Windscreen-wiper blade comprising a variable profile with multiple vertebras

Abstract

The invention relates to a windscreen-wiper blade (10) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one wiping strip (1) intended to bear on a glazed surface, a stiffening member (2) comprising at least two vertebras (3) joined end-to-end by their longitudinal end, each vertebra (3) being attached to a connector (4) rigidly connected to the stiffening member (2), a central mounting (5) hinged to each of the connectors (4), characterised in that the windscreen-wiper blade (10) has a variable profile suitable for distributing a clamping pressure evenly over the entire length of the windscreen-wiper blade (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade comprising a variable multi-vertebrae profile

[0003] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade for a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

[0004] In particular, a windshield wiper blade technology is known, called a flat wiper blade (from the English "flat blade") comprising a wiping blade, generally made of elastomer, held along its entire length. The flat wiper blade is then equipped with at least one longitudinal vertebra which in particular makes it possible to stiffen the wiping blade, so as to promote the application of this wiping blade to a glass surface of the motor vehicle. In addition, this longitudinal vertebra is curved and its curvature makes it possible to give a curved shape to the wiping blade while keeping it pressed against the glass surface. In other words, it is the longitudinal vertebra which generates the curvature of the wiping blade, and therefore, which generates the distribution of the pressure of the blade on the windshield.

[0005] The wiper blade is generally attached to an arm that is driven by a motor in an angular back-and-forth motion. The wiper blade is then intended to wipe the vehicle's window by scraping it during these angular back-and-forth movements, which allows the water to be evacuated by bringing it out of the driver's field of vision.

[0006] However, flat wiper blades have the disadvantage of not wiping the windshield properly, particularly because the distribution of forces along the wiper blade is not uniform.

[0007] This is all the more important on windscreens with marked variations in curvature radii, such as, for example, complex / panoramic windscreens, especially for trucks or vehicles equipped with a single wiper blade (positioned YO of the vehicle). This problem is also accentuated for very long wiper blades (> 800 mm), for example those fitted to buses.

[0008] Indeed, in these cases, we see the limits reached by such a wiper blade structure, in which the vertebra is defined according to a compromise for the entire wiped area. This compromise leads to a lack of local efficiency, materialized by lifting at the ends, and / or local overpressures.

[0009] In addition, when the length of the wiper blade is significant, it may present problems of mechanical robustness, particularly in terms of resistance to lateral impacts, amplified at the vertebra / connector connection by the length of the blade.

[0010] The invention aims in particular to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a windscreen wiper blade for a motor vehicle having a variable profile, that is to say, the shape of which has a structural profile generating a variable pressure profile in the vertebrae, so that the application of the wiping blade to the windscreen is uniform, so that the distribution of the pressures of the blade on the windscreen is uniform when the blade is applied against the windscreen.

[0011] Thus, the subject of the invention relates to a windscreen wiper blade for a motor vehicle comprising at least one wiping blade intended to bear on a glazed surface, a stiffening member comprising at least two vertebrae placed end to end by their longitudinal end, each vertebra being fixed to a connector secured to the stiffening member, a central mount articulated on each of the connectors, in which the windscreen wiper blade has a variable profile capable of distributing a pressing pressure uniformly over the entire length of the blade.

[0012] Such a wiper blade is more efficient and makes it possible to obtain uniform wiping quality over the entire glass surface, whatever the variations in the curvature of the windscreen, thanks to a transmission of the force of the arm over the entire length of the wiper blade, making it possible to better manage locally the variations in the shape of the windscreen and reduce / avoid lack of pressure at the ends of the blade, or excess pressure.

[0013] According to different characteristics of the invention taken alone or in combination, it may be provided that:

[0014] “the central mount includes a pivot link intended to be connected to a drive arm, the pivot link being arranged longitudinally off-center on the central mount.

[0015] “at least one connector is positioned off-center on a vertebra.

[0016] “at least one vertebra has at least one geometric characteristic different from another vertebra.

[0017] “the geometric characteristic is chosen alone or in combination from among the following geometric characteristics: geometric shape, length, section, radius of curvature.

[0018] “at least one vertebra is made of a different material from another vertebra.

[0019] “at least one of the vertebrae has an asymmetry, allowing the curve at the end of the broom to be accentuated.

