Windscreen wiper blade having plurality of strips, comprising variable profile

Abstract

The invention relates to a windscreen wiper (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one blade rubber strip (1) intended to be in contact with an embedded glass surface; a reinforcing member (2) comprising at least two strips (3), the longitudinal ends of which are placed against each other, each strip (3) being attached to a connector (4) fixed to the reinforcing member (2); and a central mount (5) hinged to each of the connectors (4), characterized in that the windscreen wiper (10) has a variable profile capable of uniformly distributing applied pressure across the entire length of said windscreen wiper (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a windscreen wiper for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0002] Particularly known is the windscreen wiper technology known as "flat blades", which comprises a rubber wiper blade strip substantially made of an elastomer and retained over its entire length. This flat blade is then equipped with at least one longitudinal strip which in particular makes it possible to reinforce the rubber wiper blade strip so as to facilitate the application of this rubber wiper blade strip to the glazed surface of the motor vehicle. In addition, this longitudinal strip is curved and its curvature makes it possible to give the rubber wiper blade strip a curved shape while keeping it pressed against the glazing surface. In other words, it is the longitudinal strip that generates the curvature of the rubber wiper blade strip and therefore the distribution of the pressure exerted by the wiper blade on the windscreen.

[0003] Windscreen wipers are usually attached to arms that are driven by a motor in angular reciprocating motions. The wiper blades are then intended to wipe the vehicle's window glass by scraping it during these angular reciprocating motions, thereby enabling water to be drained by removing it from the driver's field of vision.

[0004] However, flat wiper blades have the disadvantage of wiping the windscreen incorrectly, particularly because the force is not evenly distributed along the windscreen wiper.

[0005] This is particularly important for trucks or vehicles equipped with a single wiper blade (positioned at the Y0 position of the vehicle) on windshields that exhibit significant changes in the radius of curvature (such as complex / panoramic windshields). This issue is also of concern for windshield wipers of large length (>800mm) such as buses are equipped with.

[0006] In particular, in these examples, the limits reached by such windscreen wiper structures are seen, in which the strips are defined according to a compromise for the total wiped area. This compromise results in a lack of local effectiveness and / or local overpressure, which manifests itself as lift at the ends.

[0007] Furthermore, when the length of the windscreen wiper is considerable, the windscreen wiper may exhibit problems of mechanical rigidity, particularly with respect to resisting lateral impacts, these problems being amplified at the strip / connector connection due to the length of the wiper.

[0008] The invention aims in particular to overcome these disadvantages by providing a windscreen wiper for a motor vehicle having a variable profile, that is to say a windscreen wiper whose shape has a structural profile resulting in a variable pressure profile in the strip, so that the application of the wiper blade rubber strip to the windscreen is uniform and the distribution of the pressure exerted by the wiper blade rubber strip on the windscreen when the wiper blade rubber strip is pressed against the windscreen is uniform.

[0009] The subject of the invention therefore relates to a windscreen wiper for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one wiper blade rubber strip intended to come into contact with the glass surface on which it is mounted; a reinforcing member comprising at least two strips, the longitudinal ends of which are placed against each other, each strip being attached to a connector fixed to the reinforcing member; and a central mounting hinged on each of these connectors, wherein the windscreen wiper has a variable profile enabling the applied pressure to be evenly distributed over the entire length of the wiper.

[0010] Such a windscreen wiper exhibits better performance and makes it possible to obtain a uniform wiping quality over the entire surface of the mounted glass, despite variations in the curvature of the windscreen, thanks to the transmission of the force exerted by the arm over the entire length of the windscreen wiper, which makes it possible to better manage the shape variations of the windscreen locally and reduce / avoid the lack or excess pressure at the end of the wiper.

[0011] According to various features of the present invention, taken individually or in combination, it can be proposed that:

[0012] The central mounting has a pivot connection intended to be connected to the drive arm, the pivot connection being arranged longitudinally eccentrically on the central mounting.

[0013] - At least one connector is positioned eccentrically on the strip.

[0014] - At least one strip has at least one geometrical characteristic that differs from another strip.

[0015] The geometrical feature is selected from the following geometrical features, alone or in combination: geometric shape, length, cross section, radius of curvature.

[0016] - At least one strip is made of a different material than the other strip.

[0017] At least one of the strips is asymmetrical, making it possible to take into account the curvature at the end of the wiper.

