Windshield wiper blade with a fluid distribution channel

Abstract

TITLE: Windshield wiper blade with a fluid distribution channel. Windshield wiper blade comprising a wiping blade (12) provided with a channel (38) for distributing washer fluid. The channel (38) includes a volume-reducing element (42). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade comprising a fluid distribution channel. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper for a motor vehicle comprising a wiping blade with a channel for distributing windshield washer fluid or washing or cleaning fluid. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Many windshield wiper blades with a wiping blade and a channel for distributing cleaning fluid or windshield washer fluid are already known. For example, document DE 10 2019 212238 Al describes such a windshield wiper blade.

[0003] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention aims to develop a windshield wiper blade of the type defined above improving wiping and increasing cleaning efficiency.

[0005] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to a windshield wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiping blade with a channel for distributing windshield washer fluid, this windshield wiper blade being characterized in that the channel includes a volume reducing element.

[0007] The windshield wiper blade according to the invention has the advantage of reducing the volume of liquid in the channel, which improves wiping.

[0008] Advantageously, the volume reducing element is an elongated element, in particular cylindrical in shape, which is simple to manufacture and easily placed in the channel.

[0009] According to a simple, economical and thus advantageous embodiment, the volume reducing element is made of plastic material.

[0010] The assembly of the volume reducing element is advantageously simplified in that the volume reducing element is designed to be positioned in the channel in particular with the guide element which ensures centered positioning.

[0011] In a particularly simple and economical way, it is advantageous for the volume reducing element to be made in one piece with the guiding element.

[0012] The installation of the volume reducing element is advantageously simplified thanks to an installation aid, in particular a loop removed after the installation of the volume reducing element.

[0013] According to another advantageous feature, the volume reducing element includes a means of sealing to close the channel during assembly so that the assembly of the wiper blade is simple.

[0014] Advantageously, the obturation element is in the form of a cone or a ball which is simply positioned in the canal.

[0015] According to a simple, economical, and therefore advantageous embodiment, the sealing means is made of plastic. Furthermore, advantageously, the sealing means is made in one piece with the volume-reducing element. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig. 1] Perspective view of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention,

[0018] [Fig.2] section of the wiper blade of [Fig.1], and

[0019] [Fig.3] volume reducing element of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention.

[0020] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Figure 1 shows a wiper blade 10 in perspective view. The wiper blade 10 according to the invention has a longitudinal extension L and mainly comprises a wiping blade 12 and a fastening means 14 for being attached to a wiper arm. The ends along the longitudinal extension L are each provided with an end cap 16 which terminates the wiper blade in its longitudinal extension L. The wiper blade 12 further comprises a channel 18 which extends practically along the entire longitudinal extension L. The channel 18 has a set of spray nozzles 20 arranged so as to be able to spray or project cleaning fluid or windshield washer fluid through the channel 18 along the longitudinal extension L of the wiper blade 12 to reach the windshield to be cleaned. Spray holes 20 are provided practically along the entire longitudinal extension L of the wiping blade 12.According to one variant of the invention, the spray orifices 20 can be provided only in a part of the longitudinal extension L.

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade 12 of the windshield wiper. 10 according to the invention. The wiping blade 12 is practically made up of four parts. The first part is the wiping lip 22, which mainly comprises two segments connected by a pendulum spacer 24. Under the pendulum spacer 24, a contact segment 26 comes into contact with the glass to be cleaned during operation and slides on the glass to be cleaned during the movement of the wiping blade 12. The contact segment 26 has a cross-sectional shape practically triangular, one of whose corners (the apex of the triangle) is applied against the glass. The second segment includes a retaining and cushioning zone 28 used to fix the wiping lip 22 and to cushion the contact area 26.

[0023] The retaining and damping zone 28 has a substantially T-shaped form; the upper cross member of this T-shape fits into a guide groove 30 of a retaining element 32. The retaining element 32 thus forms the second part of the wiping blade 12. The retaining element 32 has a housing 34 receiving a flexible rail 36 for pushing the wiping blade 12 along its entire length against the window to be cleaned. The retaining element 32 also includes a channel 38; more precisely, in the case of the embodiment shown, there are two channels 38. The channel 38 is made in one piece with a deflecting blade 40 such that the latter is also fixed to the element 32.

