Wiper Blade Adapter Resilient Tabs Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper blade adapter units face challenges in accommodating wiper arm adapters of varying widths due to tolerance issues, leading to suboptimal mounting and guidance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating resilient tabs within the base body's plateau for shape and tolerance compensation, along with additional flexible areas on the underside, allows for precise and adaptable mounting of wiper arm adapters, including stops for different widths and a material-saving design with slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid base body structure is used for mounting wiper arm adapters, then structural stability is maintained, but tolerance compensation for varying adapter widths is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The base body incorporates resilient tabs that can elastically deform to accommodate varying widths of wiper arm adapters. These tabs change their physical state from rigid to flexible during assembly, allowing them to adapt to tolerance variations while maintaining secure mounting. The resilient tabs are designed with specific material properties and geometric configurations that enable controlled deformation within defined limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure transitions from a completely rigid system to a dynamic system with movable resilient tabs. These tabs can deflect and adjust their position based on the width of the inserted adapter, providing real-time adaptation during the assembly process. The dynamic characteristic allows the base body to absorb dimensional variations without compromising overall structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional flexible areas are added to the base body for better adapter guidance, then adaptability improves, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is segmented into distinct functional zones: rigid mounting areas for structural stability and localized resilient tabs for flexibility. Each resilient tab is a separate, discrete element within the base body structure, allowing independent deformation without affecting the entire base body. This segmentation enables precise adapter guidance through multiple tabs while keeping each individual element relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire base body flexible or complex, the resilient tabs are strategically positioned only at specific locations where adapter guidance is needed. The majority of the base body remains rigid and simple in structure. Each resilient tab has locally optimized geometry and material properties tailored to its specific guidance function, minimizing overall structural complexity while achieving the required adaptability.
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 enables a structurally advantageous and precise guidance of wiper arm adapters, accommodating various widths, while maintaining stability and reducing material usage, resulting in a robust and efficient wiper blade adapter unit.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible area which is arranged within the plateau for the purpose of shape and/or tolerance compensation... the flexible area arranged within the plateau is designed as a resilient tab... areas that are deflected by at least 0.5 mm from their neutral state when a force is applied during a professional assembly process and spring back into their neutral state when the force is removed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper blade adapter unit for connecting a wiper blade (10) to a wiper arm adapter (12), comprising a main part (16) which receives an end (14) of the wiper arm adapter (12) in particular and which has a plateau (20) on the main part lower face (18). At least one region (22, 24, 26) is provided on the main part (16), said region being designed in a flexible manner for the purpose of a shape and/or tolerance compensation. The region (22) that is flexible for the purpose of a shape and/or tolerance compensation is arranged within the plateau (20).