Windscreen wiper motor and interference suppression housing for a windscreen wiper motor

Abstract

Windscreen wiper motor (10), comprising a housing (11), wherein an armature shaft (18) with a commutator (30) is arranged in the housing (11), the commutator interacting with carbon elements (31) arranged in the area of ​​a carbon retaining plate (35), which are electrically connected via electrical connections (36), preferably in the form of carbon strands, to a power supply for the windscreen wiper motor (10) via an interference suppression device (40), wherein the interference suppression device (40) is arranged at least substantially in an interference suppression housing (65) which is connected to the carbon retaining plate (35), wherein the interference suppression device (40) is at least indirectly connected to at least one connector connection element (50) which can be connected to connector contacts on a connector area (27) of the housing (11) which serve for contacting vehicle-side mating connectors,and wherein the at least one connector element (50) is fixedly received in its end position in the interference suppression housing (65), characterized in that the at least one connector element (50) is guided in a mounting direction when inserted into the interference suppression housing (65) by guide elements (72, 73) and is fixed in the end position by a snap-fit ​​connection in the interference suppression housing (65), and that the guide elements (72, 73) have extensions projecting from a base (71) of the interference suppression housing (65) in the direction of the connector element (50), which project positively into the opening cross-section of the connector element (50).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a windshield wiper motor according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an interference suppression housing according to the invention with at least one plug connector element for use in a windshield wiper motor.

[0002] A windshield wiper motor according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 39 30 144 A1. It has a carbon holder plate that carries carbon elements which in turn bear against the outer circumference of a commutator. The carbon elements are electrically connected to power supply lines via stranded wires, which terminate in a connector area of ​​the windshield wiper motor housing. A vehicle-side wiring harness or connector serves to supply power to the windshield wiper motor via the connector area. For interference suppression, the power supply lines within the windshield wiper motor are connected to the electrical connections (stranded wires) of the carbon elements via an interference suppression device. For this purpose, the components of the interference suppression device are arranged in an interference suppression housing. Furthermore, the components comprise at least one connector connection element made of sheet metal and designed as a stamped and bent part.The connector element, when mounted in the windshield wiper motor housing, is connected to plug contacts located in the connector area that can be contacted with the aforementioned connectors of the wiring harness. In the known interference suppression device, the connector element is inserted into the interference suppression housing in one mounting direction and rests on the bottom of the housing. A disadvantage of this design is that the position of the connector element within the interference suppression housing can vary within certain tolerance limits due to its loose arrangement, which can be problematic with regard to the reliability of the connection with the plug contacts in the connector area. Furthermore, at least one connector element is fixed in its final position within the interference suppression housing.

[0003] From EP 1 120 885 A2, it is known to guide at least one connector element in one assembly direction during insertion into the interference suppression housing using guide elements and to fix it in the final position by means of a snap-fit ​​connection in the interference suppression housing. The guide elements prevent incorrect assembly or positioning of the connector element in the interference suppression housing and allow it to be positioned in a plane perpendicular to the assembly direction. The snap-fit ​​connection then fixes the connector element in a direction parallel to the assembly direction, so that the combination of the guide elements and the snap-fit ​​connection secures the connector element in all three spatial axes.Furthermore, the use of a snap-fit ​​connection makes it possible to do without additional components for attaching the connector element in the interference suppression housing, and the snap-fit ​​connection enables particularly easy assembly, which, in the case of manual assembly, gives the operator haptic feedback as soon as the connector element is locked in its final position. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] Based on the prior art described above, the invention is based on the objective of further developing a windscreen wiper motor according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that, in addition to the guide elements known per se from EP 1 120 885 A2 with their advantages, the plug connection element can be used on the side opposite the extensions for contacting the plugs (of the vehicle-side wiring harness), so that no additional installation space is required in the base area.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention in a windshield wiper motor with the features of claim 1 in that the at least one plug connector element is guided in a mounting direction when inserted into the interference suppression housing by guide elements and is fixed in the end position by a snap connection in the interference suppression housing, and that the guide elements have extensions projecting from a base of the interference suppression housing towards the plug connector element, which project positively into the opening cross-section of the plug connector element.

[0006] Advantageous further developments of the windscreen wiper motor according to the invention are listed in the dependent claims.

[0007] In a manufacturing-technically preferred embodiment of the locking connection, it is proposed that the locking connection be formed by at least one recess, preferably in the form of an opening, in which at least one connector terminal element is located, and by a snap hook that interacts with the recess in the end position of the at least one connector terminal element and is preferably integrally molded onto the interference suppression housing. This embodiment of the locking connection is therefore particularly advantageous because the connector terminal element is usually designed as a stamped and bent part, and thus the provision of the (additional) opening for the locking connection can be easily achieved by a corresponding modification of the tool without significant investment.Furthermore, the interference suppression housing is usually made of plastic using injection molding, so that the provision of the additional snap hook can be implemented very easily and at relatively low cost by appropriately designing the mold for forming the interference suppression housing.

[0008] A particularly reliable fixation of the connector element, which also reliably prevents it from tilting, can be achieved by having a recess on opposite sides of at least one connector element, each of which interacts with a snap hook. This type of locking connection also has the advantage that even if one snap hook fails, either during operation or due to improper assembly, the other snap hook secures or holds the connector element in the interference suppression housing.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide elements may form areas of guide slots on the base of the interference suppression housing, projecting into the side walls of the connector element. With such a design, the connector element is thus guided not only (with respect to its cross-section) from the inside, but also from the outside.

[0010] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention relates to the case in which the interference suppression device comprises at least one (additional) component in the form of a printed circuit board, on which, in particular, an (additional) interference suppression circuit is arranged. Here, it is provided that the additional component (printed circuit board) is guided in a form-fitting manner by additional guides formed in the interference suppression housing when inserted into it. These additional guides hold the component in a defined position within the interference suppression housing and, in the event of accelerations or external forces, allow it to be transmitted directly into the interference suppression housing and thus kept away from the other components. This results in a mechanically robust interference suppression device.

[0011] The invention additionally comprises, as the smallest component unit, a noise suppression housing comprising guides and a snap-fit ​​connection for the fixed mounting of at least one plug connector element in a windshield wiper motor.

[0012] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing.

[0013] This shows in: Fig. 1 the essential components of a windscreen wiper motor according to the invention in exploded view, Fig. 2 a carbon holder plate with an attached interference suppression housing, as used in a windshield wiper motor according to the Fig. 1 is used in a side view, Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 each of the sections in planes III-III to V-V Fig. 2, Fig. 6 a cut in the plane VI - VI of the Fig. 4, Fig. 7. The components of an interference suppression device and an interference suppression housing in perspective view, Fig. 8 a plug connector element according to the Fig. 7 in a single view in side view, and Fig. 9 a cut in the plane IX - IX of the Fig. 8.

[0014] Identical components or components with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0015] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows the essential components of a windshield wiper motor 10 according to the invention. The windshield wiper motor 10 has a housing 11 comprising a gearbox housing section 12 and a motor housing section 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the gearbox housing section 12 and the motor housing section 13 are integrally connected by the one-piece design of the housing 11. Naturally, it is also within the scope of the invention to use housing designs in which the gearbox housing section 12 and the motor housing section 13 are formed by separate components that are subsequently connected to each other. The motor housing section 13 can be closed on the side opposite the gearbox housing section 12 with a motor housing cover 15, with a sealing ring 14 interposed.

[0016] Within the housing 11, an armature shaft 18 is rotatably mounted in bearing elements 19. On the side facing the gearbox housing area 12, the armature shaft 18 has a worm gear 20. The worm gear 20 meshes with a toothing 22 formed on the circumference of a gear wheel 21. The gear wheel 21 has an axle 23 which is non-rotatably connected to a lever 24 outside the housing 11. The lever 24 is connected, in particular, to a wiper linkage (not shown) of a windshield wiper device and serves to move windshield wipers (also not shown) back and forth. The gearbox housing area 12 is closed on the side opposite the lever 24 by means of a gearbox housing cover 25, in particular by means of screws 26.The gearbox housing cover 25 has a connector area 27 with connector contacts (not shown) arranged therein, via which the windshield wiper motor 10 can be electrically connected to the vehicle's wiring harness for power supply via connectors (not shown).

[0017] The armature shaft 18 carries an armature lamination stack 28 consisting of a plurality of interconnected individual laminations, around whose teeth winding wires 29 are wound in a manner known per se. The winding wires 29 are electrically connected, in particular by soldering or welding, to a commutator 30 which is fixedly arranged on the armature shaft 18. The commutator 30 interacts with several carbon elements 31 which are located within the Fig. The carbon elements 31 are arranged in two identifiable carbon holders 32 and are pressed against the outer circumference of the commutator 30 by means of compression springs. The carbon holders 32, together with the carbon elements 31, are arranged on a carbon holding plate 35, which is round in cross-section and top view. The carbon holding plate 35 is, in turn, received and fixed in a defined position within the housing 11 in corresponding receptacles, for example, pin-shaped extensions.

[0018] According to the Fig. 2. The carbon elements 31 are electrically connected to power supply lines 37 via electrical connections, in particular in the form of stranded wires 36. The power supply lines 37, which can be connected to the vehicle's electrical system via the plug contacts in the plug area 27 and the wiring harness, comprise several components or sections, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 2 is recognizable. Thus, a noise suppression device 40 can be identified as part of the power supply line 37, which corresponds to the Fig. 7 has several interference suppression chokes 41. The wire ends 42 of the interference suppression chokes 41 are electrically connected to the carbon brush holder 32 with the strands 36, in particular by welded connections. The interference suppression device 40 further comprises, for example, an optional printed circuit board 43 with components arranged on it, in particular in the form of SMD components 44, to achieve particularly good interference suppression. Furthermore, a shielding plate 45 can be seen, through which conductor sections 46 of the power supply lines 37 are routed. The conductor sections 46 are connected by means of welded connections 47 to a connector element 50 each to implement two wiper stages.

[0019] Especially in the Fig. The 7 to 9 identifiable connector connection elements 50 are made of sheet metal and are designed as stamped and bent parts. They comprise connector connection tabs 51, 52 that are in contact with each other and can be electrically connected to the (not shown) contact plugs in the connector area 27 and thus to the wiring harness by inserting the contact plugs between the connector connection tabs 51, 52. Furthermore, a rectangular base area 53 of the connector connection element 50 is visible, from the upper surface of which the connector connection tabs 51, 52 extend. In the area of ​​the side walls 54, 55 of the base area 53, rectangular openings 57, 58 are formed symmetrically to a longitudinal plane 56 located between the longitudinally slotted connector connection tabs 51, 52.The cross-section of the base area 53 is designed as an open cross-section with a substantially rectangular end face 59 on the side opposite the connector terminals 51, 52.

[0020] The plug connector element 50 also has horizontally bent contact sections 61, 62 on which the conductor sections 46 rest, and on which the welded connections 47 are formed ( Fig. 3).

[0021] The components of the interference suppression device 40 described so far are (with the exception of a portion of the interference suppression chokes 41 and the wire ends 42) arranged in an interference suppression housing 65. The interference suppression housing 65 is designed as a one-piece housing made of plastic and is preferably manufactured by injection molding. On the side facing the carbon holder plate 35, the interference suppression housing 65 has four retaining feet 66 designed as pin-shaped extensions, which project through corresponding through-openings or through-bores in the carbon holder plate 35. On the side of the carbon holder plate 35 facing away from the interference suppression housing 65, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 2 can be seen to be deformed by caulking in such a way that the interference suppression housing 65 is fixedly attached to the carbon holding plate 35.

