Wiper Motor Gearbox Latching With Integrated Rotational Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper motors require additional centring means that occupy installation space and material, complicating the mounting process and increasing component count.

Innovation Solution

The centring means are integrated into the latching connections, with specific geometric arrangements of bearing faces on latching elements to ensure rotational angle play-free mounting without additional space or components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate centring means are provided in addition to latching connections, then rotational angle play-free arrangement is achieved, but device complexity and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational angle positioning precisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the centring function and latching function into a single integrated latching connection system. The bearing faces on the latching elements perform both centring (aligning rotational angle) and latching (securing positional connection) functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate centring pins or openings and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching elements are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical latching to secure the gearbox cover to the housing, and simultaneously provide centring through their bearing face geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while achieving both positioning precision and secure attachment

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

2Manufacturing precision

If additional centring means are provided, then rotational angle play-free arrangement is achieved, but installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational angle positioning precisionVSAvoidinstallation space on gearbox housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The centring function is merged into the existing latching connection structure. The bearing faces on the latching elements are geometrically configured to provide centring action without requiring separate centring pins, openings, or additional installation space on the gearbox housing or cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If bearing faces are arranged on the same side of latching elements, then rotational angle play-free connection is achieved, but latching element design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational angle positioning precisionVSAvoidlatching element geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing faces are positioned at specific locations on the latching elements (on the same side) to create the necessary geometric constraints for rotational angle play-free connection. This localized geometric feature provides precise centring while keeping the overall latching element design relatively simple and manufacturable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4282056B1Wiper motor
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP4282056B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4282056B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiper motor (10), having a gearbox housing (12) which comprises a preferably pot-shaped main body (16) for forming a receiving space (22) for a gear mechanism, wherein an opening (18) in the main body (16) can be closed by a gearbox cover (20), wherein a plurality of latching connections (30, 31, 32), which act in the direction of a joining direction (28) between the main body (16) and the gearbox cover (20), are formed between the main body (16) and the gearbox cover (20) and each comprise an elastically deformable first latching element (36, 37, 58) and a second latching element (49, 50, 60) which interacts with the first latching element (36, 37, 58) in a form-fitting manner, and wherein centring means (55) are provided on the gearbox housing (12) for the play-free positioning of the gearbox cover (20) relative to the main body (16) in a rotational angle position, which extends perpendicularly to the joining direction (28), between the main body (16) and the gearbox cover (20).