Windshield wiper arm

Abstract

Title: Windscreen wiper arm Windscreen wiper arm for a motor vehicle comprising a fixing part, a hinge part (12) connected in an articulated manner to the fixing part and a tensioning element (16) ensuring the tensioning connection between the fixing part and the hinge part (12), arm characterized by a toggle lever element for fixing the tensioning element (16). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper arm FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle windshield wiper arm comprising a fixing part, a hinge part connected in an articulated manner to the fixing part and a tensioning element connecting in tension the fixing part and the hinge part. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Such windscreen wiper arms are already known, comprising a fixing part, a hinge part connected in an articulated manner to the fixing part and a tensioning element which connects the fixing part and the hinge part under tension. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Document DE199 51 440 A1 describes such a windscreen wiper arm. The tensioning element in the form of a tension spring is attached to a tab which extends inwards from a side wall of the articulation part.

[0004] Over time, the tension of the tensioning element may weaken and the wiping result may become insufficient. To avoid this, oversized tensioning elements and tabs or an additional attachment for the tab are provided.

[0005] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of known windscreen wiper arms and to this end relates to a windscreen wiper arm for a motor vehicle comprising a fixing part, a hinge part connected in an articulated manner to the fixing part and a tensioning element ensuring the tensioned connection between the fixing part and the hinge part, arm characterized by a toggle lever element for fixing the tensioning element.

[0007] The wiper arm according to the invention has the advantage of having a toggle lever element for fixing the tensioning element, which results in a particularly reliable and economical wiper arm.

[0008] The toggle lever element on the joint part is particularly simple to manufacture, constitutes an effective solution and is, moreover, particularly economical.

[0009] According to another advantageous characteristic, the toggle lever element comprises a fixing element for fixing the tensioning element, which allows secure fixing of the tensioning element.

[0010] The toggle lever element is designed so that by applying tension with the tensioning element the contact surface of the toggle lever element is pushed against the hinge part, we have the advantage of a particularly good hold of the tensioning element on the hinge part.

[0011] Advantageously, the toggle lever element is connected by a frictional connection to the articulation part, which results in a particularly good hold, in particular if this effect results from the toggle lever effect.

[0012] The toggle lever element attached to the articulation part by micro-claws provides particularly good support.

[0013] A simple and economical and thus advantageous embodiment consists of a toggle lever element with a holding segment and two hooking segments, at least one of the hooking segments forming an angle greater than 90 degrees with the holding segment to create a toggle lever effect.

[0014] In a simple, economical and thus advantageous manner, the toggle lever element is made of sheet metal because sheet metal is an economical, durable and lightweight material.

[0015] Likewise, the tensioning element as a tension spring is a particularly simple, economical and advantageous solution because the tension spring is available in different lengths corresponding to the different parameters as a mass-produced product.

[0016] Particularly advantageously, the articulation part is a cast iron part, in particular a die-cast iron part. Cast iron parts have less fining, i.e. tend less to undergo long-term plastic deformation, which increases the reliability of the wiper arm. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of an example of a windshield wiper arm shown in the accompanying drawings in which

[0018] [Fig-1] State-of-the-art windshield wiper arm in perspective view,

[0019] [Fig.2] schematic representation of a windshield wiper arm according to the invention, and

[0020] [Fig.3] schematic representation of a variant of windshield wiper arm according to the invention of [Fig.2].

[0021] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] [Fig.l] shows a windshield wiper arm 10 according to the state of the art in a perspective representation. This arm comprises a fixing part 11 and a hinge part 12.

[0023] The hinge part 12 and the fastening part 11 are connected to each other in an articulated manner by a joint 14. A tension spring is tensioned as a tensioning element 16 between the hinge part 12 and the fastening part 14.

[0024] The hinge part 12 has a first side wall or side 18 as well as a second side wall or side 20. The first side 18 and the second side 20 are connected by a top 22. In practice, the articulation part 12 is made in a single part as a shaped sheet metal part; according to a variant of the invention, this part can also be a cast iron part, in particular a die cast iron part.

[0025] On the side opposite the top 22, a tab 24 projects from the first side 18; this tab is oriented inwards towards the second side 20. The tensioning element 16 is fixed by one end to this tab 24.

[0026] On the side opposite the articulation 14 in the longitudinal direction, there is a free end 26. On this free end 26 of the wiper arm 10 opposite the articulation 14, there is provided a fixing element 30 carried by a wiping rod 28.

[0027] The wiping rod 28 is a part of the articulation piece 12 and it is made in a single part with the first side 18, the second side 20 and the top 22 in folded sheet metal. According to a variant, the wiping rod 28 is a separate part.

[0028] The fixing part 11 is connected as described by a joint 14 to the articulation part 12; this joint 14 comprises a joint pin 32. The side opposite that of the joint 13 of the fixing part 11 comprises a fixing means 34 which serves for fixing the wiper arm 10 to operate the wiper arm 10 in a practically pendulum movement.

[0029] [Fig. 2] is a schematic representation of a windshield wiper arm 10 according to the invention seen from below. For reasons of clarity, the fixing part 11 and the top 22 have been omitted.

[0030] The articulation part 12 is made of sheet metal and has a first side 18 and a second side 20. In a first segment, the first side 18 and the second side 20 meet and always open into the wiper rod 28.

[0031] In a second segment, the first side 18 is parallel to the second side 20.

[0032] On the side of the articulation part 12 facing the free end 26 ([Fig.l]) The wiper rod 28 is located there. This is fixed to the hinge part 12 by a form-fitting and / or force-fitting connection, for example, by crimping.