[0018] - The asymmetric strip occupies a portion having:

[0019] ■ a different geometry than another part of the strip; and / or

[0020] ■ a different cross-section from another part of the strip; and / or

[0021] ■ A different radius of curvature than another part of the strip.

[0022] - The reinforcing member forms a one-piece body which extends substantially entirely along the length of the wiper rubber strip and acts as a support for said strip. In particular, the reinforcing member longitudinally connects the strips aligned on a single longitudinal axis of the windscreen wiper. The reinforcing member thus ensures a mechanically continuous strip so as to ensure a continuous curvature of the reinforcing member along the windscreen wiper, including in its central longitudinal region, or between two strips. This configuration makes it possible to fix strips with different structures that are asymmetrical, in particular at the sub-wipers, so as to better adapt locally to the windscreen without applying a radius of curvature between these strips. In addition, the reinforcing member makes it possible to hold the strips together along the length without the need for a connecting element between the two sub-wipers.

[0023] - The reinforcement member has grooves for slidably mounting the strips.

[0024] The reinforcement member has a retaining element for attaching the wiper rubber strip.

[0025] - The reinforcing member has at least one deflector attached to its upper portion so as to enclose the strips.

[0026] The reinforcing member has at least three deflectors, namely two lateral deflectors and a central deflector, which at least three deflectors enclose the strips over the entire length of the reinforcing member.

[0027] - The central deflector has a different shape than the lateral deflectors.

[0028] The intermediate deflector interacts with the reinforcing member in order to form a connection between the top and bottom blade halves.

[0029] - Windshield wipers also include:

[0030] a spray device configured to spray a washing fluid onto the surface of the glass, the spray device comprising a spray orifice,

[0031] o A washing fluid distribution device configured to distribute said washing fluid to said spraying device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will be better understood from reading the following description which is given by way of example only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a windshield wiper according to the present invention;

[0034] [ Figure 2] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a portion of a wiper (particularly a reinforcement member, a strip, a connector and a wiper rubber strip) in FIG.

[0035] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a windshield wiper according to the present invention, including three cross sections for observing the structure of the windshield wiper;

[0036] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 It is a set of pictures: Figure 4 A to Figure 4 C , showing various possible alternatives for obtaining a variable profile capable of distributing the applied pressure evenly over the entire length of the wiper;

[0037] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of a windshield wiper according to the invention having asymmetry associated with the offset of the pivot links, the offset of the connectors on the strips and the different lengths of the strips.

[0038] First of all, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate the invention in detail for implementing the invention, and of course, if necessary, the drawings can be used to better define the invention. However, it should be noted that these drawings illustrate only some of the possible embodiment variants according to the invention.

[0039] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal" or "lateral" refer to the windscreen wiper. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main axis of the windscreen wiper along which it extends, while the lateral orientation corresponds to straight lines that are collinear, that is to say, intersecting the longitudinal direction and, in particular, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the windscreen wiper in the plane in which the windscreen wiper rotates. With respect to the longitudinal direction, the terms "outer" or "inner" are defined with respect to the point of attachment of the windscreen wiper to the drive arm, the term "inner" corresponding to the arm and the part where the half-wiper extends.

[0040] Finally, the directions referred to as "up" or "down" correspond to orientations perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the windshield wipers, the designation "down" containing the plane of the windshield. Where appropriate, the terms "inner" or "interior" may refer to the interior of a component or the inner / inner side of a component, as opposed to the exterior of the component, which enables, for example, description of the visible or external aspect of a component or the outer / outer side of a component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1A flat windscreen wiper 10 for a motor vehicle is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the windscreen wiper 10 comprises: a wiper blade rubber strip 1, which is intended to come into contact with the surface of the embedded glass; and a reinforcing member 2, which comprises at least two strips 3 (in Figure 2 The longitudinal ends of the strips are placed against each other (shown in FIG. 1 ). The strips 3 are configured to produce an increasing curvature of the wiper rubber strip 1. Each strip 3 is attached to a connector 4 which is fixed to the reinforcing member 2.

[0042] The windscreen wiper 10 also has a central mounting 5 hinged on each of the connectors 4. The hinged connection allows the central mounting 5 to rotate relative to the connectors 4 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the windscreen wiper 10. Since the central mounting 5 is hinged on at least two connectors 4 that are remote from each other, the pressure exerted by the drive arm is distributed (evenly if centered) along the wiper rubber strip 1 via the connectors 4 and the reinforcing member 2.

