STRUCTURE FOR CONVEYING A CLEANING AND / OR DE-ICING LIQUID USED IN PARTICULAR FOR A WIPING DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure for conveying cleaning and / or de-icing liquid (50) configured to be fluidically connected to a wiper blade (40) incorporating a washing function using the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid, comprising: a flexible pipe (51); an end piece (52) comprising a first portion (52a) fixed to the flexible pipe (51) and a second mountable portion (52b) comprising a locking means (53) for rotation on a fluid connection (54) of the wiper blade (40), the end piece (52) comprising a passage (P) configured to allow the cleaning liquid conveyed by the flexible pipe (51) to pass towards the wiper blade (40). Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: STRUCTURE FOR CONVEYING A CLEANING AND / OR DE-ICING LIQUID USED IN PARTICULAR FOR A WIPING DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wiping devices for vehicles, and more particularly to a structure for conveying a cleaning and / or de-icing liquid for a wiping device.

[0002] Wiper devices, such as those used for cleaning or defrosting the windshield of a motor vehicle, generally comprise a wiper arm connected to a source of cleaning and / or defrosting liquid and to a motor, as well as a wiper blade connected to the wiper arm.

[0003] During wiping, a relative movement exists between the wiping arm and the wiper blade, so that the connection between the wiping arm and the wiper blade must allow rotation of this wiper blade relative to this wiping arm.

[0004] Furthermore, the wiper blade must be able to be easily connected and disconnected from the arm, to allow its replacement or maintenance.

[0005] A connection device is therefore generally provided between the wiping arm and the wiping blade, to ensure this connection, and the aforementioned relative movements between the wiping arm and the wiping blade.

[0006] In the case where the ejection of the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid is done from nozzles arranged for example on the hood of the vehicle, the connection between the wiping arm and the wiping blade has no other functions than those mentioned above.

[0007] On the other hand, it is possible to provide for the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid to be ejected directly from the wiper blade to spray the windshield, in order to increase the precision and efficiency of the washing or defrosting.

[0008] In this case, it is necessary to bring the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid to the wiper blade. Generally, the wiper blade includes one or two fluid delivery ramps. Provision may be made to directly connect the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid inlet pipe(s) to these ramps. However, the hydraulic connection is then unreliable due to the relative movement between the wiper arm and the wiper blade. In addition, it is difficult in this case to hide and protect the inlet pipes. Finally, connection and disconnection are not simple operations for the user who wants to change a worn wiper blade.

[0009] In order to solve the problems mentioned above, the connection device arranged between the wiping arm and the wiping blade also serves as a hydraulic connection, as described for example in document WO 2006 / 056406 or in document FR2933930.

[0010] There is a need to improve the connection devices of the wiping devices serving as hydraulic connection.

[0011] The invention achieves this by means of a cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure configured to be fluidically connected to a wiper blade incorporating a washing and / or defrosting function using the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid comprising: • a flexible hose; • a nozzle comprising a first portion fixed to the flexible hose and a second mountable portion comprising a rotational locking means on a fluid connection of the wiper blade, the nozzle comprising a passage configured to allow the cleaning liquid conveyed by the flexible hose to pass towards the wiper blade.

[0012] The invention is advantageous in that the structure for conveying cleaning and / or de-icing liquid comprises a nozzle which makes it easier for the user to grip and manipulate the flexible hose with his fingers when maintaining the wiper blade, and also makes it easier to lock and unlock the nozzle on the fluid connection using a simple locking and unlocking means by rotation.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure is configured to be fluidically connected to a connection device of the wiper blade. Conveying and dispensing the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid through the wiper blade allows for better washing and / or defrosting accuracy and efficiency.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the passage passes through the first portion and the second mountable portion of the nozzle. This feature is advantageous in that the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid can be conveyed from the flexible pipe to the wiper blade.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible hose is made of elastically deformable material. This feature is advantageous in that the flexible hose is flexible and can bend as needed to form a path according to the space available within the wiping device.

[0016] According to one option, the flexible pipe is made of polymer material.