[0020] “the vertebra presenting an asymmetry has a portion comprising: ■ a geometric shape different from another portion of the vertebra; and / or

[0021] ■ a different section from another portion of the vertebra; and / or

[0022] ■ a radius of curvature different from another portion of the vertebra, the stiffening member forms a single-piece body extending substantially the entire length of the blade, and serving as a support for said vertebrae. Indeed, the stiffening member longitudinally connects the vertebrae aligned on the same longitudinal axis of the wiper blade. The stiffening member thus ensures mechanical continuity between the vertebrae, so as to guarantee continuity in the curvature of the stiffening member along the wiper blade, including in its central longitudinal zone, or between two vertebrae. This configuration makes it possible to join vertebrae having different structures, in particular asymmetrical at the level of the sub-blades, to better adapt locally to the windshield, and without imposing a radius of curvature between these vertebrae.In addition, the stiffening member allows the vertebrae to be held lengthwise together, without the need for a connecting element between the two sub-brushes. The stiffening member comprises a groove allowing the vertebrae to be slidably mounted. The stiffening member comprises a retaining element allowing the wiper blade to be fixed. The stiffening member comprises at least one deflector fixed to an upper part of the stiffening member so as to encapsulate the vertebrae. The stiffening member comprises at least three deflectors, two lateral and one intermediate, encapsulating the vertebrae along the entire length of the stiffening member. The intermediate deflector has a different shape from the lateral deflectors. The intermediate deflector cooperates with the stiffening member in order to form a connection between an upper half-brush and a lower half-brush.the wiper blade further comprises: o a projection device configured to project a washing fluid onto said glass surface, said projection device comprising projection orifices, o a washing fluid distribution device configured to distribute said washing fluid to said projection device. Brief description of the figures.

[0023] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the wiper blade of Figure 1, including the stiffening member, the vertebrae, the connectors, and the wiper blade;

[0026] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a wiper blade according to the invention, comprising three cross sections making it possible to visualize the structure of the wiper blade;

[0027] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a set of Figures 4A to 4C, illustrating different possible alternatives for obtaining a variable profile capable of distributing a plating pressure homogeneously over the entire length of the brush;

[0028] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention, comprising an asymmetry linked to the off-centering of the pivot connection, to the off-centering of the connectors on the vertebrae, and to the different lengths of vertebrae.

[0029] It should first be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail for implementing the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary. However, it should be noted that these figures only set out some of the possible embodiments according to the invention.

[0030] In the following description, the longitudinal or lateral designations refer to the wiper blade. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main axis of the wiper blade in which it extends, while the lateral orientations correspond to concurrent straight lines, i.e. which intersect the longitudinal direction, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wiper blade in its plane of rotation. For the longitudinal directions, the outer or inner designations are assessed in relation to a point of attachment of the wiper blade on a drive arm, the inner designation corresponding to the part where the arm and a half-wiper blade extend.

[0031] Finally, the directions referred to as upper or lower correspond to orientations perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the wiper blade, the lower denomination containing the plane of the windshield. Where appropriate, the term interior or internal may refer to the interior of a part or to an interior / internal side of a part, as opposed to the exterior of a part, which allows for example to qualify visible or external aspects of the part, or the exterior / external side of the part.

[0032] Detailed description

[0033] Figure 1 shows a flat windshield wiper blade 10 for a motor vehicle. The windshield wiper blade 10, according to this exemplary embodiment, comprises a wiping blade 1 intended to bear on a glazed surface, a stiffening member 2 comprising at least two vertebrae 3 (visible in Figure 2) placed end to end by their longitudinal end. The vertebrae 3 are configured to generate differential curvatures in the wiping blade 1. Each vertebra 3 is fixed to a connector 4 secured to the stiffening member 2.

[0034] The wiper blade 10 also comprises a central mount 5 articulated on each of the connectors 4. The articulated connection allows the central mount 5 to rotate relative to the connector 4 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the wiper blade 10. Because the central mount 5 is articulated on at least two connectors 4 distant from each other, this means that the pressure force of the drive arm is distributed (uniformly if centered) along the wiper blade 1 via the connectors 4 and the stiffening member 2.

[0035] The central mount 5 comprises a pivot connection 8 intended to be fixed to a drive arm 9 actuated by a motor in an angular reciprocating movement. The wiper blade 1 is then driven by these angular reciprocating movements so as to wipe the glass surface of the vehicle, in particular by scraping it. Thus, the water is evacuated by being brought outside the glass surface and therefore outside the driver's field of vision.

