Wiper Blade Packaging With Visible Connector Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face difficulties in identifying compatible wiper blade connectors for their vehicle wiper arms, leading to wasted materials, increased expense, and aesthetic and educational challenges in packaging, along with potential loss or damage of connectors and instructions.

Innovation Solution

Wiper blade packaging featuring a connector-identification feature, such as pre-punched or perforated cutouts or printed outlines, that correspond to the size and shape of compatible wiper arm connectors, allowing consumers to identify compatibility without opening the package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connectors are supplied in separate packages or with the wiper blade, then consumers can match the appropriate connector with the wiper arm, but this results in wasted materials and increased expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector compatibilityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates connector identification features directly into the packaging design before the consumer purchases the product. The packaging includes visual indicators, cutouts, or windows that allow consumers to identify the connector type without opening the package, eliminating the need to include multiple connectors or separate identification materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual representations or outlines of the connector on the packaging that replicate the appearance and dimensions of the actual connector. This allows consumers to identify the connector type by viewing the packaging without needing physical samples or multiple connectors included in the package.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If connector identification information is provided on packaging, then consumers can easily ascertain compatibility, but the packaging design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector identificationVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances specific localized areas of the packaging with identification features such as cutouts, windows, or printed outlines that correspond to the connector shape and size. Rather than redesigning the entire packaging structure, only specific regions are modified to provide identification information, minimizing overall complexity while improving usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of substance

If connectors and instructions are packaged separately, then materials can be minimized, but connectors and instructions can be easily lost or damaged during opening and handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging materialVSAvoidconnector and instruction integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates connector identification features, instructions, and connector components into a single unified packaging structure. The packaging includes all necessary elements (connectors, instructions, identification features) as integrated components rather than separate items, preventing loss or damage during handling while minimizing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4420999B1Wiper blade packaging

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1f
Figure 2a~2b

AI summary

Described is packaging for a wiper blade having a blade-side connector configured to engage a wiper arm. The packaging includes an inner component to house the wiper blade and an outer sleeve component that defines a cavity. The cavity can receive at least a portion of the inner component. At least one of the inner component and the outer sleeve component includes a connector-identification feature configured to indicate a compatible arm-side connector of the wiper arm.