Windscreen Wiper Intermediate Piece with Offset Shafts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing windscreen wiper connecting devices are not standardized, making wipers with one type of connector incompatible with driving arms configured for another type, limiting design versatility.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate piece with offset shafts is introduced, allowing the connector to be mounted on different types of driving arms, enabling compatibility between previously incompatible wiper and driving arm configurations by forming rotation means with parallel axes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different connector designs are used for windscreen wipers, then specific mounting requirements can be met, but compatibility between wipers and driving arms is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate piece that acts as a mediator between the connector and the driving arm. This intermediate piece includes a first shaft that connects to the connector and a second shaft that connects to the driving arm, enabling compatibility between different connector types while maintaining reliable mounting for each specific configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate piece is designed to be universal in function, serving multiple purposes: it connects to different types of connectors (first shaft with receiving bearing) and different types of driving arms (second shaft with receiving orifice), thereby providing multi-functionality and enhancing adaptability across various wiper and driving arm configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If connector designs are customized for specific applications, then performance requirements are met, but standardization is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance reliabilityVSAvoidstandardization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting mechanism is segmented into three separate components: the connector, the intermediate piece, and the driving arm. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standardized interfaces, while the intermediate piece provides the necessary adaptation for different configurations, thus enabling both standardization and performance optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If an intermediate piece is introduced to enable compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidconnecting device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate piece merges multiple functions into a single component: it houses both the first shaft for connecting to the wiper connector and the second shaft for connecting to the driving arm, and includes the bracket structure for mounting. This merging reduces the overall number of separate parts needed while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10597003B2Intermediate piece for connecting a wiper to a driving arm for driving a windscreen wiper

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to an intermediate piece 101 intended to be interposed between a connector 8 that is able to carry a wiper and a connecting element 203 of a driving arm, the connector 8 comprising at least one receiving bearing 15 for receiving a first shaft 102, the connecting element 203 comprising at least one receiving orifice 215 for receiving a second shaft 103, characterized in that the intermediate piece 101 is equipped with the first shaft 102 and the second shaft 103. Application to motor vehicles.