Windshield wiper blade and wiper blade unit for a windshield wiper
The windshield wiper blade unit with a shock-absorbing rail and damping rail design addresses the issue of rocking and flapping noises by stabilizing the elastic rail, achieving a quiet and stable wiping action.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023010950
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-14
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-10-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing windshield wiper blades generate significant rocking noises during wiping due to the reversal of direction of travel, and existing solutions with longitudinal cavities to reduce flapping noises result in movement noises between the elastic rail and damping element.
A windshield wiper blade unit with a shock-absorbing rail that is rigidly connected to the elastic rail over a large area, featuring a damping rail that is closely attached to the elastic rail to prevent contact noise, and a T-shaped groove element that minimizes relative movements and provides cushioning.
The solution effectively reduces relative movements and contact noise between the elastic rail and wiper blade unit, resulting in a stable and quiet operation by minimizing detachment and tilting noises.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade and wiping blade unit for a windshield wiper blade. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade and a wiper blade unit. The windshield wiper blade comprises a flexible rail and a wiper blade unit with a wiping lip and a T-shaped groove element for receiving the flexible rail. STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Such a windshield wiper blade is already known.
[0003] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a windshield wiper comprising at least one elastic rail, a deflector element, in particular a deflector and at least one wiper blade unit having at least one wiper lip and at least one wiper blade coupling element for coupling at least one component, in particular an elastic rail, the main characteristic of this windshield wiper is that the wiper blade unit includes a shock-absorbing rail provided on the wiper lip, the shock-absorbing rail being applied flat against the elastic rail.
[0005] It is generally known that wiper blades without grooves generate relatively significant rocking noises (reversal of direction of travel) during wiping.
[0006] One way to reduce these reversing noises is to equip the wiper blade units with relatively large longitudinal cavities so as to reduce the flapping noises through the damping effect of the longitudinal cavity. However, this nevertheless results in movement noises between the elastic rail and the damping element.
[0007] The wiper blade unit according to the invention has the advantage of reducing the relative movements between the elastic rail and the wiper blade unit. To this end, a damping rail is rigidly connected to the elastic rail over a large area, so as to prevent contact noise between the wiper blade unit and the elastic rail during the retraction of the wiper blade. The damping rail provides cushioning in the vertical direction. Simultaneously, by means of another rail applied against the elastic rail, the damping element is very closely attached to the elastic rail.
[0008] According to the invention, the shock-absorbing rail is a component, in particular a flat one. This flat embodiment with a vertical extension as small as possible allows the shock-absorbing rail to be pressed optimally against the elastic rail.
[0009] The term "wiper blade unit" refers to at least one part, in particular a subassembly, of a wiper blade. The wiper blade unit is designed to pass over the outer surface, in particular a vehicle window, to wipe it, in particular to clean the outer surface and remove surface liquid. In particular, the wiper blade unit is designed for direct contact with the outer surface, in particular a vehicle window. The wiper blade unit is applied to a vehicle. The wiper blade unit is designed to be applied against a vehicle window, in particular the windshield or rear window or the lens of a headlight. The wiper blade unit preferably comprises at least one wiper blade coupling element and a wiping lip.
[0010] The wiping lip is designed to be in direct contact, during operation, with the external surface, in particular a vehicle window. The wiping lip adapts, at least under the effect of a force, for example, that of an elastic rail of the wiper blade against the shape of the external surface. The wiping lip is made of a natural or synthetic elastomer, in particular, a plastic or rubber material. The wiping lip is provided on the elastic rail housing; in particular, it is a single piece with the elastic rail housing. The wiping lip extends practically parallel to the main direction of extension of the wiper blade unit.
[0011] The expression "principal direction of extension" of an object refers to the direction that is parallel to the direction of the longest side of the smallest parallelepiped that closely surrounds the object. The expression "practically parallel" refers in particular to the orientation of a direction with respect to a reference direction, especially in a plane; the direction deviates from the reference direction by only a deviation, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and, particularly advantageously, less than 2°.
