Windshield wiper surround assembly with flush mounted embedded hose connection

Abstract

A vehicle windshield wiper enclosure assembly (100) includes: a protective enclosure (102) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle body at the lower end of a vehicle windshield, the enclosure (102) having an opening (106) for a pivot shaft (2) of the windshield wiper, the opening (106) including a circumferential boundary region (108) having a front side (110) and a rear side (112), wherein the front side (110) of the boundary region defines a circumferential boundary surface (114); and a hose connector (104) having a rear face and a front face (116), wherein the hose connector is disposed in the opening (106) of the enclosure such that the hose connector (104) abuts the circumferential boundary region (108) of the opening. The front face (116) of the hose connector (104) is flush with the circumferential boundary surface (114) defined by the front side (110) of the boundary region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle windshield wiper enclosure assembly, comprising: a protective panel adapted for mounting on a vehicle body at the lower end of a vehicle windshield, the panel having a pivot opening for a windshield wiper, the pivot opening including a circumferential boundary region having a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side of the boundary region defines a circumferential boundary surface; and a hose connector having a rear face and a front face, wherein the hose connector is disposed in the pivot opening of the panel such that the hose connector abuts the circumferential boundary region of the pivot opening. Background Technology

[0002] Such a vehicle windshield wiper enclosure assembly is known from document JP2010-012815A; see its... Figure 1 and Figure 2 This known enclosure assembly includes an outer enclosure 17, an inner enclosure 16, and an elliptical rubber perforation ring 40, which serves as a hose connector for two wash fluid hoses 35 and 38. The perforation ring 40 is disposed in a through-hole 16a of the inner enclosure 16 and provides a waterproof seal to prevent water from entering the vehicle body. Figure 3 As clearly shown, the front face 41b of the retaining ring 40 is cup-shaped with a protruding circumferential sealing flange 47. See also Figure 2 The sealing flange 47 is in pressure contact with the inner surface 17b of the outer enclosure 17.

[0003] In this known configuration, rainwater may accumulate in the recess defined by the front face 41b of the perforation ring. This is undesirable because rainwater accumulation in the recess may degrade the performance of the outer enclosure 17. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, the object of this disclosure is to provide a windshield wiper enclosure assembly that allows a washer fluid hose to be connected therethrough and that effectively deflects rainwater.

[0005] According to this disclosure, this objective is achieved by a vehicle windshield wiper enclosure assembly as defined in the first paragraph, characterized in that the front face of the hose connector is flush with the circumferential boundary surface defined by the front side of the boundary region.

[0006] Thanks to the embedded hose connectors, assembly line workers can easily and quickly connect the first washing fluid hose from below the enclosure assembly and the second washing fluid hose from above the enclosure assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, because the front surface of the hose connector is at the same level as the surface of the surrounding enclosure, rainwater that impacts the enclosure assembly on or near the hose connector is quickly drained away. Therefore, almost no rainwater accumulates on the enclosure assembly.

[0008] Optionally, the following features may be implemented individually or in combination:

[0009] The hose connector has a through-hole for accommodating the pivot shaft of the windshield wiper;

[0010] The outer periphery of the hose connector is fitted with a waterproof seal, which is preferably made of rubber;

[0011] Hose connectors are made of rigid materials, such as hard plastic;

[0012] The hose connector has a fluid inlet port on its rear face and a fluid outlet port on its front face, both ports being adapted to connect a washing fluid hose thereto;

[0013] A check valve is installed in the fluid inlet port to prevent the washing fluid from flowing back from the fluid outlet port to the fluid inlet port;

[0014] Both the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port are part of an integral fluid tube that passes through the front and rear faces of the hose connector, wherein, preferably, the hose connector includes a fastening hole and the fluid tube is removably fastened in the fastening hole;

[0015] The hose connector has a base plate whose front surface is flush with the circumferential boundary surface defined by the front side of the boundary region and defines the extent of the front face of the hose connector.

[0016] The rear surface of the hose connector has an outer circumferential edge surrounding the substrate;

[0017] The rear side of the boundary region of the axial opening of the enclosure includes a circumferential collar surrounding the outer circumferential edge of the hose connector;

[0018] The hose connector is also an electrical connector, having an electrical interface that allows the wiring of the electric heating element of the heated windshield wiper to be connected to a power source behind the enclosure.

