Windscreen wiper device for a vehicle with one main and one secondary blade

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device for vehicles comprising a main wiper blade and a secondary wiper blade. It is particularly relevant to vehicles with large windows, such as railway vehicles. These windows could, for example, be the windshields of railway locomotives.

[0002] To facilitate understanding of the invention, the term "window wiper device" refers to a device that simultaneously sweeps a window and removes water by means of at least one wiper blade.

[0003] Public transport drivers have a significant responsibility: transporting a large number of passengers to at least one specific destination. It is therefore crucial for these drivers to have a clear and precise view of their vehicle's surroundings. Failure to do so could lead to poor driving decisions, potentially resulting in incidents or even accidents. In the case of a large window, such as a windshield, visibility for the driver must be excellent, both in the central area of ​​the windshield to monitor the vehicle's direction of travel and in the peripheral area to read road signs.As a result, the windshield wiper system of these vehicles must be efficient, both in terms of the quality of the sweep and the coverage of the cleaning provided on the window.

[0004] Currently, one solution involves using a single arm with a large cleaning brush mounted on it. This arm pivots around an axis located in the central area of ​​a lower wall bordering the underside of the windshield. This type of angular sweeping is effective in the central part of the window, but remains ineffective in the corners surrounding this central area. During the arm's pivoting movement, the brush remains aligned along the arm without moving relative to it. If the cleaning brush is mounted on the arm at an angle, this angle remains constant throughout the arm's pivoting movements.

[0005] A second solution involves using a pantograph-type arm. Schematically, such an arm has two parallel rods of equal length, each with a lower end mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis on a lower wall bordering the underside of the windshield, and an upper end to which a support piece is attached. More precisely, the support piece connects the two upper ends of the two rods by being hinged to each of said upper ends. This support piece carries a single, elongated cleaning blade. This cleaning blade is fixed to the support piece. When this type of windshield wiper system is activated, the two rods pivot simultaneously around their lower ends, and the cleaning blade slides across the windshield in a curved path, maintaining the same orientation regardless of the position of the two rods.It should be noted that the two arms remain parallel throughout the entire pivoting movement of the arm. A wiper with a pantograph-type arm is better suited for cleaning the sides of the window, but cannot clean the lower, central area of ​​the window.

[0006] A third solution involves combining a pantograph-type arm carrying a large primary wiper blade with a smaller secondary wiper blade fixed to one of the two rods of the pantograph arm. This secondary wiper blade is designed to clean the windshield in a low, central area. A risk associated with this arrangement is that the primary and secondary wiper blades could collide when the pantograph arm is pivoting. Such a collision is unacceptable because it could cause the wiper mechanism to jam and potentially damage it. To prevent this collision, the secondary wiper blade is positioned lower on its supporting rod.However, while such a configuration would prevent a collision between the two cleaning brushes, it would leave a section of the window—the area between the upper end of the secondary brush and the lower end of the primary cleaning brush—uncleaned. This situation is not ideal for driver visibility.

[0007] It has become clear that the various windshield wiper solutions currently available are not satisfactory for ensuring complete cleaning of a large window, such as the windshield of a railway or subway train. US patent 3,525,115 A describes a windshield wiper device according to the prior art.

[0008] A window wiping device according to the invention is designed in such a way that it can effectively clean the entirety of an extended window, whether in a central and extended area of ​​it, or on the periphery of this central area, or in a low and central area of ​​said window.

[0009] The invention relates to a window wiping device comprising a pantograph-type arm comprising two parallel rods of the same length, each of the two rods comprising a first lower end mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation intended to be fixed to a lower wall bordering below a window to be cleaned, said two first ends being aligned along a horizontal axis, said two rods comprising second upper ends aligned along a horizontal axis and connected to each other by a support piece mounted articulated on said second ends, said support piece carrying a main cleaning brush mounted in a fixed manner on said support piece.