[0012] The wiper blade coupling element of the wiper blade unit is designed to couple the wiper blade unit to other wiper blade components. Other wiper blade components include, for example, the elastic rail, end caps, a fastening element, a wiper arm adapter, a retaining spring, or similar elements.
[0013] In particular, the wiper blade coupling element is designed to receive at least part of the elastic rail. The wiper blade coupling element preferably has a practically T-shaped contour (T-shaped section). The wiper blade coupling element is practically a solid body. The element The wiper blade coupling element has no significant cavities, particularly longitudinal cavities. The wiper blade coupling element and the damping rail form a first inner-side housing for the elastic rail. Preferably, this first housing, or cavity, is located in the mid-zone. The wiper blade coupling element is in the mid-zone. The wiper blade coupling element extends horizontally without extending significantly beyond the wiping lip. The vertical spacer of the T-shaped groove element of the wiper blade coupling element passes vertically through the elastic rail. Preferably, the horizontal beam of the T-shaped groove element of the wiper blade coupling element acts as a vertical stop for the elastic rail.
[0014] The expression "principal direction of extension of a housing or recess" refers, in particular, to a principal direction of extension of a wall delimiting the housing or recess, especially for an infinitely thin, geometric wall thickness. Preferably, the wiper blade coupling element, in at least one operating state of the wiper blade unit, is not in contact with the outer surface, particularly the vehicle window. The wiper blade coupling element is made of a natural or synthetic elastomer, in particular a plastic or a rubber.
[0015] The wiping lip and the wiping blade coupling element are made of the same material. Preferably, the wiping lip is connected to the base body. Preferably, the wiping lip is formed in one piece with the wiping blade coupling element. The wiping lip is connected in one piece to the wiping blade coupling element. The expression "in one piece" refers in particular to a one-piece construction or a connection by material such as, for example, a connection by welding or bonding and, particularly preferably, a shape given by the manufacturing process, in cast iron or by a one- or multi-component injection molding process. The expression "in one piece" means a one-piece formation.Preferably, this part is produced from a single blank, mass or cast portion and, particularly preferably, obtained by an injection process, in particular a one- or multi-component injection process.
[0016] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the main extension direction of the base body is at least practically parallel to the main extension direction of the wiping lip or the wiping blade unit.
[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shock-absorbing rail is pressed directly by a return element (or wrapping element) of the deflector element against the elastic rail. The deflector element forms, with the elements of Return, preferably, each time with two lateral clamping cavities. Thanks to the low vertical construction height of the two rail-shaped elements of the elastic rail and the shock-absorbing rail, the force transmitted from the shock-absorbing rail to the elastic rail will occur over a minimal stroke, resulting in a particularly stable and firm clamping action.
[0018] To advantageously reduce the detachment of the shock-absorbing rail relative to the elastic rail, also in the mid-zone, i.e., in the wiper lip zone, according to another particularly advantageous development of the invention, the shock-absorbing rail has a stiffening segment in the mid-zone. This stiffening segment is preferably made in one piece with the shock-absorbing element and / or the wiper lip. Preferably, the stiffening segment is obtained by a local accumulation of material.
[0019] A particularly simple and economical solution is that of a wiper blade unit comprising the wiper lip, the shock-absorbing rail and, preferably, the coupling element in one piece, in particular in a wiper blade rubber, in particular in extruded EPDM.
[0020] To achieve the most stable pressure application possible between the elastic rail and the damping element, the wiping blade unit is a solid body, in particular without longitudinal cavities. According to the invention, a longitudinal cavity is in particular a substantial cavity, surrounded, as is known for basic bodies according to the prior art.
[0021] Preferably, the damping element completely covers the elastic rail. The two elements are engaged in the same external cavity. The damping rail preferably has a bearing surface extending in the horizontal direction and which is completely covered by the elastic rail. Preferably, the damping rail extends over the entire longitudinal length of the wiper blade. Preferably, the damping rail is a practically flat element.