[0017] According to one option, the flexible pipe is made of polyethylene.

[0018] According to one option, the flexible pipe is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

[0019] According to one option, the flexible hose is made of natural rubber.

[0020] According to one option, the flexible hose is made of synthetic rubber.

[0021] According to one option, the flexible hose is made from silicone.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the pipe comprises an end threaded onto the first portion being of the male type. This feature is advantageous in that the connection between the connecting device and the flexible hose is facilitated. Indeed, the first portion of the male type is inserted into the flexible hose, thus stiffening the end of the flexible hose. Thus, the user can easily manipulate the flexible hose at its end when maintaining the wiper blade.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion comprises a cannula onto which the end of the flexible tube can be threaded.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the cannula comprises an end having a general frustoconical shape.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the second mountable portion is of the female type so that the fluid connector can be inserted inside the second mountable portion. This feature is advantageous in that the guiding of the mounting and the dismounting of the flexible hose on the fluid connector is facilitated.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip is made of a rigid material. This characteristic is advantageous in that the handling of the flexible hose by the user is easier because the tip provides a rigid gripping means for the user.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip is made of metal.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip is made of stainless steel.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip is made of zamak type alloys, or brass, or any other materials compatible with corrosive environments.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip is made of rigid plastic such as Polybutylene terephthalate, or Polycarbonate.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the second mountable portion comprises a cylindrical wall comprising the rotational locking means. This feature is advantageous in that it makes it easier to lock and unlock the end piece on the fluid connection using a simple rotational locking and unlocking means.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the rotation locking means is formed by at least one slot made in a thickness of the cylindrical wall.

[0033] According to one option, the at least one slot of the locking means has an oblong shape.

[0034] According to one option, the at least one slot of the locking means has a rectangular shape.

[0035] According to one option, the at least one slot of the locking means has any shape deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art.

[0036] According to one option, the rotation locking means is formed by two slots made in a thickness of the cylindrical wall.

[0037] According to one option, the two slots of the locking means have an oblong shape.

[0038] According to one option, the two slots of the locking means have a rectangular shape.

[0039] According to one option, the two slots of the locking means have any shape deemed appropriate by those skilled in the art.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection of the wiper blade has a cylindrical shape comprising at least one ear configured to be housed in the slot when the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid conveying structure is fixed to the fluid connection. This feature is advantageous in that the fluid connection and the rotational locking means comprising a slot are structurally simple and allow secure, easy and less expensive locking of the fluid connection in the end piece. This feature is also advantageous in that the rotational locking means and the ears of the fluid connection have a small footprint.

[0041] According to one option, the fluid connection of the wiper blade connection device has a cylindrical shape comprising two ears.

[0042] According to one option, the two ears are diametrically opposed.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the end piece comprises at least one groove allowing the at least one ear of the fluid connection to pass through, the end piece and the fluid connection being configured to rotate relative to each other so as to lock the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid conveying structure onto the fluid connection, once the at least one ear has passed through the at least one groove.

[0044] It is understood that the fluid connection of the wiper blade is configured to be locked in the slot by inserting the fluid connection inside the second mountable portion along a longitudinal axis along which the wiper blade extends and then by rotating the fluid connection around the longitudinal axis so as to wedge the at least one ear against an edge of the slot.

[0045] It is understood that the fluid connection is fixed to the end piece by a bayonet fitting.

[0046] According to one option, a seal is arranged between the second mountable portion and the fluid connection.

[0047] According to one option, the seal is arranged in a groove provided on one end of the fluid connection and / or inside the second mountable portion.

[0048] According to one option, the seal is arranged between the at least one ear and the cannula along the longitudinal axis.

[0049] The invention also relates to a connection device configured to allow a wiping arm to be mounted on a wiper blade, the connection device comprising a fluid connection comprising at least one ear, the fluid connection being configured to establish a fluid connection between a cleaning liquid and / or cleaning liquid defrosting conveying structure as previously described and the wiper blade. This characteristic has the advantages previously cited.

[0050] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a fluid connection comprising at least one ear and a structure for conveying cleaning and / or defrosting liquid as previously described, the fluid connection being configured to be inserted into the structure for conveying cleaning and / or defrosting liquid. This characteristic has the advantages previously cited.

[0051] The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising a connection device as previously described. This characteristic has the advantages previously mentioned.

[0052] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure as previously described on a fluid connection comprising at least one ear, the method comprising the following steps: • pass at least one ear of the fluid connection into the end piece comprising at least one groove; • rotate the nozzle and the fluid connection relative to each other so as to lock the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid delivery structure onto the fluid connection.

[0053] This characteristic has the advantages previously mentioned.

[0054] The invention also relates to a wiping device comprising: • a wiping arm • a wiper blade • a connection device as previously described configured to mount the wiper arm on the wiper blade • a cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure as previously described, the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure being configured to be fluidically connected to the fluidic connector of the connection device.

[0055] This characteristic has the advantages previously mentioned.

[0056] The invention will be better understood in view of the figures below. - [Fig.l]: Wiper blade comprising a connection device on which is mounted a structure for conveying cleaning and / or de-icing liquid - [Fig.2]: Wiper blade of [Fig.l] including the device of connection on which is mounted a nozzle of the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure - [Fig.3]: Assembly comprising a fluid connection comprising two ears and the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid routing structure of the [Fig.l] - [Fig.4]: Structure for conveying cleaning liquid and / or defrosting of the [Fig.l]

[0057] [Fig.l] illustrates a wiper blade 40 comprising a connection device 70 on which is mounted a cleaning and / or de-icing liquid conveying structure 50, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0058] The cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure 50 is fluidically connected to the wiper blade 40.

[0059] Here, the wiper blade 40 integrates a washing and / or defrosting function using the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid. For this purpose, the wiper blade comprises orifices 61 for spraying cleaning and / or defrosting liquid along a wiper blade 62. The orifices 61 are supplied by an internal channel 63 made within the wiper blade 62.

[0060] The cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure 50 comprises a flexible pipe 51 made of polymer material and a rigid end piece 52. Here, the flexible pipe can be made of polymer material and is configured to supply cleaning and / or defrosting liquid.

[0061] Here, the rigid tip can be made of metal, or of rigid plastic. Preferably, the tip is made of rigid plastic.

[0062] The tip 52 comprises a first portion 52a fixed to the flexible pipe 51. As shown in [Fig.2], the first portion 52a is in the form of a cannula having an end 57 having a truncated cone shape onto which an end 51e of the flexible pipe 51 is threaded.

[0063] The end piece 52 also comprises a second mountable portion 52b of female type.

[0064] Here, the second portion 52b has a cylindrical shape.

[0065] The second mountable portion 52b further comprises a rotation locking means 53 formed by two slots 56 made in a thickness of a cylindrical wall. Here, each slot 56 has a rectangular shape. The two slots 56 are diametrically opposed.

[0066] The second portion 52b is configured such that a fluid connector 54 of the connection device 70 of cylindrical shape and extending along the longitudinal axis L can be inserted inside said second mountable portion 52b. Here, the connector 54 is in one piece with the connection device 70. It is understood that the connector 54 and the connection device 70 are in one piece.

[0067] As shown in [Fig. 3], the fluid connection 54 of the connection device 70 of the wiper blade 40 has a cylindrical shape comprising two ears 58a, 58b configured to be housed in the slot 56 when the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid conveying structure is fixed to the fluid connection. Here, the two ears 58a, 58b are diametrically opposed.

[0068] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the end piece 52 comprises two diametrically opposed grooves 55a, 55b allowing the two ears 58a, 58b of the fluid connector 54 to pass through.

[0069] Here, the tip 52 and the fluid connection 54 are configured to rotate relative to each other so as to lock the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure 50 onto the fluid connection 54, once the ears 58a, 58b have passed the at least one groove 55a, 55b, see [Fig.2].

[0070] It is understood that the fluid connection 54 of the wiper blade 40 is configured to be locked in the slots 56 by inserting the fluid connection 54 inside the second mountable portion 52b along a longitudinal axis L along which the wiper blade 40 extends and then by rotating the fluid connection 54 around the longitudinal axis L so as to wedge the two ears against each of the two edges 56a, 56b of each slot 56.

[0071] It is understood that the fluid connection 54 is fixed on the end piece 52 by a bayonet mounting. Following this mounting, the cannula 52a and the fluid connection 54 are aligned along the longitudinal axis L and the cleaning and / or de-icing liquid can be conveyed from the flexible pipe 51 to the internal channel 63 via the cannula 52a and the fluid connection 54.

Claims

Claims

1. A cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) configured to be fluidically connected to a wiper blade (40) incorporating a washing and / or defrosting function using the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid comprising: • a flexible pipe (51); • a tip (52) comprising a first portion (52a) fixed to the flexible pipe (51) and a second mountable portion (52b) comprising a locking means (53) for rotation on a fluid connection (54) of the wiper blade (40), the tip (52) comprising a passage (P) configured to allow the cleaning liquid conveyed by the flexible pipe (51) to pass towards the wiper blade (40), the pipe (51) comprising an end (51e) threaded onto the first portion (52a) being of the male type, characterized in that the first portion (52a) comprises a cannula onto which the end (51e) of the flexible pipe (51) can be threaded.

2. Cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) according to the preceding claim, the cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) being configured to be fluidically connected to a connection device (70) of the wiper blade (40).

3. A cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) according to any preceding claim wherein the second mountable portion (52b) is of the female type such that the fluid connector (54) can be inserted inside the second mountable portion (52b).

4. A cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) according to any preceding claim wherein the nozzle (52) is made of a rigid material.

5. A cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) according to any preceding claim wherein the second mountable portion (52b) comprises a cylindrical wall (55) comprising the rotational locking means (53).

6. A cleaning and / or defrosting liquid conveying structure (50) according to the preceding claim wherein the means of rotation lock (53) is formed by a slot (56) made in a thickness of the cylindrical wall (55).

7. A connection device (70) configured to mount a wiper arm (not shown) to a wiper blade (40), the connection device (70) comprising a fluid connection (54) comprising at least one ear (58a, 58b), the fluid connection (54) being configured to establish a fluid connection between a cleaning liquid delivery structure (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the wiper blade (40).

8. Connection device (70) according to the preceding claim in which the fluid connection (54) of the connection device (70) of the wiper blade (40) has a cylindrical shape comprising at least one ear (58a, 58b) configured to be housed in the slot (56) when the cleaning and / or defrosting routing structure (50) is fixed on the fluid connection (54).

9. An assembly comprising a fluid connector (54) comprising at least one ear (58a, 58b) and a cleaning liquid delivery structure (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the fluid connector (54) being configured to be inserted into the cleaning liquid delivery structure (50).

10. Assembly according to the preceding claim in which the end piece (52) comprises at least one groove (55a, 55b) allowing the at least one ear (58a, 58b) of the fluid connection (54) to pass, the end piece (52) and the fluid connection (54) being configured to rotate relative to each other so as to lock the routing structure (50) on the fluid connection (54), once the at least one ear (58a, 58b) has passed the at least one groove (55a, 55b).

11. A wiper blade (40) comprising a connecting device (70) according to claim 7 or 8.

12. A method of assembling a cleaning liquid conveying structure (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 on a fluid connection (54) comprising at least one ear (58a, 58b), the method comprising the following steps: • passing the at least one ear (58a, 58b) of the finished fluid connection (54) into the end piece (52) comprising at least one groove (55a, 55b)

13. • rotating the tip (52) and the fluid connector (54) relative to each other so as to lock the routing structure (50) onto the fluid connector (54) Wiping device comprising: • a wiping arm • a wiper blade (40) • a connection device (70) according to claim 7 or 8 configured to mount the wiping arm (not shown) on the wiping blade (40) • a cleaning fluid conveying structure (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the cleaning fluid conveying structure being configured to be fluidically connected to the fluidic connector (54) of the connection device (70).

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