[0024] The channel 38 houses a volume-reducing element 42. The volume-reducing element 42 is in the form of an elongated cylindrical element 46; it passes through the channel 38 almost along its entire length. The elongated element 46 of the volume-reducing element 42 is thus positioned centrally within the circular channel 38. Four guide elements 44 are provided for this purpose. The guide elements 44 act as spacers, thus supporting the volume-reducing element 42 against the inner wall of the channel 38.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the detail of the volume-reducing element 42. This element consists of the elongated cylindrical element 46, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the channel 38. The diameter is precisely chosen to obtain the desired channel volume 38. For precise positioning, cross- or star-shaped guide elements 44 are provided around the cylindrical element 46. Depending on the longitudinal extension L of the wiping blade 12 or the channel 38, there are two, or in particular at least three, guide elements 44. The end of the cylindrical element 46 is formed by a ball that acts as a sealing element 48. The diameter of the sealing element 48 is slightly larger than the diameter of the channel 48, which allows the sealing element 48 to close the channel during assembly. The other end of element 46, opposite the shutter element 48, has a loop as an aid to positioning 50.

[0026] To create the channel, the process begins by extrusion. Next, the volume-reducing element 42 is inserted with the aid 50 through one end of the channel 38 and pulled into the channel 38. The volume-reducing element 42 is driven in until the sealing element 48 closes the end of the channel 38 by being pushed into the channel 38. Then, the positioning aid 50 is removed and the extended element 46 is shortened, if necessary, to the required length. The volume-reducing element 42 reduces the volume in the channel 38 so that there is less windshield washer fluid in the channel 38. This allows, for example, the same channel 38 to be used for different wiper blades 10, as it produces channels of different volumes. Similarly, if channel 38 cannot be reduced in size during manufacturing, its volume can be effectively reduced, thus avoiding, for example, the need to spray cleaning fluid after the actual testing operation.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element 48 is cylindrical or conical in shape. The sealing element 48 can be made in one piece with the cylindrical element 46, but this does not preclude a multi-part construction, for example, using different materials. Similarly, the guide elements 44 can be made in one piece with the elongated element 46, which allows the latter to be produced, for example, by injection molding. However, a multi-part construction is also possible, with the elongated element 46 and the guide elements 44 being separate parts that can also be made of different materials. The channel 38 and the elongated element 46 are not necessarily cylindrical. A square, hexagonal, or octagonal cross-section is also possible for both the channel 38 and the elongated element 46, independently of each other.

[0028] According to a particularly advantageous feature, the volume reducing element 42 includes at least one guide element 44 for positioning itself in particular in a central manner in the channel 38.

[0029] According to another advantageous feature, the volume reducing element 42 includes an aid to installation 50 in particular a loop removed after assembly.

[0030] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0031] 10 Windshield wiper blades

[0032] 12 Wiping blade

[0033] 14 Means of attachment

[0034] 18 Channel

[0035] 20 Spray orifice

[0036] 22 Wiping lip

[0037] 24 Pendulum spacer

[0038] 26 Contact segment

[0039] 28 Support and damping zone

[0040] 30 Guide groove

[0041] 32 Retaining element

[0042] 34 Housing

[0043] 36 Elastic rail

[0044] 38 Channel

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050] 40 Deflector blade 42 Volume reducing element 44 Guide element 46 Elongated cylindrical element 48 Sealing element 50 Installation aid

Claims

Demands

1. Windscreen wiper blade (10) particularly for a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade (12) having a channel (38) for distributing washing fluid, the channel (38) having a volume reducing element (42), windscreen wiper blade characterized in that the volume reducing element (42) has at least one guide element (44) for positioning itself, particularly in a central manner in the channel (38).

2. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume reducing element (42) is an elongated element (46), in particular of cylindrical shape.

3. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume reducing element (42) is made of plastic.

4. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (44) is made in one piece with the elongated element (46).

5. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume reducing element (42) includes an aid to installation (50), in particular a loop removed after installation.

6. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume reducing element (42) comprises a sealing means (48) for closing the channel (38) during assembly.

7. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing means (48) is in the form of a cone or a ball.

8. Windscreen wiper blade (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the sealing means (48) is made of plastic.

9. Windscreen wiper blade (10) according to claim 2 and any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sealing means (48) is made in one piece with the elongated element (46).

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