Wiper Blade Cap Retention via Rubber Insertion Hole

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wiper blades face issues with caps being lost during the attachment or removal of wiper strips, due to their small size and the need to remove them for replacement.

Innovation Solution

The design includes caps attached to the ends of the backing or case with a rubber insertion hole that allows the wiper strip to be inserted and removed without detaching the caps, ensuring they remain attached and preventing loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If caps are removed from the backing to replace the wiper strip, then the wiper strip can be replaced, but the caps may be lost due to their small size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiper strip replacementVSAvoidcap loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is designed with a retaining structure that preliminarily secures the cap to the backing before the wiper strip replacement process begins. The retaining portion extends from the cap into the case, creating a preliminary mechanical connection that prevents cap loss during the entire replacement operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cap structure is nested with the case, where the retaining portion of the cap extends into the case interior space. This nested arrangement allows the cap to be secured to the backing while the retaining portion engages with the case, creating an integrated structure that prevents cap loss during wiper strip replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the cap structure is designed to secure the cap to the backing, then cap loss is prevented, but the complexity of the cap structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap retentionVSAvoidcap structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cap structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: the cap body that accommodates the end of the wiper strip, the retaining portion that secures the cap to the backing, and the engagement feature that interfaces with the case. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the retaining portion is extended into the case, then the cap is securely retained, but the insertion/removal process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap retentionVSAvoidwiper strip insertion and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining portion acts as an intermediary element between the cap and the case. It provides a mechanical connection that secures the cap to the backing while allowing the wiper strip to be inserted and removed through the cap's opening. The intermediary retaining portion enables both secure retention and ease of operation by distributing the functional requirements across different structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8959700B2Wiper blade

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A wiper blade includes a wiper strip having an elongated retained portion, a backing, and a case, which retains therein the retained portion and the backing. The cap is attached to at least one of the ends in the longitudinal direction of the backing or to at least one of the ends in the longitudinal direction of the case. The interior space of the cap communicates with the interior space of the case. The cap has a rubber insertion hole that opens to the outside of the cap. The retained portion can enter the interior of the cap via the rubber insertion hole.