[0033] Between the first side 18 and the second side 20, the first segment receives a toggle lever element 36.

[0034] The tensioning element 16 is fixed to the toggle lever element 36; this tensioning element is a simple tension spring. The tensioning element 16 generates a tension in the direction of the arrow of force F to load the toggle lever element 36 in the direction of the arrow F.

[0035] The toggle lever element is made of sheet metal and stretched between the first side 18 and the second side 20. The toggle lever element 36 has for this purpose a contact surface 38 which touches the first side 18 and is applied against it.

[0036] The contact surface 38 is roughened, for example, knurled or provided with ribs to prevent slipping. The toggle lever element 36 is shaped so that the force generated by the tensioning element 16 pushes the contact surface 38 against the first side 18.

[0037] To generate this thrust of the contact surface 38 against the side 18, the toggle lever element 36 has a hooking segment 40 and a two-pronged holding segment 42. One of the hooking segments 40 makes an angle α with the adjacent leg of the holding segment 42 that is greater than 90 degrees, i.e. greater than a right angle. The tension of the tensioning element 16 and the two-pronged structure of the holding segment 42 creates a toggle lever effect as, for example, in the case of a toggle press to reinforce the pressure of the hooking segment 42 against the first side 18.

[0038] Between the two branches and therefore at the top of the holding segment 42, the tensioning element 16 is fixed by a fixing element 17, in particular hooked. The fixing element 17 comprises an opening, a cavity or a notch to prevent the tensioning element 16 from escaping, that is to say to fix the tensioning element 16.

[0039] To increase the holding of the contact surface 38 against the first side 18, a stop element 44 is provided on the joint part 12 which brakes the movement of the toggle lever element 36 in the direction of the arrow F. The stop element 44 is designed here as a form-fitting connecting element because, in particular, it is provided in the first side 18 and / or in the second side 20.

[0040] According to [Fig.2], the form-connecting element may be a simple fold in the first side 18 and / or the second side 20. However, it may also be a boss in the first side 18 and / or the second side 20.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the form-fitting connecting element and therefore the stop element 44 can also be provided in the top 22 ([Fig.l]).

[0042] [Fig. 3] shows a variant of [Fig. 2]. The explanations given for [Fig. 2] also apply to [Fig. 3] to avoid repetitions and the description hereinafter will only concern the differences from [Fig. 2].

[0043] Micro-claws are provided as the stop element 44. The micro-claws comprise teeth as hooking beaks 46 which alternate with respect to those of the contact surface 38 and the first side 18 and / or the second side 20.

[0044] The hooking beaks 46 and therefore the teeth have a height of less than 1 millimeter and their shape is asymmetrical. This asymmetrical embodiment is chosen to block the movement of the toggle lever element 36 in the direction of the arrow F, but allow sliding in the direction opposite to that of the arrow F.

[0045] The toggle lever element 36 comprises micro-claws on the contact surface 38 of the hooking segment 40 or the hooking segments 40. The segment holding segment 42 is in two branches as in the previous embodiment to have a toggle lever effect when the tensioning element 16 urges the toggle lever element 36 in the direction of the arrow F. In this case, the two branches of the holding segment 42 are moved apart to push the two hooking segments 40 against the first side 18 and the second side 20.

[0046] Unlike the previous embodiment according to [Fig. 2], the hooking segments 40 are parallel because the toggle lever element 36 is located in a segment of the articulation part 12 in which the sides 30 are parallel to one another.

[0047] The toggle lever element 36 of the two embodiments is symmetrical at least in one view.

[0048] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0049] 11 Fixing piece

[0050] 12 Articulation

[0051] 14 Fixed part

[0052] 16 Tensioning element

[0053] 18 Side

[0054] 20 Side

[0055] 22 Above

[0056] 24 Paw

[0057] 26 Free end

[0058] 28 Wiper rod

[0059] 30 Fastening element

[0060] 32 Articulation stud

[0061] 34 Fixing means

[0062] 36 Toggle lever element

[0063] 38 Contact surface

[0064] 40 Hanging segment

[0065] 42 Holding segment

[0066] 44 Stop / Abutment Element

[0067] 46 Hanging beak

Claims

Claims

1. A windshield wiper arm (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a fixing part (11), a hinge part (12) hingedly connected to the fixing part (11) and a tensioning element (16) ensuring the tensioned connection between the fixing part (11) and the hinge part (12), the arm characterized by a toggle lever element (36) for fixing the tensioning element (16).

2. Windshield wiper arm (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the toggle lever element (36) is provided on the hinge portion (12).

3. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toggle lever element (36) has a fastening element (17) for fastening the tensioning element (16).

4. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toggle element (36) is designed in such a way that under the application of tension by the tensioning element (16), the contact surface (38) of the toggle lever element (36) is pushed against the articulation part (12).

5. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toggle lever element (36) is connected by a friction connection, in particular by a stop element (44), to the articulation part (12).

6. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toggle lever element (36) is attached to the articulation part (12) by a micro-claw stop element (44).

7. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toggle lever element (36) has a holding segment (42) and a hooking segment (40) and at least one of the segments hooking (40) makes with the holding segment (42) an angle greater than 90 degrees.

8. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toggle lever element (36) is made of sheet metal.

9. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning element (16) is a tension spring.

10. Windscreen wiper arm (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation part (12) is a cast iron part, in particular a die-cast iron part.

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