Windshield wiper blade

Abstract

Windscreen wiper blade (1) comprising a wiping blade (2), at least one vertebra (3; 3a, 3b) and a deflector (6) having a fin (9), characterized in that at least the fin (9) is made of transparent material. Figure 1

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 sweep and wash the windshield and prevent the driver's view of their surroundings from being obstructed. These wipers are typically driven by an arm that moves back and forth at an angle and have elongated blades, which themselves carry scraper blades made of an elastic material. These blades rub against the windshield and remove the water, carrying it out of the driver's field of vision.

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

[0004] Flat brushes generally include one or more stiffening vertebrae made of metal or hard polymer to give intrinsic curvature to the brush.

[0005] To ensure good wiping performance of flat windshield wiper blades, some blades are equipped with a deflector (called a "spoiler") extending along the upper surface of the blade. This spoiler has a prominent aerodynamic profile designed so that the relative wind generated by the vehicle's movement exerts a force that tends to press the wiper blade against the windshield. Even partial separation of the blade from the windshield can result in insufficient wiping. However, this prominent shape can tend to obstruct the driver's visibility by increasing the blade's thickness. Summary of the invention

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

[0007] For this purpose, the invention relates to a windshield wiper comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra and a deflector having a fin, characterized in that at least the fin is made of transparent material.

[0008] This reduces the visual discomfort caused to the driver by the prominent part of the wiper blade which appears thinner, while maintaining good aerodynamic performance provided by the presence of the spoiler.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the transparent material is a thermo- elastomer plastic or polycarbonate.

[0010] According to one embodiment, only the deflector fin is made of transparent material.

[0011] The deflector can be made by joining at least two materials, the base of the deflector being made of opaque material and the fin of transparent material.

[0012] The bonding can be achieved by coextrusion or molding.

[0013] The fin and the base may have at least one rib and one complementary groove, one carried by the fin and the other by the base to promote the grip of the two materials.

[0014] The deflector can be made entirely of transparent material.

[0015] The deflector can be made in two longitudinal parts assembled along the at least one vertebra on either side of a wiper blade connector.

[0016] The wiper blade may include end caps.

[0017] The transverse end surfaces facing the end caps and the deflector may have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, one carried by the end caps, the other by the deflector, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the deflector end to end with the end caps.

[0018] It can also 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.

[0019] The transverse end surfaces facing the connector and the two parts of the deflector may have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the connector, 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.

[0020] The invention also relates to a windshield wiper comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra, two end caps arranged at each longitudinal end of the windshield wiper and a covering element such as a deflector, characterized in that the transverse end surfaces opposite the end caps and the covering element have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the end caps, others by the covering element, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the covering element end to end with the end caps.

[0021] 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. The design may provide that the fins on the end caps are shaped to be at the same height as the fins on the deflector to which the end caps are attached. If the cover element and the end caps are flat, i.e., do not have fins, the upper flat surfaces of the end caps may be shaped to be at the same height as the upper flat surfaces of the cover element to which the end caps are attached. Apart from this feature, all other features of this wiper blade may be the same as those described for the previous invention. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of a particular, but by no means limiting, embodiment of the invention, as well as from the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a windshield wiper blade.

[0024] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade of the [Fig.l].

[0025] [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one longitudinal end of the broom wiper blade of the [Fig.2] without end tip.

[0026] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a perspective view of part of a broom deflector of the windshield wiper of the [Fig.l].

[0027] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a front view of the deflector part of the [Fig.4].

[0028] [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of an end piece of the brush of the windshield wiper of the [Fig.l].

[0029] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a perspective view of one longitudinal end of the broom of the windshield wiper of the [Fig.l].

[0030] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a perspective view of a wiper blade connector of the [Fig.l].

[0031] [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] is a perspective view of one longitudinal end of another example of how to make a windshield wiper blade.

[0032] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade of the [Fig.9] at the level of a deflector.

[0033] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0034] 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. Simple features of Different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0035] In the remainder of this description, longitudinal, vertical, and transverse directions, indicated in particular in [Fig. 1] by the trihedral axis (X, Y, Z) fixed relative to the adapter, will be adopted without limitation. The longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the principal direction of the wiping blade. The vertical direction Z and the transverse direction X are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and perpendicular to each other.

[0036] The term "transparent" means a body which allows light to pass through by refraction and through which objects which are behind are clearly visible, although the curvature of the transparent body may distort this clarity.

