Windshield wiper blade

Abstract

A wiper blade comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra, and two end caps (5) arranged at each longitudinal end of the wiper blade, the end caps (5) having a respective fin (12), characterized in that the fin (12) of at least one of the end caps (5) has at least one window (14) configured to allow a user to see through it. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade. Technical background

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with windshield wiper systems to ensure sweeping and washing of the windshield and to prevent the driver's vision of his surroundings from being disturbed. These windshield wipers are conventionally driven by an arm performing an angular back-and-forth movement and comprise elongated blades, themselves carrying scraper blades made of an elastic material. These blades rub against the windshield and evacuate the water by bringing it out of the driver's field of vision.

[0003] The brushes are produced in the form, either, in a classic version, of articulated levers which hold the scraper blade in several discrete places, or, in a more recent version such as the brushes called FlatBlade ® (for "flat blade"), of a semi-rigid assembly which holds the scraper blade along its entire length.

[0004] Flat wipers generally comprise one or more stiffening vertebrae made of metal or hard polymer to give the wiper an intrinsic bend. They generally comprise a deflector which may have an aerodynamic profile shaped so that the relative wind which is produced by the movement of the vehicle produces a force tending to press the wiper blade against the glass panel.

[0005] The wiper blade also includes end caps mounted on each end of the wiper blade. The end caps generally have a prominent aerodynamic profile, which, like the deflector, improves the positioning of the wiper blade. However, the prominent deflecting portion of the end caps may impede the driver's visibility. In addition, if snow is present on the windshield, it may accumulate on the end caps and block the movement of the wiper blade or damage or even break the wiper blade, particularly when the wiper blade is in operation. Summary of the invention

[0006] One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a windshield wiper blade which at least partially resolves a drawback of the prior art.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra and two end pieces arranged at each longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade, the end pieces having a respective fin, characterized in that the fin of at least one of the end pieces comprises at least one window configured to allow a user to see through the windscreen wiper blade. across.

[0008] The window reduces the visual clutter of the end cap, which limits the inconvenience for the driver.

[0009] The wiper blade may further comprise one or more of the features described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0010] According to a first exemplary embodiment, the window is formed by a through opening provided in the fin.

[0011] In addition to improving the driver's visibility, the openwork end cap fin facilitates the passage of elements that might otherwise accumulate on the fin, such as snow, through the through-opening of the window, which limits the risk of the wiper breaking when it is set in motion. The through-opening of the end caps can also allow the wiper to be hung on a shelf for presentation for sale, particularly without packaging.

[0012] The contour of the through opening matches, for example, the contour of the fin so that the fin has an arch shape connected to a base of the end piece.

[0013] The wiper blade may comprise at least one cover configured to be assembled by clipping into the through opening of the window of the end piece.

[0014] The hood may have a fin shape.

[0015] The cover may have a logo, an acronym, a decorative element, a two-dimensional bar code, an aging sticker, a specific color or shape.

[0016] The hood may be made entirely or partly of transparent material.

[0017] According to a second exemplary embodiment, the window at least is made of transparent material.

[0018] According to a third embodiment, the end piece, including the window, is made entirely or partly of transparent material.

[0019] The fins of the two end pieces may each have at least one respective window.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, a base of the end cap bears a logo, an acronym, a decorative element, a two-dimensional bar code, an aging pellet, a color or a specific shape.

[0021] The windshield wiper blade may comprise a deflector made of two separate longitudinal parts assembled along the at least one vertebra, on either side of a connector of the windshield wiper blade.

[0022] The transverse end surfaces facing the end caps and the deflector may have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the end caps, the others by the deflector, the male plugs able to engage in the sockets to join the deflector end to end to the end caps.

[0023] It may further be provided that the fins of the end caps are shaped to be at the same height as the fins of the deflector to which the end caps are assembled.

[0024] The facing transverse end surfaces of the connector and the two parts of the deflector may have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the connector, the others by the parts of the deflector, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the parts of the deflector end to end to the connector.

