Windscreen Wiper Connector Mechanical Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windscreen wiper devices require time-consuming and costly gluing, bonding, or welding processes for connecting devices, which increase manufacturing costs and may compromise durability.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece connector device with a plastic base piece and metal spacer piece that uses mechanical junctions, where prongs are plastically deformed to lock with pre-curved longitudinal strips, eliminating the need for adhesives or welding, and providing improved resistance to breakage and torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If gluing, bonding or welding processes are used to connect the connector device with the carrier element, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal/welding/bonding processes with a purely mechanical connection system. The connector device uses a clamp body with a clamp jaw that mechanically grips the carrier element, eliminating the need for adhesives or welding while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector device is divided into separate components (clamp body, clamp jaw, fastening element) that can be independently manufactured and assembled through simple mechanical operations, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring strong connection.
2Ease of operation
If conventional connector devices are used with adhesive bonding, then the assembly process is simplified, but the resistance to breakage and torque is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp jaw is designed with a curved inner surface that conforms to the shape of the carrier element, creating a wrap-around mechanical grip that resists breakage and torque forces while maintaining simple assembly through the fastening element.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp body and clamp jaw are pre-configured with aligned openings and a pre-assembled mechanical connection system, allowing the connector device to be attached to the carrier element in a single straightforward operation without requiring complex bonding procedures.
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 reduces manufacturing costs by avoiding adhesives or welding, while enhancing the windscreen wiper device's resistance to breakage and torque, ensuring a secure and durable connection without additional processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
Ends of the prongs are plastically deformed to lock the first and second pieces of the connector device with the at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The windscreen wiper device includes a longitudinally extending wiper element that is made of an elastomeric material. A carrier element, which includes at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip, operably supports the wiper element. The wiper device also includes a connector device with a first piece and with a second piece. A joint part is also provided, and the joint part is connectable with the second piece of the connector device and is configured for attachment with an oscillating wiper arm. The second piece includes a pair of prongs which extend through aligned openings in the first piece and the at least one longitudinal strip. Ends of the prongs are plastically deformed to lock the first and second pieces of the connector device with the at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip.