Attachment device for wiper blade

Abstract

An attachment device (101) for a vehicle window wiper, the attachment device (101) comprising a lower face (107) extending in a lower plane (P), the attachment device (101) comprising a first portion (105) made of a first material and a second portion (106) made of a second material, the second material being more flexible than the first material, the second portion (106) being in contact at least with said lower plane (P).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The field of the invention is windshield wipers for use on motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to an attachment clip for mounting on a windshield wiper. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a windshield wiper and at least one such attachment clip.

[0002] As is known, a wiper system for a motor vehicle comprises at least one drive arm and a wiper blade including a rubber blade intended to be supported against the glass surface of the motor vehicle. The drive arm is driven to move back and forth at an angle against the glass surface of the motor vehicle, during which time it drives the wiper blade and its rubber blade so that the rubber blade rubs against the glass surface and thus removes water, dirt, and dust that could obstruct the motor vehicle driver's view of his surroundings.

[0003] As is known, the wiper blade is attached to the drive arm via a connection assembly comprising a connector integral with the wiper blade and an adapter configured to mate with the wiper blade and the end portion of the drive arm. The connection assembly is configured to, on the one hand, allow the wiper blade to move back and forth against the glass surface in question, and, on the other hand, ensure that the wiper blade is effectively pressed against the glass surface in order to achieve effective scraping and / or cleaning.

[0004] A wiper blade generally comprises a longitudinal support and a rubber blade intended to be pressed against the vehicle window, the rubber blade being maintained on the longitudinal support by attachment means.

[0005] The attachment means is configured to lock onto the longitudinal support, thereby preventing lateral movement between the longitudinal support and the rubber blade.

[0006] A disadvantage of the known automotive system is that the attachment device can scratch the glass in certain arm positions when the glass surface is highly curved, for example on the sides of a windshield.

[0007] The present invention provides an attachment device for a wiper blade, which can avoid scratches on the glass surface during wiping. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes an attachment device for a vehicle windshield wiper, comprising a lower face extending in a lower plane, the attachment device comprising a first portion made of a first material and a second portion made of a second material that is more flexible than the first material, the second portion being in contact with at least the lower plane.

[0009] This attachment device prevents the vehicle window from being scratched during scraping.In fact, the second part of the attachment device is made of a more flexible material than the first part of the attachment device, which prevents the attachment device, more specifically the first part, from scratching the vehicle window.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion is configured to be located between the vehicle window and the first portion.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion is made of a resilient plastic material, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion is made of a rigid plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, a vehicle window wiper comprises at least one longitudinal support and a rubber blade intended to be pressed against the vehicle window, the second portion of the attachment device being made of the same material as the rubber blade.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion is made of a material different from that of the rubber blade.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, the lower face of the attachment device includes a groove configured to retain a rubber blade.

[0016] In one aspect of the invention, the attachment means comprise, on each side of the slot, a notch arranged to bring the rubber blade into abutment against the longitudinal support.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion is made from a single piece.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion is made from a single piece.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion extends at least partially along a lower plane extending along a lower face of the attachment device.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion extends entirely along a lower plane extending along the lower face of the attachment device.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second portion includes at least a protrusion that protrudes beyond the lower plane in a direction intersecting the lower plane.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second portion includes at least a protrusion that protrudes beyond the lower plane in a direction opposite to the lower plane.

[0023] According to an aspect of the present invention, the protrusion includes a lip configured to protrude in a direction intersecting the lower plane.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the protrusion includes a lip configured to protrude in a direction opposite to the lower plane.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the lip is coupled to the connection area by a neck.

[0026] In other words, in one aspect of the invention, the protrusion has a "pine tree" shape. "Pine tree" shape is understood here to mean that the protrusion comprises a lip presenting a triangular shape similar to a rubber blade, said lip being connected to the connection area by a neck, the thickness of the neck being less than the thickness of the connection area and / or the thickness of the lip.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the neck between the connecting area and the lip is flexible.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the dimensions of the neck are chosen so that it is stable and flexible. Thus, the neck prevents the attachment device from breaking and ensures that the second part, more particularly the lip of the second part, follows the shape of the vehicle window against which it is pressed.

[0029] In another embodiment, the protrusion has a polygonal or circular shape, or has a combination of flat and curved surfaces.According to one aspect of the invention, the second part is configured to fit at least partially into the first part.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the second part is at least partially accommodated in the first part.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the first part comprises a receiving area configured to receive the connecting area of ​​the second part, said receiving area and said connecting area being complementary to each other.

[0032] According to an aspect of the invention, the receiving area comprises a hollow portion arranged to receive the connecting area of ​​the second part.

[0033] According to an aspect of the invention, the receiving area of ​​the first part has a shape arranged to maintain the connecting area of ​​the second part in said receiving area.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the receiving region of the first part comprises at least one retaining element, which is arranged to retain the connecting region of the second part in said receiving region.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one retaining element comprises a flange, the connecting area of ​​the second part having a shape adapted to said flange, the connecting area of ​​the second part being arranged to be retained by said flange.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one retaining element comprises a pin, the connecting area of ​​the second part having a shape adapted to said pin, the connecting area of ​​the second part being arranged to be retained by said pin.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion is at least partially adjacent to the second portion.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion comprises a protrusion, said protrusion comprising the receiving area.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the attachment device comprises an upper face opposite to the lower face, the upper face extending along an upper plane, the protrusion protruding beyond the upper plane in a direction intersecting the upper plane.

[0040] According to an aspect of the invention, the second portion comprises at least a border, which is arranged to fit with the protrusion of the first portion.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the boundary is pressed against the protrusion, more specifically against the lower face of the protrusion. In one aspect of the invention, the lower face is inclined compared to the lower plane or the upper plane. In other words, the lower face of the protrusion has a different direction than the upper plane or the lower plane.

[0042] According to one aspect of the present invention, the neck is interposed between the boundary and the protrusion.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion is configured to be overmolded onto the second portion.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the second part is arranged to be mechanically retained in the first part by at least one retaining element.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting region of the second part is arranged to be retained in the receiving region of the first part by complementarity of shape.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting region of the second part is arranged to be retained in the receiving region of the first part by at least one of the retaining elements.

[0047] According to an aspect of the invention, the second part is arranged to be fixed to the first part by at least one fastening means, such as glue, clips or welding.

[0048] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second portion includes a hollow portion.

[0049] According to another aspect of the present invention, the second portion is filled with a second material.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the attachment device comprises a rear longitudinal face configured to press against the vehicle window and a front longitudinal face opposite the rear longitudinal face, the rear and front longitudinal faces extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the rear longitudinal face is at least partially adjacent to the connection region of the second portion.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion extends completely along the rear longitudinal plane.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the rear longitudinal surface is part of the second portion.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the rear longitudinal face is made of a first material.

[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first portion made of the first material includes an insertion groove located at the intersection of the rear longitudinal surface and the lower surface of the protrusion, the groove being configured to be spanned by the projection.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion extends completely along the front longitudinal face.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the front longitudinal surface is part of the second portion.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the front longitudinal face is made of a first material.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the projection is intended to press against the vehicle window.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion is obtained by extrusion.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, the second part is obtained by extrusion.

[0062] According to an aspect of the invention, the attachment device comprises at least one retaining element arranged to retain a longitudinal support of the wiper blade.

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion comprises the retaining element.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the retaining element is, for example, a pin or a head arranged to retain the longitudinal support. This prevents the longitudinal support of the wiper blade from sliding.

[0065] The present invention also aims to provide an assembly comprising: a windshield wiper comprising a longitudinal support and a rubber blade intended to be pressed against the vehicle window, • At least one attachment device according to any of the preceding features, configured to be positioned on the middle section of the wiper blade and to hold the rubber blade and the longitudinal support.

[0066] According to an aspect of the application, the assembly comprises at least one end fitting arranged to be mounted at at least one extremity of the wiper.

[0067] According to an aspect of the application, the attachment device is arranged to fit the shape of the end fitting.

[0068] According to an aspect of the application, the attachment device is arranged adjacent to the end fitting.

[0069] Further features, details and advantages of the application will become more clearly apparent on reading the description which follows, given by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the annexed drawings in which:

[0070] [ Figure 1 ] is a perspective view of an attachment device according to the prior art,

[0071] [ Figure 2 ] is a perspective view of a wiper according to the application,

[0072] [ Figure 3 ] is a perspective view of an attachment device according to an embodiment of the application,

[0073] [ Figure 4 ] is a perspective front view of an attachment device according to [ Figure 3 ] mounted on a wiper blade,

[0074] [ Figure 5 ] is a perspective front view of an attachment device according to [ Figure 3 ] mounted on a wiper blade.

[0075] It should first be noted that the drawings disclose the application in a detailed manner in order to carry it out, said drawings of course making it possible to explain the application more clearly if necessary.

[0076] In the remainder of the description, the names "longitudinal" or "lateral", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear" refer to the orientation of the wiper or attachment device according to the application. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the axis of extension of the blade. The lateral direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the windshield surface on which the windshield wiper blade is placed. Likewise, the vertical direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and normal to said windshield surface. The names "upper" and "lower" are relative to said vertical direction. Likewise, the names "rear" and "front" are relative to the general orientation of the vehicle on which the blade is mounted.

[0077] [ Figure 1 ] shows a perspective view of an attachment device 1 according to the prior art. Such an attachment device 1 has the function of mechanically retaining a component of a wiper, for example to prevent lateral movement of said component.

[0078] The attachment device 1 has an outer sidewall 2 that is complementary to the wiper blade. Within the interior volume 3 bounded by the outer sidewall 2, the attachment device 1 includes a groove 5 whose function is to mechanically retain the heel of the wiper's rubber blade. This groove 5 is formed in the lower face 6 of the attachment device 1. This groove 5 is open to the outside and is defined by two hook-shaped notches 7 extending longitudinally along the attachment device 1.

[0079] The attachment device 1 further comprises a housing arranged to form a volume 8 complementary to the longitudinal support.

[0080] [ Figure 1 ]'s attachment device 1 is made of one or more rigid materials.

[0081] First refer to [ Figure 2 ], an assembly 100 according to the present invention can be seen. This wiper blade 100 is used to wipe the windows of a vehicle and remove water present on the windows from the driver's field of vision. Assembly 100 consists of at least one longitudinal support 116, a rubber blade 117, at least one, or even two, end fittings 118 mounted on each end portion of the longitudinal support 116, and at least one (here, four) attachment device 101 mounted on the middle section of the wiper blade. The longitudinal support 116 is advantageously flexible.

[0082] The longitudinal support 116 can be in the form of a single flat elastic metal strip. According to an alternative, the longitudinal support 116 can be formed by two elastic metal strips, each of which is inserted into a groove formed on both sides of the rubber scraper 117. The longitudinal support is arranged to retain the rubber scraper. In both cases, in the static state, this metal strip is bent in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip. The function of this metal strip (whether there are one or two) is to distribute along the rubber scraper 117 the supporting force applied by the wiper arm at the connecting device 119, which is attached to the longitudinal support 116 at the center in the longitudinal direction of the wiper 100.

[0083] More specifically, the connection means 119 is intended to connect the wiper to the wiper arm in order to drive the wiper in rotation. The connection means may also be one or more air deflectors attached to the longitudinal support 116, whose function is to convert the airflow passing through the wiper into a bearing force that presses the wiper blade 117 against the vehicle window.

[0084] The wiper blade 100 further comprises two attachment devices 100, here four attachment devices of the same form, as will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 5 described.

[0085] Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5A perspective view of an attachment device 101 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0086] Attachment device 101 and [ Figure 1 The attachment device 1 of FIG. 1 is different in that it comprises a first portion 105 made of a rigid plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and a second portion 106 made of a more flexible material, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The attachment device 101 comprises a lower face 107 extending in a lower plane P and provided with a groove 108 open to the outside. The groove 108 is configured to mechanically retain the heel of the rubber blade of the wiper.