[0022] A particularly robust and quiet solution will be obtained in the case of a shock-absorbing rail made of a material with a more stable shape than that of the wiping lip. The wiping lip is preferably made of polypropylene.
[0023] The deflector element is preferably located on the side of the wiper blade opposite the wiper lip and surrounds the elastic rail and the damping rail. The deflector element preferably has external cavities for gripping the elastic rail and the damping rail. The elastic rail and the damping rail preferably slide into this vertical cavity. The cavity is sized so that the damping element is pressed flat against the elastic rail. Preferably, for this purpose, the return element covers the elastic rail in the horizontal direction for at least one-third of its length. Preferably, the elastic rail and the damping rail are practically parallel, in particular without any gap between them. Brief description of the drawings
[0024] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] [Fig-1] Diagram of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention with a blade unit wiping,
[0026] [Fig.2] Schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a windshield wiper blade,
[0027] [Fig.3] Schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a windshield wiper blade.
[0028] DESCRIPTION OF WAYS TO EMBODI THE INVENTION
[0029] Figure 1 shows a wiper blade 10. The wiper blade 10 comprises at least one elastic rail 17 (see Figure 2). The wiper blade 10 comprises at least one wiping blade unit 11. Preferably, the wiping blade unit has the longitudinal direction 50a as its principal direction of extension. In particular, the longitudinal direction 50a is practically parallel to the principal direction of extension of the wiper blade 10. The longitudinal direction 50a is, preferably, at least practically perpendicular to the wiping direction 30a, 30b of the wiper blade 10, particularly of the wiping blade unit 11. The wiper blade 10 preferably has end caps 42a, 44a, which are not detailed. The wiper blade 10 has a wiper arm adapter 46a.
[0030] Figure 2 is a section of the wiper blade 10, particularly in the cutting plane 52a (see Figure 1), which is at least practically perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 50a. The section of the wiper blade 10 has a plane of symmetry 102, which is at least practically perpendicular to the wiping direction 50a, 50b and is at least practically parallel to the longitudinal direction 50a. The section of the wiper blade unit 11 is planar symmetric with respect to the plane of symmetry 102. The horizontal direction H of the wiper blade is preferably perpendicular to the plane of symmetry.
[0031] The wiping blade unit 11 comprises a wiping lip 12 and a wiping blade coupling element 13. The wiping lip 12 is in the plane of symmetry 2. In particular, the principal extension direction of the wiping lip 12 is at least practically parallel and, in a particularly preferred manner, it is in the plane of symmetry 102. According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2] of the invention, the wiping lip has lateral recesses 90.
[0032] The wiping lip 12 is symmetric-planar with respect to the plane of symmetry 102. The wiping blade unit 11 includes at least one shock-absorbing rail 110.
[0033] The damping rail 110 is provided on the wiping lip 12. As clearly shown in [Fig. 2], the damping element 102 is above the wiping lip 12 relative to the external surface to be cleaned. The damping element 110 is directly adjacent to the wiping lip 12. The damping rail 110 extends practically in the horizontal direction H. The damping rail 110 has a first damping segment 110a and a second damping segment 110b. The damping rail 110 is a practically flat element. The damping rail 110 is made practically without relief. The damping rail is a solid body without longitudinal cavities. The damping rail segments 110a, 110b are preferably practically identical, in particular with respect to the plane of symmetry 102 they are symmetrically identical.
[0034] The wiping blade coupling element 13 according to [Fig. 2] corresponds to an embodiment of the invention as a groove element 13 practically in the shape of a T. The T-shaped groove element comprises a beam 126 and a spacer 128. The T-shaped groove element 13 is preferably made in one piece with the wiping lip 12 and is preferably connected in one piece to the wiping blade 12 and to the shock-absorbing rail 110. The T-shaped groove element 13 forms, together with the shock-absorbing rail 110, a receiving slot for the elastic rail 17.
