Wiper linkage system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wiper linkage system that directly transmits the rotational force of an electric motor to a wiper arm. The wiper linkage system includes a gearbox mounted on the wiper motor; a tubular rod mounted on the gearbox; a crank arm mounted on the output shaft of the wiper motor; a first wiper arm mounted on a first end of the crank arm via a rotational axis; a pivot housing assembled with the tubular rod; and a second wiper arm operated by a linkage structure comprising a link unit coupled to the second end of the crank arm and the pivot housing. Specifically, the first end of the tubular rod is secured to the vehicle body via a pipe mount.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0166697 filed on Dec. 13, 2019, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a wiper linkage system, and more particularly, to a wiper linkage system configured to directly transmit forward and reverse rotational forces of a motor to an arm. Background Art

[0004] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] Typically, a vehicle wiper system is a device that wipes dirt from the windshield and ensures clear visibility in the rain. The wiper system is configured so that rotational motion generated by a wiper motor is transmitted to the wiper arm via a wiper linkage system, and the wiper blade rotates within a predetermined range via the wiper arm, thereby wiping the windshield.

[0006] In particular, a wiper using an electric motor is proposed in U.S. Patent No. 7,420,346 B2 entitled "Wiper device for vehicle window" (hereinafter referred to as "the '346 patent"). Figure 1 As shown, this is a drive device for a windshield wiper system for a vehicle window. It has at least two rotatably mounted wiper arms 18 and 20, which are connected to each other via a crank mechanism. Here, one of the wiper arms 18 is directly coupled to a gear in a gearbox 16. The electric drive 10 includes a uniform transmission gear 14 coupled to a wiper motor 12. The transmission gear 14 is contained in the gearbox 16. Furthermore, the wiper motor 12 has a feature that reverses the rotational direction of the electric drive 10 at the end of each stroke of the wiper arm 20. The electric drive 10 also features a sensing mechanism for detecting the end of stroke and a speed control feature.

[0007] In this case, the speed control always reduces the rotational speed of the electric drive 10 near the end of the stroke of the wiper arms 18 and 20, at least two wiper arms 18 and 20 are connected via the crank arm 26 and the swing link 30, and the wiper arms 18 and 20 all have a movement path in the same direction.

[0008] The drive arrangement of the wiper drive constructed in this way can omit an intermediate gear, because one of the wiper arms is driven directly, that is, there is no uneven transmission of the intermediate intermediate gear. The same motor shaft can drive the other wiper arm in the conventional way via the intermediate gear with uneven transmission.

[0009] The above configuration is different from the conventional configuration only in that the position of the motor is changed to the arm fastening position. Since the above configuration uses all the basic components of the conventional configuration, it is difficult to expect cost reduction effects or other significant effects.

[0010] In addition to the wiper using the motor of this structure, the 346 patent is also widely used. Figure 2 A windshield wiper device constructed as shown.

[0011] The wiper device basically consists of a gearbox 16 driven by the wiper motor 12, a gear mounted therein, and a swing link 30 (hereinafter referred to as a tube). The gearbox 16 is driven by the wiper motor 12, the swing link 30 being assembled with the gearbox 16. A crank arm 26 is coupled to the output shaft of the wiper motor 12 and is assembled with a pivot housing 28 (which is assembled with a pivot unit 27). The wiper arm 20 is assembled with the pivot unit 27. The device is fixed to the vehicle body at a pivot housing mount 29.

[0012] As can be seen from the above structure, the rotational force of the wiper motor 12 is transmitted to the two wiper arms through the multiple links.

[0013] The applicant has found that this construction increases costs because it includes two pivot housings, a link unit, a pivot, etc. Furthermore, the numerous components may cause defects during production, increase weight, and complicate the assembly process. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The present invention provides a wiper linkage system that utilizes the forward and reverse rotation characteristics of a motor, thereby eliminating three components of the wiper system including a pivot housing, a linkage unit, and a pivot, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the assembly process.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a wiper linkage system includes: a gearbox mounted on a wiper motor; a tubular rod mounted on the gearbox; a crank arm directly coupled to an output shaft of the wiper motor; a first wiper arm mounted on a first end of the crank arm via a rotational axis; a pivot housing coupled to the tubular rod; and a second wiper arm operated by a linkage structure comprising a link unit coupled to a second end of the crank arm and the pivot housing. Specifically, the first end of the tubular rod is secured to a vehicle body via a pipe mount.

[0016] In one form, the first wiper arm rotates by a rotational force directly transmitted from a wiper motor, and the link structure further includes a link member configured to connect the link unit to the pivot housing so that the second wiper arm is operated via the pivot housing. In another form, the pivot housing is coupled to the second end of the tubular rod.

[0017] In another form, the rotation axis is located below a vehicle window glass, and the arm head of the first wiper arm is covered by a hood of the vehicle during operation.

[0018] The wiper linkage system of the present invention has the following effects.

[0019] First, one of a pair of pivot housings applied to a conventional wiper system can be omitted, thereby reducing weight and cost, and due to the shape of the shaft structure of the crank arm, the positional freedom of the rotation axis can be improved.

[0020] Second, the wiper arm head is fastened not by a rotating shaft but by a separate shaft structure (hereinafter referred to as a rotating shaft), and the rotating shaft is located under the window glass so that the outside of the wiper arm is covered by the engine hood, making it easy to change the appearance design.

[0021] Third, after the wiper arm is assembled, the wiper arm is fixed so as not to move, thereby eliminating the need for an additional structure for rotating the wiper arm in a desired direction.

[0022] Fourth, by implementing wiper operation under simplified conditions, weight can be reduced and costs can be lowered.

[0023] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order that the present invention may be readily understood, its various forms will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional wiper drive device;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a conventional wiper driving device;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a wiper linkage system in one form of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4This is an enlarged view showing a portion of a wiper linkage system according to one form of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a wiper linkage system in one form of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram showing an assembled state of a wiper linkage system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outside of an engine hood.

[0031] Figure 7A It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a conventional rotating shaft and an arm are fixed on the same axis.

[0032] Figure 7B This is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the rotating shaft and the arm of the present invention are separately fixed in one form of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 Schematic diagram comparing a state where glass is wiped by a conventional rotating shaft and a state where glass is wiped by a rotating shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams respectively showing a link structure of a wiper system according to one form of the present invention.

[0035] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0037] Hereinafter, exemplary forms of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the forms described below.

[0038] In the drawings, parts not related to the present invention will be omitted to explain the present invention more clearly.

[0039] In addition, the terms or words used in the specification and claims of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the common or dictionary meaning. Instead, based on such a principle, the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to describe the present invention in the best way, and interpret them according to the meaning and concept of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, exemplary forms of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, a wiper linkage system 1 in one form of the present invention includes: a gear box 100, which is mounted on the wiper motor M; a tubular rod 110, which is assembled with the gear box 100; a crank arm 120 and a first wiper arm W1, which are mounted on the output shaft of the wiper motor M; and a pivot housing 130, which is mounted on the tubular rod 110.

[0042] In one form, one end of the tubular rod 110 is fixed to the vehicle body via a tube mount 140 , while the second wiper arm W2 rotates via a pivot housing 130 .

[0043] Unlike the related art in which two pivot housings, link units, and pivots are used, the present invention can enhance performance even if some components are omitted.

[0044] To this end, according to one form of the present invention, a rotating shaft 200 as a separate shaft structure is provided on one end of the crank arm 120 to allow assembly of the first wiper arm W1, and a link unit 150 is installed on the other end of the crank arm to operate the second wiper arm W2.

[0045] 9A to 9B , the rotating shaft 200 is mounted on one end of the crank arm 120 , which is mounted on the output shaft A of the wiper motor M. The first wiper arm W1 is coupled to the crank arm 120 via the rotating shaft 200 , thereby improving the positional freedom of the output portion of the wiper motor M.

[0046] Furthermore, the first wiper arm W1 rotates by a rotational force directly transmitted from the wiper motor M, and the second wiper arm W2 rotates via a link structure.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the link structure includes a link unit 150, a pivot housing 130, and a link member 160 that connects the link unit 150 and the pivot housing to each other.

[0048] Furthermore, the head of the first wiper arm W1 is not fastened by the rotating shaft of the wiper motor M but fastened by the rotating shaft 200 which is a separate shaft structure. Figure 6 As shown, the rotation shaft 200 is located below the vehicle window glass. When the wiper arm is working, the outside of the wiper arm (for example, the arm head of the first wiper arm) is covered by the vehicle's engine hood, so it is easy to change the appearance design.

[0049] Furthermore, since the head of the first wiper arm is not mounted via the rotating shaft of the wiper motor M but via the rotating shaft 200 which is a separate shaft structure, Figure 5 As shown, the wiper motor can move freely to position A or B, which is similar to having Figure 8 Compared to conventional rotary axis wiper arms shown, a larger area can be wiped.

[0050] Therefore, the present invention is configured such that the rotational force of the motor is directly transmitted to one wiper arm W1 , and the rotational force is transmitted to the other wiper arm W2 through a link structure, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing the weight, and thus achieving cost reduction.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the specific forms shown in the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wiper linkage system, comprising: a gear box mounted on the wiper motor; a tubular rod mounted on the gearbox; a crank arm that is directly coupled to the output shaft of the wiper motor; a first wiper arm mounted on a first end of the crank arm via a rotating shaft; a pivot housing coupled to the tubular rod; as well as a second wiper arm operated by a link structure including a link unit coupled to a second end of the crank arm and the pivot housing, wherein the first end of the tubular rod is fixed to the vehicle body via a pipe mounting member; The rotating shaft is a separate shaft structure provided at the first end of the crank arm, and the arm head of the first wiper arm is not fastened by the output shaft of the wiper motor but fastened by the rotating shaft; The rotation axis is located below a window glass of the vehicle, and the arm head of the first wiper arm is covered by a hood of the vehicle during operation.

2. The wiper linkage system according to claim 1, wherein: The first wiper arm is rotated by a rotational force directly transmitted from a wiper motor, and the link structure further includes a link member configured to connect the link unit to the pivot housing so that the second wiper arm is operated through the pivot housing.

3. The wiper linkage system according to claim 1, wherein: The pivot housing is coupled to the second end of the tubular rod.

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