Windshield wiper linkage system

Abstract

Title: Wiper Linkage System. Linkage system (150) for a wiper system (300) comprising a retaining spring and an adapter element. The retaining spring is rotatable with a wiper blade adapter and can be removably connected without damage. The retaining spring and the adapter element are removably connected without damage. The adapter element has a first connecting structure, and the retaining spring has a second connecting structure different from the first connecting structure. The first connecting structure is removably connected to a first connecting end of a first wiper arm, and the second connecting structure is removably connected without damage to a second connecting end of a second wiper arm. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper connection system FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper connection system and to a vehicle equipped with such a windshield wiper connection system.

[0002] Currently, there are a large number of different solutions for connecting a wiper arm to a wiper blade. Each manufacturer has different specifications for connecting the wiper arm to the wiper blade. As a result, not every wiper arm can be combined with every wiper blade. Thus, to adapt the same wiper to different wiper arms, different models with different connection points are required.

[0003] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and thus provides a connecting system for a windshield wiper system comprising: a retaining spring and an adapter element, the retaining spring being rotatable with a windshield wiper blade adapter and being removably connectable without destruction, the retaining spring and the adapter element being removably connected without destruction, the adapter element having a first connecting structure, the retaining spring having a second connecting structure different from the first connecting structure, the first connecting structure being removably connectable without destruction to a first connecting end of a first windshield wiper arm, the second connecting structure being removably connectable without destruction with a second connecting end of a second windshield wiper arm.

[0005] The windshield wiper connection system according to the invention has, compared to the state of the art, the advantage of being able to use several different windshield wiper arms to install a single windshield wiper therein.

[0006] As already indicated, for this purpose, the wiper connecting system comprises a retaining spring and an adapter element. The retaining spring can rotate relative to the wiper blade adapter and the two can be connected without destruction or disassembly. The retaining spring and the adapter element can be detached from each other without destruction. The adapter element has a first connecting structure. The retaining spring has a second connecting structure, which is essentially different from the first connecting structure. This first connecting structure can be removably connected without destruction to a first connecting end of a first wiper arm. The second connecting structure can be connected in removable manner without destruction to a second connecting end of a second wiper arm.

[0007] In other words, the connecting system has two components, a retaining spring and an adapter element. The retaining spring can be connected to a second connecting end of a second wiper arm and the adapter element can be connected to a first connecting end of a first wiper arm. The retaining spring and the adapter element can be connected to each other in a detachable manner without destruction. In practice, this means that in order to connect a second wiper arm and a wiper blade adapter, the retaining spring must first be applied to the wiper blade adapter. If the second wiper arm has a second connecting end, this can be attached directly to the retaining spring. For this, no adapter element is required.If the first wiper arm has a first connection end, however, the adapter element must be connected to the retaining spring and the first connection end must be connected to the adapter element. In this way, the same wiper blade adapter and the same wiper blade are used. Due to the removable connection without destruction between the retaining spring and the adapter element, it is possible to repeat this as many times as desired. Thus, a wiper blade can be applied to at least two different connection ends. For adaptation, it is sufficient only to use the retaining spring directly or to connect the adapter element to the retaining spring and use the adapter element.

[0008] According to another feature, the retaining spring and the adapter element can be connected to each other by a form connection. This embodiment has the advantage of a simple plugging of the adapter element with the retaining spring. This allows the user to simply and quickly change between a connection of a first connection end with the wiper blade and a second connection end with the wiper blade.

[0009] According to another feature, the wiper blade adapter has a shaft end. The retaining spring has a bore. The bore is designed to receive the shaft end. This embodiment has the advantage that the retaining spring can thus rotate relative to the wiper blade adapter. This allows the relative movement of the wiper blade on the surface to be cleaned of the vehicle and allows for a better wiping result of the surface. Furthermore, this embodiment allows for the simple possibility of pivoting between the retaining spring and the wiper blade adapter.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the second connecting structure and the second connecting end are implemented as a first hooking mechanism. This embodiment has the advantage that the second connecting end can be connected and separated again simply by the first hooking mechanism with the holding spring.