[0025] The invention also relates to a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra, two end pieces arranged at each longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade and a covering element such as a deflector, characterized in that the transverse end surfaces facing the end pieces and the covering element have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the end pieces, the others by the covering element, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the covering element end to end to the end pieces.

[0026] The covering element and the end caps may have a respective aerodynamic fin or be flat. In the case where the covering element and the end caps have a respective fin, the covering element is a deflector. Provision may be made for the fins of the end caps to be shaped to be at the same height as the fins of the deflector to which the end caps are assembled. In the case where the covering element and the end caps are flat, i.e. do not have fins, provision may be made for the upper flat surfaces of the end caps to be shaped to be at the same height as the upper flat surfaces of the covering element to which the end caps are assembled. Apart from this characteristic, all the other characteristics of this wiper blade may be the same as those described for the previous invention. Brief description of the figures

[0027] 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:

[0028] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a windshield wiper blade.

[0029] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade of the [Fig.l].

[0030] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of one longitudinal end of the broom wiper blade of [Fig.2] without end cap.

[0031] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an end cap of the broom wiper blade of [Fig.l].

[0032] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a front view of the end cap of [Fig.4].

[0033] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view of the end cap of [Fig.4] capped of a hood.

[0034] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view from below of the hood of [Fig.6].

[0035] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of the entire [Fig.6].

[0036] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the end cap.

[0037] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of another embodiment of the end cap.

[0038] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of another embodiment of the end cap.

[0039] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a longitudinal end of another embodiment of the wiper blade.

[0040] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade of [Fig. 12] at a deflector.

[0041] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade of [Fig. 12] at an end cap.

[0042] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions indicated in particular in [Fig. 1] by the trihedron (X, Y, Z) fixed relative to the adapter will be adopted without limitation. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the main direction of the wiper blade. The vertical Z and transverse Y directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and perpendicular to each other.

[0045] The term "transparent" means a body which lets light pass through by refraction and through which objects behind it are clearly visible, curvature of the transparent body can distort this sharpness.

[0046] The term "lower" or "bottom" refers to the side of the windshield wiper blade intended to be closest to the glass surface and the term "upper" or "top" refers to the opposite side.

[0047] The term “clip / unclip”, “clip / unclip” means a removable assembly produced by elastic deformation of an element in or on another element.

[0048] Figures 1 and 2 show a windscreen wiper blade 1 intended to be connected to a windscreen wiper arm to ensure the cleaning of a glass surface of the vehicle, for example a windscreen.

[0049] The windshield wiper blade 1 is a FlatBlade ® type blade (for "flat blade"), it has a longitudinal main orientation.

[0050] The windscreen wiper blade 1 comprises a wiping blade 2 made of a flexible material, and which is capable of coming into contact with the glass panel to be wiped, at least one vertebra 3a, 3b for longitudinal stiffening (called a “spline” in English) and two end pieces 4, 5 (called an “endclip” in English) arranged at each longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade 1.

[0051] The wiping blade 2 comprises a lip 2a intended to scrape a glass surface, as well as a heel 2b. The blade 2 is formed from a profile, for example made of elastomer, which groups together in a single-piece assembly both the lip 2a and the heel 2b. The wiping blade 2 has a median longitudinal plane of symmetry.

[0052] In this embodiment, the wiper blade 1 comprises two vertebrae 3a, 3b arranged on the one hand, in a respective groove of the wiper blade 2 and on the other hand, in a respective groove 8a, 8b of a longitudinal central cavity 8 of a deflector 6 (called "spoiler" in English) of the wiper blade 1, and which form the structure of the blade 1 itself.

[0053] Each vertebra 3a, 3b is formed from a single-piece body, comprising a flat strip of metal or hard polymer, which is curved vertically, so that when the wiper blade 1 is resting on the glass panel, the bearing forces exerted by the drive arm are distributed over the entire length of the wiper blade 2.

[0054] The wiper blade 1 also comprises a connector 7 in the middle of the blade 1 for assembling and articulating the blade 1 at the end of the drive arm.

