Modular Wiper Blade Adapter for Multi-Arm Mount Compatibility

Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and variety of wiper blade mounts and articulated arms in motor vehicles lead to increased production costs and a complicated replacement market, as numerous adapters are required for different configurations, making it difficult to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

Innovation Solution

A modular adapter with a removable attachment system that can be easily swapped to accommodate different articulated wiper blade arms, using a single type of cover with temporary fastening means to attach to various arm configurations, allowing a single adapter to be compatible with multiple arm types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different adapters are designed for different mount and articulated arm configurations, then compatibility with various wiper systems is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various wiper systemsVSAvoidnumber of different adapter designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types of articulated arms through a single standardized interface. The cover is made interchangeable with different configurations to adapt to various mount types, while the main adapter body remains the same. This allows one adapter design to serve multiple functions across different wiper systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is divided into two separable parts: a standardized adapter body and interchangeable covers. The cover is the segment that varies to accommodate different configurations, while the main body remains constant. This segmentation allows the complex variety to be isolated to a single replaceable component rather than requiring multiple complete adapter designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different adapters are manufactured for different configurations, then compatibility with various articulated arms is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different articulated arm typesVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types of articulated arms through a single standardized interface. The cover is made interchangeable with different configurations to adapt to various mount types, while the main adapter body remains the same. This allows one adapter design to serve multiple functions across different wiper systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the common functional elements into a single standardized adapter body that serves all configurations. Only the covers, which have different configurations, are manufactured separately. This consolidation reduces the total number of unique parts that need to be manufactured, tooling, and inventory managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single adapter design is used for all configurations, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but adaptability to different articulated arm types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costsVSAvoidcompatibility with different articulated arm types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into two separable parts: a standardized adapter body and interchangeable covers. The cover is the segment that varies to accommodate different configurations, while the main body remains constant. This segmentation allows the complex variety to be isolated to a single replaceable component rather than requiring multiple complete adapter designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11820336B2Adapter for motor vehicle wiper blade mount

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to an adapter for a wiper blade mount, the adapter comprising a cover configured to accommodate, inside a central opening, a removable attachment system which allows subsequent temporary fastening of said adapter to an articulated wiper blade arm, when said adapter is implemented on a wiper blade. To this end, the removable attachment system comprises one or more mounting members which take the form of U-clips configured to be removably inserted in the central opening and held in this configuration by means of temporary fastening means. The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising such an adapter mounted on a wiper blade mount.