Windscreen Wiper Holding Device for Compact Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging solutions for flat-type wiper blades are problematic due to their slender and curved shape, leading to difficulties in insertion and a risk of damage during packaging, as existing solutions require longitudinal insertion and may not securely hold the blades without causing harm.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with elastic interlocking means that allows wiper blades to be oriented inward, with their planes of symmetry remaining parallel, reducing the risk of damage and enabling a compact packaging solution by allowing slight lateral offset, thereby reducing the overall size of the packaged assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional longitudinal insertion packaging is used for flat-type wiper blades, then the packaging can be simple and linear, but the insertion is difficult and time-consuming and there is a risk of damage to the blades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging simplicityVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting wiper blades longitudinally into the packaging support as in conventional solutions, the patent inverts the approach by having the wiper blades inserted laterally into channels of the holding device. The holding device itself is then inserted into the packaging support, reversing the traditional insertion direction and solving the damage risk and difficulty issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a holding device as an intermediary component between the wiper blades and the packaging support. This holding device with its channels provides a protective intermediary structure that facilitates safe insertion and secure positioning of the wiper blades, eliminating the direct contact and potential damage from conventional packaging methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional longitudinal insertion packaging is used, then packaging structure is simple, but there is a risk of damage to wiper blades during positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging structure complexityVSAvoidblade damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device with its channels provides beforehand cushioning and protection for the wiper blades during insertion and positioning. The channels are designed to receive and protect the blades laterally, preventing the harmful forces and damage that occur during conventional longitudinal insertion into simple packaging structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If wiper blades are held with elastic interlocking in inward orientation, then the risk of damage is reduced and compact packaging is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade damage riskVSAvoidholding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is segmented into multiple channels, each capable of independently holding a wiper blade through elastic interlocking. This segmentation allows each blade to be secured separately in an inward orientation, reducing damage risk while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular channel design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of stationary object

If wiper blades are oriented inward with parallel planes of symmetry, then compact packaging size is achieved, but the insertion and positioning process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging sizeVSAvoidinsertion and positioning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The channels in the holding device are designed with asymmetric features that guide the wiper blades into the correct inward orientation with parallel planes of symmetry. The asymmetric channel geometry naturally directs the blades during insertion, achieving compact packaging while simplifying the positioning process through built-in alignment features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces the risk of damage to wiper blades during packaging and allows for a more compact packaging format by using elastic interlocking mechanisms that maintain the blades in a flat position without requiring longitudinal insertion, optimizing the size and safety of the packaging.

Implementation Method 1

means for fixing by elastic interlocking of the respective structural elements of the two wipers in a position in which the wiper blades of the two wipers are oriented towards the inside of the holding device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic interlocking: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2349871B1Device and assembly for supporting a pair of windscreen wipers, and corresponding packaging and method for mounting same
Publication Date: 2014.04.09 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP2349871B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2349871B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10; 101, 102, 103, 104) for supporting a pair of windscreen wipers (12, 26) each comprising a structural member (18, 32) and a wiping blade (16, 30) having a free end (50, 56) to be brought into contact with a glazed surface to be wiped, wherein said device comprises a means (42) for securing, by elastic fitting, the respective structural members (18, 32) of the two wipers (12, 26) in a position in which the wiping blades (16, 30) of the two wipers are oriented towards the inside of the supporting device, the respective longitudinal symmetry planes (P1, P2) of the blades remaining substantially parallel. The device is further adapted for ensuring, in the fitted position of the pair of wipers (12, 26), a spacing between the two longitudinal symmetry planes (P1, P2) and the proximity of the two wipers (12, 26) such that the free end (50, 56) of each wiping blade reaches or extends beyond a median plane (P) of the supporting device (10; 101, 102, 103, 104), perpendicular to the two longitudinal symmetry planes (P1, P2).