Wiper linkage for windshield wiper systems in motor vehicles and windshield wiper systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper linkage (10) for windscreen wiper systems (100) in motor vehicles, with two, via a ball joint (15;15a) interconnected elements (21, 23), wherein the two elements (21, 23) are pivotably arranged relative to each other in a pivot point (33) when assembled, wherein the first element (21) has a segment-shaped pin (22) which is received at least partially in a corresponding receiving element (30) on the second element (23), wherein the first element (21) can be inserted in an insertion direction into an insertion opening (34) of the receiving element (30) of the second element (23), wherein the longitudinal axes (36, 37) of the segment-shaped pin (22) and of the corresponding receiving element (30) on the second element (23) are aligned relative to each other, wherein the receiving element (30) on the second element (23) is connected to the second element (23) via a transmission surface (25) serving as radial support.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a wiper linkage for windshield wiper systems in motor vehicles. Furthermore, the invention relates to a windshield wiper system using a wiper linkage according to the invention.

[0002] From DE 21 14 623 B2, a wiper linkage is known in which a plastic, segment-shaped pin of a first element is arranged in a correspondingly shaped receptacle of a plastic receiving element of a second element. The receiving element of the second element is received in an opening of a connecting rod and encompasses the receiving element on its outer circumference. Forces transmitted from the connecting rod via the receiving element to the segment-shaped pin are transmitted in the plane of the connecting rod. Crucially, the opening of the connecting rod, which circumferentially encloses the receiving element, forms a transmission element on the side facing the receiving element, with a transmission surface whose centroid is located in the region of the greatest thickness or largest diameter of the segment-shaped pin.In other words, this means that there is no distance between the plane of the centroid of the transmission element and the plane of the largest diameter of the spherically segmented pin, or that the corresponding planes coincide.

[0003] Such an arrangement has the disadvantage that when forces are transmitted opposite to the insertion direction of the spherical segment-shaped pin into the receptacle of the receiving element, these forces can lead to a radial widening of the receptacle and thus to the spherical segment-shaped pin being pulled out of the receptacle or the receiving element. This is because the resulting force acts on the receiving element as a buckling force in the longitudinal direction of the pin.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 196 16 072 A1 discloses a wiping linkage with the features of the preamble of claim 1, which avoids the disadvantage mentioned in connection with DE 21 14 623 B2 and requires increased forces to release the pin from the receiving element in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the pin into the receiving element. This is essentially solved by forming a gap between a first plane, which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second element at the level of the centroid of the transmission surface, and a second plane, in which the pin has its largest diameter, when the longitudinal axes of the two elements are aligned with each other. This gap is located on the side of the first plane facing away from the insertion opening. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] Based on the prior art described above, the invention aims to further develop a wiper linkage for windshield wiper systems in motor vehicles in such a way that, compared to the prior art, a particularly rotationally rigid arrangement is achieved between the receiving element and the pin. According to the invention, this objective is achieved in a wiper linkage for windshield wiper systems in motor vehicles with the features of claim 1 by the fact that the transmission surface has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the wiper linkage according to the invention for windshield wiper systems in motor vehicles are listed in the dependent claims. The invention encompasses all combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the claims, the description, and / or the figures.

[0007] In a structurally preferred embodiment of the receiving element, it is provided that the receiving element is formed by an injection-molded part consisting at least partially of plastic, and that the transfer surface is at least partially overmolded by the material of the receiving element, or that the transfer surface radially encompasses the receiving element.

[0008] Likewise, in a preferred embodiment of the second element, it is provided that it consists at least partially of metal and that the transmission surface is formed in one piece, for example by deformation of the second element with the second element, wherein the transmission surface is arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis of the receiving element on the side facing the pin.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment of the transfer surface, it has an edge region projecting on one side from a plane of symmetry of the second element. This edge region can be located on the side facing away from the insertion opening of the first element, or on the side facing the insertion opening of the first element. In both variants, it is essential that the aforementioned gap is located on the side facing away from the insertion opening in the first plane.

[0010] Furthermore, to protect the transmission surface between the receiving element and the spherical segment-shaped pins from dirt or similar substances, it is advantageous if the receiving element is cup-shaped and has a closed bottom area on the side facing away from the insertion opening.

[0011] Furthermore, the removal of the spherically segmented pin from the receiving element can be made more difficult by ensuring that the transmission surface has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the receiving element.

[0012] Preferably, the first element is arranged on a pivotably mounted lever which is at least indirectly connected to a wiper motor or wiper shaft.

[0013] Finally, the invention also includes a windshield wiper system using a wiper linkage according to the invention.

[0014] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing.

