Wiper Blade Adapter Unit Integrating Wash Water Channel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing windshield wiper blade devices face challenges in achieving effective cleaning and fluid tightness, with complex assembly processes and high production and assembly costs due to the use of multiple hoses and components.

Innovation Solution

The wiper blade device integrates a spray unit with a wash water distribution system where the additional wash water channel is formed by the adapter unit, eliminating hoses and reducing complexity by forming a one-piece part, ensuring fluid tightness and facilitating assembly with a captive connection between the wiper blade and wiper arm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple hoses and components are used for wash water distribution, then fluid tightness can be ensured, but device complexity and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid tightnessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the wash water channel directly into the adapter unit, merging the function of separate hoses and connection components into a single integrated structure. This eliminates multiple discrete components while maintaining fluid tightness through the unified design of the adapter unit that incorporates both mechanical coupling and fluid distribution functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical coupling between the wiper blade and mounting structure, houses the wash water distribution channel, and ensures fluid tight connection. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system while maintaining reliability.

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

2Reliability

If multiple hoses and components are used for wash water distribution, then fluid tightness can be ensured, but production and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid tightnessVSAvoidassembly costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the adapter unit and wash water channel into a single integrated component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the supply chain, reduces inventory complexity, and lowers assembly costs while maintaining fluid tightness through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter unit is designed as a modular component that can be manufactured independently and then assembled into the overall wiper blade system. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes optimized for the adapter unit while reducing the complexity of assembling multiple smaller components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If wash water channels are formed without hoses, then assembly is simplified, but fluid tightness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidfluid tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wash water channel directly into the adapter unit structure, eliminating the need for separate hoses. The integrated design ensures fluid tightness through precision manufacturing of the channel within the adapter unit, combining the simplicity of hose-free assembly with the reliability of integrated fluid distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3727958B1Wiper blade device
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3727958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3727958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3727958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiper blade device, in particular a windscreen wiper wiper blade device, comprising: at least one wiper blade (10); at least one adapter unit (12) for coupling the wiper blade (10) to a wiper arm (14) of a wiper (16), in particular a windscreen wiper; at least one spraying unit (18) integrated in the wiper blade (10); and at least one washing water distributor unit (20) for supplying washing water to the spraying unit (18), in particular to nozzle elements (22) of the spraying unit (18) which are arranged substantially parallel to a main extension direction (54) of the wiper blade (10) along the wiper blade (10), wherein the washing water distributor unit (20) has at least one channel coupling element (24) for coupling at least one portion of the washing water distributor unit (20) to a washing water channel (26) of the spraying unit (18), the coupling being provided in particular for passage of a fluid and being preferably fluid-tight, and wherein the washing water distributor unit (20) has at least one adapter coupling element (28) for coupling at least one additional portion of the washing water distributor unit (20) to an additional washing water channel (30) of the adapter unit (12), the coupling being provided in particular for passage of a fluid and being preferably fluid-tight. According to the invention, the additional washing water channel (30) is formed at least in part by the adapter unit (12).