[0055] The deflector 6 extends in the longitudinal direction X along the wiper blade 1 and more particularly along the vertebrae 3a, 3b. Better visible in [Fig.2], the deflector 6 has a base 10 extending by a fin 9 here in the form of a point. The fin 9 allows the relative wind which is produced by the movement of the vehicle, to produce a force tending to press the wiper blade 1 against the glass panel. The fin 9 can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically on the base 10, that is to say offset or not on one side of the base 10 of the deflector 6 relative to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the wiper blade 2. The asymmetrical profile of the deflector 6 makes it possible to have a larger support surface of the deflector 6 for the incident air flow.

[0056] The deflector 6 is made of flexible material.

[0057] It is for example made in two distinct longitudinal parts 6a, 6b assembled along the vertebrae 3a, 3b, on either side of the connector 7.

[0058] The longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiper blade 2 project longitudinally relative to the associated longitudinal end of the deflector 6, as can be seen in [Fig. 3] where the blade 1 is without a tip. The end tips 4, 5 are mounted on these longitudinal ends to achieve the locking of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiper blade 2 in longitudinal sliding and to improve the overall aesthetic and aerodynamic appearance of the wiper blade 1 ([Fig. 1]).

[0059] As can be seen in more detail in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, each end piece 4, 5 delimits at least one internal housing 11 in which the longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiper blade 2 are received. More precisely, the internal housing 11 here delimits an upper part 11c shaped to receive the heel 2b of the longitudinal end of the wiper blade 2 and two grooves 11a, 11b extending in the same plane, under the upper part 11c, on either side of the latter, the grooves 11a, 11b being shaped to receive the longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 3a, 3b, the internal housing 11 being open downwards for the passage of the lip 2a of the wiper blade 2.

[0060] The end pieces 4, 5 have a respective base 13 surmounting the internal housing 11, the base 13 extending by a respective fin 12 here in the form of a point. The fin 12 allows the relative wind which is produced by the movement of the vehicle to produce a force tending to press the wiper blade 1 against the glass panel. The fin 12 can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically on the base 13, that is to say offset or not on one side of the base 13 relative to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the wiper blade 2. The asymmetrical profile of the fins 12 makes it possible to have a larger bearing surface of the end pieces 4, 5 for the incident air flow.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment, the bases 13 of the end pieces 4, 5 have a respective transverse end surface comprising two male plugs 24a, 24b extending in the longitudinal direction X. A transverse end surface of the deflector 6 has two complementary sockets 25a, 25b ([Fig. 3]), or vice versa, that is to say that the two sockets 25a, 25b can be arranged in a transverse end surface of the base 13 and the deflector 6 have a transverse end surface having two complementary male plugs 24a, 24b. These plug-in elements are for example arranged on each side of the median longitudinal plane of the wiper 1. In the illustrative embodiment, the two male plugs 24a, 24b are respectively arranged on either side of the internal housing 11 of the end pieces 4, 5, above the grooves 11a, 11b, ([Fig.5]) and the two sockets 25a, 25b are respectively arranged on either side of the longitudinal central cavity 8 of the deflector 6 ([Fig.3]).

[0062] The male plugs 24a, 24b engage in the sockets 25a, 25b to align and secure the deflector 6 to the end caps 4, 5. It may further be provided that the fins 12 of the end caps 4, 5 are shaped to be at the same height as the fins 9 of the deflector 6 to which the end caps 4, 5 are assembled ([Fig.l]). The fins 12 of the end caps 4, 5 then extend in continuity with the fins 9 of the deflector 6.

[0063] The male plugs 24a, 24b and the sockets 25a, 25b extend in the longitudinal direction X, for example over a distance of between 0.5 cm and 1 cm and have, for example, a respective circular section. During assembly, the male plugs 24a, 24b are inserted into the complementary female sockets 25a, 25b until the deflector 6 comes into abutment against the end piece 4, 5.