[0010] According to the invention, the windshield wiper device comprises: a first connecting piece comprising a first segment connecting the two rods by means of two first pivot links, and a second inclined segment extending said first segment, a second connecting piece comprising a segment connecting the two rods by means of two second pivot links, said segment comprising a projecting pin, a secondary cleaning brush placed under the main cleaning brush and mounted articulated on the second segment of the first connecting piece, said secondary cleaning brush comprising a groove in which is placed the projecting pin of the segment of the second connecting piece, said pin being capable of sliding in said groove to allow rotation of the secondary cleaning brush when the two rods pivot.

[0011] When the windshield wiper system is activated, it causes a rotational movement of the pantograph-type arm, consisting of several back-and-forth movements. This allows the main cleaning blade, which is fixed in a specific position on the arm, to clean a large central area of ​​the window. During this rotational movement of the two arms, the secondary cleaning blade also pivots beneath the main cleaning blade, offset from it, to clean a lower, central area of ​​the window.The principle of a window wiper device according to the invention is to employ a primary cleaning brush and a secondary cleaning brush positioned beneath the primary brush, without the two brushes colliding during the reciprocating motion of the pantograph-type arm, while allowing the two brushes to cover a large and continuous cleaning area of ​​the window. The two different connecting pieces used to attach the secondary cleaning brush to the rods of the pantograph-type arm are designed to pivot the secondary cleaning brush relative to these two rods and prevent collision with the primary cleaning brush. In this way, when the pantograph-type arm is positioned on one side of the window, the secondary arm emerges beneath the two rods of the pantograph-type arm.When the pantograph arm pivots to a central, vertical position on the window, the secondary cleaning brush also pivots in the same direction, gradually folding along the two rods of the pantograph arm to reach a vertical position. Finally, when the pantograph arm swings to the other side, the cleaning brush pivots in the same direction as the pantograph arm, but ahead of it. The orientation of the primary cleaning brush on the pantograph arm remains constant throughout the rotational movement, which consists of several back-and-forth movements of the arm. Advantageously, the primary cleaning brush extends vertically during this rotational movement. Preferably, the first and second segments of the first connecting piece, as well as the segment of the second connecting piece, are assumed to be straight.Advantageously, the protruding pin is placed in the center of the segment. To summarize the principle of the invention, the main cleaning brush is mounted on a pantograph-type arm, and the secondary cleaning brush is mounted on said pantograph-type arm by means of a pantograph-type device.

[0012] According to one possible feature of the invention, the secondary cleaning brush is straight and the primary cleaning brush is straight, the length of said secondary cleaning brush being less than that of said primary cleaning brush. The secondary cleaning brush complements the primary cleaning brush to ensure continuous cleaning over almost the entire surface of the bay window, the term "continuous" meaning "without leaving any areas uncleaned by either the primary or secondary cleaning brush."

[0013] According to one possible feature of the invention, the groove extends along a longitudinal axis of the secondary cleaning brush over at least a portion of the total length of said secondary cleaning brush. Preferably, the groove extends over less than half the total length of the secondary cleaning brush.

[0014] According to one possible feature of the invention, the first two pivot joints of the first segment of the first connecting piece to the two rods are each placed at a constant distance from the first end of each of the two rods. This means that the first segment of the first connecting piece always extends horizontally, regardless of the degree of inclination of the two rods of the pantograph-type arm.

[0015] According to one possible feature of the invention, the two second pivot joints of the segment of the second connecting piece with the two rods are each placed at a constant distance from the first end of each of the two rods. This means that the segment of the second connecting piece always extends horizontally, regardless of the degree of inclination of the two rods of the pantograph-type arm.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the invention, the distance between the two second pivot joints and the first ends of the two rods is less than the distance between the two first pivot joints and said first ends of the two rods. This configuration suggests that the second connecting piece is located below the first connecting piece.

[0017] According to one possible feature of the invention, the second segment of the first connecting piece is perpendicular to the first segment of said first connecting piece. The second segment is a fixed extension of the first segment, that is, without any possibility of movement relative to said first segment.

