Windshield wiper blade, wiping device and method for obtaining a wiping blade

Abstract

Windshield wiper blade (4) for a wiping device (1) of a glazed surface (2) of a motor vehicle, intended to be pivotally driven by a wiper arm (3) of the wiping device (1), characterized in that it comprises a wiping blade (7) configured to have greater abrasion resistance on an extremity portion (8) intended to sweep the glazed surface (2) at the level of a sensor (5) of the wiping device (1) than on the rest of the wiping blade (7). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade, wiping device and method for obtaining a wiping blade Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper blade for a device for wiping a glass surface of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a wiping device and to a method for obtaining a wiping blade for a windscreen wiper blade. Technical background

[0002] Automobiles are commonly equipped with wiping installations and washing systems to ensure wiping and washing of the windshield and to prevent the driver's vision of his surroundings from being disturbed. Such an installation generally comprises two wiper blades which scrape the outer surface of the windshield so as to evacuate the water present on this surface.

[0003] Vehicles are also increasingly equipped with sensors that analyze the condition of the windshield or the condition of the road. This may be a sensor for stop lights, pedestrians, signs or traffic lines, other surrounding vehicles or other obstacles, or it may be a rain detector or a sensor for sunlight, fog, or dirt. These sensors may include a camera or one or more cameras.

[0004] These sensors assist the driver in driving, for example by enabling a fully or semi-autonomous autonomous driving mode of the vehicle or can alert the driver in the event of danger by participating in the automatic triggering of a vehicle function (automatic warning of braking activation, automatic triggering of the windshield wipers in the event of water droplets appearing on the windshield, control of certain headlight functions, etc.) or simply improve the driver's visibility.

[0005] Such sensors can be installed at the level of the windshield, in the lower or upper area thereof, and in such a way as to be swept by the windshield wipers to carry out efficient and regular cleaning thereof.

[0006] Some sensors are arranged in an orifice of the windshield so as to be flush with the glass. However, it is noted that a small difference in level may remain between the windshield and the sensor lens, the sensor being able to be slightly set back or protruding from the windshield. This difference in level can damage the flexible material blade of the wiper blade as it passes over the lens. As a result, the blade may no longer wipe the rest of the windshield correctly, in particular in the area of ​​the windshield located in the user's field of vision. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention proposes to remedy at least partially the above drawbacks.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a windscreen wiper blade for a device for wiping a glazed surface of a motor vehicle, intended to be driven in pivoting by a windscreen wiper arm of the wiping device, characterized in that it comprises a wiping blade configured to have greater abrasion resistance on an end portion intended to sweep the glazed surface at a sensor of the wiping device than on the rest of the wiping blade.

[0009] The more abrasion-resistant end portion of the wiper blade prevents it from being damaged when sweeping the recessed or projecting surface of the sensor. In addition, since only the end portion of the wiper blade is more abrasion-resistant, the rest of the glass surface, and more particularly the glass surface in the driver's field of vision, can be wiped properly.

[0010] The wiper blade may further comprise one or more of the features described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment, the material of the end portion of the wiping blade has greater abrasion resistance than the material of the rest of the wiping blade.

[0012] The wiping blade can be made from a single piece.

[0013] The wiping blade can be made by assembling end to end a portion end made of a different material, having greater abrasion resistance than the material of the rest of the wiper blade, the two parts of the wiper blade being retained in a wiper blade support mount by wiper blade end caps.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the profile of the end portion of the wiping blade is different from the profile of the rest of the wiping blade.

[0015] The profile of the end portion of the wiper blade has, for example, a height of a value lower than the height of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade.

[0016] Only the longitudinal end of the lip of the profile of the remainder of the wiper blade can be sharpened.

[0017] The profile of the end portion of the wiper blade has, for example, a hinge of a thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the hinge of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade.

[0018] The width of the fir tree root of the lip of the profile of the end portion of the wiper blade is for example thinner than the width of the fir tree root of the lip of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade.