[0011] Advantageously, the first connecting structure has a connecting bore. The connecting bore is designed to receive a connecting shaft end of the first connecting end. The advantage of this embodiment is that the first connecting end can be pivoted relative to the first branch structure and the first adapter element. Another advantage is that the movement of the first connecting end relative to the normal to the longitudinal direction of the connecting shaft end is blocked by the connecting bore. Thus, the adapter element follows a movement of the first connecting end or the first wiper arm.

[0012] Advantageously, the adapter element and the first connecting end can be pivotally connected by the connecting shaft end of the first connecting element. The retaining spring and the adapter element are connected by a second latching mechanism. The advantage of this embodiment is that the wiper blade follows the movement of the second wiper arm.

[0013] Preferably, the retaining spring has a connecting spacer. The adapter element has a connecting groove. The connecting groove is designed to receive the connecting spacer. The connecting spacer and the connecting groove are both oriented in a first direction. The advantage of this embodiment is that the connecting groove and the connecting spacer received in the connecting groove allow relative movement between the adapter element and the retaining spring in a direction different from the first direction. Thus, thanks to this simple embodiment and the simple possibility of making the connection between the retaining spring and the adapter element, relative movement is guaranteed.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the adapter element has a first latching element. The holding spring has a second latching element. The first latching element and the second latching element are designed to block the relative movement of the adapter element relative to the holding spring in a first direction, in the latched state. The advantage of this embodiment is that with the first latching element and the second latching element, the relative movement in the first direction is blocked. This prevents any accidental disengagement of the connecting spacer from the connecting groove. Another advantage of this embodiment is that the adapter element and the holding spring also follow in a movement in the first direction.

[0015] Advantageously, the second attachment element is designed as a connecting boss and the first attachment element as a connecting recess. The connecting boss joins the connecting spacer in a first direction. The recess connection is adjacent to the connecting groove. The advantage of this embodiment is a compact construction for the connection between the adapter element and the holding spring.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the first hooking element has a first height in the first direction and a first width in a second direction. The second hooking element has a second height in the first direction and a second width in the second direction. The first height corresponds to the second height. The second width is greater than the first width. The advantage of this embodiment is that the first hooking element follows the movement of the second hooking element in the first direction. Thus, a movement of the adapter element by the first hooking element and of the second hooking element is made by a direct movement of the holding spring.

[0017] Advantageously, the connecting recess has an inlet opening and a locking spacer. The locking spacer is at one end of the connecting recess opposite the connecting groove in the first direction. The connecting boss can engage through the inlet opening in the connecting recess in the first direction. The advantage of this embodiment is that with the locking spacer, any accidental release of the hooking connection is prevented. In addition, the joining of the second hooking element and the first hooking element via the inlet opening is simplified. By offsetting the inlet opening relative to the connecting groove, the connecting spacer cannot be slid directly into the connecting groove via the inlet opening. Instead, the inlet boss must be slid in a limited manner through the inlet groove through the inlet hole on the connecting grooves and threaded.Afterwards, the engagement is continued and the second hooking element is released from the outlet opening towards the connecting grooves and the locking spacer. By this movement, the connecting spacer continues to enter the connecting groove. This prevents the locking spacer from being able to be extracted directly from the connecting groove by the direct extraction of the connecting spacer. This prevents any accidental release of the adapter element from the retaining spring.

[0018] Preferably, the retaining spring has a first outer side, a second outer side and a third outer side. The first outer side and the third outer side are connected to the second outer side. The first outer side and the second outer side are opposite each other. The connecting spacer is on the first outer side and / or the third outer side. This simple geometrical embodiment of the retaining spring simplifies the manufacture of the retaining spring.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the adapter element has a fifth inner side, a sixth inner side and a seventh inner side. The fifth outer side and the seventh outer side are connected to the sixth inner side. The fifth inner side and the seventh inner side are opposite each other. The connecting groove is in the fifth inner side and / or the sixth inner side. This simple geometric design simplifies the manufacture of the holding element and thus reduces the manufacturing cost of the adapter element.

