Windscreen Wiper Connector Assembly Twist-Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper connector assemblies for heavy-duty vehicles are not user-friendly for easy and secure connection and disconnection of wiper blades, particularly due to the complexity and height of the windscreen, which complicates replacement.
Innovation Solution
A wiper connector assembly featuring a male connector with a biased protrusion and a female connector with a groove path allowing a twist-and-lock mechanism, providing visual indication of the locking state and enabling one-handed operation for secure and intuitive connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional threaded or bayonet connection is used for connecting wiper blades to wiper arms, then the connection is secure during use, but the replacement operation becomes complex and difficult to perform easily
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into a male connector part integrated with the wiper arm and a female connector part integrated with the wiper blade. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized features for its specific function, with the male connector providing the locking mechanism and the female connector providing the receiving structure, thereby simplifying the overall replacement operation while maintaining connection security
Solution Approach 2:
The biased protrusion automatically engages with the groove path and provides visual indication of the locking state without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The spring bias ensures automatic engagement and maintenance of the locked position, making the connector self-servicing and eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment procedures
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to maintain connection during use, then the connection reliability improves, but the ease of disconnection and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the biased protrusion can move between engaged and disengaged positions along the groove path. The spring bias provides automatic engagement for secure locking during use, while the same mechanism allows easy disengagement when force is applied in the opposite direction, thus achieving both connection security and ease of disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator portion of the biased protrusion provides immediate feedback to the user about the locking state. When the protrusion engages with the groove path, the visual indicator shows the locked position, confirming reliable connection. When disengaged, the indicator shows the release position, guiding the user for proper re-engagement, thereby ensuring both security and ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If the wiper connector assembly is designed for easy one-handed operation, then the ease of operation improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biased protrusion with spring bias automatically performs the engagement and locking functions without requiring manual manipulation of multiple components. The spring mechanism self-regulates the engagement force and maintains the locked position, eliminating the need for complex multi-step operations and enabling easy one-handed operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism, visual indicator, and engagement features are merged into a single integrated biased protrusion component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate locking levers, indicators, and adjustment mechanisms, allowing the entire function to be operated with a single hand motion while reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying the mechanism
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
Facilitates easy and secure connection of wiper blades to wiper arms, offering a user-friendly and foolproof method for replacement, even in high-reach situations, while maintaining the connection securely during use.
Implementation Method 1
The biased protrusion is permitted to move outwards in the radial direction, thereby fixating the male connector relative the female connector, while providing a visible indication of a fixation position to a user by the visual indicator portion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper connector assembly (10) for a vehicle (1), comprising a wiper blade connector part (12) and a wiper arm connector part (14), wherein one of the wiper arm connector part and the wiper blade connector part is a male connector (22) and the other one a female connector (24) for connecting the wiper blade connector part to the wiper arm connector part, wherein the male connector (22) has a biased protrusion (15) extending from an exterior (23) of the male connector in a radial direction (R) of the male connector and having a visual indicator portion (16), said male connector further comprising a user-operable arm (18) configured to cooperate with the biased protrusion and having a tab portion (19) reachable by a user from an outside of the male connector; the female connector (24) defines an interior surface (25) and comprises a groove (40) disposed on the interior surface, said groove defining a path (41) for the biased protrusion of the male connector and having a groove end (45) comprising a through hole for said biased protrusion; the groove path having at least a first path section (42) extending substantially in an axial direction (A) and a subsequent second path section (43) extending from the first path section and substantially in a circumferential direction (C) along said interior surface of said female connector.