Wiper Device Locking Unit Segmentation for Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiper devices face challenges in efficient assembly and disassembly due to complex movement restrictions and lack of flexible guidance during the assembly process, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
The wiper device incorporates a locking unit with latching elements that deflect in different directions to provide a secure connection, and a guide unit that includes a stop unit and further guide elements for rotational movement, allowing for simplified assembly and disassembly by guiding the wiper arm adapter in various directions relative to the wiper blade adapter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking unit with latching elements is used to restrict movement of the wiper arm adapter, then operational reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is divided into multiple independent latching elements (at least two) that can be segmented into different functional groups: some latching elements guide the wiper arm adapter in a first direction (assembly direction), while others guide it in a second direction (rotational movement). This segmentation allows complex movement restriction to be achieved through simpler, specialized components working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching elements are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to be deflected during assembly and then lock into position. This dynamic behavior enables the latching elements to guide the wiper arm adapter during assembly and then restrict movement in the mounted state, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and operational reliability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple guide units are provided for guiding in different directions, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as guide units for the wiper arm adapter during assembly, and they serve as locking elements to restrict movement in the mounted state. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guide units and locking mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding function and locking function are merged into a single integrated locking unit with multiple latching elements. Instead of having separate guide units and locking mechanisms, the patent combines these functions into one component system that performs both guidance during assembly and movement restriction in operation.
3Reliability
If latching elements are deflected in different directions to provide secure connection, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different latching elements are designed with different local qualities: some are optimized for guiding in the assembly direction with appropriate deflection characteristics, while others are optimized for guiding rotational movement. Each latching element has tailored elastic properties and geometric features suited to its specific guiding function, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wiper device with a wiper arm adapter (10a-e) and with a wiper blade adapter (12a-e), which has an intermediate unit (14a; 14b; 14c; 14e) which is provided for a detachable connection with the wiper arm adapter (10a-e), a guide unit (16a; 16b; 16c; 16e) which is provided for guiding the wiper arm adapter (10a-e) when mounted in a longitudinal guidance direction (18a), and a locking unit (20a-e) which, in a mounted state, restricts movement of the wiper arm adapter (10a-e) relative to the wiper blade adapter (12a-e) in at least one direction. It is proposed that the locking unit (20a-e) has at least one locking element (22a, 24a; 22c; 22d, 24d; 22e) which, in the assembled state, rests against a transverse side (26a; 26b; 26c) of the wiper arm adapter (10a-e).