[0037] The side of the wiper blade intended to be closest to the glass surface is designated by "lower" or "bottom" and the opposite side by "upper" or "top".

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 show a wiper blade 1 intended to be connected to a wiper arm to ensure the cleaning of a glazed surface of the vehicle, for example a windshield.

[0039] The wiper blade 1 is a FlatBlade ® type blade (for "flat blade"), it has a main longitudinal orientation.

[0040] The wiper blade 1 comprises a wiping blade 2 made of a flexible material, which is suitable for contacting the glass panel to be wiped, at least one longitudinal stiffening vertebra 3a, 3b (called a "spline" in English) and two end caps 4, 5 (called "endclip" in English) arranged at each longitudinal end of the wiper blade 1.

[0041] The wiping blade 2 comprises a lip 2a for scraping a glass surface, and a heel 2b. The blade 2 is formed of a profile, for example made of elastomer, which combines both the lip 2a and the heel 2b into a single unit. The wiping blade 2 has a median longitudinal plane of symmetry.

[0042] In this example of an 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 wiper blade 1 itself.

[0043] Each vertebra 3a, 3b is formed from a single body, comprising a flat band of metal or hard polymer, which is curved vertically, so that when the wiper blade 1 is in contact with the glass panel, the support forces exerted by the drive arm are distributed over the entire length of the wiper blade 2.

[0044] The wiper blade 1 also has a connector 7 in the middle of the blade 1 for the assembly and articulation of the brush 1 at the end of the drive arm.

[0045] The deflector 6 extends in the longitudinal direction Y along the wiper blade 1 and more particularly along vertebrae 3a, 3b. The deflector 6 has a base 10 extending via a fin 9, here pointed in shape. The fin 9 allows the relative wind produced by the vehicle's movement to exert 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, offset or not to 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 provides a larger bearing surface for the incident airflow.

[0046] The deflector 6 is made of flexible material.

[0047] For example, it is made in two separate longitudinal parts 6a, 6b assembled along the vertebrae 3a, 3b on either side of the connector 7. One of the two parts 6a is shown in [Fig.4].

[0048] At least the fin 9 of the two parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6, is made of transparent material.

[0049] This reduces the visual discomfort caused to the driver by the prominent part of the wiper 1 which appears thinner, while maintaining good aerodynamic performance provided by the presence of the wing 9.

[0050] The transparent material is for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a polycarbonate.

[0051] According to a first embodiment visible in figures 1 to 5, only the fin 9 of the deflector 6 is made of transparent material.

[0052] Each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 is for example made by joining at least two materials, one opaque and the other transparent, the base 10 of the deflector 6 being made of opaque material and the fin 9 of transparent material.

[0053] The bonding is for example achieved by coextrusion or molding.

[0054] It can further be provided that the fin 9 and the base 10 of each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 have at least one rib 22 and a complementary groove 23, oriented in the longitudinal direction Y, one carried by the fin 9 and the other by the base 10 to promote the adhesion of the two materials. In the illustrative example, the fin 9 has a rib 22 with a rectangular cross-section, complementary to a groove 23 formed in the base 10 (Figures 2, 3 and 5).

[0055] The longitudinal ends of vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiping blade 2 protrude longitudinally from the associated longitudinal end of the deflector 6, as can be seen in [Fig. 3] where the wiper blade 1 is without an end cap. The end caps 4, 5 are mounted on these longitudinal ends to achieve the blocking vertebrae 3a, 3b and wiper blade 2 in longitudinal sliding and to improve the overall aesthetic and aerodynamic appearance of wiper blade 1 ( [Fig.l]).

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], the end caps 4, 5 have a respective base 13 surmounting at least one internal recess 11 in which the longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and the wiping blade 2 are received, the base 13 extending by means of a respective fin 12, here pointed in shape. The fin 12 can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically on the base 13, that is to say, offset or not to one side of the base 13 with respect to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the wiping blade 2.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the end caps 4, 5 have a respective end transverse surface comprising two male plugs 24a, 24b extending in an axial direction. An end transverse surface of the deflector 6 has two complementary sockets 25a, 25b ([Fig. 5]), or conversely, that is to say, the two sockets 25a, 25b can be provided in an end transverse surface of the end caps 4, 5 and the deflector 6 has an end transverse surface having two complementary male plugs 24a, 24b. These plugging elements are for example arranged on each side of the median longitudinal plane of the brush 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 caps 4, 5 ([Fig.6]) and the two sockets 25a, 25b are respectively provided on either side of the longitudinal central cavity 8 of the deflector 6, above the grooves 8a, 8b ([Fig.5]). .