[0015] This shows in: Fig. 1 a wiper linkage according to the invention for windshield wiper systems in motor vehicles with a wiper motor attached thereto in perspective view and Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 Longitudinal sections through a ball joint between two elements of the wiper linkage according to the invention with differently designed or arranged ball joints.

[0016] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0017] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows the essential components of a windshield wiper system 100 using a wiper linkage 10 according to the invention. The windshield wiper system 100 has a tubular support structure 101 with two mounting bosses 102, 103, by means of which the support structure 101 is attached to the body of a motor vehicle (not shown). In addition, a windshield wiper motor 105 is attached to the support structure 101, the output shaft of which serves to drive the wiper linkage 10 via a lever 106.

[0018] The wiper linkage 10 has a first articulated rod 11, which is connected at one end to the lever 106 and at its other end to a further lever 107. This lever 107 is in turn fixedly coupled to a wiper shaft 108, on which a wiper arm (not shown) with an attached wiper blade is arranged. On the side opposite the wiper shaft 108, the lever 107 is connected to a further, second articulated rod 12, which in turn is connected on the side opposite the lever 107 to a lever 109. The lever 109 is in turn fixedly coupled on the side opposite the articulated rod 12 to a further wiper shaft 110, which serves to drive a further wiper arm and wiper blade (also not shown). The connection between the individual levers 106, 107 and 109 and the connecting rods 11 and 12 is effected in particular by a ball joint 15, 15a which is provided in two different variants according to the invention. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown in more detail.

[0019] The first ball joint 15 according to the Fig. Figure 2 has a first element 21 with a spherically segmented pin 22. The first element 21 is, by way of example, connected on the side facing away from the pin 22 to one of the levers 106, 107, or 109. In the illustrated embodiment, the first element 21, which is preferably made of steel, is formed in one piece; however, it can also consist of several parts. For example, it is possible to form the spherically segmented pin 22 from plastic, which is connected to the corresponding lever 106, 107, or 109 by a connecting rod (not shown).

[0020] The first element 21 of the ball joint 15 is connected, at least indirectly, to a second element 23, in the illustrated embodiment to one of the two connecting rods 11, 12. For this purpose, the corresponding end region of the connecting rod 11, 12 has been provided with a flat or rectangular cross-section by partial deformation, into which a hexagonal opening was then created, for example, by a suitable punching tool. The resulting hexagonal opening was then partially deformed by inserting a mandrel with a round cross-section, so that a transmission surface 25 is formed on the side facing the pin 22. This transmission surface has an edge region 26 that projects axially on one side beyond the flat cross-section of the second element 23, corresponding to the insertion direction of the round mandrel. Due to the deformation by means of the round mandrel, the transmission surface 25 thus points in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the Fig. 2 and Fig. The plane 3 has a cross-sectional shape that alternates between round and straight sections, i.e., it is generally non-circular. Crucially, a force F transmitted via the second element 23 to the first element 21 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the second element 23 acts on, or is introduced into, the first element 21 at the level of a first plane 28, which runs at the level of the centroid of the transmission surface 25, i.e., at half the height of the transmission surface 25.

[0021] The second element 23 is partially overmolded with plastic in the area of ​​the opening or the transfer surface 25, forming a cup-shaped receiving element 30 in the illustrated embodiment. The receiving element 30 has a receiving area 31 that is opposite to the segment-shaped pin 22, in which the receiving element 30 rests directly against the surface of the pin 22. This makes it possible to pivot the two elements 21, 23 relative to each other in all spatial directions at a pivot point 33.

[0022] The receiving element 30 has an insertion opening 34, which is arranged opposite a closed bottom area 35 of the receiving element 30, and which serves to insert the pin 22 into the receiving element 30. Because the second element 23 is made of sheet metal, in particular, the stiffness of the second element 23 is greater, especially in the area of ​​the transfer surface 25, than the stiffness of the receiving element 30.

[0023] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the position of the two ball joints 15, 15a shown in Figure 3, the longitudinal axis 36 of the pin 22 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 37 of the rotationally symmetrical receiving element 30. In this position, in which the first element 21 or the pin 22 is arranged at right angles to the second element 23 or to the receiving element 30, assembly and disassembly between the two elements 21 and 23 is carried out in particular by moving the aforementioned elements 21, 23 against each other.

[0024] The essential point is that, in the case of the ball joint 15, according to the Fig. 2 in the position of the two elements 21, 23 mentioned above, in which the two longitudinal axes 36, 37 are aligned with each other, a distance A is formed between a second plane 38, which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 36 in the area of ​​the largest diameter of the pin 22, and the first plane 28, which is located on the side of the first plane 28 facing away from the insertion opening 34.