[0035] According to the embodiment of the invention presented in [Fig.2], the wiping lip 12 is practically triangular and has additional recesses 90 in a direction transverse to the plane of symmetry 102. The wiping lip 12 is symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry 102.
[0036] According to the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 2], the wiping blade unit, comprising the wiping lip 12, the wiping blade coupling element 13, and the elastic rail 17, is a single piece of wiping blade rubber. The wiping blade unit 11 is preferably made of extruded EPDM. The shock-absorbing rail 110 can also be made of a material with greater shape stability than the wiping lip 12. For example, the shock-absorbing rail 110 may be made of polypropylene.
[0037] The wiping blade includes a deflector element 100. The deflector element 100 has a cover 103 optimized for flow, side walls 104a, 104b, and, on either side, return elements 105a, 105b formed on the corresponding side wall. The return elements 105a, 105b are preferably formed as a relief extending practically in the wiping direction 30a, 30b on the corresponding side wall 104a, 104b. The returns 105a, 105b are an integral part of the deflector element 100.
[0038] The deflector element 100 thus comprises, respectively on the side, two receiving cavities 107a, 107b which are formed by the respective lateral walls 104a, 104b and the corresponding return 105a, 105b. The receiving cavities 107a, 107b are designed to receive the shock-absorbing rail 110 and the elastic rail 17. The elastic rail 17 and the shock-absorbing rail 110 are clamped into the receiving cavity. The receiving cavities 107a, 107b are open on one side towards the inside. The wiper blade unit and the elastic rail 17 engage by passing through this side.
[0039] Preferably, the elastic rail 17 has a first elastic rail segment 17a and a second elastic rail segment 17b. The elastic rail segments are respectively located on the side of the T-shaped groove element 13. The elastic rail segments 17a, 17b extend practically in the horizontal direction H. The elastic rail segments 17a, 17b are flat, practically planar elements. The elastic rail segments are preferably identical, in particular identical by plane symmetry.
[0040] The elastic rail segments 17a, 17b have a width 141a, 141b in the horizontal direction. The elastic rail segments 17a, 17b extend radially outwards from the T-shaped groove element. The elastic rail segments 17a, 17b are housed by their inner edge in another receiving cavity 109 formed by the deflector element. On the outside, the elastic rail segments are pinched together with the damping rail in the receiving cavity 107 of the deflector element 100.
[0041] The damping element 110 has a first damping element segment 110a and a second damping element segment 110b. The damping element segments 110a, 110b extend practically in the horizontal direction H. The damping segments 110a, 110b are practically flat elements. The damping segments 110a, 110b are preferably identical, in particular identical by plane symmetry. The damping segments 110a, 110b of the damping rail 110 have respective widths 142a, 142b in the horizontal direction. Preferably, the widths 141a, 141b of the damping rails 110a, 110b correspond respectively to the widths 142a, 142b of the elastic rail segment 17a, 17b. The shock-absorbing rail thus covers the elastic rail segments 17a, 17b, preferably, almost completely.The damping rail segments 110a, 110b are preferably applied in contact, flat against the corresponding bearing surface of the elastic rails 17a, 17b. The elastic rails 17 and the damping element are preferably practically parallel to each other. The elastic rail is preferably made of metal.
[0042] The height 82 of the elastic rail segments 17a, 17b is greater, preferably, by at least 50% of the damping segments 81.
[0043] The elastic rail segments 117a, 177b each have a bearing surface 118a, 118b facing the wiping lip and extending practically in the horizontal direction H. The damping rail 110 comprising the damping segments 110a, 100b is made to cover almost completely the bearing surface 118a, 118b.
[0044] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. The following description and figure are practically limited to the differences between the embodiments; for components bearing the same reference numerals, reference should, in principle, be made to the figure and description of the other embodiment according to Figure 2.
