Wiper Blade Connector Element Asymmetric Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade connection elements face challenges in providing a secure, precise, and easy-to-assemble design that prevents confusion during assembly and ensures dimensional stability for optimal wiping quality.
Innovation Solution
The connection element features U-shaped brackets that hold the center bar ends together, with guide profiles and latching mechanisms, including locking cams and depressions, snap-in hooks, and blocking ribs, which facilitate secure attachment to the wiper strip carrier and wiper arm while preventing misassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the connection element uses a divided central web with multiple fastening means, then the assembly precision and anti-misassembly capability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central web is divided into two symmetrical halves, each equipped with identical fastening means including latching cams, locking depressions, and guide profiles. This segmentation enables precise alignment during assembly while maintaining symmetry to prevent misassembly confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
Although the overall structure is symmetrical, the fastening means incorporate asymmetric features such as latching cams with spherical surface profiles that engage with corresponding locking depressions in a specific orientation, providing anti-misassembly capability while maintaining manageable complexity through functional asymmetry.
2Strength
If the connection element uses U-shaped brackets with latching mechanisms, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped brackets are integrated directly into the injection-molded connection element as a single piece, merging the bracket structure with the central web and fastening means. This eliminates separate manufacturing steps for the brackets while maintaining their load-bearing function and connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanisms are designed as self-actuating features where the latching cams automatically engage with the locking depressions during assembly through simple insertion motion, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or complex assembly tools, thus maintaining ease of manufacture despite enhanced connection strength.
3Ease of operation
If the latching cams have spherical surface profiles, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latching cams are designed with spherical surface profiles that engage with corresponding locking depressions. The spherical geometry provides self-centering action during assembly, guiding the parts into correct alignment automatically, which simplifies assembly operations while the spherical shape itself is easily manufacturable through standard injection molding techniques.
Data Source
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AI summary
The wiper blade has a connector element for hinged connection of the wiper blade with a wiper arm and comprising a middle bar (34) running in a longitudinal direction (18). The middle bar is divided perpendicular to a wiper strip support (12) in the longitudinal direction, and the connector element has two parts (22, 24) connected with each other by latch pins (38) and latch recesses (40). The latch pins and latch recesses are attached to each other, and are provided at sides of the parts of the connector element.