[0022] The interference suppression housing 65 has a closed end wall 67 on the side facing away from the carbon brush holder 35, to which a partition 64 is integrally formed, separating the two connector elements 50 from each other. It is essential that, after the components of the interference suppression device 40 are mounted in the interference suppression housing 65 and the interference suppression housing 65 is mounted on the carbon brush holder 35, the assembly consisting of the carbon brush holder 35 and the interference suppression housing 65, when installed in the housing 11 of the windshield wiper motor 10, comes into contact with the connector 27 of the gearbox housing cover 25. This can be seen in particular from the side view according to the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the interference suppression housing 65 has two side walls 68, 69, and, with the exception of the side facing the end wall 67, is designed as an open interference suppression housing 65. This is done in particular to allow for the desired contact between the end plate 45 and the gearbox housing area 12.

[0023] The components of the interference suppression device 40 are mounted in the interference suppression housing 65 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Fig. 2 or in the direction of arrow 70 of the Fig. 7. According to the invention, it is provided that in the final position of the plug connection elements 50, these are fixedly received within the interference suppression housing 65. For this purpose, the interference suppression housing 65, as can be seen in particular from a combined view of the Fig. 2 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, guide elements in the form of plate-like extensions 72, 73 project from the base area 71 of the interference suppression housing 65 towards the two connector elements 50. The extensions 72, 73 have a width that corresponds to the width of the opening cross-section of the two connector elements 50, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 4 is recognizable. Furthermore, the extensions 72, 73 are adapted to the cross-section of the plug connection elements 50 in the area of ​​the base region 53 in such a way that these are in the Fig. The end position of the plug connector elements 50 shown in section 4 extends to approximately 2 / 3 of the height of the base area 53. Furthermore, it can be seen, in particular, from the Fig. 4, that parallel to the side walls 54, 55 in the bottom area 71 of the interference suppression housing 65 groove-like guide slots 74, 75 are formed, which serve for the positive locking reception of the side walls 54, 55 of the plug connection elements 50.

[0024] According to the Fig. Furthermore, between the end wall 67 and one extension 72, a further guide slot 76 is formed, which positively engages a front wall 77 of the connector elements 50. By means of the extensions 72, 73 described above and the guide slots 74 to 76, the connector elements 50 can be precisely positioned in a plane perpendicular to the mounting direction (arrow 70) within the interference suppression housing 65. In addition, to prevent the connector elements 50 from moving against the mounting direction (arrow 70) after assembly in the interference suppression housing 65, the housing 65 also has two snap hooks 78, 79 for each connector element 50, which interact with the openings 57, 58 in the side walls 54, 55 and each form a locking connection. After the components of the interference suppression device 40, in particular the plug connector elements 50, have been assembled, they are to be connected according to the Fig.5 after forming the locking connections, the components are thus fixed in the interference suppression housing 65 on the one hand against the mounting direction (arrow 70), and on the other hand, due to the aforementioned guides, also fixed in a plane perpendicular to the mounting direction in the interference suppression housing 65.

[0025] Furthermore, it is provided that two rib-like guide webs 81, 82 are formed on the side walls 68, 69 of the interference suppression housing 65, between which, when the components of the interference suppression device 40 are inserted, for example the shielding plate 45 or, by means of corresponding additional guides, the circuit board 43 are positively engaged and thus additionally fixed in the interference suppression housing 65.

