Drive shaft for a wiper system

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive shaft (10) for a wiper system (100), the drive shaft (10) having a first end (12) and a second end (14), the first end (12) being connectable to a drive in order to transmit a torque, the second end (14) having a contact means (16), the contact means (16) being configured to contact the first end (12) and the second end (14). The contact means (16) have a substantially square and / or rectangular cross-section (18) orthogonal to a main direction of extension (20) between the first end (12) and the second end (14), the contact means (16) being provided for transmitting the torque to a wiper arm (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a drive shaft for a windshield wiper system, a wiper arm for a windshield wiper system, a windshield wiper system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] There are currently a large number of different solutions for fastening cleaning arms to vehicles. Due to the increasing number of wiper systems and the number of surfaces on vehicles that need to be cleaned, there is an increasing need for innovative and robust methods of contacting the cleaning arms.

[0003] The continuous drive to reduce weight in the automotive industry to improve fuel consumption, coupled with increasing competition, has put pressure on costs, leading to an increase in the demand for cheaper and more efficient automotive components. Summary of the invention

[0004] The drive shaft for a wiper system according to the invention having the features of claim 1 has the advantage over known drive shafts that the force transmitted from the wiper arm to the drive shaft can be significantly increased and the assembly time of the wiper arm on the drive shaft can be significantly reduced. It is further preferred that a threaded connection on the outer side for transmitting force between the wiper arm and the drive shaft can be omitted, which can increase the service life of not only the drive shaft but also the wiper arm.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the drive shaft for the wiper system has a first end and a second end. The first end can be connected to the drive to transmit torque. In addition, the second end has a contact device, wherein the contact device has a substantially square or rectangular cross section orthogonal to the main extension direction between the first end and the second end. In addition, the contact device is provided for transmitting torque to the wiper arm.

[0006] In other words, the drive shaft has a cube or similar structure at one end, which can produce a positive locking connection with the wiper arm. In this case, the drive shaft can have a smooth surface, thereby significantly increasing the force transmission area compared to a thread or similar structure. It is further preferred that the contact device on the end of the drive shaft is particularly designed so that only the wiper arm needs to be plugged in, thereby significantly reducing the assembly time of the wiper arm on the drive shaft. In this case, in particular, tools for assembly can also be omitted, because only the wiper arm needs to be plugged into the drive shaft. This also leads to very low investment costs in tools and processes. Here, the wiper arm can be made of a polymer or a similar material, which, in particular, absorbs forces and impacts at least partially in connection with the drive shaft, or deforms itself so as to better withstand high loads such as snow. It is thus preferably possible to avoid damage to the wiper arm. It is further preferred that the drive shaft and / or the wiper arm can be made of metal.

[0007] The dependent claims reveal preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] Preferably, the contact means has a non-threaded surface.

[0009] This embodiment has the advantage that the operating time of the drive shaft can be significantly increased, because even in overload conditions such as snow, since no thread is required, the thread will not be damaged due to repeated assembly and disassembly of the wiper arm.

[0010] Preferably, the contact means has a threaded hole, wherein the extension direction of the threaded hole is arranged essentially concentrically with the main extension direction.

[0011] This embodiment has the advantage that the wiper arm can be easily fastened to the drive shaft by means of a screw. Essentially concentric here means in particular deviations of ±50%, in particular tolerances caused by production.

[0012] It is further preferred that the contact element has chamfers at the ends of the square and / or rectangular cross section, which are provided to make it easier to plug the wiper arm onto the contact element.

[0013] The advantage of this embodiment is that tilting of the wiper arm or the like can be avoided by means of the bevel.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a wiper arm for a wiper system, wherein the wiper arm is provided for receiving a wiper lip, wherein the wiper arm has a fastening device, wherein the fastening device has an opening, wherein the opening has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross section, wherein the direction of extension of the opening is parallel to the insertion surface of the wiper lip. Essentially orthogonal, wherein the opening can be arranged on the contact means of the drive shaft.

[0015] The advantage of this embodiment is that the wiper arm can be plugged onto the drive shaft of the wiper system and thus additional assembly steps and assembly tools can be saved. Essentially in this context means in particular deviations of ±50%, in particular tolerances caused by manufacturing.