[0025] In the Fig. In the modified embodiment of the ball joint 15 shown in Figure 2, the edge region 26 of the transmission surface 25 projects towards the bottom region 35 of the receptacle 30. In the version shown in the Fig. In the embodiment of the ball joint 15a shown in Figure 3, the edge region 26 of the transmission surface 25 projects in the direction of the insertion opening 34 of the receptacle. Nevertheless, even in the embodiment shown in the Fig.In the embodiment of the ball joint 15a shown in Figure 3, a gap A is formed between the first plane 28 and the second plane 38, which is located on the side of the first plane 28 facing away from the insertion opening 34. The described orientation of the gap A between the two planes 28, 38 relative to the insertion opening 34 of the receiving element 30 results in increased pull-off or release forces between the two elements 21 and 23. This is because, figuratively speaking, when the two elements 21 and 23 are moved apart in the direction of the longitudinal axes 36, 37, the area of ​​the first plane 28 must first reach the level of the second plane 38, requiring a radial expansion of the receiving element 30. This expansion necessitates the increased release or pull-off force compared to a prior art arrangement in which the two planes 28, 38 have no gap between them. In particular, the distance A places the pivot point 33 in the optimal position with respect tothe transfer surface 25 is brought so that the tendency to buck is minimized.

[0026] The wiper linkage 10 described so far can be modified or adapted in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. Reference symbol list 10 wiper arms 11 Joint rod 12 Joint rod 15 ball joint 21 first element 22 cones 23 second element 25 Transfer area 26 Edge area 28 Level 30 recording element 31 Recording area 33 Pivot point 34 Insertion opening 35 Floor area 36 Longitudinal axis 37 Longitudinal axis 38 second level 100 Windscreen wiper system 101 Support structure 102 Mounting dome 103 Mounting dome 105 Windscreen wiper motor 106 levers 107 levers 108 Wiper axle 109 levers 110 wiper shaft F force A distance

Claims

[1] Wiper linkage (10) for windshield wiper systems (100) in motor vehicles, comprising two elements (21, 23) connected to each other via a ball joint (15; 15a), wherein the two elements (21, 23) are pivotably arranged relative to each other in a pivot point (33) when assembled, wherein the first element (21) has a segment-shaped pin (22) which is at least partially received in a corresponding receiving element (30) on the second element (23), wherein the first element (21) can be inserted in an insertion direction into an insertion opening (34) of the receiving element (30) of the second element (23), wherein the longitudinal axes (36, 37) of the segment-shaped pin (22) and of the corresponding receiving element (30) on the second element (23) are aligned relative to each other, wherein the receiving element (30) on the second element (23) is connected to the second element (23) via a transmission surface (25) serving as radial support,wherein, in the assembled state of the two elements (21, 23), a gap (A) is formed between a first plane (28), which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (37) of the second element (23) at the level of the centroid of the transmission surface (25), and a second plane (38), in which the pin (22) has its largest diameter, in a position of the two elements (21, 23) in which the longitudinal axes (36, 37) of the two elements (21, 23) are aligned with each other, wherein the gap (A) is arranged on the side of the first plane (28) facing away from the insertion opening (34), wherein the second element (23) is at least partially made of metal and the transmission surface (25) is formed in one piece, for example by deformation of the second element (23) with the second element (23), and wherein the transmission surface (25) is concentric to the longitudinal axis (37) of the pin (22) on the side facing the pin (22). is arranged in the receiving element (30), characterized by, that the transfer surface (25) has a non-circular shape in cross-section. [2] Wiper linkage according to claim 1, characterized by , that the receiving element (30) is formed by an injection-molded part consisting at least partially of plastic, and that the transfer surface (25) is at least partially overmolded by the material of the receiving element (30), or that the transfer surface (25) radially encompasses the receiving element (30). [3] Wiper linkage according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the transfer surface (25) has a one-sided projecting edge region (26). [4] Wiper linkage according to claim 3, characterized by , that the edge region (26) is arranged on the side facing away from the insertion opening (34) of the first element (21). [5] Wiper linkage according to claim 3, characterized by , that the edge region (26) is arranged on the side facing the insertion opening (34) of the first element (21). [6] Wiper linkage according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that the edge area (26) is wavy. [7] Wiper linkage according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the receiving element (30) is cup-shaped and has a closed bottom area (35) on the side facing away from the insertion opening (34). [8] Wiper linkage according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the transfer surface (25) has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the receiving element (30). [9] Wiper linkage according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the first element (21) is arranged on a pivotably mounted lever (106, 107, 109) which is at least indirectly connected to a wiper motor (105) or a wiper shaft (108, 110). [10] Wiper linkage according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that the transfer surface (25) has alternating round and straight sections. [11] Windscreen wiper system (100) with a wiper linkage (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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