Wiper Connecting Device Rib Constraint Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting devices for wiper blades and drive arms do not effectively prevent the wiper blade from overturning and contacting the glass panel, especially when the construction dimensions differ and the connector can freely rotate, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device with a rib positioned on the bottom, offset relative to the transverse shaft, which abuts against the connector's lugs to limit pivoting amplitude and prevent contact with the glass panel, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by pivoting around a transverse axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connecting device allows high pivoting amplitude for easy assembly and disassembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the wiper blade may overturn and contact the glass panel causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidrisk of damaging the glass panel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device incorporates a rib that dynamically engages with a lug on the connector during pivoting motion. The rib-lug engagement is designed to activate only when the pivoting amplitude exceeds a predetermined safe threshold, automatically providing mechanical constraint to prevent glass panel contact while allowing free motion within safe limits for easy assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rib acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the connecting device and the connector. It mediates the pivoting motion by providing a controlled engagement point that allows normal operation within safe angles while blocking excessive rotation that would cause the wiper blade to overturn and damage the glass panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connector can freely rotate around the rotation axis, then the adaptability is improved, but the wiper blade may overturn and contact the glass panel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefree rotation capabilityVSAvoidrisk of damaging the glass panel
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from completely free rotation to dynamically constrained rotation. The rib-lug mechanism provides adaptive constraint that engages only when necessary, maintaining versatility for normal operational movements while preventing harmful overturning motion through automatic mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rib serves as an intermediary constraint element that selectively limits rotation. It allows free rotation within safe operational parameters while intervening to block excessive rotation that would cause the wiper blade to contact the glass panel, thus mediating between adaptability and safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connecting device is designed with different dimensions, then the adaptability is improved, but the existing prevention mechanisms may not effectively prevent overturning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional flexibilityVSAvoideffectiveness of overturning prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rib-lug engagement mechanism is designed as a localized constraint feature that can be independently configured. The rib's position, height, and engagement geometry can be locally adjusted without changing the overall dimensions of the connecting device, allowing effective overturning prevention to be maintained across different dimensional configurations and ensuring reliability regardless of the specific size variant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2152551B1Connecting device comprising means that limit overturning
Publication Date: 2013.09.04 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP2152551B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2152551B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2152551B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention proposes a connecting device (10) for connecting a windscreen wiper with a wiper drive arm in a wiping movement, which is connected to a connector (12) for mounting the wiper on and articulating it to the arm about a transverse axis (A), the connecting device (10) being fixed to the wiper and capable of pivoting with respect to the connector (12) about said transverse axis (A), characterized in that the connecting device (10) has a portion (30) able to come into abutment against a component (24) of the connector (12) to limit the degree to which the connecting device (10) pivots with respect to the connector (12) about the transverse axis (A).