Actuating arm and wiping device

Abstract

Actuating arm (1) of a wiping device (100) of a motor vehicle comprising at least one element among a driver (2) configured to be driven by a motor and a casing (3) configured to be connected on the one hand to the driver (2) and on the other hand to a windscreen wiper blade, characterized in that at least one channel (7) extending along said element (2, 3) is provided in said element (2, 3) to receive at least one hydraulic pipe (5) and / or at least one electrical pipe (9). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Actuating arm and wiping device Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an actuating arm for a motor vehicle wiping device. The invention also relates to a wiping device. Technical background

[0002] The motor vehicle wiping devices can provide windshield washer fluid spraying and wiping of glass surfaces of the vehicle such as the windshield or rear window, or of optical sensors of vehicle driver assistance systems.

[0003] Watering can be carried out by a cleaning fluid projection device (or nozzle) carried for example, by the arm or by a wiper blade mounted articulated at the free end of the arm or directly by one or more watering ramps of the wiper blade. The nozzle or the blade are supplied with cleaning fluid by flexible pipes, generally made of rubber, connected to a reservoir located inside the motor vehicle.

[0004] It is known to run the flexible pipe along the actuating arm to convey the fluid to the end of the arm. The pipe is fixed to the sheet metal of a casing of the arm, which can be closed by a plastic cover having a shape adapted to improve the aerodynamic performance of the arm. However, due to manufacturing constraints, the casing can be relatively heavy and not very optimized.

[0005] A recent development made possible by additive manufacturing improves aerodynamic performance by reducing drag and downforce of the casing. The casing may also have one or more internal conduits in which a cleaning fluid circulates directly. One or more inlet cannulas are made in the casing, at the end of the conduit located on the driver side, and one or more outlet cannulas are made in the casing at the other end, on the wiper side. Intermediate conduits connect the inlet cannulas to cannulas of the driver and the outlet cannulas to the wiper connector or to the nozzle.

[0006] However, the production by additive manufacturing of the casing with the conduit and the cannulas can present certain disadvantages.

[0007] Indeed, it can be difficult, at the end of the additive manufacturing process, to remove the residual powder present inside the conduit and the cannulas because the passage sections can be too narrow and the powder relatively compact.

[0008] Furthermore, the level of sealing required at the interfaces between the casing cannulas and the pipes requires the production of precise cannulas shapes, angles and states. surface in particular, which are currently difficult to achieve using additive manufacturing.

[0009] Another problem arises from the fact that the cleaning fluid can stagnate in the housing conduit. The water in the cleaning fluid can freeze and the expanded volume can crack the housing. In addition, if the cleaning fluid contains ethanol or methanol, it can migrate into the housing material and alter its mechanical properties. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention proposes to remedy at least partially the above drawbacks.

[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to an actuating arm for a motor vehicle wiping device comprising at least one element among a driver configured to be driven by a motor and a casing configured to be connected on the one hand to the driver and on the other hand to a windscreen wiper blade, characterized in that at least one channel extending along said element is provided in said element to receive at least one hydraulic pipe and / or at least one electrical pipe.

[0012] It is understood that said element can be produced by additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing.

[0013] The channel thus formed in the at least one element of the arm makes it possible to receive and maintain the at least one hydraulic pipe and / or the at least one electrical pipe which can extend from the driver to the projection device located at the end of the casing, avoiding the production of intermediate inlet-outlet cannulas and the sealing and depowdering problems of the additive manufacturing process relating to the cannulas. Also, this arrangement prevents cleaning fluid from stagnating directly in the channel of the at least one element of the arm by being in prolonged contact with the material of said element. This limits the risk of deterioration of the mechanical properties of said element.

[0014] The actuating arm may further comprise one or more of the features described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] The driver may be configured to be driven by a reciprocating motor.

[0016] According to a first exemplary embodiment, the channel is open lengthwise.

[0017] A transverse dimension of the opening of the channel is for example between 2mm and 4mm.

[0018] This embodiment allows easy access to the bottom of the casing channel along its entire length, which facilitates powder removal.

[0019] According to a first variant, the opening of the channel forms holding clips configured to receive and hold the at least one hydraulic pipe and / or the at least one electrical pipe by elastic deformation.

[0020] The channel has, for example, a section that fits into at least one circular shape whose diameter corresponds to an external diameter of a hydraulic pipe or an electrical conduit. The channel may have other section shapes, such as oval, elliptical, polygonal, etc.