[0064] The end pieces 4, 5 can thus be joined end to end to the deflector 6, without the deflector 6 being covered by the end pieces 4, 5 and without the height of the end pieces 4, 5 exceeding. The absence of a step between the deflector 6 and the end pieces 4, 5 allows the latter to be less visible, for the deflector 6 to be well adjusted with the end pieces 4, 5 and reduces the risks of deformations in this assembly zone.

[0065] Furthermore, a transverse end surface of each portion 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 may have two complementary sockets in which two male plugs of a transverse end surface of the connector 7 may engage or vice versa (i.e. the sockets may be provided in the transverse end surface of the connector 7 and the male plugs formed in the transverse end surface of each portion 6a, 6b of the deflector 6), to join each of the two portions 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 to the connector 7 of the wiper blade 1.

[0066] The two end pieces 4, 5 are symmetrical. They are for example made of plastic material and can be obtained by molding.

[0067] The fin 12 of at least one of the end caps 4, 5 further comprises at least one window 14 configured to allow a user to see through. The fins 12 of the two end caps 4, 5 may comprise at least one respective window 14. The window 14 makes it possible to reduce the visual bulk of the end cap 4, 5, which limits the discomfort for the driver.

[0068] According to a first example of embodiment shown in figures 1 to 9 and further Particularly visible in Figures 4 and 9, the window 14 is formed by a through opening made in the fin 12.

[0069] In addition to improving the driver's visibility, the fin 12 of the perforated end piece 4, 5 makes it easier to pass elements that might have been likely to accumulate on the fin 12, such as snow, through the through opening of the window 14, which limits the risk of breakage of the wiper blade 1 when it is set in motion. The through opening of the end pieces 4, 5 can also make it possible to hang the wiper blade 1 on a shelf for its presentation for sale, in particular without packaging.

[0070] According to an exemplary embodiment, the contour of the through opening matches the contour of the fin 12 so that the fin 12 has an arch (or handle) shape connected to the base 13 of the end piece 4, 5. This embodiment makes it possible to optimize the volume of the window 14.

[0071] Transverse ribs 15 may be formed on the base 13, in the through opening, for aesthetic purposes and to stiffen the base 13.

[0072] The wiper blade 1 may also comprise at least one cover 16 configured to be assembled by clipping into the through opening of the window 14 of the end piece 4, 5 (Figures 6 to 8). This takes advantage of the through opening provided in the fin 12 of the end piece 4, 5 to clip the optional cover 16. The blade 1 comprises, for example, two covers 16 which can be clipped onto a respective end piece 4, 5.

[0073] For this, the cover 16 comprises for example at least two lugs 17, such as two pairs of lugs 17, formed on either side of an opening of the cover 16 and at least one flexible tab 18, such as two flexible tabs 18, extending from a top of the cover 16, inside the cover 16 in the direction of the opening ([Fig.7]). The opening of the cover 16 can extend into a lateral face of the cover 16 opposite the deflector 6 so as to give a certain flexibility to the cover 16 facilitating the clipping of the flexible tabs 18 in the through opening of the window 14 and of the lugs 17 under the lateral bulges of the base 13 of the end piece 4, 5, as visible in [Fig.8].

[0074] The cover 16 may have a fin shape in order to improve the aerodynamic plating effect of the end piece 4, 5.

[0075] The cover 16 is for example made of plastic material and can be obtained by molding. The cover 16 can be made in whole or in part of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular so as not to obstruct the driver's visibility.

[0076] The cover 16 may have a logo 19, an acronym, a decorative element, a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code, an aging sticker, a specific color or shape, these elements being arranged on the back of the cover 16 in a manner to be visible to a user. The attached cover 16 therefore makes it possible to personalize the end piece 4, 5 while remaining removable by the user.

[0077] The end piece 4, 5 can thus be adapted to different weather or driving conditions (presence of snow, visibility, need for aerodynamic support at high speed). It is then possible for the user to put on or remove the cover 16, for example depending on the presence of snow or not and the visual discomfort perceived by the driver.

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in [Fig.9], the base 13 of the end piece 4, 5 bears a logo, an acronym, a decorative element, a two-dimensional bar code 20, an aging pellet, a color or a specific shape. This element is for example produced on the face of the base 13 that is the widest, on the side opposite that towards which the fin 12 is offset.