[0019] The invention also relates to a device for wiping a glazed surface of a motor vehicle, comprising a sensor arranged in an orifice of the glazed surface with a height difference with the glazed surface and outside the driver's field of vision, characterized in that it comprises a windscreen wiper blade as described above for sweeping the glazed surface, an end portion of the wiper blade being configured to sweep the glazed surface at the sensor outside the driver's field of vision, the remainder of the wiper blade being configured to sweep the glazed surface in the driver's field of vision.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for obtaining a wiper blade for a windscreen wiper as described above, characterized in that it is obtained by compression molding, the compression exerted for molding the end portion being greater than the compression exerted for molding the rest of the wiper blade. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, but in no way limiting, as well as the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a device for wiping a surface vehicle window seen from the side.

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the driver's field of vision on the glass surface seen from the front.

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wiper blade of a windshield wiper blade of the wiping device of [Fig.l].

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a diagram similar to figures 1 and 3 for another example of embodiment of the wiping blade.

[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a diagram similar to figures 1 and 3 for another example of embodiment of the wiping blade.

[0027] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a diagram similar to figures 1 and 3 for another example of embodiment of the wiping blade.

[0028] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0029] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged. to provide other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0030] [Fig.l] represents a wiping device 1 allowing the wiping of a glazed surface 2 of a motor vehicle, such as the windshield.

[0031] The wiping device 1 comprises at least one wiper blade 4 and at least one wiper arm 3 intended to drive a respective wiper blade 4 in pivoting to sweep the outer surface of the glazed surface 2 according to a succession of back-and-forth cycles. The wiper blade 4 is in particular configured to sweep the glazed surface 2 in the field of vision of the driver C and at a sensor 5 of the wiping device 1 located outside the field of vision of the driver C.

[0032] The driver's field of vision is the portion of space seen by the driver through the windshield when looking straight ahead. This field of vision is illustrated in [Fig.2] for vision A at 80%, B at 94% and C at 99%.

[0033] The sensor 5 makes it possible to determine the state of the windshield or the state of the road in front through the glazed surface 2. It can thus be a sensor for stop lights, pedestrians, signs or traffic lines, other surrounding vehicles or other obstacles or it can be a rain detector or a sensor for sunlight, fog, dirt. The sensor 5 comprises, for example, an optical sensor such as a camera or a camera whose lens is oriented towards the front of the vehicle. The camera can operate in the visible or invisible range (infrared camera).

[0034] The sensor 5 allows for example driving assistance, for example by allowing an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle in total or semi-autonomy or can alert the driver in the event of danger by participating in the automatic triggering of a vehicle function or simply improves the driver's visibility.

[0035] The sensor 5 is arranged in an orifice of the glazed surface 2, in the lower or upper zone thereof, with a height difference with the glazed surface 2. It is flush with the glazed surface 2, slightly recessed or projecting.

[0036] The windshield wiper blade 4 is of the FlatBlade® type (flat blade). It comprises a wiping blade 7 made of a flexible material and capable of coming into contact with the glass surface 2 to be wiped.

[0037] The wiper blade 4 also comprises one or two longitudinal vertebrae (called a “spline” in English) arranged in a support mount (called a “holder” in English) of the wiper blade or in the wiper blade 7 and which form the structure of the wiper blade itself. The vertebra is formed from a single-piece body, comprising a flat metal strip which is curved vertically, so that when the wiper blade 4 is resting on the glazed surface 2, the bearing forces exerted by the wiper arm 3 are distributed over the entire length of the wiping blade 7.

[0038] The wiper blade 4 also comprises a connector 6 intended to be mechanically connected to the wiper arm 3, for example via an adapter of the arm, for mounting and articulating the wiper blade 4 to the wiper arm 3.

[0039] The windscreen wiper blade 4 may also comprise a deflector (forming what is called a “spoiler” in English) which extends along the vertebra and which is aerodynamically shaped so that the relative wind which is produced by the movement of the vehicle produces a force tending to press the windscreen wiper blade 4 against the glazed surface 2. The deflector may be separate from the wiper blade 7 or made of a single piece with the wiper blade 7.

[0040] As can be better seen in the diagram of [Fig. 3], the wiper blade 7 comprises a fir-tree-shaped lip 71, intended to scrape the glazed surface 2, as well as a heel 72 generally received in the support frame. The wiper blade 7 further has a longitudinal narrowing or hinge 73 interposed between the heel 72 and the lip 71, allowing it to pivot relative to the longitudinal axis at each change of direction when the blade is actuated by the wiper arm 3 against the glazed surface 2.

