Curved Wiper Blade Packaging with Immobilization Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging windscreen wiper blades with curved blades and integrated flexible structures poses challenges due to their unique shape, requiring innovative holding mechanisms to prevent deformation and ensure efficient storage while maintaining manufacturing cost-effectiveness and environmental considerations.
Innovation Solution
A packaging device with a shell and holding means featuring a first bearing surface and second and third bearing surfaces, where at least one of the latter has an abutment to keep the heel of the blade away from the shell, and the first bearing surface cooperates with the connecting element, ensuring the blade is immobilized without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple blister packaging is used for curved wiper blades, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the packaging cannot accommodate the curved shape and immobilize the blade properly
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging housing is divided into multiple functional zones with specific bearing surfaces (first, second, and third bearing surfaces) positioned at different locations to accommodate different parts of the curved blade, allowing each segment to serve a specific immobilization function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary bearing surfaces and abutments as mediators between the packaging housing and the curved blade, enabling the blade to be held in a straightened position without requiring the housing to conform to the curved shape
2Volume of stationary object
If the packaging volume is reduced for cost and logistics reasons, then manufacturing and logistics costs decrease, but the packaging cannot properly accommodate the curved blade shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by positioning bearing surfaces at different depths and locations within the housing, allowing the curved blade to be immobilized in a compact volume through spatial arrangement rather than increasing overall packaging dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging allows the blade to transition from its curved rest position to a straightened immobilized position within the compact housing, utilizing the blade's own flexibility to adapt to the packaging constraints
3Ease of operation
If holding means are designed to contact external parts of the blade, then the blade is easily immobilized, but the blade may be subjected to deforming pressure at contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing specific bearing surfaces with appropriate contact characteristics at different locations - the first bearing surface contacts the upper part while the second and third surfaces contact the lower part, with abutments positioned to prevent heel contact with the shell, distributing pressure to avoid deformation
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 effectively prevents contact between the packaging device and the blade, maintaining the blade's shape and preventing deformation, ensuring efficient storage and handling of windscreen wiper blades with curved designs.
Implementation Method 1
in contact with a surface to be wiped, said blade is able to straighten up by elastic deformation of its flexible structure in order to best fit said surface throughout its movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a packaging device (1) for a wiper blade (100) comprising a curved blade (110) and an integrated flexible structure (120), said packaging device(1) comprising a shell (14) delimiting a housing (10) intended for receiving the blade (100) and defining holding means (20) intended for securing said blade (100) inside said housing (10) in a position that can be at least partially upright in relation to its rest position, the holding means (20) comprising: a first bearing surface (21) capable of engaging by contact with a portion (141) of the upper part (140) of the blade (100), second and third bearing surfaces (22, 23) formed in the base of the housing (10) and capable of engaging by contact with the flexible structure (120) of said blade (100), the first bearing surface (21 ) extending facing an area located between the second bearing surface (22) and the third bearing surface (23), characterised in that at least one of the second and third bearing surfaces (22, 23) has a stop, referred to as the second stop, which is capable of engaging by contact with a lateral end (123) of the flexible structure (120), said second stop being arranged such that, in the stop position, at least a part of a projection (112) of the blade (110) is held away from the shell (14). The present invention also concerns a packaging for a wiper blade.