[0018] According to one possible feature of the invention, the second segment of the first connecting piece extends vertically. This means that the second segment of the first piece extends vertically, regardless of the degree of inclination of the two rods of the pantograph-type arm.

[0019] According to one possible feature of the invention, the secondary cleaning brush is mounted by being articulated at one end of the second segment of the first connecting piece.

[0020] According to one possible feature of the invention, the main cleaning brush is fixedly mounted on the support piece so as to extend vertically. In this position of the main cleaning brush, the surface area of ​​the window that will be cleaned by said main brush during its rotational movement, involving several back-and-forth motions, will be maximized.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a vehicle front including a window and a lower wall bordering the underside of said window.

[0022] According to the invention, this assembly comprises a windshield wiper device including a pantograph-type arm comprising two parallel rods of the same length, each of the two rods comprising a first lower end mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation fixed to the lower wall, said two first ends being aligned along a horizontal axis, said two rods comprising second upper ends aligned along a horizontal axis and connected to each other by a support piece mounted articulated on said second ends, said support piece carrying a main cleaning brush fixedly mounted on said support piece, said device comprising: a first connecting piece comprising a first segment connecting the two rods by means of two first pivot links, and a second inclined segment extending said first segment, a second connecting piece comprising a segment connecting the two rods by means of two second pivot links, said segment comprising a projecting pin, a secondary cleaning brush placed under the main cleaning brush and mounted articulated on the second segment of the first connecting piece, said secondary cleaning brush comprising a groove in which is placed the projecting pin of the segment of the second connecting piece, said pin being capable of sliding in said groove to allow rotation of the secondary cleaning brush when the two rods pivot.

[0023] A window wiping device according to the invention has the advantage of allowing complete cleaning of a large window, thanks to a clever arrangement of a secondary cleaning brush positioned at a variable offset relative to a pantograph-type arm supporting a primary cleaning brush. Indeed, the secondary cleaning brush is mounted on the pantograph-type arm by means of a pantograph-type mechanism, and can therefore automatically offset itself relative to said arm depending on the angle of inclination of the arm.

[0024] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and a first embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the prior art, [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and a second embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the prior art, [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and a third embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the prior art, [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a front view of an area of ​​a vehicle's facade and a windshield wiper device according to the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and the windshield wiper device according to the invention, in a first phase of operation, [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and the windshield wiper device according to the invention, in a second phase of operation, [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and the windshield wiper device according to the invention, in a third phase of operation, [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a front view of a vehicle's facade and the windshield wiper device according to the invention, in a fourth phase of operation,

[0025] The detailed description that follows, concerning existing embodiments and the embodiment according to the invention, is given by considering the front facade of a railway or metro train, said front facade comprising an extended window and a lower wall. It is assumed that the lower wall borders the window below and extends in the same plane as said window, said plane being substantially vertical. Generally, the window-wiper device will sweep an exterior surface of the window to remove solid or liquid particles that may have accumulated on it, and in the case of liquid particles, will also ensure their removal from said window.

[0026] By referring to the figure 1 A first embodiment 1 of a windshield wiper device according to the prior art comprises a straight arm 2 equipped with a cleaning blade 3 extending at least partially along said arm. This arm 2 has a lower end 4, mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation 6, fixed to the lower wall 5 and extending perpendicularly to said lower wall 5, and a free upper end 7. In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 1 The axis of rotation 6 is located in a central area of ​​the lower wall 5. When the wiper device 1 is activated, the arm 2 simply pivots around the axis of rotation 6 with a predefined angular amplitude. It is observed that with such a wiper device 1, the corners 8 located around a central and extended area 9 of the window 10 are not reached by the cleaning brush 3 and therefore cannot be cleaned.

