Wiper Blade Connecting Element With Integrated Bearing Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade connection systems to wiper arms lack a secure and compact articulation mechanism that protects the connection from external influences and ensures precise alignment and minimal play during operation.
Innovation Solution
A plastic injection-molded connecting element with a latching hook and locking block design that securely attaches the wiper arm to the wiper blade, featuring a receiving space between upper and lower legs with a bearing roller, and a cover plate for protection, allowing for easy assembly and minimal material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sheet metal claw connection with multiple clips and cover plates is used, then the connection is secure, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (clips, cover plates, bearing elements) into a single integrated injection-molded plastic connecting element. This single piece includes integrated clips for gripping the wiper arm, a built-in bearing element for the articulation joint, and protective covering, thereby reducing part count while maintaining connection security through the unified structure
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, secures the wiper arm via integrated clips, enables articulation through the bearing element, and protects internal components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for the connection, then the assembly can be optimized for specific functions, but the assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple functions into a single molded part, the assembly process is simplified to installing one component rather than coordinating multiple parts. The single connecting element is inserted as a unit, reducing assembly steps and time while maintaining all necessary functions through the integrated design
3Manufacturing precision
If a compact articulation mechanism is used, then the connection is secure with minimal play, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element acts as an intermediary component within the connecting element that facilitates precise articulation between the wiper blade and wiper arm. This built-in bearing provides a defined rotation axis and maintains precise alignment with minimal play, while the overall mechanism remains relatively simple due to the integration approach
4Strength
If more material is used for the connection components, then the connection strength increases, but the device weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is made from plastic material through injection molding, providing a composite structure that achieves sufficient connection strength through the molded geometry and integrated features rather than relying on material mass. The plastic material offers adequate strength-to-weight ratio for the application
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
The solution provides a secure, compact, and low-play articulation of the wiper blade to the wiper arm, ensuring effective protection from external influences and precise alignment, while minimizing assembly complexity and material usage.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing roller (48) connects the upper limb (50) and the lower limb (52) to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is based on a device (10) for the articulated connection of a wiper blade (26) to a wiper arm (12), wherein a joining element (32) which is to be connected to the wiper blade (26) has a bearing bed (44) which, together with a bearing roller (48) on a connecting element (46) to be connected to the wiper arm (12), forms a joint having an axis of articulation (49), and wherein the connecting element (46) latches by means of a latching hook (60) in an elongated hole (20) which extends at the end of the wiper arm (12) in the longitudinal direction thereof and in which a locking block (40) of the joining element (32) is guided in the fitted state. It is proposed that the connecting element (46) has, between an upper limb (50) and a lower limb (52) which are connected to each other by the bearing roller (48), a receiving space for the end (14) of the wiper arm (12), and that the latching hook (60) is arranged on the inner side of the lower limb (52), said latching hook, in the fitted state, latching into the elongated hole (20) and bearing against the front end side (22) of the elongated hole (20) and filling the elongated hole (20) to a certain extent while the locking block (40) reaches through an elongated hole (58) in the lower limb (52) into the elongated hole (20) of the wiper arm (12) and fills the rest of the elongated hole (20) of the wiper arm (12).