[0020] The invention also relates to a vehicle windshield wiper system. This windshield wiper system comprises a wiper blade, a first wiper arm with a first connecting end, a second wiper arm with a second connecting end. The windshield wiper system has a connection system according to the above embodiments. The advantages of this connection system are those of the embodiment of the connection system.

[0021] The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a windshield wiper system. The vehicle thus benefits from the corresponding advantages of the windshield wiper system. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] diagram of a vehicle equipped with a windshield wiper system and a system of connection according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0024] [Fig.2] perspective diagram of the windshield wiper system with the connection system according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0025] [Fig.3] diagram of the windshield wiper system with a connection system with a first windshield wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0026] [Fig.4] first diagram of the windshield wiper system with the connecting system and a second windshield wiper arm according to the embodiment of the invention,

[0027] [Fig.5] diagram of an adapter element according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.6] diagram of a retaining spring according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0029] [Fig.7] diagram of a windshield wiper system with a connection system according to a exemplary embodiment of the invention with a windshield wiper arm,

[0030] [Fig.8] diagram of the connecting element with a first interface of the first wiper arm according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In the following description all the unit or constructive assembly elements presented in the figures correspond to the same references.

[0033] [Fig.l] schematically shows a vehicle 10 equipped with a windshield wiper system 300 and a connecting system 150 according to one embodiment of the invention. The windshield wiper system 300 has a first wiper blade 100, a first wiper arm 210 with a first connecting end 211 or a second arm wiper system 220 with a second connecting end 212. The wiper system 300 is installed against the windshield 11 of the vehicle 10.

[0034] [Fig. 2] is a diagram of the wiper system 300 with the connecting system 150 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. The connecting system 150 has a holding spring 120 and an adapter element 130. The holding spring 120 is connected to the wiper blade adapter 110 so as to be rotatable relative to each other and detachable without destruction. The holding spring 120 and the adapter element 130 are connected to each other in a detachable manner without destruction. The adapter element 130 has a first connecting structure 131. The holding spring 120 has a second connecting structure 222 different from the first connecting structure 131. The first connecting structure 131 is connected in a detachable manner without destruction to a first connecting end 211 of a first wiper arm 210.The second connecting structure 222 is connected to the second connecting end 221 of a second wiper arm 220 by a non-destructively removable connection. The wiper blade adapter 110 is adapted to receive a wiper blade 100.

[0035] The retaining spring 120 and the adapter element 130 are connected to each other by a form connection. The wiper blade adapter 110 has a shaft end 111. The retaining spring 120 has a bore 121. The bore 121 is designed to receive the shaft end 111. The second connecting structure 222 and the second connecting end 221 are designed as first hooking mechanisms. The first connecting structure 131 has a first connecting bore 121. The first connecting bore 121 is designed to receive a connecting shaft end 112 of the first connecting end 211. According to this embodiment, the retaining spring 120 is pivotally installed on the wiper blade adapter 110. The adapter element 130 is carried by the retaining spring 120.

[0036] [Fig. 3] schematically shows the wiper system 300 with the connecting system 150 and the first wiper arm 210 according to the embodiment of the invention. The holding spring 120 carries the adapter element 130. The adapter element 130 is connected to a first connecting end 211 of a first wiper arm 210.

[0037] [Fig. 4] shows a wiper system 300 with a connecting system 150 according to the embodiment. A second connecting end 220 of the second wiper arm 220 is directly on the retaining spring 120. The adapter element 130 is not connected to the retaining spring 120 and the latter does not need it in this embodiment.