[0079] According to a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 10], the window 14 at least is made of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The end piece 4, 5 is for example obtained by joining at least two materials, one opaque and the other transparent, the base 13 of the end piece 4, 5 being made of opaque material and the fin 12 of transparent material. The joining is for example achieved by coextrusion or molding.

[0080] According to a third exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 11], the end piece 4, 5, including the window 14, is made entirely or partly of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0081] Figures 12, 13 and 14 show a second example of embodiment of the windscreen wiper blade 1.

[0082] This windshield wiper blade 1 differs from the previous one in that it comprises a single vertebra 3 and a support mount 21 (or "holder" in English) carrying the vertebra 3 and the wiping blade 2.

[0083] For this purpose, and as can be better seen in [Fig. 13], the support frame 21 comprises a longitudinal central conduit which receives the vertebra 3. The longitudinal central conduit surmounts two lower hooks facing each other, which delimit a longitudinal lower conduit open downwards, in which the heel 2b of the wiping blade 2 is received.

[0084] As can be seen in more detail in the embodiment of [Fig. 14], each end piece 4, 5 delimits at least one internal housing 11 in which the longitudinal end of the vertebra 3 and the wiper blade 2 are received. More precisely here, each end piece 4, 5 delimits a first housing 11d shaped to receive the vertebra 3 and a second housing 11e, arranged under the first housing 11d, and shaped to receive the heel 2b of the longitudinal end of the wiper blade 2, the second housing 11e being open downwards to the lip passage 2a of the wiper blade 2.

[0085] The end pieces 4, 5 have a respective base 13 surmounting the housings 11d, 11e, the base 13 extending by a respective fin 12 here with a substantially triangular end transverse surface.

[0086] The fin 12 of at least one of the end caps 4, 5 further comprises at least one window 14 configured to allow a user to see through. The fins 12 of both end caps 4, 5 may comprise at least one respective window 14.

[0087] As in the previous example, the window 14 may be formed by a through opening provided in the fin 12 and the wiper blade 1 may also comprise at least one cover configured to be assembled by clipping into the through opening of the window 14 of the end piece 4, 5. According to another embodiment, the window 14 at least may be made of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or the end piece 4, 5, including the window 14, may be made in whole or in part of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14.

Claims

Claims

1. A windscreen wiper blade (1) comprising a wiping blade (2), at least one vertebra (3; 3a, 3b) and two end pieces (4, 5) arranged at each longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade (1), the end pieces (4, 5) having a respective fin (12), characterized in that the fin (12) of at least one of the end pieces (4, 5) comprises at least one window (14) configured to allow a user to see through.

2. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the window (14) is formed by a through opening provided in the fin (12).

3. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the contour of the through opening matches the contour of the fin (12) so that the fin (12) has an arch shape connected to a base (13) of the end piece (4, 5).

4. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover (16) configured to be assembled by clipping into the through opening of the window (14) of the end piece (4, 5).

5. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (16) has a fin shape.

6. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the cover (16) has a logo (19), an acronym, a decorative element, a two-dimensional bar code, an aging pellet, a specific color or shape.

7. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the cover (16) is made entirely or partly of transparent material.

8. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the window (14) is made of transparent material.

9. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the end piece (4, 5), including the window (14), is made entirely or partly of transparent material.

10. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fins (12) of the two end pieces (4, 5) comprise at least one respective window (14).

11. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a base (13) of the end piece (4, 5) carries a logo, an acronym, a decorative element, a two-dimensional barcode (20), an aging sticker, a specific color or shape.

12. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises end pieces (4, 5), the transverse end surfaces facing the end pieces (4, 5) and the deflector (6) having two male plugs (24a, 24b), and two complementary sockets (25a, 25b), some carried by the end pieces (4, 5), the others by the deflector (6), the male plugs (24a, 24b), being able to engage in the sockets (25a, 25b) to join the deflector (6) end to end to the end pieces (4, 5).

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