Windshield Washer Fluid Container Support with Identification Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current windshield washer fluid systems lack flexibility, requiring complex assembly or fluid replacement, and are not suitable for repeated installation or removal, nor do they allow for easy adaptation to different container shapes or fluid types, and fail to provide information on the fluid's type or remaining quantity.

Innovation Solution

A removable and interchangeable windshield washer fluid container support with a housing that allows easy placement and removal of containers, featuring reading means to detect identification tags on the containers, enabling adaptation to different fluids and displaying information such as type and quantity to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single container is used with fluid replacement, then system simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to draining and replacing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a reusable support structure and interchangeable containers. The support housing contains reading means and provides mounting functionality, while containers are separate, pre-filled units that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows users to simply swap containers rather than drain and refill a single reservoir, significantly improving both flexibility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support housing is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple different container types, shapes, and volumes. The standardized interface with reading means allows the same support to work with various container configurations, enabling the system to adapt to different fluid types and container designs without requiring separate mounting mechanisms for each.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a support is designed for a single container type, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate varying shapes and volumes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support housing incorporates a universal mounting mechanism with standardized interfaces that can accommodate multiple container types, shapes, and volumes. The reading means are positioned to detect identification means on various container configurations, allowing the same support structure to work with diverse containers without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple specialized supports.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If identification means are added to containers, then information availability is improved, but device complexity increases due to reading means and detection systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reading means detect identification means on the containers and provide feedback information to the user, such as fluid type, quantity remaining, and compatibility status. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically recognize and communicate container information, improving information availability while keeping the detection system relatively simple through standardized reading positions and common identification technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3007942B1Support for windshield washer fluid container, windshield washer fluid container, and device comprising said support and container
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP3007942B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3007942B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3007942B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a support (110) for a removable, interchangeable container for windshield washer fluid, said support being designed to be secured to a vehicle and comprising a housing for one or more containers (130), characterised in that it comprises read means (149) configured to detect identification means (145) borne by the container(s) (110). The invention also relates to a removable, interchangeable container (130) for windshield washer fluid, designed to be mounted in such a support (110). The invention also relates to a device for supplying windshield washer fluid, comprising such a support (110) and such a container (130). The invention further relates to a vehicle windshield washing system comprising such a windshield washer fluid supply device.