Universal Wiper Blade Connector with Offset Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper arm connectors struggle to securely attach wiper blades to various sizes and lengths of hook-slot wiper arms, particularly failing to accommodate both 9x4 and 12x4 arms effectively due to differences in hook length and width, leading to inconsistent attachment and potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a central body with multiple cantilevered beams and tabs, including a first and second tab pair aligned longitudinally and symmetrically, allowing for secure attachment of both 9x4 and 12x4 wiper arms by engaging their respective slots, with pushbuttons for easy manual retraction and a snap-lock mechanism for the wiper blade frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single tab is used to engage the slot of hook-slot wiper arms, then the connector can attach to arms of a specific size, but it cannot accommodate multiple arm sizes and lengths simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent cantilevered beams (first and second pairs), each with its own tab positioned at different longitudinal locations. This segmentation allows each beam-tab combination to engage with different arm sizes and lengths independently, enabling the single connector to accommodate multiple arm types simultaneously without increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates multiple tabs on different cantilevered beams that can engage with various arm configurations (9x4 and 12x4 sizes, long and short hooks). This multi-functionality allows a single universal connector to replace multiple size-specific connectors, achieving adaptability across different wiper arm specifications while maintaining a unified device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If stops are offset longitudinally to accommodate different arm thicknesses, then 9x4 and 12x4 arms can be blocked in attached position, but arms with different hook lengths cannot always be secured by the same tab
Solution Approach 1:
The connector extends the engagement mechanism into the longitudinal dimension by positioning tabs at different longitudinal locations on different cantilevered beams. This dimensional arrangement ensures that regardless of hook length variations, at least one tab will align with the slot of any given arm type, achieving reliable secure attachment across all configurations
Solution Approach 2:
Each cantilevered beam is equipped with specific tab characteristics (longitudinal position, engagement geometry) optimized for particular arm types. This local quality differentiation ensures that each beam-tab combination is specifically suited for engaging certain arm configurations, while the collective set of beams covers all required arm types reliably
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tabs are positioned at different longitudinal locations, then different arm lengths can be accommodated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cantilevered beams are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the central body section, with tabs positioned at specific non-uniform longitudinal locations. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the engagement points for different arm lengths without requiring a symmetric proliferation of tabs, achieving adaptability with minimal structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements (cantilevered beams, tabs, and stop faces) are merged into a single integrated connector body. This consolidation combines the functions of multiple potential separate components into one unified device, achieving adaptability for various arm lengths while avoiding the complexity of multiple discrete parts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A connector (28) for joining a wiper blade frame (20) to at least two types of hook-slot wiper arms (30B, 30C), the connector (28) comprising: - a central body section (48); - one stop face (62) for stopping a hook of an hook-slot wiper arm (30B, 30C) of a determined width in an attached position on the connector (28) in which it is hooked around the central body section (48); - one first cantilevered beam (72A) comprising a first tab (74) to engage a slot (40) of a first type of hook-slot wiper arm (30B) in its attached position; characterized in that the connector (28) comprises a second cantilevered beam (86A, 86B) comprising a second tab (88) longitudinally offset with respect to the first tab (74) to engage a slot (40) of a second type of hook-slot wiper arm (30C) in its attached position.