a universal adapter with a receiving element, and the wiper arm. This segmentation allows the universal adapter to serve as an intermediary that can connect to various wiper arm types while maintaining a consistent interface with the wiper blade, thereby reducing the need for multiple complete connection systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapters and components are used to achieve articulated connections, then the adaptability increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal adapter provides a standardized articulation interface that simplifies assembly operations. The bearing surface in the receiving element and the corresponding bearing element in the connecting element create a consistent pivot joint that can be assembled using the same procedure regardless of the specific wiper arm type, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is pre-configured with the bearing surface and articulation features needed to interface with multiple wiper arm types. This preliminary preparation of the universal interface eliminates the need for complex assembly procedures or multiple specialized components during installation, making the assembly process simpler and more straightforward.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapters and components are used to achieve articulated connections, then the adaptability increases, but the quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal adapter serves as a single multi-functional component that replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized adapters and connecting elements. By providing a standardized interface that can engage with various wiper arm configurations, it reduces the total quantity of components needed in the system while maintaining compatibility with different wiper arm types.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the articulation joint, the mounting interface for the wiper blade, and the compatibility interface for different wiper arm types. This merging of functions into one component reduces the overall number of parts required in the connection system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connecting device (10) for connecting a joining element (46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66) of a wiper arm to a wiper blade (12) in an articulated manner, the supporting element (16) of said wiper blade being rigidly connected to a connecting element (20) of the connecting device (10). The connecting element (20) has at least one mounting web (26) which runs in the longitudinal direction, protrudes into the interior of an adapter (36, 38, 40, 42, 44), and supports a mounting pin (28) that runs transversely to the longitudinal direction. The adapter (36, 38, 40, 42, 44) is pivotably mounted on said mounting pin by mounting means (88), and the adapter (36, 38, 40, 42, 44) is detachably connected to the joining element (46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66). According to the invention, the mounting web (26) is formed on one longitudinal edge of a base (22) of the connecting element (20) only in a short region on the outer end of the connecting element (20), and the mounting pin (28) is secured on the mounting web (26) in cantilevered manner towards the other longitudinal edge of the base (22), while a lateral web (30) is formed on the other longitudinal edge of the base (22) in an offset manner with respect to the inner end of the connecting element (20).