[0058] The male connectors 24a, 24b engage in the sockets 25a, 25b to align and secure the parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 to the end caps 4, 5. It can also 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. 7]). The fins 12 of the end caps 4, 5 then extend in line with the fins 9 of the deflector 6.

[0059] The male plugs 24a, 24b and the sockets 25a, 25b extend in the longitudinal direction Y, for example over a distance of between 0.5 cm and 1 cm, and have, for example, a circular cross-section. During assembly, the male plugs 24a, 24b are inserted into the complementary female sockets 25a, 25b until the deflector 6 comes to rest against the end piece 4, 5.

[0060] The end caps 4, 5 can thus be joined end-to-end to the deflector 6, without the end caps 4, 5 covering the deflector 6 and without the end caps 4, 5 exceeding the height. The absence of a step between the deflector 6 and the end caps 4, 5 allows the latter to be less visible, that the deflector 6 is well fitted with the end caps 4, 5 and reduces the risk of deformation in this assembly area.

[0061] Furthermore, a transverse end surface of each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 may have two complementary sockets into which two male plugs 26a, 26b of a transverse end surface of the connector 7 ([Fig.8]) can engage or vice versa (i.e. the sockets can be provided in the transverse end surface of the connector 7 and the male plugs formed in the transverse end surface of each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6), to join each of the two parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 to the connector 7 of the wiper blade 1.

[0062] The two end caps 4, 5 are symmetrical. They are, for example, made of plastic material and can be obtained by molding.

[0063] The fin 12 of at least one of the end caps 4, 5 may further include at least one window 14 configured to allow a user to see through it ([Fig. 7]). The fins 12 of both end caps 4, 5 may each include at least one window 14. The window 14 provided in the fin 12 of the end cap 4, 5 reduces the visual obstruction of the end cap 4, 5, thereby limiting the inconvenience to the driver.

[0064] The window 14 can be formed by a through opening provided in the fin 12, the contour of the through opening being able to follow the contour of the fin 12 so that the fin 12 has an arch (or loop) shape connected to the base 13 of the end piece 4, 5.

[0065] 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).

[0066] Figures 9 and 10 show a second example of an embodiment of the wiper blade 1.

[0067] This wiper blade 1 differs from the previous one in that it has a single vertebra 3 and a support mount 21 (or “holder” in English) carrying the vertebra 3 and the wiper blade 2.

[0068] For this purpose, and as can be better seen in [Fig.10], the support frame 21 has a central longitudinal conduit which receives the vertebra 3. The central longitudinal conduit surmounts two opposing lower hooks, which delimit a lower longitudinal conduit open downwards, in which the heel 2b of the wiping blade 2 is received.

[0069] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, each part 6a, 6b of the die Deflector 6 is entirely made of transparent material. Of course, it is also possible to provide that only the fin 9 of the two parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 is made of transparent material as described in the first example of the embodiment of the broom 1 with two vertebrae 3a, 3b.

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper blade (1) comprising a wiping blade (2), at least one vertebra (3; 3a, 3b) and a deflector (6) having a fin (9), characterized in that at least the fin (9) is made of transparent material.

2. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transparent material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a polycarbonate.

3. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only the fin (9) of the deflector (6) is made of transparent material.

4. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the deflector (6) is made by joining at least two materials, the base (10) of the deflector (6) being made of opaque material and the fin (9) of transparent material.

5. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the joining is carried out by coextrusion or molding.

6. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the fin (9) and the base (10) have at least one rib (22) and a complementary groove (23), one carried by the fin (9) and the other by the base (10) to promote the adhesion of the two materials.

7. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the deflector (6) is made entirely of transparent material.

8. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector (6) is made of two longitudinal parts assembled along the at least one vertebra (3; 3a, 3b) on either side of a connector (7) of the windscreen wiper blade (1).

9. 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).

10. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claims 8 and 9, comprising a connector (7), characterized in that the transverse end surfaces facing the connector (7) and the two parts (6a, 6b) of the deflector (6) have two male plugs (24a, 24b) and two complementary sockets (24a, 24b), some carried by the connector (7), the others by the parts (6a, 6b) of the deflector (6), the male plugs (24a, 24b) being able to engage in the sockets (24a, 24b) to join end to end the parts (6a, 6b) of the deflector (6) to the connector (7).

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