Wiper Arm Tube Bracket Using Spring-Nested Snap Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper systems for motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively fixing flexible fluid delivery tubes to drive arms, leading to bulkiness, high manufacturing costs, and the need for specific assembly tools and designs for each type of drive arm.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical fixing bracket with a hollow body and sleeve is designed to be inserted into the volume surrounded by the spring of the drive arm, providing a snap-fastening mechanism for the fluid delivery tube, allowing for reduced bulk and standardization across various drive arm types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing means for fixing the tube to the drive arm are used, then the tube is securely retained, but the fixing means become voluminous and require specific assembly tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube retention securityVSAvoidfixing means bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing bracket is inserted into the volume surrounded by the spring of the drive arm, nesting the fixing mechanism within the existing spring structure. This eliminates the need for separate voluminous fixing means while maintaining secure tube retention through the bracket's attachment to the drive arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing bracket is designed with a standardized configuration that can be used across multiple types of drive arms. The bracket universally attaches to the drive arm and retains the tube, eliminating the need for specific assembly tools and designs for each drive arm type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If existing means for fixing the tube to the drive arm are used, then the tube is securely retained, but the manufacturing costs increase due to specific designs for each drive arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube retention securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing bracket combines multiple functions into a single component: it attaches to the drive arm, retains the flexible tube, and integrates within the spring volume. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts needing manufacturing and assembly, lowering overall production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If existing means for fixing the tube to the drive arm are used, then the tube is securely retained, but the assembly process becomes complex requiring specific tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube retention securityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If a standardized fixing solution is implemented, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the ability to accommodate different drive arm types may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcompatibility with different drive arm types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11834009B2End fitting for motor vehicle wiper blade

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting bracket (5) for a pipe (4) supplying fluid to a driving arm (1) of a motor vehicle wiper system (100), the driving arm (1) comprising at least one spring (14), the mounting bracket (5) comprising at least one sleeve (51) configured to hold the supply pipe (4). The mounting bracket (5) according to the invention comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical body (50) linked to the sleeve (51) and configured to be inserted into a space (141) surrounded by the spring (14) of the driving arm (1). The invention also relates to a driving arm (1) comprising such a mounting bracket (5) and to a method for assembling such a driving arm (1), comprising a preliminary step of inserting the body (50) of such a mounting bracket (5) into at least part of the aforementioned space (141).