Windscreen Wiper Joint Part Dynamics for Service Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of the connection between the connecting device and the oscillating arm in flat blade windscreen wiper devices diminishes over time due to high forces, making it difficult to disconnect and repair or replace the wiper blade efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A windscreen wiper device with an elastic carrier element and a flexible wiper blade featuring a longitudinal groove and a joint part that can pivot between a wiping position and a service position, allowing for easy disconnection by snapping and bending mechanisms, ensuring secure attachment during operation and easy release for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connection between the connecting device and the oscillating arm is made strong to withstand high forces, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of disconnection for repair or replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint part is designed to change its connection state dynamically between a locked wiping position and an unlocked service position. The wall of the joint part can bend laterally inward to release the protrusion, enabling easy disconnection when needed while maintaining strong connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the joint part's wall changes between bent and straight configurations. During normal operation, the wall is straight providing strong locking. During service, the wall bends inward to release the connection, changing the mechanical parameter of the connection strength to enable easy disassembly.
2Reliability
If the joint part is firmly locked during operation to ensure stable wiping, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint part transitions between a locked state during wiping operation and an unlocked state during maintenance. The dynamic bending of the wall allows the system to switch between these two operational modes, ensuring stability when needed and ease of maintenance when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall of the joint part acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the locked and unlocked states. By bending this intermediate element, the connection between the protrusion and the joint part can be released without requiring forceful disassembly of the entire assembly.
3Ease of repair
If the connection components are designed for easy disassembly to facilitate repair, then the ease of repair is improved, but the reliability of the connection under high forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection strength parameter is changed dynamically through the bending of the wall. During normal operation, the wall remains straight providing maximum connection strength. During repair, the wall bends to reduce connection strength to zero, enabling easy separation of components.
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 enhances the reliability and ease of maintenance by maintaining a secure connection during operation while allowing for straightforward disconnection for repair or replacement, extending the device's lifespan and usability across various vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the wall of the joint part is allowed to bend laterally inwardly in to release said protrusion of the oscillating arm from said wall of the joint part
Data Source
AI summary
A windscreen wiper device is provided comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, and an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material. The wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which a longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed. The windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm that can be pivotally connected to the connecting device, about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part. The joint part is locked onto said oscillating arm and at least one laterally inwardly extending protrusion provided on the oscillating arm is snapped behind a wall of the joint part. The joint part is unlocked from the oscillating arm. The wall of the joint part is allowed to bend laterally inwardly in order to release the protrusion of the oscillating arm from the wall.