[0021] According to a second variant, the channel has a section dimensioned to provide a minimum radial clearance of at least 2 mm, such as between 2 mm and 4 mm, with an external diameter of a hydraulic pipe and / or an electrical conduit.

[0022] The opening of the channel is too narrow for the hydraulic line and / or the electrical line to escape from the channel through the opening. The open channel allows easier depowdering, which can be useful in particular in the case of bent casings, the opening giving access to the interior of the channel for example to a cleaning brush and / or to a blow of compressed air for example, over its entire length.

[0023] According to a second exemplary embodiment, the channel is closed lengthwise and is only open at the two ends.

[0024] The channel has, for example, a section dimensioned to provide a minimum radial clearance of at least 2 mm, such as between 2 mm and 4 mm, with an external diameter of a hydraulic pipe and / or an electrical conduit.

[0025] This radial clearance between the channel and the at least one hydraulic pipe and / or the at least one electrical pipe facilitates the depowdering of the channel at the end of the additive manufacturing process and then makes it possible to easily mount the at least one hydraulic pipe and / or the at least one electrical pipe in the channel. The passage cross-section of the channel is sufficiently large to significantly facilitate depowdering after additive manufacturing, by introducing a cleaning brush and / or blowing compressed air for example from one end of the channel.

[0026] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle wiping device characterized in that it comprises an actuating arm as described above and at least one hydraulic pipe and / or at least one electrical pipe received in the channel provided in said element of the actuating arm. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0028] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0029] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] shows a perspective view of a wiping device.

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a view of elements of the wiping device of [Fig.l] returned.

[0031] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a sectional view of the elements of the wiping device of [Fig.2],

[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of a hydraulic conduit and an electrical conduit received in a housing of an actuating arm of the wiping device of [Fig.2].

[0033] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a sectional view of elements of a wiping device according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0034] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a perspective view of a hydraulic line received in a housing of an actuating arm of the wiping device of [Fig.5].

[0035] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] shows a sectional view of elements of a wiping device according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0036] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] shows a perspective view of a hydraulic line received in a housing of an actuating arm of the wiping device of [Fig.7].

[0037] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] shows a perspective view of the housing of [Fig.8].

[0038] [Fig.10A] [Fig.10A] shows a sectional view of a driver of a wiping device according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0039] [Fig.lOB] [Fig.lOB] shows a sectional view of a driver of a wiping device according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0040] [Fig.10C] [Fig.10C] shows a sectional view of a driver of a wiping device according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0041] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0042] 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.

[0043] The term “lower” or “bottom” refers to the side of the windshield wiper blade 200 intended to be closest to the glass surface and the term “upper” or “top” refers to the opposite side.

[0044] [Fig.l] shows a wiping device 100 for a motor vehicle.

[0045] The motor vehicle wiping device 100 comprises an actuating arm 1 configured to drive a windshield wiper blade 200.

[0046] The actuating arm 1 comprises a driver 2 configured to be driven by a motor, in particular in reciprocating pivoting, and a casing 3 configured to be connected on the one hand to the driver 2 by a pivot connection and on the other hand to the windshield wiper blade 200.

[0047] The wiping device 100 can allow the distribution of a cleaning fluid such as windshield washer fluid or water, on a glass surface of the vehicle such as the windshield or the rear window, and the wiping thereof.

[0048] For this, and better visible in figures 2, 3 and 4, the wiping device 100 comprises a hydraulic circuit comprising hydraulic pipes 5 for conveying a cleaning fluid from a reservoir under the hood of the vehicle to a device for spraying the fluid onto the glass surface, for example the windshield wiper blade 200 or a nozzle.

[0049] The hydraulic pipes 5 are made of flexible material, generally rubber or equivalent. They may be provided with a cannula 6 at at least one end.

[0050] At least one element of the actuating arm 1, i.e. the casing 3, the driver 2 or both, can be produced by additive manufacturing such as by 3D printing.

[0051] The element 2, 3 which can be produced by additive manufacturing can be made of plastic material, such as polymer material or metallic material.

[0052] At least one channel 7 extending along the element 2, 3, from one end to the other of the element 2, 3, is provided in the element 2, 3 to receive at least one hydraulic pipe 5 and / or at least one electrical pipe 9. The hydraulic pipe 5 received in the arm 1 is generally cylindrical, for example with an external diameter of 6 mm. The electrical pipe 9 is for example formed by an electrical cable or a bundle of electrical cables possibly received in a sheath, the electrical pipe 9 allowing for example the supply of electrical elements for heating the cleaning fluid or the windscreen wiper blade 200.