[0019] An electrical interface is a plug-and-socket assembly that has an electrical socket and an electrical plug housed in the electrical socket;

[0020] The plug and socket assembly is installed in a hole formed in the flexible hose connector;

[0021] The hose connector has mounting lugs on which the electrical socket is mounted, preferably via a connector made of a mounting rail and a pair of mounting brackets that clamp the mounting rail.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle that includes a enclosure assembly as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of the enclosure assembly according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear perspective view of the enclosure component.

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 Front perspective view of the hose connector of the enclosure assembly.

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Rear perspective view of the hose connector.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a front perspective view of the enclosure assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Rear perspective view of the enclosure component.

[0030] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 and Figure 6 Front perspective view of the hose connector of the enclosure assembly.

[0031] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Rear perspective view of the hose connector.

[0032] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 and Figure 8 Rear perspective view of the main body of the hose connector.

[0033] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 and Figure 8 A perspective view of the electrical plug of the flexible hose connector.

[0034] Figure 11 yes Figure 7 and Figure 8 A perspective view of the electrical socket for the flexible hose connector.

[0035] Figure 12 It is along Figure 8 The sectional view taken by line XII-XII in the middle.

[0036] Figure 13 This is a front perspective view of an exemplary enclosure assembly having a configuration different from that of embodiments disclosed herein.

[0037] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Rear perspective view of the enclosure component. Detailed Implementation

[0038] This disclosure relates to improvements to a windshield wiper enclosure assembly used as a component of a vehicle (such as a motor vehicle). The main component of this enclosure assembly is a panel. This panel is mounted on the vehicle body at the lower end of the windshield. Its primary purpose is to cover and protect the drive linkage of one or more windshield wipers from dust, rain, debris, etc. Typically, this panel has at least one shaft opening for the windshield wiper pivot axis.

[0039] In this disclosure, the focus is on a shield assembly particularly suitable for use with nozzle-type windshield wipers, i.e., windshield wipers with integrated nozzles for spraying wash fluid. These specific shield assemblies include means for allowing wash fluid supplied from a vehicle body reservoir to pass through the shield to the nozzle-type windshield wiper. This type of shield assembly may be referred to as a shield assembly with wash fluid delivery.

[0040] The accompanying drawings illustrate three different variations of the enclosure assembly with washing fluid delivery, wherein the first two variations are embodiments of this disclosure, and the third variation is used for further illustration.

[0041] In this article, the terms "before" and "after" are understood to have the following meanings:

[0042] The term "front" means that when the corresponding component is in operation and is part of the vehicle, the component faces the outside of the vehicle.

[0043] The term "rear" indicates that when the corresponding component is in operation and is part of the vehicle, the component faces the interior of the vehicle.

[0044] Enclosure assembly with washing fluid delivery - First embodiment

[0045] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The first embodiment 100 of the enclosure assembly according to the present disclosure will now be described.

[0046] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The enclosure assembly 100, pivot shaft 2, shaft support member 4, washing fluid hose 6, and hose clamp 8 are shown.

[0047] The pivot shaft 2 is designed for pivoting the windshield wipers in a reciprocating manner. For this purpose, the head of the windshield wiper arm can be attached to the top 10 of the pivot shaft 2. The base 12 of the pivot shaft 2 is housed in the shaft support member 4.

[0048] The washing fluid hose 6 is fixed to the shaft support member 4 via the hose clamp 8.

[0049] The enclosure assembly 100 includes a protective enclosure 102 and a hose connector 104.

[0050] The protective panel 102 is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle body at the lower end of the vehicle's windshield. The panel 102 has a pivot opening 106. A pivot shaft 2 extends through the pivot opening 106. The pivot opening 106 has a circumferential boundary region 108. The front side 110 of the boundary region 108... Figure 1 As can be seen, the rear side 112 of the boundary region 108 is... Figure 2 As can be seen in the image. The front side 110 of the boundary region 108 defines the circumferential boundary surface 114.

[0051] Here, the rear side 112 of the boundary region 108 includes a circumferential collar 115.

[0052] The hose connector 104 is disposed in the axial opening 106 of the enclosure 102. Therefore, the hose connector 104 is adjacent to the circumferential boundary region 108 of the axial opening 106.