[0027] By referring to the figure 2 A second embodiment 20 of a windshield wiper device according to the prior art comprises a pantograph-type arm 22, including two parallel rods 23, 24 of equal length. Each of said rods 23, 24 has a lower end mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation 27, 28, fixed to the lower wall 5 and extending perpendicularly to said lower wall 5. These two axes of rotation 27, 28 are parallel and aligned along a horizontal axis. Each of said rods 23, 24 has an upper end, said two upper ends being connected to each other by a support piece 31 hinged to them. This support piece 31 is dimensioned such that the distance between the two upper ends is equal to the distance between the two lower ends.An elongated, straight cleaning brush 32 is fixedly mounted on the support piece 31, extending along a vertical axis. (See the embodiment illustrated in Figure 32.) figure 2 The two axes of rotation 27, 28 are located in a central area of ​​the lower wall 5. When the wiper device 20 is activated, the two rods 23, 24 of the arm 22 pivot simultaneously around the two axes of rotation 27, 28 with a predefined angular amplitude. During this pivoting movement, the two rods 23, 24 rotate while remaining parallel, and the cleaning brush 32 also pivots, tracing a curved area while remaining vertical. It can be seen that with such a wiper device 20, the area of ​​the window 10 cleaned by the cleaning brush 32 is larger than the area swept with the first embodiment described above. On the other hand, referring to the figure 2 , a low and central area 33 of the bay window 10 is not cleaned by the second embodiment 20 of a window wiper device according to the prior art.

[0028] By referring to the figure 3 To clean this lower, central area 33 of the window 10, a third embodiment 40 of a wiper device according to the prior art consists of taking the second embodiment 20 of a wiper device described above and adding to it a secondary cleaning brush 34 shorter than the main cleaning brush 32 mounted on the support piece 31 connecting the two rods 23, 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22. This secondary cleaning brush 34 is fixed to one of the two rods 23, 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22 and extends along the rod 23, 24 to which it is fixed. This secondary cleaning brush 34 has no possibility of movement relative to the rod 23, 24 on which it is mounted and will therefore pivot simultaneously with said rod 23, 24.However, attaching such a secondary cleaning brush 34 to one of the two rods 23, 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22 is not ideal for cleaning a low, central area 33 of the bay window. Indeed, . either it is positioned too low on the rod 23, 24 to avoid a collision with the main cleaning brush 32 fixed to the end of the arm 22, and in this case, there will remain an area of ​​the bay window 10 which will not be cleaned by either the main cleaning brush 32 or the secondary cleaning brush 34, said area being located between the two areas which will be cleaned by the two cleaning brushes 32, 34, or it is positioned too high on the rod 23, 24 and it will then not be able to avoid a collision with the main cleaning brush 32 fixed to the end of the pantograph-type arm 22.

[0029] It is indeed not ideal to think that the secondary cleaning brush 34 will come into contact with the other cleaning brush 32, ensuring a resulting cleaning area on the bay window 10, which is perfectly continuous.

[0030] By referring to figures 4, 5 , 6, 7 And 8To ensure the most thorough cleaning possible of an extended window 10, a window wiper device 100 according to the invention comprises a main cleaning brush 32 and a secondary cleaning brush 101. The main cleaning brush 32 is intended to clean a main, extended area 102 of the window 10, while the secondary cleaning brush 101 is intended to clean a central, lower area 103 of said window 10. The window wiper device 100 according to the invention differs from the third embodiment 40 of a window wiper device according to the prior art and previously described, solely by the mounting of the secondary cleaning brush 101. Consequently, since the mounting of the main cleaning brush 32 on a pantograph-type arm 22 is identical in all respects to that of the main cleaning brush 32 of said third embodiment, it will not be again describe.Only the assembly of the secondary cleaning brush 101 is detailed here.