[0038] [Fig. 5] is a schematic representation of the adapter element 130 according to the embodiment of the invention. The adapter element 130 has a connecting groove 132. The connecting groove 132 receives the connecting spacer 122 of the leaf spring 120. The adapter element 130 has a first hooking element 133. The first hooking element 133 is in the form of a connecting recess. The first hooking element 133 has a first height 133a in the first direction 501 and a first width 123 in a second direction 502. The connecting recess has an inlet orifice 134 and a locking spacer 135. The locking spacer 135 is provided on the end of the connecting recess 133 opposite the first direction 501.

[0039] [Fig. 6] schematically shows the holding spring 120 according to the embodiment of the invention. The holding spring 120 has a first connecting spacer 122. The connecting spacer 122 and the connecting groove are oriented in the first direction 501. The holding spring 120 has a second hooking element 123. The first hooking element 133 and the second hooking element 123 are designed to block the relative movement of the adapter element 130 with respect to the holding spring 120 in a hooked state in which the first embodiment 501 is blocked. The second hooking element 123 is in the form of a connecting boss. The connecting boss joins the connecting spacer in the first direction 501. The recess joins the connecting groove 132 in the first direction 501.The second hooking element 123 has a second height 123a in the first direction 501 and a second width 123b in the second direction 502. The first height 133a corresponds to the second height 123a. The second width 123b is greater than the first width 133b. The connecting boss 123 can engage through the inlet orifice 134 in the first connecting recess 133 in the first direction 501.

[0040] [Fig.7] schematically shows the windshield wiper system 300 with the system of connection 150 according to the embodiment of the invention to the first wiper arm. The connection system 150 is connected to a first connection end 211 of the second wiper arm 210. The adapter element 130 has a connection bore 131. The connection bore 131 receives the connection shaft end piece 212 of the first connection end 211. The adapter element 130 and the first connection element 210 are rotatably connected to each other by the connection shaft end 212. The retaining spring 120 and the adapter element 130 are connected to each other by a second hooking mechanism 140.

[0041] [Fig.8] is a diagram of a connection system 150 with a first connecting end of the first wiper arm according to the embodiment of the invention. The holding spring 120 has a first outer side 120a, a second outer side 120b and a third outer side 120c. The first outer side 12a and the third outer side 120c are connected to the second outer side 120b. The first outer side 120a and the second outer side 120b face each other. The connecting spacer 122 is on the first side 120a and the third outer side 120c. The adapter member 130 has a fifth inner side 130a, a sixth inner side 130b and a seventh inner side 130c. The fifth inner side 130a and the seventh inner side 130c are connected to the sixth inner side 130b. The fifth inner side 130a and the seventh inner side 130b face each other. The connecting groove 132 is on the fifth inner side 130a and the sixth inner side 130c.

[0042] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0043] 10 Vehicle

[0044] 100 Windshield wiper blade

[0045] 110 Wiper blade adapter

[0046] 111 End

[0047] 120 Holding spring

[0048] 120a First outer side

[0049] 120b Second outer side

[0050] 120c Third outer side

[0051] 121 Drilling

[0052] 122 Connecting spacer

[0053] 130 Adapter element

[0054] 131 First connecting structure

[0055] 132 Connecting groove

[0056] 133 First attachment element

[0057] 133a First height

[0058] 133b First width

[0059] 134 Opening of engagement

[0060] 140 Hooking mechanism

[0061] 150 Linking system

[0062] 210 First wiper arm

[0063] 211 First end of the fitting

[0064] 212 Second end of the fitting

[0065] 220 Second wiper arm

[0066] 221 Second end of the fitting

[0067] 222 Second connecting structure

[0068] 300 Windshield Wiper System

[0069] 501 First direction

[0070] 502 Second direction

Claims

Claims

1. Connection system (150) for a windshield wiper system (300) comprising: - a holding spring (120), and - an adapter element (130), * the holding spring (120) being rotatable with a wiper blade adapter (110) by being releasably connectable without destruction, * the holding spring (120) and the adapter element (130) being releasably connected without destruction, * the adapter element (130) having a first connection structure (131), * the holding spring (120) having a second connection structure (222) different from the first connection structure (131), * the first connection structure (131) being releasably connectable without destruction to a first connection end (211) of a first wiper arm (210), * the second connection structure (222) being releasably connectable without destruction with a second connection end (221) of a second wiper arm (220).