[0053] According to this disclosure, the front surface 116 of the hose connector 104 is flush with the circumferential boundary surface 114 defined by the front side 110 of the boundary region 108.

[0054] Hose connector 104 Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is shown separately. It can be made of rigid materials, such as hard plastic.

[0055] The front face 116 of the hose connector 104 is Figure 3 As can be seen, the rear surface 118 of the hose connector 104 is... Figure 4 As can be seen in the text.

[0056] The hose connector 104 has a through hole 120 for receiving the pivot shaft 2.

[0057] The outer perimeter 122 of the hose connector 104 may be fitted with a waterproof seal. This seal may be made of rubber.

[0058] The hose connector 104 has a fluid inlet port 124 on its rear face 118 and a fluid outlet port 126 on its front face 116. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this configuration, the wash fluid hose 6 is connected to the fluid inlet port 124. Similarly, another wash fluid hose can be connected to the fluid outlet port 126, which is fixed to the windshield wiper to be attached to the pivot shaft 2.

[0059] A check valve can be installed in the fluid inlet port 124. The purpose of this check valve is to prevent the washing fluid from flowing back from the fluid outlet port 126 to the fluid inlet port 124.

[0060] In this embodiment, the hose connector 104 includes a plate-shaped body 128 and an integral fluid conduit 130 fastened to the body 128. In this case, both the fluid inlet port 124 and the fluid outlet port 126 are part of the fluid conduit 130.

[0061] The fluid conduit 130 passes through the front face 116 and the rear face 118 of the hose connector 104. Preferably, the fluid conduit 130 is detachably secured in a fastening hole 132 formed in the body 128.

[0062] The body 128 has a substrate 134 and an outer circumferential edge 136 surrounding the substrate 134. The substrate 134 has a front surface 134a and a rear surface 134b. The front surface 134a of the substrate 134 defines the extent of the front face 116 of the hose connector 104.

[0063] In this example, substrate 134 is teardrop-shaped.

[0064] Back Figure 1 It can be seen that the front surface 134a of the substrate 134 is flush with the circumferential boundary surface 114.

[0065] refer to Figure 2 The circumferential collar 115 of the opening 106 of the enclosure surrounds the outer circumferential edge 136 of the hose connector 104.

[0066] Enclosure assembly with washing fluid delivery - Second embodiment

[0067] refer to Figures 5 to 12 A second embodiment 200 of the enclosure assembly according to the present disclosure will now be described.

[0068] In the following text, only the differences from the first embodiment 100 will be described in detail. For similar components, refer to the description above.

[0069] In this second embodiment, the hose connector 204 also serves as an electrical connector. This embodiment is specifically designed for heated nozzle-type windshield wipers, i.e., nozzle-type windshield wipers with integrated electric heating elements. The heating element improves the cleaning performance of nozzle-type windshield wipers in winter.

[0070] For this purpose, the hose connector 204 has an electrical interface 238. The electrical interface 238 allows the wiring of the heated windshield wiper heating device to be connected to a power source behind the enclosure 202.

[0071] Here, the electrical interface is a plug and socket assembly 238, which has an electrical socket 240 and an electrical plug 242 housed in the electrical socket 240.

[0072] like Figure 9 As shown, a hole 244 with an edge 243 is formed in the body 228 of the hose connector 204. A plug-socket assembly 238 is mounted in this hole 244. The hole 244 and the fastening hole 232 are preferably arranged side by side.

[0073] from Figure 7 As can be clearly seen, the plug and socket assembly 238 does not occupy the entire space defined by the hole 244. Instead, there is a remaining gap 245 between the plug 242 and the edge 243 of the hole 244. This gap 245 provides an entry point for the latch clip 247 of the plug 242 (see [link]). Figure 10 Thanks to this gap 245, clip 247 can be released from electrical socket 240, and plug 242 can be pulled out.

[0074] The main body 228 also has a mounting lug 246 located next to the hole 244 and protruding from the base plate 234. An electrical socket 240 is mounted on the mounting lug 246. A corresponding mounting connector may include a mounting rail 248a and a pair of mounting brackets 248b for clamping the mounting rail 248a, see [link to documentation]. Figure 12 .

[0075] Here, the mounting bracket 248b is part of the electrical socket 240, and the mounting rail 248a is arranged on the mounting lug 246. Of course, they can be interchanged.

