Windshield Wiper Hose Connector That Rotates With the Pivot Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle windshield wiper assemblies experience stress and friction on the nozzle hose due to its adaptation to the reciprocating motion of the windshield wiper, requiring additional hose length in crowded spaces.
Innovation Solution
A hose connector design where the fluid outlet portion follows the pivot shaft's motion, allowing the nozzle hose to rotate with the windshield wiper, eliminating relative motion and reducing hose length, with features such as a circular ring shape, central through-hole, and snap-fit fastening for alignment with the pivot shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nozzle hose is fixed to the grommet and threaded through the windshield wiper, then the hose connection is stable, but the hose is subjected to stress and friction during reciprocating motion
Solution Approach 1:
The hose connector is divided into two separate functional portions: a upper portion that remains stationary relative to the vehicle body, and a lower portion that rotates with the pivot shaft. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function without experiencing harmful stresses, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and stress reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose connector acts as an intermediary component between the stationary fluid supply system and the rotating wiper assembly. By introducing this intermediate element with a rotating lower portion, the system transmits fluid while accommodating the reciprocating motion, eliminating stress on the hose while maintaining reliable connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional hose length is provided to accommodate reciprocating motion, then the hose can adapt to movement, but the hose occupies more space in crowded areas
Solution Approach 1:
The lower portion of the hose connector is designed to rotate dynamically with the pivot shaft during reciprocating motion. This dynamic design allows the hose to adapt to movement through controlled rotation rather than requiring excessive slack length, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the hose in crowded spaces.
3Reliability
If the hose connector is fixed to the vehicle body, then the connection is stable, but the hose cannot follow the rotation of the windshield wiper
Solution Approach 1:
The hose connector is segmented into an upper stationary portion fixed to the vehicle body for stable connection, and a lower rotating portion that follows the pivot shaft's reciprocating motion. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both stability and rotation capability without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating lower portion of the hose connector serves as an intermediary that bridges the stationary fluid supply system and the rotating wiper assembly, enabling both stable connection and motion accommodation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle windshield wiper assembly (200) comprising a windshield wiper (202), a pivot shaft (204) for pivoting the windshield wiper (202), and a washer fluid spraying device including a spray nozzle, which is located in the windshield wiper (202), a nozzle hose (206b), which delivers washer fluid to the spray nozzle, a fluid supply hose (206c), which supplies the nozzle hose (206b) with washer fluid, and a hose connector (206d), which fluidly interconnects the two hoses (206b, 206c), and which is fitted onto the pivot shaft (204), the hose connector (206d) having a fluid inlet portion (206f) with a fluid inlet (206k) connected to the fluid supply hose (206c) and a fluid outlet portion (206g) with a fluid outlet (206l) connected to the nozzle hose (206b). The hose connector's fluid outlet portion (206g) is fixed to the pivot shaft (204) for rotation therewith.