[0016] It is further preferred that the fastening means has at least one reinforcement element which is arranged in the opening and forms at least a part of the square and / or rectangular cross section of the opening.

[0017] This embodiment has the advantage that the reinforcement element can generate a damping effect and can also exert a pressing force on the contact means of the drive shaft.

[0018] The reinforcement element preferably has an undercut leading to the opening contour, wherein the reinforcement element with the undercut is provided for damping the transmission of impacts acting on the wiper arm to the drive shaft.

[0019] The advantage of this embodiment is that, through the deformation of the reinforcement element caused by the undercut, the impact to be transmitted or the impact acting on the wiper arm will not be completely transmitted to the drive shaft, thereby in particular the motor of the drive shaft can be protected.

[0020] It is further preferred that the fastening means has a plurality of reinforcement elements in the opening, wherein the plurality of reinforcement elements are provided to form a square and / or rectangular cross section of the opening.

[0021] The advantage of this embodiment is that it simplifies the assembly of the wiper arm on the drive shaft and reduces or damps the transmission of the impact acting on the wiper arm to the drive shaft, thereby generating a synergistic effect.

[0022] It is further preferred that the wiper arm comprises at least one plastic and / or metal.

[0023] The advantage of this embodiment is that the wiper arm can be matched to a corresponding insert. The wiper arm can be made of plastic and / or metal in particular for the most part.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a windshield wiper system having a drive shaft as described above and below and a wiper arm as described above and below. In the windshield wiper system, the wiper arm is arranged on the drive shaft by means of a form-locking connection.

[0025] Further preferably, the wiper arm is fastened to the drive shaft by means of a screw connection, wherein the screw connection and the form-locking connection are spaced apart from one another.

[0026] This embodiment has the advantage that the threaded connection is subjected to much less stress, since impacts and / or forces acting on the wiper arm are transmitted to the drive shaft by means of the form-locking connection and not by means of the threaded connection.

[0027] Further preferably, the threaded connection is provided for pressing a part of the drive shaft against a part of the wiper arm.

[0028] This embodiment has the advantage that the contact between the wiper arm and the drive shaft can be further improved.

[0029] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a drive shaft as described above and hereinafter and / or a wiper arm as described above and hereinafter and / or a wiper system as described above and hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a drive shaft according to one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 2 A wiper arm according to one embodiment is shown;

[0033] Figure 3a and 3b A wiper system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0034] Figure 4 A wiper system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0035] Figure 5 A vehicle according to one embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0037] Figure 1 A drive shaft 10 is shown according to one embodiment. The drive shaft 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14. A main extension direction 20 is provided between the first end 12 and the second end 14. It is further preferred that the first end 12 is provided for receiving a torque of a drive. It is further preferred that the second end 14 comprises a contact element 16, wherein the contact element 16 has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross section 18. The square and / or rectangular cross section 18 is orthogonal to the main extension direction 20. It is further preferred that the contact element 16 is provided for transmitting a torque to a wiper arm 200.

[0038] Figure 2 A wiper arm 200 according to one embodiment is shown. The wiper arm 200 has a fastening device 204. The fastening device 204 forms an opening 206. The opening 206 has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross section 208. It is further preferred that the opening 206 can be arranged on the contact device 16 on the drive shaft 10. The fastening device 204 preferably has a reinforcement element 212. The reinforcement element 212 preferably has an undercut 214 to the contour 216 of the opening 200. The fastening device 204 also has a plurality 218 of reinforcement elements 212 in the opening 206.

[0039] Figure 3a A wiper system 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The wiper system 100 has a wiper arm 200. A drive shaft 10 is arranged on the wiper arm 200. The drive shaft 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14. The wiper arm 200 is arranged on the second end 14. A cap 202 is preferably further arranged on the wiper arm 200. A main extension direction 20 is preferably provided between the first end 12 and the second end 14.

[0040] Figure 3b According to one embodiment, Figure 3a An exploded view of the wiper system 100 is shown. Figure 3b , a drive shaft 10 is shown, which has a first end 12. It is further preferred that the drive shaft 10 has a contact device 16. The contact device 16 has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross section 18. The square and / or rectangular cross section 18 can be inserted into an opening 206 of a wiper arm 200. It is further preferred that a screw 203 can be screwed into the drive shaft, in particular into a threaded hole 24. It is further preferred that a cap 202 can be arranged above the screw 203. In addition, a form-locking connection 102 is formed between the drive shaft and the wiper arm by means of the opening 206 and the contact device 16.

