Universal Wiper Blade Connector Assembly for Lateral Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aftermarket wiper blades face challenges with lateral stability and wrapping issues due to varying wiper arm designs, necessitating universal connectors that can accommodate different types of wiper arms while ensuring secure attachment and effective windshield contact.
Innovation Solution
A wiper blade connector assembly featuring a design with side walls, a connector channel, rivet cutout, and a hook end stop, along with a pivotable cover and adapter, to securely connect wiper blades to wiper arms of varying types, ensuring stability and uniform contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If beam blades are used to achieve a lower profile and more uniform distribution, then the wiper blade can provide better original equipment performance, but the blade lacks lateral stability and experiences wrapping problems when curvature is too sharp for the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines beam-like characteristics with traditional bracket structures to create a hybrid wiper blade. The connector assembly integrates both beam elements (providing uniform distribution and low profile) and bracket elements (providing lateral stability through side walls and structural support), resolving the contradiction between blade shape performance and lateral stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed with multiple functional components (connector channel for different arm types, rivet cutout for secure attachment, hook end stop for various hook styles) that enable it to serve multiple functions and accommodate different wiper arm designs while maintaining both beam blade performance and lateral stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional bracketed wiper blades are used to achieve lateral stability, then the blade maintains structural rigidity, but the blade does not provide a lower profile and uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid connector assembly merges the structural advantages of traditional brackets (lateral stability from side walls) with the aerodynamic and contact advantages of beam blades (lower profile and uniform distribution), allowing the blade to achieve both lateral stability and improved shape characteristics simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If universal connectors are designed to accommodate various wiper arm types, then the connector can be used across different vehicles, but the connector design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is designed as a universal multi-functional component with a connector channel that accommodates different wiper arm types, a rivet cutout for secure attachment, and a hook end stop for various hook styles. This universal design achieves high adaptability while managing complexity through integrated, standardized features.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is divided into distinct functional segments (connector channel, rivet cutout, hook end stop, side walls) that can independently accommodate different wiper arm types. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall versatility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of a windshield wiper assembly may include a support structure, a wiper blade connector assembly for connecting the support structure with a wiper arm of a vehicle, a wiper blade cover fittable over the wiper blade connector assembly, and a wiper blade strip secured to the underside of the support structure. The connector assembly may include a wiper blade connector, a wiper blade connector cover connected to the wiper blade connector and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and a wiper blade connector adapter securable between the wiper blade connector and the wiper blade connector cover. The various embodiments of a wiper blade connector assembly permit the embodiments of the wiper blade assembly to be connected with a plurality of wiper arm types.