[0031] By referring to figures 4, 5 , 6, 7 And 8 A windshield wiper device 100 according to the invention, comprises: A first connecting piece 105 comprising a first segment 106 connecting the two rods 23, 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22 by means of two first pivot joints 107, 108, and a second inclined segment 109 extending from said first segment 106. The second segment 109 is perpendicular to the first segment, and the first two pivot joints 107, 108 are positioned at a constant distance from the lower ends of the two rods 23, 24. In this way, the first segment 106 extends horizontally and the second segment 109 extends vertically, regardless of the angle of inclination of said two rods 23, 24. A second connecting piece 110 comprising a segment 111 connecting the two rods 23, 24 by means of two second pivot joints 112, 113, said segment 111 comprising a projecting pin 114.The two second pivot joints 112, 113 are placed at a constant distance from the lower ends of the two rods 23, 24, so that the segment 111 always extends horizontally, regardless of the angle of inclination of the two rods 23, 24. The second connecting piece 110 is placed under the first connecting piece 105.

[0032] The secondary cleaning brush 101 is positioned beneath the primary cleaning brush 32 and includes a groove 115 extending along a longitudinal axis of the secondary cleaning brush 101. Preferably, the groove 115 extends over a distance less than half the length of the secondary cleaning brush 101. The secondary cleaning brush 101 is hinged to a free end 116 of the second segment 109 of the first connecting piece 105, such that the projecting pin 114 of the segment 111 of the second connecting piece 110 engages in the groove 115 of the secondary cleaning brush 101 and is able to slide within it to allow rotation of the secondary cleaning brush 101. The attachment point of the secondary cleaning brush 101 to the free end of the second segment 109 of the first connecting piece 105 is located in a central area of ​​the secondary cleaning brush. 101.This fixing point thus separates the groove 115 and a solid part 117 of said secondary cleaning brush 101.

[0033] By referring to the figure 5 , thanks to such an arrangement of the two cleaning brushes 32, 101 the windshield wiper device 100 will find itself in a first extreme configuration for which the two rods 23, 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22 will be inclined to the maximum on one side of the window 10. For this first configuration, the main cleaning brush 32 which extends vertically is located in a lateral end zone of the window 10, while the secondary cleaning brush 101 extends horizontally towards said lateral end zone emerging under said two rods 23, 24.

[0034] By referring to the figure 6 When the windshield wiper device 100 is activated from the previous initial configuration, the two rods 23, 24 pivot around their lower ends to move towards a central area of ​​the window 10, moving away from the lateral end area of ​​said window 10. The main cleaning brush 32 remains in a vertical position while the secondary cleaning brush 101 pivots in the same direction as the two rods 23, 24, moving towards them. In other words, the secondary cleaning brush 101 pivots in the same direction as the two rods 23, 24, but faster.

[0035] By referring to the figure 7 The pantograph-type arm 22 continues to pivot in the same direction, passing over a vertical, central axis of the window 10. It is thus positioned on the opposite side of the window 10 from its initial configuration. The main cleaning brush 32 therefore continues to pivot while remaining vertical, and the secondary cleaning brush 101 also pivots in the same direction, but at a greater angle than the two rods 23 and 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22. In other words, the secondary cleaning brush 101 has pivoted to the opposite side of the two rods 23 and 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22.

[0036] By referring to the figure 8 The main cleaning brush 32 and the secondary cleaning brush 101 complete their rotational travel, ending up in a configuration that is symmetrical with respect to the first configuration illustrated in the figure 5 .

[0037] This extremely wide amplitude sweep illustrated in figures 5 ,6 , 7 And 8 This can be repeated several times depending on the needs encountered, for example when it is raining and the train or subway is running outdoors. The 100 wiper system thus performs several back-and-forth movements of extreme amplitude over a given period.

[0038] In summary, a window wiper device 100 according to the invention makes it possible to fully exploit the cleaning action of a primary cleaning brush 32 and the cleaning action of a secondary cleaning brush 101, so as to allow complete cleaning of an extended window 10. To this end, the secondary cleaning brush 101 is mounted on the pantograph-type arm 22 carrying the primary cleaning brush 32, by means of a device that is itself pantograph-type. Thanks to this clever mounting of the secondary cleaning brush 101 on the pantograph-type arm 22 carrying the primary cleaning brush 32, the two brushes 32 and 101 clean the window 10 while offset from each other, without risk of collision and without leaving any area of ​​the window 10 that is not covered by said two cleaning brushes 32 and 101.

