Windshield Wiper Connecting Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper designs have visual and assembly issues due to material and structural differences, leading to a complex appearance and increased tolerance deviations, which affect the aesthetic appeal and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
A windshield wiper design featuring a U-shaped joint part with a locking opening, a spring-elastic support element, and a connecting device without an end piece, allowing for a detachable and captively held wiper blade that is completely integrated with the joint part, eliminating visible components and allowing for simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a connecting part with an end piece is used to achieve a defined position and form-fitting arrangement, then the position definition is improved, but the visual appearance deteriorates due to component joints and surface differences
Solution Approach 1:
The end piece is completely removed from the connecting part design. The connecting part is now formed as a single component without an integrally formed end piece, eliminating the component joint that caused visual disturbances while maintaining the form-fitting arrangement on the joint part.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting part is merged with the holding device to form an integrated assembly. The connecting part with its skids is articlately connected to the holding device, creating a unified structure that eliminates visible component joints and achieves homogeneous surface appearance.
2Ease of operation
If different materials (solid plastic for joint part, elastic plastic for connecting part) are used to achieve snap-in connection, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the visual appearance deteriorates due to color and structure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The material properties are optimized to achieve both functional and aesthetic goals. The connecting part is made from elastic plastic with specific hardness (Shore D 60-80) and the joint part from solid plastic with controlled shrinkage (0.1-0.6%), allowing snap-in connection while minimizing surface appearance differences.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material properties are applied locally where needed: the connecting part uses elastic plastic for the snap-in connection area while the joint part uses dimensionally stable solid plastic. This local differentiation maintains assembly ease while the overall homogeneous appearance is achieved through the integration design.
3Shape
If elaborate painting is applied to improve visual appearance, then the surface appearance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The need for elaborate painting is extracted and eliminated by redesigning the connecting part without an end piece. The homogeneous surface appearance is achieved through the integrated design and material selection, removing the requirement for complex multi-step painting processes.
4Manufacturing precision
If a multi-part component design is used with an end piece, then the position definition is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting part is merged into a single integrated component without an separately formed end piece. The connecting part comprises the entire structure that was previously divided into multiple parts, simplifying the overall device while maintaining precise position definition through the form-fitting arrangement on the joint part.
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 enhances the visual appearance by eliminating surface differences and reducing assembly complexity, resulting in a more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design while minimizing the need for elaborate painting and associated costs.
Implementation Method 1
a joint part articulated on this with a tension spring
Implementation Method 2
the connecting part is articulated on these, which encloses the rider on the side facing away from the wiper lip in a U-shape and is rotatably engaged with the hinge bolt or pivot by means of a bore in each of its legs. The free ends or edges of the legs represent skids that correspond to the guide rails formed on the joint part, which are arranged in such a way that the connecting part is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the joint part.
Implementation Method 3
in the web area connecting the legs, the connecting part has an elastically flexible locking tongue with a locking head which creates a locking connection with this corresponding locking opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a windshield wiper on a vehicle, comprising a windshield wiper arm having a mounting part and an extended hinge part having a U-profile-shaped cross section having at least one engagement opening, and comprising a wiper blade having an elastic support element and a rubber wiping strip, and is secured by means of a connection device at the free end of the hinge part. The connection device is made of a mounting device attached to the wiper blade, and a connecting part jointedly connected to the same for an arrangement in the hinge part and for a releasable latching connection to the same. It achieves the aim of configuring such a windshield wiper so that the optical impression thereof is significantly improved. The connecting part (11, 25, 29, 31) of the connection device (5) is thereby completely received by the end area of the hinge part (2, 21, 27) and enclosed by the same.