Wiper Blade End Cap Elastic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade designs lack sufficient flexibility and secure latching mechanisms, particularly at the end caps, which can lead to assembly difficulties and potential faults during operation.
Innovation Solution
The end cap's retaining rail encompasses the longitudinal channel from below, with a latching element that can yield elastically, featuring claws or a wedge-shaped pin that engages with a counterpart on the spring rail, allowing for greater flexibility and a secure hold, while also enabling easier assembly through beveled surfaces and optional features like windows for deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid locking mechanism is used in the end cap, then the secure hold is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes elastic deformation of the claws as a parameter change. The claws are designed to flex outward during assembly and then snap back to engage with the counterpart, transforming a rigid locking requirement into a flexible assembly process. This allows the end cap to be easily assembled by pushing it onto the spring rail while still achieving a secure locked state.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic elastic one. The claws are designed with elastic properties that allow them to move outward during assembly and then return to their original position to engage the counterpart. This dynamic behavior enables easy assembly while maintaining reliable locking during operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the longitudinal channel is made rigid for structural stability, then the stability is improved, but the flexibility during locking decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal channel is designed with non-uniform properties: the main body remains rigid for structural stability, while specific regions (where the claws engage) are made elastically flexible. This local differentiation allows the channel to maintain overall stability while providing the necessary flexibility for the locking mechanism to function properly during assembly and operation.
3Ease of operation
If the claws are made highly elastic for easy assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the holding strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The claws are designed with elastic properties that are sufficient for the assembly phase but not excessive. The elasticity is calibrated to allow easy outward movement during assembly while maintaining adequate holding strength during operation. The design uses just enough elasticity to enable easy assembly without compromising the locking strength needed for reliable operation.
4Reliability
If the pin width is increased for better engagement, then the reliability is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases due to exceeding claw elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The pin width is optimized as a parameter that balances engagement security with assembly ease. The width is designed to be sufficiently large to provide reliable engagement during operation but small enough to allow the elastic claws to deform and accommodate it during assembly. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between security and ease of assembly.
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 flexibility and secure latching of the wiper blade end caps, ensuring a firm hold without exceeding the elasticity of the claws and facilitating easier assembly, reducing the risk of faults and improving operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinal channel can thus deflect laterally in the area of the windows, resulting in greater flexibility when locking
Implementation Method 2
This can be achieved by providing sufficient clearance in a relatively rigid longitudinal channel so that the locking element or the counterpart can yield elastically laterally when locking
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
The blade has a wiper strip (16), a spoiler profile and a spring rail (28) arranged in a longitudinal channel (26). The spring rail together with the longitudinal channel with an end projects a part over the spoiler profile, and passes into a retaining rail of an end cap and is laterally contained by the retaining rail. The retaining rail of the end cap has the longitudinal channel from the bottom. A locking element (48) of the end cap aligned in an assembling direction (36) intervenes into the longitudinal channel and rests with a counter part (52) at an end of the spring rail.