[0036] The stiffening member 2 is the component of the wiper blade which ensures that the wiping blade 1 follows the curved shape of a glass surface such as a motor vehicle windshield. Each of the vertebrae 3 generates a pressure distribution between the wiping blade 1 and the windshield, differentially over the length of the blade 1, so as to promote its application over the entire glass surface.

[0037] According to the invention, the windscreen wiper blade 10 has a variable profile, for example asymmetrical, capable of distributing the pressing pressure homogeneously over the entire length of the windscreen wiper blade 10, that is to say that its shape makes it possible to generate a homogeneous distribution of the pressures of the blade 1 on the windscreen when the blade 1 is pressed against the windscreen.

[0038] Various possible alternatives for obtaining such a variable profile are described below. According to a first alternative (figure 4A), the variability of the pressure profile is obtained by decentering the pivot connection 8 of the central mount 5. Indeed, by decentering the pivot connection 8, making it possible to transmit the pressure from the arm 9 to the wiper blade 10, the length C1 between the pivot connection 8 and a first end of the central mount 5 is different from the length C2 between the pivot connection 8 and the second end of the central mount 5. Thus, the pressure is distributed in a non-homogeneous manner on the blade: the pressure exerted on the part of the blade of shorter length is greater than the pressure exerted on the part of the blade having the greater length. And ultimately, the pressure exerted by the blade on the windshield has a variable profile, for example asymmetrical.According to this option, and as illustrated in Figure 5, the length D1 between the pivot connection 8 and a first end of the brush (first half-brush) may be different from the length D2 between the pivot connection 8 and the second end of the brush (second half-brush).

[0039] Thus, by playing on the length of the half-brushes (and therefore on the position of the pivot link 8), we modify the respective pressure of each of the two half-brushes.

[0040] Off-centering the pivot link 8 from the central mount 5 is only one alternative, and of course, this pivot link 8 can be centered on the central mount 5, and another alternative making it possible to obtain a variable profile is then implemented.

[0041] According to a second alternative (Figure 4B), the variability of the pressure profile is obtained by the decentering of a connector on a vertebra.

[0042] Each connector 4 is integral with the stiffening member 2. The presence of at least two connectors 4 makes it possible to distribute the force F exerted on the central mount 5 by the drive arm. The two connectors 4 then each transmit a portion of the force F exerted by the drive arm to the wiper blade 1, in particular via the stiffening member 2 and each vertebra 3. Generally, each connector 4 is arranged longitudinally in the center, or substantially in the center, of the vertebra 3 on which it is fixed. Half of the force F is then transmitted to the center, longitudinally, of each of the vertebrae 3 of the stiffening member 2.Thus, the pressure force exerted by the drive arm connected to the central mount 5 is distributed over these two connectors 4, which makes it possible to distribute this pressure force uniformly along the vertebra 3, then the wiper blade 1 via the stiffening member 2. Indeed, due to the curvature of the wiper blade 1 and the fact that the central mount 5 is articulated on at least two connectors 4 distant from each other, the pressure force of the drive arm is distributed uniformly along the wiper blade 1 via the connectors 4 and the stiffening member 2. But, by off-centering the position of the connector 4 on a vertebra 3, the length L1 (L3 in FIG. 4B) between the connector 4 and a first end of the vertebra 3 is different from the length L2 (L4 in FIG. 4B) between the connector 4 and the second end of vertebra 3.Thus, the pressure exerted on the part of the vertebra with the shortest length is greater than the pressure exerted on the part of the vertebra with the longest length. And ultimately, the pressure exerted by the blade on the windshield has a variable profile, for example asymmetrical.

[0043] According to a third alternative (Figure 4C), the variability of the pressure profile is achieved by using vertebrae with different geometric characteristics or different materials. For example, at least one vertebra may have:

[0044] • A different geometric shape; and / or

[0045] • A different length (see figure 4C where L1 + L2 is different from L3 + L4); and / or

[0046] • A different section; and / or

[0047] • A different radius of curvature; and / or

[0048] • A different material.

[0049] The vertebrae 3 are made of a material that makes it possible to stiffen the wiper blade 1 and to transfer the pressure of the arm into a pressure distribution applied by the blade on the windshield. This material is for example metallic. According to an example of this variant embodiment, at least one vertebra is made of a different material from another vertebra, in order to further refine the local pressure applied by the blade 1 on the windshield.