[0041] The blade 7 is formed from a profile, for example made of elastomer or rubber, which combines in a single-piece assembly the lip 71, the hinge 73 and the heel 72. The wiping blade 7 has a median longitudinal plane of symmetry. This plane coincides with the median longitudinal plane of the windscreen wiper blade 4.

[0042] The wiper blade 7 is configured to have greater abrasion resistance on a longitudinal end portion 8, intended to sweep the glazed surface 2 at the sensor 5 of the wiper device 1, outside the field of vision of the driver C, than on the rest of the wiper blade 7 intended to sweep the glazed surface 2 in the field of vision of the driver C. The abrasion is caused by the friction of the wiper blade 7 on the glazed surface 2. The abrasion resistance can be measured for example by an abraser.

[0043] For example, during an abrasion test on a part similar to an end portion 8 (material and shape) 100mm long, under 15g per cm of load, 45 cycles per minute (one cycle = one alternating movement), 85mm of travel per cycle and 43200 cycles, the part loses less than 0.37 mm3 of material.

[0044] The length of the end portion 8 may be between 5% and 20% of the total length of the wiping blade 7.

[0045] The end portion 8 of the wiping blade 7, which is more resistant to abrasion, allows it not to be damaged when sweeping the recessed or projecting surface of the sensor 5. In addition, given that only the end portion 8 of the wiping blade 7 is more resistant to abrasion, the rest of the glazed surface 2, and more particularly the surface window 2 in the driver's field of vision C, can be wiped properly.

[0046] According to a first exemplary embodiment, the material of the end portion 8 of the wiping blade 7 for wiping the glazed surface 2 outside the field of vision of the driver C, has greater abrasion resistance than the material of the rest of the wiping blade 7.

[0047] The nature of the material may be the same for the entire wiping blade 7. It is, for example, rubber.

[0048] The wiper blade 7 can be made from a single piece. It is for example obtained by compression molding, the compression exerted for molding the end portion 8 being greater than the compression exerted for molding the rest of the wiper blade 7. This method of obtaining the wiper blade 7 is simple to carry out.

[0049] According to another example, the wiping blade 7 is produced by the end-to-end assembly of an end portion 8 made of a different material, having greater abrasion resistance than the material of the rest of the wiping blade 7.

[0050] For example, the end portion 8 is made of SBR rubber (for “Styrene Butadiene Rubber” in English which is a copolymer of butadiene and styrene) or nitrile rubber also called NBR (for “Nitrile Butadiene Rubber” in English which is a butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer) and the rest of the wiper blade 7 is made of EPDM rubber (acronym for ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) or CR rubber (Chloroprene).

[0051] The two parts of the wiper blade 7 can be fixed together or retained in the support frame of the wiper blade 4 by end caps of the wiper blade 4 (called “endclips” in English).

[0052] According to a second exemplary embodiment, the profile of the end portion 8 of the wiper blade 7, for wiping the glazed surface 2 outside the field of vision of the driver C, is different from the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7. This different profile allows, for example, the end portion 8 to be more flexible than the rest of the wiper blade 7 or to be shorter. By being more flexible or shorter, the end portion 8 exerts less pressure on the glazed surface 2 and in return undergoes less deformation.

[0053] For example and as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the profile of the end portion 8 of the wiper blade 7 has a height h of a value lower than the height H of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7. The height is the distance, in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the wiper blade 7 extends flat, between the top of the heel 72 and the end of the lip 71. The height h of the profile of the end portion 8 is for example at least one millimeter lower than the height H of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7.

[0054] The difference in height is located for example at the height of the lip 71, shorter on the end portion 8 of the wiper blade 4. The shape of the heel 72 can thus be retained over the entire length of the wiper blade 7 to allow it to be mounted in the support frame.

[0055] The longitudinal end of the lip 71 of the profile of the end portion 8 may not be sharpened, unlike the longitudinal end of the lip 71 of the profile of the rest of the wiping blade 7 which alone can be sharpened.

