Wiper Connecting Element Composite Hinge Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting elements for wiper blades to wiper arms lack stability and wear resistance, leading to potential displacement and corrosion issues, and do not provide adequate lateral guidance.

Innovation Solution

A connecting element composed of a plastic securing part and a metal bearing part, featuring guide rails with integral guide angle brackets and a spring clip for secure lateral guidance, and a wear-resistant metal bearing part that prevents corrosion and dampens oscillations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a plastic connecting element is used, then manufacturing ease and cost are improved, but wear resistance and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element combines plastic guide rails for easy manufacturing with metal bearing parts for wear resistance. The metal bearing part is inserted into the plastic guide rail, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials: the plastic provides ease of manufacture and corrosion resistance, while the metal provides wear resistance and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a metal connecting element is used, then wear resistance and stability are improved, but corrosion resistance and weight deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element combines plastic guide rails for easy manufacturing with metal bearing parts for wear resistance. The metal bearing part is inserted into the plastic guide rail, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials: the plastic provides ease of manufacture and corrosion resistance, while the metal provides wear resistance and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If guide rails are compressed elastically for fitting, then ease of installation is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rails are designed with elastic deformation capability that allows temporary compression during installation. The spring clip mechanism enables the guide rails to be compressed elastically for fitting, then return to their original stable configuration, ensuring both ease of installation and structural stability in the installed state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Speed

If bearing pins are inserted into bearing bores, then rotational movement is improved, but lateral guidance and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movementVSAvoidlateral guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element combines plastic guide rails for easy manufacturing with metal bearing parts for wear resistance. The metal bearing part is inserted into the plastic guide rail, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials: the plastic provides ease of manufacture and corrosion resistance, while the metal provides wear resistance and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing element acts as an intermediary between the rotating wiper blade and the stationary wiper arm. It enables rotational movement while the guide rails and guide angle brackets provide lateral guidance, mediating between the rotational freedom and positional stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a precise, stable, and wear-resistant hinge connection with excellent lateral guidance, preventing unintentional release and displacement of the wiper blade, while maintaining corrosion resistance and damping oscillations.

Implementation Method 1

the guide rails can be compressed elastically for a distance because of the elasticity of the spring clip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the bearing part is made from wear-resistant, dimensionally stable metal, for example sheet metal, and is insulated from the spring steel spring blades by the plastic securing part, and therefore oscillations are damped and corrosion is avoided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS7971312B2Connecting element for wiper

Publication Date: 2011.07.05 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting element (22) for hingedly connecting a wiper blade (10) to a wiper arm, said wiper blade (10) having a wiper strip (12) and at least one sprung blade (20) inserted into the wiper strip (12). Said sprung blade projects beyond the wiper strip (12) in the area of the connecting element (22) and is enclosed by guide rails (30) that are interlinked by at least one spring clip (34) and secured in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade (10) by at least one locking element (38) which laterally engages with a recess (28) of the sprung blade (20).