Windscreen Wiper Connecting Device Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen wiper devices experience loose connections between the connecting device and the oscillating arm, leading to the wiper blade detaching during use due to high forces exerted on the connection.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with protrusion/hole means for pivotally and detachably connecting the parts, featuring a movable protrusion that engages and disengages from the oscillating arm, allowing secure attachment during use and easy release in the service position, using a minimum of parts and materials like plastic for the first and second parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the connecting device uses a simple pivotal connection between the connecting device and the oscillating arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates due to high forces causing the wiper blade to get loose
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is divided into two separate parts: a first part that connects to the wiper blade and a second part that connects to the oscillating arm. These parts are pivotally connected through protrusion/hole means, allowing the connection to be segmented yet secure, preventing the wiper blade from detaching while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The second part of the connecting device includes a channel that receives the oscillating arm, creating a nested structure where the oscillating arm is inserted within the channel. This nesting provides secure retention while maintaining a compact and simple overall structure
2Reliability
If the connecting device is permanently secured to prevent any loosening, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the wiper blade cannot be easily detached for service
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the first and second parts is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The pivotable connection with protrusion/hole means allows the assembly to move between a working position (secured) and a service position (detached), providing both reliability during operation and ease of maintenance when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for temporary discarding of the secured connection state during service operations. The protrusion can be moved to disengage from the hole, allowing easy detachment for maintenance, after which the connection is recovered by re-engaging the protrusion into the hole for secure operation
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
Ensures reliable and secure attachment of the wiper blade to the oscillating arm during operation while allowing easy detachment in the service position, preventing unintentional disconnection and accommodating windscreen curvature without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining means comprises at least one upwardly extending protrusion on the second part, wherein the protrusion is movable relative to the second part between an inward position, wherein in mounted position the protrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm
Implementation Method 2
The first and second parts are connected through a snapping operation, wherein preferably vertical side walls of the first part are allowed to deform elastically or plastically, in order to clip the parts together
Implementation Method 3
The first and second parts are connected through a snapping operation, wherein preferably vertical side walls of the first part are allowed to deform elastically or plastically, in order to clip the parts together
Implementation Method 4
The second part is mounted pivotally relative to the first part so as to enable the wiper blade to follow any curvatures of a windscreen to be wiped
Data Source
AI summary
A windscreen wiper device (1) of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one groove (3), in which groove a longitudinal strip (4) of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (6) for an oscillating arm (7), wherein the oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis (11) near one end, the connecting device comprising at least two parts (8, 9) provided with protrusion/hole means arranged for pivotally and detachably connecting the parts together through a snapping operation, wherein the first part is retained onto the wiper blade and wherein the second part comprises a channel arranged for inserting the oscillating arm therein, wherein the windscreen wiper device is provided with retaining means arranged for retaining the connecting device onto the oscillating arm, wherein the retaining means comprises at least one upwardly extending protrusion (13) on the second part, wherein the protrusion is movable relative to the second part between an inward position, wherein in mounted position the protrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped hole (15) provided in the oscillating arm and the connecting device is retained onto the oscillating arm, and an outward position, wherein in dismounted position the protrusion disengages from the hole provided in the oscillating arm and the connecting device is released from the oscillating arm.