Wiper Mount Fixing Assembly for Tool-Free Frame Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing windscreen wiper mounting assemblies for motor vehicles are complex and time-consuming to install, requiring multiple mechanical components and tools, and involve costly separate packaging of parts.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device with a grommet member and connecting piece that securely attaches the wiper motor mounting part to a vehicle body without screws or tools, using a grommet member with an inverse C shape and a connecting piece with a U-shaped holding portion and fixing portion to engage with the vehicle's support frame, allowing tool-free installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional mechanical components (screws, bolts) are used to attach the mounting part to the vehicle body, then the connection strength is improved, but the installation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the grommet member and connecting piece into an integrated fixing device that performs both securing and connecting functions simultaneously. The grommet member receives the mounting head while the connecting piece engages with the support frame, eliminating the need for separate mechanical fasteners and reducing installation complexity while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The grommet member acts as an intermediary element between the mounting part and the vehicle body. It receives the mounting head and provides a interface for the connecting piece to engage with the support frame, enabling tool-free installation while ensuring a reliable connection without direct mechanical fastening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate parts are used for the wiper assembly, then the functionality and adaptability are improved, but the packaging cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional adaptabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the grommet member and connecting piece into a single integrated fixing device, reducing the total number of parts required for assembly. This integration maintains the functional adaptability of the wiper assembly while simplifying packaging and reducing the quantity of components that need to be managed during installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional screwed mounting method is used, then the connection reliability is improved, but the installation time and tool requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is designed to be self-installing without requiring external tools or complex procedures. The grommet member automatically receives the mounting head through deformation, and the connecting piece engages with the support frame through its elastic properties, enabling tool-free installation that maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If the grommet member is rigid, then the positioning precision is improved, but the ease of insertion and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grommet member is designed with elastic properties that allow it to change its physical state during assembly. It deforms elastically to accommodate the mounting head during insertion, then returns to its original shape to provide precise positioning and secure retention, combining ease of assembly with positioning precision through controlled parameter changes in its elastic behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4470850A1Fixing device for a windscreen wiper mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP4470850A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3a
  • EP4470850A1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4b
  • EP4470850A1 patent drawingFigure 4c~5a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fixing device (130, 140, 150) of a mounting part (105) configured to be attached to a support frame (110), which comprises: a grommet member (107a) having a receiving area (120) configured to receive a mounting head (108) of the mounting part (105); and a connecting piece (130a, 140a, 150a) configured to secure the mounting part (105) to the support frame (110), the connecting piece comprising: a holding portion (130b, 140b, 150b) extending at least partially along an outer surface of the grommet member (107a), the holding portion (130b, 140b, 150b) being configured to receive and rigidly hold the grommet member (107) in position on the mounting head (108) of the mounting part (105), and a fixing portion (134, 144, 154) configured to cooperate with a secure element of the support frame (110) to engage the mounting part (105) to the support frame (110).