[0053] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first example of embodiment in the case where the element of the actuating arm 1 concerned is the casing 3.

[0054] A first end of the casing 3 is connected to the driver 2 and a second end is intended to be connected in an articulated manner to the windshield wiper blade 200. The actuating arm 1 may comprise springs 4 arranged in a housing of the casing 3, making it possible to press the casing 3 against the glazed surface of the vehicle.

[0055] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the hydraulic pipe 5 and the electrical pipe 9 are held to the driver 2 by two tabs 8 made of the same material as the driver 2.

[0056] The same hydraulic pipe 5 and the same electrical pipe 9 retained at the driver 2, run along the casing 3 to the second end of the casing 3 intended to be connected to the brush 200. At this second end, the hydraulic pipe 5 emerges from the channel 7 and is for example fluidically connected to the cannula 6 to be assembled to the brush 200 under a yoke of the casing 3 or to a nozzle carried by the actuating arm 1 (not shown). The electrical conduit 9 emerging from the channel 7 can be electrically connected to electrical elements for example to ensure their electrical supply.

[0057] The channel 7 thus arranged in the casing 3 of the arm 1 makes it possible to receive and maintain the at least one hydraulic pipe 5 and / or the electrical pipe 9 which can extend from the driver 2 to the projection device located at the end of the casing 6, avoiding the production of intermediate inlet-outlet cannulas and the sealing and depowdering problems of the additive manufacturing process relating to the cannulas with regard to the hydraulic pipe 5. Also, this arrangement prevents cleaning fluid from stagnating directly in the channel 7 of the casing 3 by being in prolonged contact with the material of the casing 3. This limits the risk of deterioration of the mechanical properties of the casing 3.

[0058] The section of the channel 7 can have any shape. The channel 7 can for example have a main conduit, for example cylindrical, receiving the hydraulic conduit 5 and a secondary conduit, for example cylindrical, communicating with the main conduit and receiving the electrical conduit 9 ([Fig.3]) or the channel 7 can have a more complex shape making it possible in particular to reduce the material of the casing 3.

[0059] According to a first exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the channel 7 is open lengthwise, in a lower face of the casing 3, that is to say on the side of the casing 3 facing the glazed surface, not visible.

[0060] The opening of the channel 7 forms holding clips configured to receive and hold the at least one hydraulic pipe 5 and / or the at least one electrical pipe 9 by elastic deformation. The holding clips may be formed along the entire length of the opening or discontinuously.

[0061] The channel 7 has for example a section which fits into at least one circular shape for example of a diameter corresponding, that is to say equal to or slightly greater than, the external diameter of the hydraulic pipe 5, such as 6 mm, or of the electrical pipe 9.

[0062] The retaining clips are produced by additive manufacturing with the casing 3.

[0063] During the assembly process, the at least one hydraulic line 5 is inserted by clipping, parallel to channel 7.

[0064] It is also possible to clip the electrical conduit 9 into the holding clips, for example for heating the cleaning fluid or the windscreen wiper blade 200.

[0065] This embodiment allows easy access to the bottom of the channel 7 of the casing 3 over its entire length, which facilitates powder removal.

[0066] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment illustrated for the case where the element of the actuating arm 1 concerned is the casing 3.

[0067] In this example, the channel 7 formed in the casing 3 is closed lengthwise. It is only open at the two ends.

[0068] The channel 7 has, for example, a section dimensioned to provide a minimum radial clearance J of at least 2 mm, such as between 2 mm and 4 mm, with an external diameter of the hydraulic pipe 5 ([Fig.5]) and / or the electrical conduit 9. The channel 7 has, for example, a section forming a circular shape, for example with a diameter equal to 8 mm.

[0069] During the assembly process, the hydraulic pipe 5 and / or the electrical pipe 9 is inserted from one end of the channel 7.

[0070] This radial clearance J between the channel 7 and the hydraulic pipe 5 and / or the electrical pipe 9 facilitates the depowdering of the channel 7 at the end of the additive manufacturing process and then makes it possible to ensure easy mounting of the hydraulic pipe 5 in the channel 7. The cross-sectional passage of the channel 7 is sufficiently large to significantly facilitate depowdering after additive manufacturing, by introducing a cleaning brush and / or blowing compressed air for example from one end of the channel 7.

