Wiper Motor Gearbox Cover for Spring Contact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper motors face challenges in protecting the spring element during transport and assembly, leading to potential mechanical damage and deformation, which can result in erroneous contact with the gearwheel and affect the motor's functionality.

Innovation Solution

A blocking element is integrated into the gearbox cover to hold the spring element in a partially deformed position, reducing the overall height of the cover and minimizing the risk of damage, and a receptacle is formed within the housing element to protect the spring element, allowing for secure transport without additional protection and ensuring proper assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the spring element is arranged in a relaxed state in the gearbox cover during transport, then the spring element is easily accessible for assembly, but the spring element is vulnerable to mechanical damage and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of assemblyVSAvoidSpring element integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is pre-installed in the gearbox cover to hold the spring element in a protected position during transport. This preliminary action ensures the spring element is positioned safely before assembly, preventing damage while remaining easy to access when needed for installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking element acts as an intermediary component between the spring element and the external environment during transport. It mediates the conflict between accessibility and protection by providing a temporary holding position that can be easily removed during assembly while ensuring protection during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional receptacles are provided in transport containers to protect spring elements, then the spring element is protected from damage, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpring element protectionVSAvoidTransport container structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection function is merged into the gearbox cover itself through the blocking element, eliminating the need for separate protective receptacles in transport containers. The blocking element is an integral part of the gearbox cover structure, combining the housing function with the protection function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gearbox cover with the blocking element provides self-protection for the spring element during transport without requiring external protective structures. The design is self-sufficient, as the housing itself contains the protection mechanism, eliminating the need for additional protective infrastructure in the transport system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the spring element is allowed to deform freely during transport, then the spring element maintains its working position, but the spring element is at risk of excessive deformation and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpring element position accuracyVSAvoidMechanical damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element pre-positions the spring element in a partially deformed state during transport, establishing a controlled intermediate position before final assembly. This preliminary positioning prevents random deformation while maintaining readiness for the final working position, ensuring both protection and positional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking element provides beforehand cushioning by limiting the spring element's movement range during transport. It creates a controlled environment that cushions against excessive deformation forces while allowing the spring element to maintain its functional characteristics, preventing damage before assembly occurs.

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

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 enhances the mechanical robustness of the wiper motor's housing, reducing the risk of spring element damage and deformation, enabling cost-effective and secure handling and assembly, while maintaining the motor's functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the blocking element holds the spring element in an elastically deformed position in which the deformation of the spring element is less than in the working position of the spring element with the wiper motor assembled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3994038B1Wiper motor and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP3994038B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3994038B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiper motor (10) having a housing element (20) connected to an electrical line (37) that has an elastically deformable spring element (35) in an end region projecting out of the housing element (20), wherein the spring element (35), in order to form an electrically conductive connection with a counterpart element (30, 32) on a gearwheel (24), is movable, with respect to a first, relaxed position (X) of the spring element (35), into a second, elastically deformed position (Z) generating a contact force (F) on the counterpart element (30, 32).