[0039] As an alternative embodiment of a windshield wiper device 100 according to the invention: The main cleaning brush 32 can be mounted offset from a vertical direction. The ratio of the length of the main cleaning brush 32 to the length of the secondary cleaning brush 101 can be adjusted according to the requirements. The two rotation axes 27, 28 of the two rods 23, 24 of the pantograph-type arm 22 can be positioned in an area of ​​the lower wall 5 that is offset laterally from a central area. The length of the second segment 109 of the first connecting piece 105 can be varied to adapt the starting angle of the secondary brush 101. A spring can be integrated between the secondary brush 101 and the second segment 109 of the first connecting piece 105 at the free end 116 of said second segment 109. This spring ensures that the secondary brush 101 rests on the window 10 without lifting the arm and consequently the main cleaning brush 32.

Claims

1. Window wiper device (1, 20, 40, 100) comprising a pantograph-type arm (22) comprising two parallel rods (23, 24) of the same length, each of the two rods (23, 24) comprising a first lower end mounted in rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation (27, 28) intended to be fastened to a lower wall (5) bordering the bottom of a window (10) to be cleaned, said two first ends being aligned along a horizontal axis, said two rods (23, 24) comprising second upper ends aligned along a horizontal axis and connected to one another by a support part (31) mounted in an articulated manner on said second ends, said support part (31) bearing a main wiper blade (32) mounted fixedly on said support part (31), characterized in that it comprises: - a first connecting part (105) comprising a first segment (106) connecting the two rods (23, 24) by means of two first pivot connections (107, 108), and a second inclined segment (109) extending said first segment (106), - a second connecting part (110) comprising a segment (111) connecting the two rods (23, 24) by means of two second pivot connections (112, 113), said segment (111) comprising a projecting pin (114), - a secondary wiper blade (101) placed below the main wiper blade (32) and mounted in an articulated manner on the second segment (109) of the first connecting part (105), said secondary wiper blade (101) comprising a groove (115) in which the projecting pin (114) of the segment (111) of the second connecting part (110) is placed, said pin (114) being able to slide in said groove (115) to allow the secondary wiper blade (101) to rotate when the two rods (23, 24) pivot.

2. Window wiper device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the secondary wiper blade (101) is rectilinear and the main wiper blade (32) is rectilinear, and in that the length of said secondary wiper blade (101) is less than that of said main wiper blade (32).

3. Window wiper device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the groove (115) extends along a longitudinal axis of the secondary wiper blade (101) over at least part of the total length of said secondary wiper blade (101).

4. Window wiper device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two first pivot connections (107, 108) of the first segment (106) of the first connecting part (105) for connection to the two rods (23, 24) are each placed at a constant distance from the first end of each of the two rods (23, 24).

5. Window wiper device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two second pivot connections (112, 113) of the segment (111) of the second connecting part (110) for connection to the two rods (23, 24) are each placed at a constant distance from the first end of each of the two rods (23, 24).

6. Window wiper device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the distance separating the two second pivot connections (112, 113) and the first ends of the two rods (23, 24) is less than the distance separating the two first pivot connections (107, 108) and said first ends of the two rods (23, 24).

7. Window wiper device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second segment (109) of the first connecting part (105) is perpendicular to the first segment (106) of said first connecting part (105).

8. Window wiper device according to Claims 4 and 7, characterized in that the second segment (109) of the first connecting part (105) extends vertically.

9. Window wiper device according to Claims 4, 7 and 8, characterized in that the secondary wiper blade (101) is mounted in an articulated manner at one end (116) of the second segment (109) of the first connecting part (105).

10. Window wiper device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the main wiper blade (32) is mounted fixedly on the support part (31) so as to extend vertically.

11. Assembly comprising the front of a vehicle having a window (10) and a lower wall (5) bordering the bottom of said window (10), characterized in that it comprises a window wiper device (100) according to Claim 1.