2. Connection system (150) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the holding spring (120) and the adapter element (130) being connected to each other by a form connection.

3. Connection system (150) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper blade adapter (110) has a shaft end (111), and - the retaining spring (120) has a bore (121), * the bore (121) being designed to receive the shaft end (111).

4. Connecting system (150) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the second connecting structure (222) and the second connecting end (221) are designed as a first hooking mechanism.

5. Connection system (150) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection structure (130) has a connection bore (131), * the connection bore (131) is designed to receive a connection shaft end (212) of the first connection end (211).

6. Connection system (150) according to claim 5, characterized in that - the adapter element (130) and the first connection element (211) are connected to each other in rotation by the connection shaft end (212) and the connection bore (131), and - the retaining spring (120) and the adapter element (130) can be connected to each other by a second hooking mechanism (140).

7. Connecting system (150) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the holding spring (120) has a connecting spacer (122), and - the adapter element (130) has a connecting groove (132), * the connecting groove (132) is designed to receive the connecting spacer (122), and * the connecting spacer (122) and the connecting groove (132) are oriented in a first direction (501).

8. Connecting system (150) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the adapter element (130) has a first hooking element (133), and - the holding spring (120) has a second hooking element (123), - the first hooking element (133) and the second hooking element (123) are designed to block a relative movement of the adapter element (33) with respect to the holding spring (120) in the hooked state, in the first direction (501).

9. Connecting system (150) according to claim 8, characterized in that - the second hooking element (123) is in the form of a connecting boss and the first hooking element (133) is in the form of a connecting recess (133), * the connecting boss is connected to the connecting spacer (122) in the first direction (501), and * the connecting recess (133) is connected to the connecting groove (132).

10. Connection system (150) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that - the first hooking element (133) has a first height (133a) in the first direction (501) and a first width (133b) in a second direction (502), and - the second hooking element (123) has a second height (123a) in a first direction (501) and a second width (123b) in the second direction (502), * the first height (133a) corresponds to the second height (123a), and * the first width (133b) is greater than the second width (123b).

11. Connecting system (150) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that - the connecting recess (133) has an inlet orifice (134) and a locking spacer (135), - the locking spacer (135) being provided at one end of the connecting recess (133) opposite the connecting groove (132) in the first direction (501), * the first connecting boss (123) engages through the inlet orifice (134) in the first direction (501) in the connecting recess (133).

12. Connecting system (150) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that - the holding spring (120) has a first outer side (120a), a second outer side (120b) and a third outer side (120c), * the first outer side (120a) and the third outer side (120c) are connected to the second outer side (120b), - the first outer side (120a) and the second outer side (120b) are opposite each other, and * the connecting spacer (122) is on the first outer side (120a) and / or the third outer side (120c).

13. Connection system (150) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that - The adapter element (130) has a fifth inner side (130a), a sixth inner side (130b) and a seventh inner side (130c), * the fifth inner side (130a) and the seventh inner side (130c) are connected to the sixth inner side (130b), * the fifth inner side (130a) and the seventh inner side (130c) are opposite each other, and * the connecting groove (132) is on the fifth inner side (130a) and / or the seventh inner side (130c).

14. Windshield wiper system (300) for a vehicle (10) comprising: - a wiper blade (100), - a first wiper arm (210) with a first connecting end (211), or * a second wiper arm (220) with a second connecting end (211), and - a connecting system (150) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. A vehicle (10) comprising a windshield wiper system (300) according to claim 14.