[0043] The central mounting 5 has a pivot connection 8 which is intended to be attached to a drive arm 9 which is subjected to angular reciprocating movements by a motor. The wiper blade 1 is then driven by these angular reciprocating movements in order to wipe the glazed surfaces of the vehicle, in particular by scraping them. In this way, water is discharged by being removed from the glazed surfaces and therefore from the driver's field of vision.

[0044] The reinforcing member 2 is a component of a windscreen wiper that ensures that the wiper rubber strip 1 follows the curvature of the glass surface to which it is mounted, such as the windscreen of a motor vehicle. Each of the strips 3 generates a pressure distribution between the wiper rubber strip 1 and the windscreen differently over the length of the wiper rubber strip 1, so as to promote its application to the entire glass surface.

[0045] According to the invention, the windshield wiper 10 has a variable, for example asymmetrical, profile which enables the applied pressure to be evenly distributed over the entire length of the windshield wiper 10, i.e. its shape enables the pressure exerted by the wiper blade rubber 1 on the windshield to be evenly distributed when the wiper blade rubber 1 is pressed against the windshield.

[0046] Various possible alternatives for obtaining such a variable profile are described below.

[0047] According to the first alternative ( Figure 4A), the variability of the pressure profile is obtained by an eccentric position of the pivot connection 8 of the central mounting 5. In particular, by making the pivot connection 8 eccentric, so that the pressure applied by the arm 9 can be transmitted to the windscreen wiper 10, the length C1 between the pivot connection 8 and the first end of the central mounting 5 is different from the length C2 between the pivot connection 8 and the second end of the central mounting 5. In this way, the pressure is unevenly distributed on the wiper: the pressure applied to the shortest part of the wiper is greater than the pressure applied to the longest part of the wiper. Finally, the pressure applied by the wiper on the windscreen has a variable, for example asymmetric, profile. According to this option, and as Figure 5 As shown, the length D1 between the pivot connection 8 and the first end of the wiper (first wiper half) can be different from the length D2 between the pivot connection 8 and the second end of the wiper (second wiper half).

[0048] In this way, changing the length of the half-wipers (and therefore the position of the pivot connection 8 ) modifies the respective pressure exerted by each of the two half-wipers.

[0049] Making the pivot connection 8 of the central mounting 5 off-center is only an alternative, and of course this pivot connection 8 could be centered on the central mounting 5 and then another alternative for obtaining a variable profile is implemented.

[0050] According to the second alternative ( Figure 4 B), Variability of the pressure profile is obtained by the eccentric position of the connector on the strip.

[0051] Each connector 4 is fixed to the reinforcing member 2. The presence of at least two connectors 4 makes it possible to distribute the force F exerted by the drive arm on the central mounting 5. Then, the two connectors 4 each transmit some of the force F exerted by the drive arm to the wiper rubber strip 1, in particular via the reinforcing member 2 and each strip 3. In general, each connector 4 is longitudinally arranged in the center or substantially in the center of the strip 3 to which it is attached. Half of the force F is then transmitted longitudinally to the center of each of the strips 3 of the reinforcing member 2. In this way, the pressure exerted by the drive arm connected to the central mounting 5 is distributed on the two connectors 4, thereby making it possible to distribute this pressure evenly along the strip 3 and then along the wiper rubber strip 1 via the reinforcing member 2. In particular, due to the curvature of the wiper rubber strip 1 and because the central mounting 5 is hinged on at least two connectors 4 that are far from each other, the pressure exerted by the drive arm is evenly distributed along the wiper rubber strip 1 via the connectors 4 and the reinforcing member 2.

[0052] However, by eccentrically positioning the connector 4 on one strip 3, the length L1 ( Figure 4B) is different from the length L2 between the connector 4 and the second end of the strip 3 ( Figure 4 L4 in B). In this way, the pressure applied to the shortest part of the strip is greater than the pressure applied to the longest part of the strip. Finally, the pressure applied by the wiper on the windshield has a variable, for example asymmetrical profile.

[0053] According to the third alternative ( Figure 4 C), the variability of the pressure profile is obtained by using strips with different geometrical characteristics or comprising different materials. For example, at least one strip may:

[0054] · have different geometric shapes; and / or

[0055] Available in different lengths (see Figure 4 C, where L1+L2 is different from L3+L4); and / or

[0056] · have different cross-sections; and / or

[0057] have different radii of curvature; and / or

[0058] Includes different materials.

