Sliding Casing with Narrowed Cross-Section for Friction Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging units for wiper blades lack sufficient frictional closure between the container and casing, leading to a risk of the container slipping out when hung or removed from a merchandise suspension mount, potentially causing damage to the packaged item.

Innovation Solution

A packaging unit design featuring a narrowed cross-section section at the rear panel of the casing, achieved through a deviating fold profile and reduced width, generates a sufficient clamping force for friction locking between the container and casing, ensuring the container remains secure when the unit is held vertically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a clearance is present between the container and casing to allow sliding, then the casing can be easily slid onto the container, but the frictional closure becomes insufficient to prevent the container from slipping out when held vertically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sliding casing onto containerVSAvoidfrictional closure to prevent slipping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is designed with a localized narrowed cross-section at the rear panel, creating a specific region with reduced width. This local modification generates enhanced frictional closure at the critical interface between the container and casing, while the rest of the casing maintains its original structure and sliding capability. The narrowed section acts as a friction-enhancing zone that prevents the container from slipping out when the packaging unit is held vertically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the width of the casing is reduced at the rear panel to increase clamping force, then friction locking is improved, but the overall structure becomes more complex due to the deviating fold profile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction locking between container and casingVSAvoidstructure of fold profile

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The casing structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a main body portion and a rear panel with a narrowed cross-section. The deviating fold profile is localized to the rear panel area, separating the friction-enhancing function from the overall casing structure. This segmentation allows the narrowed section to provide enhanced friction locking while the rest of the casing maintains its structural integrity and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The width parameter of the casing is changed locally at the rear panel, creating a narrowed cross-section. This parameter modification (reducing width at a specific location) generates the necessary clamping force and frictional closure without requiring changes to the entire casing structure. The fold profile is designed to accommodate this width change while maintaining structural feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the narrowed cross-section is placed at the rear panel away from the opening, then friction locking is maximized, but the container becomes difficult to slide into the casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction locking to prevent container from slippingVSAvoidease of sliding container into casing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating a narrow opening to improve friction locking, the design inverts the approach by placing the narrowed cross-section at the rear panel away from the opening. The opening itself remains wide and easy to access, while the narrowed section at the rear creates the frictional closure. This inversion allows the container to be easily slid into the casing through the wide opening while still achieving reliable friction locking at the rear interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enhanced friction locking mechanism effectively prevents the container from slipping out, minimizing the risk of damage to the packaged item during handling and storage.

Implementation Method 1

the clamping force, created at the section having the narrowed cross section, generates a friction locking between the container and the casing which is sufficient for preventing the slipping out of the container from the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7614499B2Packaging unit with slidable casing

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

A packaging unit is provided, especially for a wiper blade. The packaging unit has a container for receiving at least one object and a casing that is able to be slid over the container, the casing covering the container at least partially. The casing has a section having a narrowed cross section, so that, in the area of the section, the casing exerts a clamping force on the container.