Wiper Linkage Ball-Joint Bayonet Assembly for Clearance-Free Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle wiper movement transmission mechanisms face challenges in securely assembling the ball-joint housing and connecting rod using bayonet fitting, leading to potential misalignment and clearance issues.
Innovation Solution
The assembly features a ball-joint housing and connecting rod with inclined profiles on the locking lug and notch, respectively, and frustoconical profiles on the ball-joint housing and locking hole, along with a blocking finger and recess, to ensure axial and angular alignment and secure engagement through relative rotation, absorbing any clearance between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bayonet fitting is used to assemble the ball-joint housing and connecting rod, then assembly speed and ease of operation are improved, but misalignment and clearance issues occur between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs frustoconical (truncated conical) profiles on the locking surfaces instead of traditional cylindrical or flat surfaces. The locking lug features a frustoconical outer surface that mates with a complementary frustoconical inner surface in the locking groove, creating a tapered interference fit that simultaneously provides mechanical locking and precise alignment, eliminating clearance issues while maintaining ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the locking surfaces by introducing inclined profiles with specific angles. The frustoconical surfaces have carefully controlled taper angles that enable the locking lug to be inserted easily in the axial direction while automatically self-aligning and absorbing any misalignment or clearance between the ball-joint housing and connecting rod during assembly
2Device complexity
If traditional bayonet fitting without inclined profiles is used, then device complexity is reduced, but clearance and misalignment between components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frustoconical profiles add only minimal geometric complexity to the bayonet fitting mechanism. The inclined surfaces are simple conical sections that can be manufactured using standard machining or molding processes, requiring no additional components or complex mechanisms while effectively eliminating clearance and misalignment issues
3Reliability
If the locking lug and notch have inclined profiles, then alignment precision and connection stability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frustoconical profiles on the locking lug and matching locking groove are geometrically simple tapered surfaces that can be produced using conventional manufacturing methods such as CNC machining, injection molding, or stamping. The profiles represent a straightforward modification to standard bayonet fitting geometry, requiring no specialized processes or tools while delivering superior alignment and connection stability
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 design enhances the secure assembly and alignment of the ball-joint housing and connecting rod, providing a reliable and stable connection that absorbs misalignment and clearance issues, ensuring effective transmission of rotational movement for motor vehicle wipers.
Implementation Method 1
The convex lateral face of said section of the ball-joint housing and the concave internal wall of the locking hole have frustoconical profiles that complement one another so as to absorb, upon said axial clamping, any clearance between the axis of said section of the ball-joint housing and the axis of the locking hole in the connecting rod
Implementation Method 2
the ball-joint housing is blocked in terms of angular position with respect to the connecting rod by the elastic push-fitting of a blocking finger into a blocking recess
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly comprising a crankpin which includes a ball joint, and a connecting rod which carries a ball joint housing, wherein the ball joint housing and the connecting rod are assembled by a bayonet mounting, and wherein the connecting rod comprises a locking hole through which an axial section of the ball joint housing passes, the connecting rod comprises at least one locking lug, the ball joint housing comprises a locking notch which is defined by two opposing radial faces, characterized in that one of the two opposing radial faces of the locking notch and one facing face of the locking lug each have a complementary inclined profile in order, during the rotation, to cause an axial clamping of the locking lug in-side the locking notch.