[0071] Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment illustrated for the case where the element of the actuating arm 1 concerned is the casing 3.

[0072] In this example, the channel 7 is open lengthwise, on the side of the casing 3 facing the glazed surface, but without the opening of the channel 7 forming holding clips.

[0073] The channel 7 has, for example, a section dimensioned to provide a minimum radial clearance J of at least 2 mm, such as between 2 mm and 4 mm, with an external diameter of the hydraulic pipe 5 ([Fig.7]) and / or the electrical conduit 9. The channel 7 has, for example, a section forming a circular shape, for example with a diameter equal to 8 mm.

[0074] The opening of the channel 7 has, for example, a continuous transverse dimension along the channel 7. The transverse dimension of the opening of the channel 7 is, for example, between 2 mm and 4 mm.

[0075] During the assembly process, the hydraulic pipe 5 and / or the electrical pipe 9 is inserted from one end of the channel 7.

[0076] The opening of the channel 7 is too narrow for the hydraulic pipe 5 and / or the electrical pipe 9 to escape from the channel 7 through the opening. The open channel 7 allows easier depowdering, which can be useful in particular in the case of bent casings, the opening giving access to the interior of the channel 7 for example to a cleaning brush and / or to a blow of compressed air for example, over its entire length.

[0077] Although these embodiments have been described for an element of the arm 1 formed by the casing 3, it is also conceivable, as an alternative or complement, that the element of the arm 1 produced by additive manufacturing and in which at least one channel 7 extending along said element is provided, is the driver 2 (FIGS. 10A to 10C).

[0078] The channel 7 formed in the driver 2 can be open lengthwise ([Fig. 10A] and [Fig.10C]), the opening of the channel 7 being able to form holding clips ([Fig.10C]) or not ([Fig.10A]) or the channel 7 being able to be closed lengthwise ([Fig.10B]), as described previously for the three embodiments of the casing 3. Thus the characteristics described for an element formed by the casing 3 of the arm 1 can apply to an element formed by the driver 2 of the arm 1.

[0079] In the case where the actuating arm 1 comprises a driver 2 and a casing 3 each produced by additive manufacturing, at least one channel 7 being provided in the driver 2 extending along the driver 2 and at least one channel 7 being provided in the casing 3 extending along the casing 3, the embodiment of the channel 7 in the casing 3 is not necessarily linked to the embodiment of the channel 7 in the driver 2.

[0080] For example, the channel 7 provided in the driver 2 can be open lengthwise, the opening of the channel 7 being able or not to form holding clips while the channel 7 provided in the casing 6 can be closed lengthwise.

Claims

Claims

1. Actuating arm (1) of a wiping device (100) of a motor vehicle comprising at least one element among a driver (2) configured to be driven by a motor and a casing (3) configured to be connected on the one hand to the driver (2) and on the other hand to a windscreen wiper blade, characterized in that at least one channel (7) extending along said element (2, 3) is provided in said element (2, 3) to receive at least one hydraulic pipe (5) and / or at least one electrical pipe (9).

2. Actuating arm (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (7) is open in length.

3. Actuating arm (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a transverse dimension of the opening of the channel (7) is between 2mm and 4mm.

4. Actuating arm (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the opening of the channel (7) forms holding clips configured to receive and hold the at least one hydraulic pipe (5) and / or one electrical pipe (9) by elastic deformation.

5. Actuating arm (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the channel (7) has a section falling within at least one circular shape whose diameter corresponds to an external diameter of a hydraulic pipe (5) or an electrical conduit (9).

6. Actuating arm (1) one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the channel (7) has a section dimensioned to provide a minimum radial clearance (J) of at least 2mm, such as between 2mm and 4mm, with an external diameter of a hydraulic pipe (5) and / or an electrical conduit (9).

7. Actuating arm (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (7) is closed in length and is only open at both ends.

8. Actuating arm (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the channel (7) has a section dimensioned to provide a minimum radial clearance (J) of at least 2mm, such as between 2mm and 4mm, with an external diameter of a hydraulic pipe (5) and / or an electrical conduit (9).

9. Wiping device (100) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an actuating arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one hydraulic pipe (4) and / or at least one electrical pipe (9) received in the channel (6) formed in said element (2, 3) of the actuating arm (1).

Images