[0026] The headlight wiper motor 10 described so far, or the components of the interference suppression device 40, can be modified or adapted in various ways without deviating from the inventive concept. This concept consists of a fixed receptacle for the connector elements 50 within the interference suppression housing 65, such that the connector elements 50 are rigidly arranged within the interference suppression housing 65 both in the direction of their installation and in a plane perpendicular to the installation direction after installation. Reference symbol list 10 Windscreen wiper motor 11 cases 12 Gearbox housing area 13 Motor housing area 14 Sealing ring 15 Engine housing cover 18 Anchor shaft 19 Bearing element 20 worm gears 21 Gear wheel 22 gearing 23 axle 24 levers 25 Gearbox housing cover 26 screw 27 Plug area 28 Anchor plate package 29 winding wire 30 Commutator 31 Carbon element 32 carbon holders 35 Carbon holding plate 36 strands 37 Power supply line 40 Interference suppression device 41 Interference suppression choke 42 wire ends 43 Circuit board 44 SMD components 45 Shielding plate 46 Line section 47 Welded joint 50 plug connector element 51 Plug connector tab 52 Plug connector tab 53 Basic area 54 side wall 55 side wall 56 Longitudinal plane 57 Breakthrough 58 Breakthrough 59 Front 61 Contact section 62 Contact section 64 Partition wall 65 Interference suppression housings 66 Support foot 67 End wall 68 side wall 69 Side wall 70 Arrow 71 Floor area 72 Appendix 73 continuation 74 guide slots 75 guide slots 76 guide slots 77 Front wall 78 snap hooks 79 snap hooks 81 Guide bridge 82 Guide bridge

Claims

[1] Windscreen wiper motor (10), comprising a housing (11), wherein an armature shaft (18) with a commutator (30) is arranged in the housing (11), the commutator interacting with carbon elements (31) arranged in the area of ​​a carbon retaining plate (35), which are electrically connected via electrical connections (36), preferably in the form of carbon strands, to a power supply for the windscreen wiper motor (10) via an interference suppression device (40), wherein the interference suppression device (40) is arranged at least substantially in an interference suppression housing (65) which is connected to the carbon retaining plate (35), wherein the interference suppression device (40) is at least indirectly connected to at least one connector connection element (50) which can be connected to connector contacts on a connector area (27) of the housing (11) which serve for contacting vehicle-side mating connectors,and wherein the at least one plug connector element (50) is fixedly received in its end position in the interference suppression housing (65), characterized by , that the at least one connector element (50) is guided in a mounting direction when inserted into the interference suppression housing (65) by guide elements (72, 73) and is fixed in the end position by a snap connection in the interference suppression housing (65), and that the guide elements (72, 73) have extensions projecting from a base (71) of the interference suppression housing (65) in the direction of the connector element (50), which project into the opening cross-section of the connector element (50) in a form-fitting manner. [2] Windscreen wiper motor according to claim 1, characterized by, that the locking connection is formed by at least one recess (57, 58), preferably in the form of a through-hole, on which at least one plug connector element (50) and a snap hook (78, 79) interacting with the recess (57, 58) in the end position, which is preferably integrally formed on the interference suppression housing (65). [3] Windscreen wiper motor according to claim 2, characterized by , that on opposite sides of the at least one plug connector element (50) a recess (57, 58) is arranged which interacts with a snap hook (78, 79) each. [4] Windscreen wiper motor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the guide elements (72, 73) form parts of guide slots (74 to 76) on the bottom (71) of the interference suppression housing (65), protruding into the side walls (54, 55) of the connector element (50). [5] Windscreen wiper motor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the interference suppression device (40) comprises at least one component, in particular in the form of a printed circuit board (43), which is guided in a form-fitting manner by additional guides (81, 82) formed in the interference suppression housing (65) when inserted into the interference suppression housing (65). [6] Windscreen wiper motor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the interference suppression housing (65) is designed as a one-piece plastic component, in particular as an injection molded part. [7] Windscreen wiper motor according to claim 6, characterized by , that the interference suppression housing (65) has pin-like feet (66) on the side facing the carbon holding plate (35) which protrude through through holes in the carbon holding plate (35), and which are deformed by crimping on the side of the carbon holding plate (35) opposite the interference suppression housing (65). [8] Interference suppression housing (65) comprising guide elements (72, 73) and a snap-fit ​​connection for the fixed reception of at least one plug connector element (50) in a windscreen wiper motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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