[0045] The embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 3] comprises a shock-absorbing rail 110 with a central stiffening segment 112 on the wiping lip 12. The stiffening segment 112 is a practically rectangular beam-shaped element. The stiffening segment 112 is made of the same material as the shock-absorbing element 17 and the wiping lip 12. Preferably, the stiffening segment 112 is planar symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry 102. The stiffening segment 112 preferably extends beyond the contour of the shock-absorbing rail 110. Preferably, the stiffening segment 112, the wiping lip 10, and the shock-absorbing rail 100 are made in a single piece of wiping blade rubber. The stiffening segment 112 avoids, in a particularly advantageous way, the tilting noises of the wiper blade.
[0046] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS
[0047] (Numerical references without alphabetical suffixes except where noted)
[0048] 10 Wiping blade
[0049] 11 Wiping blade unit
[0050] 13 Wiper blade coupling element / T-shaped groove element
[0051] 17 Elastic rail
[0052] 17a,b Elastic rail segments
[0053] 30 Wiping directions
[0054] 42 End cap
[0055] 44 End cap
[0056] 46 Wiper arm adapter
[0057] 50a Longitudinal direction
[0058] 52 Section plane
[0059] 90 Lateral recess
[0060] 102 Plane of symmetry of the wiper blade 10
[0061] 104 Side wall
[0062] 105 Return element
[0063] 107 Housing
[0064] 109 Other cavity
[0065] 110 Shock absorber rail
[0066] 110a,b Damper rail segments
[0067]
[0068]
[0069]
[0070]
[0071] 118 Bearing surface extending in the horizontal direction 126 Beam 128 Spacer 141 Width in the horizontal direction of an elastic rail segment H Horizontal direction
Claims
Demands
1. A wiper blade (10) comprising at least one elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b), a deflector element (100), in particular a deflector, and at least one wiper blade unit (11) having at least one wiping lip (12) and at least one wiper blade coupling element (13) for coupling an elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b), the wiper blade unit having a damping rail (110, 110a, 110b) provided on the wiping lip (12), the damping rail (110, 110a, 110b) being applied flat against the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b), characterized in that the wiper blade coupling element (13) is made as a groove element (13) in the shape of T, this T-shaped groove element (13) and the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) forming a housing in particular a receiving pocket for the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b), and the wiping blade coupling element (13) has a median area with respect to the axis of symmetry (102) of the wiping blade unit (11),the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) covering the elastic rail segments (17a, 17b) which extend radially outwards from the T-shaped groove element.
2. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) is made so as to be pressed by a return element (105a, 105b) of the deflector element (100) against the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b).
3. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) comprises a stiffening segment (112) in particular a central stiffening segment (112).
4. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper blade unit (11) comprising the wiper lip (12), the wiper blade coupling element (13) and the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b), in one piece, in particular made of a wiper rubber, in particular made of extruded EPDM.
5. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper blade unit (11), in particular the wiper blade coupling element (13) is made in the form of a flat body, in particular, without longitudinal cavities
6. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) has a bearing surface (118a, 118b) of the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b) extending in a horizontal direction (H) which is covered practically completely.
7. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping rail (110, 110a, 110b) extends practically in a horizontal direction (H), the damping rail (110, 110a, 110b) being made as a practically flat element.
8. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) is made of a material of more stable shape than the wiping blade (12), namely polypropylene.
9. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector element (100) is provided on the side of the wiper blade (10) and surrounds the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b) and the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b).
10. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b) and the shock-absorbing rail (110, 110a, 110b) are practically parallel, in particular without any gap between them.
11. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic rail (17, 17a, 17b) is made in two parts comprising a first elastic rail segment (17a) and a second elastic rail segment (17b), the damping rail (110, 110a, 110b) having at least a first damping segment (110a) and a second damping segment (HOb), each shock-absorbing segment (110a, 110b) applies itself flat against an elastic rail segment (17a, 17b).