Wiper Blade Adapter Captive Mounting on Spring Rail

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper blade devices face challenges in achieving a stable and simple assembly process for the wiper blade adapter to the spring rail, with existing solutions not providing a secure and intuitive captive connection.

Innovation Solution

The wiper blade device incorporates a securing rib that extends through a fixing recess of the spring rail, combined with holding elements that surround the spring rail, allowing for a captive connection and facilitating quick assembly by utilizing connecting and fixing recesses with deflection surfaces for easy rib transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wiper blade adapter is designed to connect to a spring rail, then the connection stability is improved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into distinct functional elements: holding elements that surround the spring rail, a securing rib that extends through the spring rail, and fixing recesses that receive the securing rib. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, enabling a stable connection through simple assembly movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements are designed to at least partially surround the spring rail, creating a nested structure where the spring rail is contained within the holding elements. The securing rib then extends through the spring rail and into the fixing recess, creating a multi-level nested connection that ensures stability without requiring complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a secure captive connection is achieved between the wiper blade adapter and spring rail, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaptive connection securityVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connection functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The holding elements that surround the spring rail are combined with the securing rib that extends through it and into the fixing recess. This merging creates a captive connection where the wiper blade adapter is securely attached to the spring rail through a unified structural design rather than separate fastening components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is designed to be self-securing through the interaction of its components. The holding elements naturally engage with the spring rail, and the securing rib automatically positions itself in the fixing recess during assembly. The deflection surfaces guide the securing rib into the fixing recess without requiring additional fastening operations, allowing the structure to secure itself through simple insertion movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3902711B1Wiper blade device
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3902711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3902711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3902711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising at least one wiper strip unit (14), at least one spring rail (18) which has at least one fixing recess (20), and at least one wiper blade adapter (12) which has at least two holding elements (24, 24') that at least partly surround the at least one spring rail (18) in an assembled state and which is designed to form a captive connection with the at least one wiper strip unit (14). The at least one wiper blade adapter (12) has at least one securing rib (26) which extends at least partly through the fixing recess (20) of the at least one spring rail (18) in order to form a captive connection between the wiper strip unit (14) and the wiper blade adapter (12) in the assembled state.