[0087] The second portion 106 is made of a material having elastic properties, thereby eliminating the risk of scratching the glass while ensuring effective scraping. In this embodiment, the second portion 106 includes a protrusion 111, which is a lip edge here, which protrudes beyond the lower plane P in a direction intersecting the lower plane P. The second portion 106 is configured to at least partially contact the vehicle window 200 ([ Figure 5 ]). The second portion 106 is in contact with the lower plane P on which the lower face 107 of the attachment device 101 extends, so that the attachment device 101 does not scratch the vehicle window during scraping. The second portion 106 protects the vehicle window 200 from the first portion 105 of the attachment device, which is made of a more rigid material than the second portion 106.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first portion 105 includes a receiving area 113 configured to receive the connecting area 109 of the second portion 106. The receiving area 113 of the first portion 105 and the connecting area 109 of the second portion 106 are complementary to each other. The receiving area 113 of the first portion 105 is located in a protrusion 120 of the attachment device. This protrusion 120 extends beyond an upper plane P1, which is parallel to the lower plane P, and has an upper face 121 extending thereon. This protrusion 120 facilitates installation of the attachment device 101. The attachment device 101 includes a rear longitudinal face 112, which is adjacent to the connecting area 109 of the second portion 106, and a front longitudinal face 114, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In this example, the protrusion 111 of the second portion 106 extends beyond the lower plane P, on which the lower face 107 extends completely along the rear longitudinal face 112.

[0089] In this embodiment, the receiving area 109 of the first portion 105 and the connecting area 113 of the second portion 106 have complementary shapes. In this embodiment, the shapes of the connecting area 113 and the receiving area 109 include at least an angle 115.

[0090] Here, the second part 106 can be overmolded onto the first part 105. In another embodiment, the second part 106 is mechanically retained by the first part 105. More specifically, the receiving area 113 includes retaining elements, such as a pin 123 and a flange 122, which are arranged to maintain the connection area 109 of the second part 106 in the receiving area 113. Thus, the second part is securely retained in the receiving area 113 of the first part 105.

[0091] In another embodiment, the first portion 105 and the second portion 106 may be fixed with at least a clip or glue.

[0092] The second portion 106 comprises a connection region 109, a neck 124, two borders 125 arranged to press against the lower face of the projection, and a projection 111 arranged to press against the vehicle window. The neck is arranged between the connection region 109 and the projection 111, more precisely between the borders 125 and the projection 111. The projection 111 here has an "arrow" or "pine tree" shape.

[0093] In this embodiment, the second portion 106 is configured to contact a glass surface (such as a vehicle window or windshield) at certain wiping positions of the windshield wiper and is located between the first portion 105 made of a rigid material and the vehicle window, thereby avoiding scratches that might otherwise be caused by the first portion 105 rubbing against the vehicle window.

Claims

1. An attachment device (101) for a vehicle windshield wiper, the attachment device (101) comprising a lower face (107) extending in a lower plane (P), the attachment device (101) comprising a first portion (105) made of a first material and a second portion (106) made of a second material, the second material being more flexible than the first material, the second portion (106) being in contact with at least the lower plane (P).

2. The attachment device (101) according to claim 1, wherein The second portion (105) is made of a resilient plastic material such as ethylene propylene diene monomer.

3. The attachment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first portion (105) extends at least partially along the lower plane (P).

4. The attachment device (101) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein The second portion includes at least a protrusion (111) that protrudes beyond the lower plane (P) in a direction intersecting the lower plane (P).

5. The attachment device according to claims 1 to 4, wherein The first portion (105) comprises a receiving area (113) configured to receive a connecting area (109) of the second portion (106), the receiving area (113) and the connecting area (109) being complementary to each other.

6. The attachment device according to claims 1 to 5, wherein The first portion (105) is at least partially adjacent to the second portion (106).

7. An attachment device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The receiving region (113) of the first part (105) comprises at least one retaining element (122, 123) which is arranged to retain the connecting region (109) of the second part (106) in the receiving region (113).

8. The attachment device (101) according to claims 5 to 7, wherein The first portion includes a protrusion (120) including the receiving area, the attachment device includes an upper face opposite the lower face, the upper face extending along an upper plane, the protrusion protruding beyond the upper plane in a direction intersecting the upper plane.

9. The attachment device according to claims 1 to 8, wherein The protrusion includes a lip configured to protrude in a direction opposite to the lower plane, the lip being coupled to the connection area via a neck.

10. An assembly comprising: a windshield wiper (2) comprising a longitudinal support (3) and a rubber blade (4) intended to be pressed against the vehicle window, ● At least one attachment device (101) according to claims 1 to 8, configured to be positioned on a middle section of the wiper blade and to maintain the rubber blade and the longitudinal support in an assembled configuration.

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