Wiper Blade Connecting Assembly Sliding Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen wiper systems face challenges in securely inserting and removing hydraulic and electrical connectors, often relying on unreliable flexible flaps that can break, leading to potential blade loss and complex handling.
Innovation Solution
A sliding element with two positions allows for secure locking and unlocking of the wiper blade on the wiper arm, enabling easy connection and disconnection of hydraulic and electrical interfaces, eliminating the need for flexible flaps and providing a more intuitive handling mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If flexible flaps are used to lock the wiper blade on the arm, then the connection can be made simple, but the reliability is poor because the flaps can break leading to potential blade loss
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a locking mechanism (lugs and grooves) and a retaining mechanism (spring-loaded clips). This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function reliably - the locking mechanism provides secure attachment while the retaining mechanism prevents blade loss even if the locking mechanism fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clips act as a safety backup that is already in place before any failure occurs. If the flexible flaps or locking mechanism break, the clips continue to hold the blade securely, providing beforehand cushioning against the harmful effect of connection failure.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for locking and retaining the wiper blade, then the reliability can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism and retaining mechanism are merged into a single integrated assembly that moves as one unit. The arms with lugs and the spring-loaded clips are combined in such a way that they work together seamlessly, providing both locking and retaining functions without requiring separate control mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms serve multiple functions: they provide the locking lugs that engage with grooves in the adapter, and they also carry the spring-loaded clips that retain the blade. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, balancing reliability improvement with acceptable complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing blade loss deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded clips automatically engage with the adapter grooves when the blade is attached, and automatically disengage when removed. The mechanism serves itself by using the natural spring force to maintain constant pressure and ensure reliable retention without requiring additional control actions from the operator, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Assembly for the production of a wiping system (1), comprising a terminal part (4) of a wiper arm (3) designed to move a wiper blade (2), and a connecting interface (5) for conveying a liquid to the wiper blade (2), said assembly further comprising one sliding element (6) having a first position for locking a connecting device of the wiper blade (2) on said terminal part (4), and a second position enabling the terminal part (4) and the connecting device to be separated, said sliding element (6) being further able to hang said connecting interface (5) either on the connecting device in the first position or on the terminal part (4) in the second position.