[0056] According to another exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the profile of the end portion 8 of the wiper blade 7 has a hinge 73 of thickness w thinner than the thickness W of the hinge 73 of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7. The thickness w of the hinge 73 of the profile of the end portion 8 is for example at least 0.06 millimeters less than the thickness W of the hinge 73 of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7.

[0057] The thinner thickness w of hinge 73 makes the end portion 8 more flexible than the rest of the wiper blade 7. By being more flexible, the end portion 8 exerts less pressure on the glazed surface 2 and in return undergoes less deformation. Furthermore, the shape of the heel 72 can thus be retained over the entire length of the wiper blade 7 to allow it to be mounted in the support frame.

[0058] According to another embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 6], the width s of the fir tree root of the lip 71 (widest transverse thickness of the lip 71) of the profile of the end portion 8 of the wiper blade 7 is thinner than the width S of the fir tree root of the lip 71 of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7. The width s of the fir tree root of the profile of the end portion 8 is for example at least 0.3 millimeters less than the width S of the fir tree root of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade 7.

[0059] With a narrower fir tree foot width, the pressure is exerted more on the heel 72 than on the lip 71 when the blade 7 turns over.

[0060] The wiping blade 7 can combine several variants of the profile of the end portion 8.

[0061] Furthermore, one or more variants of the profile of the end portion 8 of the wiping blade 7 different from the profile of the rest of the wiping blade 7 may be combined with a material of the end portion 8 of the wiping blade 7 having greater resistance to abrasion than the material of the rest of the wiping blade 7.

[0062] Although the windshield wiper blade which has just been described is that of the driver, the invention can also be applied to a passenger windshield wiper blade.

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper blade (4) for a wiping device (1) for a glass surface (2) of a motor vehicle, intended to be driven in pivoting by a windscreen wiper arm (3) of the wiping device (1), characterized in that it comprises a wiping blade (7) configured to have greater abrasion resistance on an end portion (8) intended to sweep the glass surface (2) at a sensor (5) of the wiping device (1) than on the rest of the wiping blade (7).

2. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the end portion (8) of the wiping blade (7) has greater abrasion resistance than the material of the rest of the wiping blade (7).

3. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the wiping blade (7) is made in one piece.

4. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the wiper blade (7) is produced by the end-to-end assembly of an end portion (8) made of a different material, having greater abrasion resistance than the material of the rest of the wiper blade (7), the two parts of the wiper blade (7) being retained in a support mount of the windscreen wiper blade (4) by end caps of the wiper blade (4).

5. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile of the end portion (8) of the wiping blade (7) is different from the profile of the rest of the wiping blade (7).

6. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the profile of the end portion (8) of the wiping blade (7) has a height (h) of a value lower than the height (H) of the profile of the rest of the wiping blade (7).

7. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that only the longitudinal end of the lip (71) of the profile of the rest of the wiping blade (7) is sharpened.

8. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the profile of the end portion (8) of the wiping blade (7) has a hinge (73) of thickness (w) thinner than the thickness (W) of the hinge (73) of the profile of the rest of the wiping blade (7).

9. Windscreen wiper blade (4) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the width (s) of the fir tree root of the lip (71) of the profile of the end portion (8) of the wiper blade (7) is thinner than the width (S) of the fir tree root of the lip (71) of the profile of the rest of the wiper blade (7).

10. A device (1) for wiping a glazed surface (2) of a motor vehicle, comprising a sensor (5) arranged in an orifice of the glazed surface (2) with a height difference with the glazed surface (2) and outside the field of vision of the driver (C) characterized in that it comprises a windscreen wiper blade (4) according to one of the preceding claims for sweeping the glazed surface (2), an end portion (8) of the wiper blade (7) being configured to sweep the glazed surface (2) at the sensor (5) outside the field of vision of the driver (C), the remainder of the wiper blade (7) being configured to sweep the glazed surface (2) in the field of vision of the driver (C).

11. Method for obtaining a wiping blade (7) of a windscreen wiper blade (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that it is obtained by compression molding, the compression exerted for molding the end portion (8) being greater than the compression exerted for molding the rest of the wiping blade (7).

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