[0059] The strip 3 is made of a material for reinforcing the wiper rubber strip 1 and for converting the pressure exerted by the arm into a pressure distribution exerted by the wiper rubber strip on the windshield. This material is, for example, metal. According to one example of this embodiment variant, at least one strip is made of a different material than the other strip, in order to further improve the local pressure exerted by the wiper rubber strip 1 on the windshield.

[0060] The strips 3 of the reinforcing member 2 have a radius of curvature (RC) for giving the wiper rubber strip 1 a shape adapted to the shape of the windscreen. According to one example of this embodiment variant, at least one strip has a different radius of curvature than the other strips, in order to further improve the local pressure applied by the wiper rubber strip 1 to the windscreen.

[0061] According to one example of this embodiment variant, at least one strip has a different length than the other strip, in order to further improve the local pressure exerted by the wiper blade rubber strip 1 on the windscreen.

[0062] The presence of multiple strips 3 with different characteristics such as shape, section, length, radius of curvature and material makes it possible to constrain the shape of the wiper blade strip 1 over its entire length and to apply a constant force along the wiper blade strip 1 so as to improve scraping and wiping of the windscreen.

[0063] According to a fourth alternative (not shown), the variability of the pressure profile is obtained by the presence of at least one strip having an asymmetric profile. In this way, the asymmetric strip exerts a pressure on the wiper rubber strip 1 according to the asymmetric profile.

[0064] For example, the radius of curvature of the strip may be different on one side or the other: one strip portion (e.g. one half of the strip) has a given radius of curvature and the other portion (the other half of the strip) has a different radius of curvature. It goes without saying that the asymmetry of the strip can be produced by different variants. For example, at least one strip portion may have:

[0065] a different geometry than another part of the strip; and / or

[0066] a different cross-section to another part of the strip; and / or

[0067] • A different radius of curvature than another part of the strip.

[0068] It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the four alternatives for the variability of the pressure profile described above can be employed individually or in combination, since the four embodiment variants can be combined with one another.

[0069] For example, Figure 5 A windshield wiper is shown, wherein:

[0070] D1≠D2: the pivot connection 8 is eccentric and therefore the two scraper halves have different lengths D1 and D2.

[0071] L1≠L2: The connector of the first strip is off-center and therefore the two half-strips have different lengths L1 and L2.

[0072] RC1≠RC2: The two half-strips of the first strip have different radii of curvature RC1 and RC2.

[0073] L3≠L4: The connector of the second strip is off-center and therefore the two half-strips have different lengths L3 and L4.

[0074] RC3≠RC4: The two half-strips of the second strip have different curvature radii RC3 and RC4.

[0075] L1+L2≠L3+L4: The first strip of length L1+L2 has a different length than the second strip of length L3+L4.

[0076] According to a particular embodiment, and as shown in the figures, the reinforcing member 2 forms a one-piece body which extends substantially all along the length of the wiper rubber strip 1 and acts as a support for said strip 3. Such a reinforcing member 2 makes it possible to distribute in one piece the pressure exerted by the arm to the various parts of the wiper 10, depending on the curvature of the windshield intended to be wiped by the wiper rubber strip 1.

[0077] According to an exemplary embodiment, the one-piece body is made of plastic, preferably a flexible plastic.

[0078] The reinforcing member 2 makes it possible to support strips of various lengths, various sections, various shapes, various radii of curvature and various materials in a single structure, thus making it possible to optimize the shape of the one-piece body and therefore of the wiper blade rubber strip 1 .

[0079] The reinforcing member 2 has a lower portion intended to face the windshield and an upper portion facing away from the lower portion. The lower portion of the reinforcing member 2 has a retaining element for attaching the wiper rubber strip 1. More specifically, the wiper rubber strip 1 is preferably made of an elastomer and is retained over its entire length by the reinforcing member 2. Figure 3 As shown, the reinforcing member 2 has claws for gripping the wiper rubber strip 1 , or a channel in which the wiper rubber strip 1 slides.

[0080] The upper part of the reinforcing member 2 has a position intended to receive the strip 3. The reinforcing member 2 distributes the supporting force applied by the drive arm all along the blade rubber strip 1. Figure 3 As shown in the cross section of FIG. 2 , the upper part of the reinforcing member 2 has a groove for slidably mounting the strip 3 .

[0081] According to one embodiment, the reinforcing member 2 has at least one deflector 6 attached to its upper portion, thus enveloping the strip 3. The deflector 6 enables the use of the air flow to assist in pressing the wiper 10 against the windscreen.