[0050] The vertebrae 3 of the stiffening member 2 have a radius of curvature (RC) making it possible to give the wiper blade 1 a shape adapted to that of the windshield. According to an example of this variant embodiment, at least one vertebra has a radius of curvature different from another vertebra, in order to further refine the local pressure applied by the blade 1 on the windshield.

[0051] According to an example of this variant embodiment, at least one vertebra has a different length from another vertebra, in order to further refine the local pressure applied by the blade 1 on the windshield.

[0052] The presence of several vertebrae 3, having different characteristics, such as shape, section, length, radius of curvature and material, makes it possible to constrain the shape of the wiper blade 1 over its entire length, and to apply a constant force along the wiper blade 1, in order to improve the scraping and wiping of the windshield. According to a fourth alternative (not illustrated), the variability of the pressure profile is obtained by the presence of at least one vertebra having an asymmetrical profile. Thus, the asymmetrical vertebra exerts pressure on the wiper blade 1 according to a non-symmetrical profile.

[0053] For example, the radius of curvature of a vertebra can be different on one side or the other: one portion of the vertebra, for example a half-vertebra, having a given radius of curvature, and the other portion (the other half-vertebra) having a different radius of curvature. Obviously, the asymmetry of a vertebra can result from different variants. For example, at least one portion of the vertebra can have:

[0054] • A geometric shape different from another portion of the vertebra; and / or

[0055] • A different section from another portion of the vertebra; and / or

[0056] • A radius of curvature different from another portion of the vertebra.

[0057] It is clear to those skilled in the art that the four alternatives for variability of the pressure profile described above can be taken alone or in combination, because the four embodiment variants can be combined with each other.

[0058] For example, Figure 5 illustrates a windshield wiper blade, in which:

[0059] • D1 D2: the pivot link 8 is off-center, so the two half-brushes have different lengths D1 and D2.

[0060] • L1 L2: the connector of the first vertebra is off-center, and thus, the two half-vertebrae have different lengths L1 and L2.

[0061] • RC1 RC2: the two half-vertebrae of the first vertebra have different radii of curvature RC1 and RC2.

[0062] • L3 L4: the connector of the second vertebra is off-center, and thus, the two half-vertebrae have different lengths L3 and L4.

[0063] • RC3 RC4: the two half-vertebrae of the second vertebra have different radii of curvature RC3 and RC4.

[0064] • L1 + L2 L3 + L4: the first vertebra, of length L1 + L2, has a different length from the second vertebra of length L3 + L4.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment, and as shown in the figures, the stiffening member 2 forms a single-piece body extending substantially the entire length of the blade 1, and serving as a support for said vertebrae 3. Such a stiffening member 2 makes it possible, in a single piece, to distribute the pressure applied by the arm on different parts of the wiper 10, depending on the curvature of the windshield intended to be scraped by the wiping blade 1. According to an exemplary embodiment, the single-piece body is made of plastic, preferably a flexible plastic.

[0066] The stiffening member 2 makes it possible to support vertebrae of different lengths, different sections, different shapes, different radii of curvature, of different materials, in a single structure, thus making it possible to optimize the shape of the single-piece body, and therefore, of the wiping blade 1.

[0067] The stiffening member 2 comprises a lower part intended to be turned towards the windshield, and, opposite, an upper part. The lower part of the stiffening member 2 comprises a retaining element allowing the fixing of the wiper blade 1. More precisely, the wiper blade 1 is preferably made of elastomer and is held over its entire length by the stiffening member 2. As illustrated in Figure 3, which represents an example of a wiper blade and three cross sections, the stiffening member 2 comprises a claw pinching the blade 1, or a gutter in which the blade 1 slides.

[0068] The upper part of the stiffening member 2 comprises a location intended to receive the vertebrae 3. The stiffening member 2 ensures a distribution of the support force of the drive arm along the entire length of the wiper blade 1. As illustrated in the cross sections of Figure 3, the upper part of the stiffening member 2 comprises a groove allowing the vertebrae 3 to be slidably mounted.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the stiffening member 2 comprises at least one deflector 6 fixed to the upper part of the stiffening member 2, thus encapsulating the vertebrae 3. The deflector 6 makes it possible to use the air flow to help press the blade 10 against the windshield.