[0041] Figure 4 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a wiper system 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 The drive shaft is arranged in an opening 206 of a fastening element 204 of the wiper arm 200. In this case, the drive shaft 10 has in particular a contact element 16 which has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross section 18, thereby forming a form-locking connection 102. It is further preferred that a screw 203 is screwed into a threaded hole 24 of the drive shaft, thereby forming a threaded connection 104 between the drive shaft 10 and the wiper arm 200. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the screw connection 104 is spaced apart from the form-fitting connection 102 .

[0042] In a further preferred embodiment, the screw 203 is designed in the assembled state to press a part 106 of the drive shaft 10 against a part 108 of the wiper arm 200 . In a further preferred embodiment, the cap 202 can be placed on the screw 203 .

[0043] Figure 5 A vehicle 300 according to one specific embodiment is shown. The vehicle 300 has in particular a drive shaft 10 as described above and below and / or a wiper arm 200 as described above and below and / or a wiper system 100 as described above and below.

Claims

1. A drive shaft (10) for a windshield wiper system (100), wherein: The drive shaft (10) has a first end (12) and a second end (14), wherein the first end (12) can be connected to a drive to transmit a torque, wherein the second end (14) has a contact element (16), wherein the contact element (16) has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross-section (18) orthogonal to a main extension direction (20) between the first end (12) and the second end (14), wherein the contact element (16) is configured to transmit the torque to a wiper arm (200).

2. The drive shaft (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The contact element (16) has a non-threaded surface (22).

3. The drive shaft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The contact element (16) has a threaded hole (24), wherein an extension direction (26) of the threaded hole (24) is arranged substantially concentrically with the main extension direction (20).

4. The drive shaft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The contact element (16) has a chamfer (30) at the end (28) of the square and / or rectangular cross section (18), wherein the chamfer is provided to make it easier to plug the wiper arm (200) onto the contact element (16).

5. A wiper arm (200) for a wiper system (100), wherein: The wiper arm (200) is configured to receive a wiper lip, wherein the wiper arm (200) has a fastening device (204), wherein the fastening device (204) has an opening (206), wherein the opening (206) has a substantially square and / or rectangular cross-section (208), wherein an extension direction (210) of the opening (206) is substantially orthogonal to a mounting surface of the wiper lip, wherein the opening (206) can be arranged on a contact device (106) of a drive shaft (10).

6. The wiper arm (200) according to claim 5, wherein: The fastening means (204) has at least one reinforcement element (212) which is arranged in the opening (206) and forms at least a part of the square and / or rectangular cross section (208) of the opening (206).

7. The wiper arm (200) according to claim 6, wherein: The reinforcing element (212) has an undercut (214) extending toward a contour (216) of the opening (200), wherein the reinforcing element (212) with the undercut (214) is configured to dampen an impact acting on the wiper arm (200) and transmit it to the drive shaft (10).

8. The wiper arm (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein: The fastening device (204) has a plurality (218) of reinforcing elements (212) in the opening (206), wherein the plurality (218) of reinforcing elements (212) are arranged to form the square and / or rectangular cross section (208) of the opening (206).

9. The wiper arm (200) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The wiper arm (200) comprises plastic and / or metal.

10. A windshield wiper system (100) comprising a drive shaft (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a wiper arm (200) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein: The wiper arm (200) is arranged in the drive shaft (10) by means of a form-locking connection (102).

11. The windshield wiper system (100) according to claim 10, wherein: The wiper arm (200) is fastened to the drive shaft by means of a threaded connection (104), wherein the threaded connection (104) and the form-locking connection (102) are spaced apart from one another.

12. The windshield wiper system (100) according to claim 11, wherein: The threaded connection (104) is configured to press a portion (106) of the drive shaft (10) toward a portion (108) of the wiper arm (200).

13. A vehicle (300) comprising: a drive shaft (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and / or a wiper arm (200) according to any one of claims 5 to 9 and / or a wiper system (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

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