[0082] According to the special Figure 3 In one embodiment variant shown in FIG. 1 , the reinforcing member 2 has at least three deflectors, namely two lateral deflectors 6a and 6c and one central deflector 6b, which envelop the strip 3 over the entire length of the reinforcing member 2. This configuration makes it possible to adapt the aerodynamic shape of the deflectors, depending on the curvature of the strip 3 and on the presence of the mounting 5.

[0083] Thus, according to one example, the intermediate deflector 6b has a substantially uniform orientation relative to the lateral deflectors 6a, 6c ( Figure 3 )different shapes.

[0084] According to one embodiment variant, the intermediate deflector 6 b interacts with the reinforcing member 2 so as to form a connection between the top and bottom half-blades.

[0085] also, Figure 1 Two covers 7 are shown positioned on the reinforcing member 2 at the longitudinal ends of the windshield wiper 10. The two covers 7 have substantially the same shape as the lateral deflectors 6a and 6c over their entire length, but have no windows thereon. Each cover 7 makes it possible to integrally cover the longitudinal ends of the windshield wiper 10, and more specifically the longitudinal ends of the reinforcing member 2 and the lateral deflectors 6a and 6c.

[0086] According to one embodiment (not shown), the reinforcing member 2 comprises four strips 3, which are aligned in pairs on a single longitudinal axis and are placed adjacent to each other in pairs. In other words, the longitudinal ends of two of the strips 3 are placed against each other, while the other two strips are placed adjacent to each other and parallel. "Adjacent" is understood to mean that the centers of two strips adjacent to each other are aligned on a single transverse axis. In this way, the reinforcing member 2 comprises four strips 3, which have strips 3 parallel to each other and strips 3 aligned on a single longitudinal axis.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the windshield wiper 10 further comprises:

[0088] - a spray device, the spray device being configured to spray a washing fluid onto the surface of the paneled glass, the spray device comprising a spray orifice;

[0089] - A washing fluid distribution device configured for distributing said washing fluid to said spraying device.

[0090] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and further embodiments will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0091] List of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1: Scraper rubber strip

[0093] 2: Strengthening components

[0094] 3: Strip

[0095] 4: Connector fixed to reinforcement member 2

[0096] 5: Central mounting piece hinged on each of the connectors 4

[0097] 6: Deflector of reinforcement member 2

[0098] 6a, 6c: Lateral deflectors

[0099] 6b: Intermediate deflector

[0100] 7: Cover of windshield wiper 10

[0101] 8: Pivot connection of the central mounting member 5, intended to connect the drive arm 9 and the central mounting member 5

[0102] 9: Driving arm for a wiper system having a windshield wiper 10

[0103] 10: Windshield wipers

Claims

1. A windshield wiper (10) for a motor vehicle, the windshield wiper comprising: At least one rubber scraper strip (1), the at least one rubber scraper strip being intended to come into contact with the surface of the embedded glass; A reinforcing member (2) comprising at least two strips (3) whose longitudinal ends are placed against each other, each strip (3) being attached to a connector (4) fixed to the reinforcing member (2); and a central mounting (5) hinged on each of the connectors (4), characterized in that the windshield wiper (10) has a variable profile that enables the applied pressure to be evenly distributed over the entire length of the windshield wiper (10).

2. A windshield wiper (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The central mounting (5) comprises a pivot connection (8) intended to be connected to a drive arm (9), the pivot connection (8) being arranged longitudinally eccentrically on the central mounting (5).

3. A windscreen wiper (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one connector (4) is positioned eccentrically on the strip (3).

4. A windshield wiper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one strip (3) has at least one geometrical feature that differs from another strip.

5. A windshield wiper (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein The geometric features are selected from the following geometric features alone or in combination: Geometry, length, cross-section, radius of curvature.

6. A windshield wiper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one strip (3) is made of a different material than the other strip.

7. A windshield wiper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one of the strips (3) is asymmetrical.

8. A windshield wiper (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein The asymmetric strip (3) occupies a portion having: ■ a different geometry than another part of the strip; and / or ■ a different cross-section than another part of the strip; and / or ■ A different radius of curvature than another part of the strip.

9. A windshield wiper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The reinforcing member (2) forms a one-piece body which extends substantially along the entire length of the wiper rubber strip (1) and acts as a support for the strip (3).

10. A windshield wiper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The reinforcing member (2) has at least three deflectors, namely two lateral deflectors (6a, 6c) and a central deflector (6b), which enclose the strip (3) over the entire length of the reinforcing member (2).

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