[0076] Enclosure assembly with washing fluid delivery – Example

[0077] Figure 13 and Figure 14 A cover assembly 300 with a surround 302 and a hose connector 304 is shown. In this variation, the hose connector 304 is surrounded by a circumferential ridge 350 formed in the surround 302. This creates a recess 352, the bottom of which is occupied by the hose connector 304.

[0078] The drain hole 354 in the hose connector 304 ensures that rainwater drains out of the recess 352, preventing rainwater from accumulating therein.

[0079] The hose connector 304 also has a mounting post 356, which is inserted into a corresponding retaining member 358 formed in the shaft support member 4.

[0080] Advantages

[0081] As part of a complete windshield wiper system, the enclosure assembly disclosed herein simplifies the assembly of the windshield wiper system. In particular, washer fluid hoses and wires (if applicable) can be easily connected.

[0082] The enclosure assembly also features a slim design, making it particularly suitable for buses.

[0083] In addition, the enclosure assembly also has good rainwater deflection performance.

Claims

1. A vehicle windshield wiper cover assembly (100), comprising: a. A protective panel (102) adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body at the lower end of a vehicle windshield, the panel (102) having a pivot opening (106) for a windshield wiper pivot (2), the pivot opening (106) including a circumferential boundary region (108) having a front side (110) and a rear side (112), wherein the front side (110) of the boundary region defines a circumferential boundary surface (114); and b. A hose connector (104) having a rear face (118) and a front face (116), wherein the hose connector is disposed in the axial opening (106) of the enclosure such that the hose connector (104) is adjacent to the circumferential boundary region (108) of the axial opening; The characteristic feature is that the front surface (116) of the hose connector (104) is flush with the circumferential boundary surface (114) defined by the front side (110) of the boundary region. The hose connector (104) has a base plate (134), the front surface (134a) of which is flush with the circumferential boundary surface (114) defined by the front side (110) of the boundary region, and the front surface (134a) of the base plate defines the extent of the front face (116) of the hose connector. The rear surface (118) of the hose connector has an outer circumferential edge (136) surrounding the substrate (134). Furthermore, the rear side (112) of the boundary region of the axial opening (106) of the enclosure includes a circumferential collar (115) surrounding the outer circumferential edge (136) of the hose connector.

2. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The hose connector (104) has a through hole (120) for receiving the pivot shaft (2) of the windshield wiper.

3. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The outer perimeter (122) of the hose connector (104) is fitted with a waterproof seal.

4. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hose connector (104) is made of a rigid material.

5. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hose connector (104) has a fluid inlet port (124) on its rear face (118) and a fluid outlet port (126) on its front face (116), both ports being adapted to connect a washing fluid hose (6) thereto.

6. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein, A check valve is provided in the fluid inlet port (124) to prevent the washing fluid from flowing back from the fluid outlet port to the fluid inlet port.

7. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The fluid inlet port (124) and the fluid outlet port (126) are both part of an integral fluid tube (130) that runs across the front and rear faces of the hose connector (104).

8. The enclosure assembly (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hose connector (204) is also an electrical connector, having an electrical interface (238) that allows the wiring of the electric heating device of the heated windshield wiper to be connected to a power source behind the enclosure (202).

9. The enclosure assembly (200) according to claim 8, wherein, The electrical interface is a plug and socket assembly (238) having an electrical socket (240) and an electrical plug (242) housed in the electrical socket (240).

10. The enclosure assembly (200) according to claim 9, wherein, The plug and socket assembly is installed in the hole (244) formed in the hose connector.

11. The enclosure assembly (200) according to claim 9, wherein, The hose connector (204) has a mounting lug (246), and the electrical socket (240) is mounted on the mounting lug.

12. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The waterproof seal is made of rubber.

13. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein, The rigid material is a hard plastic.

14. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The hose connector includes a fastening hole (132), and the fluid tube (130) is detachably fastened in the fastening hole.

15. The enclosure assembly (100) according to claim 11, wherein, The electrical socket (240) is mounted on the mounting lug via a connector made of a mounting rail (248a) and a pair of mounting brackets (248b) that clamp the mounting rail.

16. A motor vehicle comprising a enclosure assembly (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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