[0070] According to an alternative embodiment, illustrated in particular in Figure 3, the stiffening member 2 comprises at least three deflectors, two lateral ones 6a and 6c, and one intermediate one 6b, encapsulating the vertebrae 3 over the entire length of the stiffening member 2. This configuration makes it possible to adapt the aerodynamic shape of the deflectors as a function of the curvature of the vertebrae 3, and to the presence of the mount 5.

[0071] Thus, according to one example, the intermediate deflector 6b has a different shape from the lateral deflectors 6a, 6c (figure 3).

[0072] According to an alternative embodiment, the intermediate deflector 6b cooperates with the stiffening member 2 in order to form a connection between a top half-blade and a bottom half-blade. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows that two covers 7 are positioned at the longitudinal ends of the windscreen wiper blade 10, on the stiffening member 2. These two covers 7 have, over their entire length, a shape substantially identical to the lateral deflectors 6a and 6c, without however having a window on their upper face. Each cover 7 makes it possible to completely cover a longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade 10, and more precisely a longitudinal end of the stiffening member 2 and the lateral deflectors 6a and 6c.

[0073] According to one embodiment (not shown), the stiffening member 2 comprises four vertebrae 3 aligned two by two on the same longitudinal axis and placed, two by two, next to each other. In other words, two of the vertebrae 3 are placed end to end at one of their longitudinal ends and two of the other vertebrae are placed side by side and parallel to each other. By side by side, it is meant that the centers of two vertebrae next to each other are aligned on the same transverse axis. Thus, the stiffening member 2 comprises four vertebrae 3, with vertebrae 3 parallel to each other and vertebrae 3 aligned on the same longitudinal axis.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the windshield wiper blade 10 further comprises:

[0075] “a projection device configured to project a washing fluid onto said glass surface, said projection device comprising projection orifices;

[0076] “a washing fluid dispensing device configured to dispense said washing fluid to said spraying device.

[0077] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0078] List of references

[0079] 1 wiping blade

[0080] 2 stiffening organ 3 vertebrae

[0081] 4 connector attached to the stiffening member 2

[0082] 5 central mount hinged on each of the connectors 4

[0083] 6 deflectors of the stiffening organ 2

[0084] 6a, 6c side deflectors 6b intermediate deflector

[0085] 7 wiper blade covers 10

[0086] 8 pivot connection of the central mount 5, intended to connect the drive arm 9 and the central mount 5

[0087] 9 drive arms of a wiping system comprising a wiper blade 10

[0088] 10 wiper blades

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper blade (10) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one wiping blade (1) intended to bear on a glazed surface, a stiffening member (2) comprising at least two vertebrae (3) placed end to end by their longitudinal end, each vertebra (3) being fixed to a connector (4) integral with the stiffening member (2), a central mount (5) articulated on each of the connectors (4), characterized in that the windscreen wiper blade (10) has a variable profile capable of distributing a pressing pressure homogeneously over the entire length of the windscreen wiper blade (10).

2. A windshield wiper blade (10) according to claim 1, wherein the central mount (5) comprises a pivot connection (8) intended to be connected to a drive arm (9), the pivot connection (8) being arranged longitudinally off-center on the central mount (5).

3. Windshield wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one connector (4) is positioned off-center on a vertebra (3).

4. Windshield wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one vertebra (3) has at least one geometric characteristic different from another vertebra.

5. Windshield wiper blade (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the geometric characteristic is chosen alone or in combination from the following geometric characteristics: geometric shape, length, section, radius of curvature.

6. Windscreen wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one vertebra (3) is made of a different material from another vertebra.

7. Windshield wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the vertebrae (3) has an asymmetry.

8. Windshield wiper blade (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the vertebra (3) having an asymmetry has a portion comprising: ■ a geometric shape different from another portion of the vertebra; and / or ■ a different section from another portion of the vertebra; and / or ■ a radius of curvature different from another portion of the vertebra.

9. Windscreen wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the stiffening member (2) forms a single-piece body extending substantially the entire length of the blade (1), and serving as support for said vertebrae (3).

10. Windscreen wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the stiffening member (2) comprises at least three deflectors, two lateral (6a, 6c) and one intermediate (6b), encapsulating the vertebrae (3) over the entire length of the stiffening member (2).

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