Wiper blade and associated wiping device

Abstract

Wiper blade and associated wiping device The present invention relates to a wiper blade (20a, 20b) for a wiping device (11) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a wiper blade (23), - a support frame (21) of generally elongated shape configured to receive the wiper blade (23) and comprising a central connector (27) configured to ensure the attachment of the wiper blade (20a, 20b) to a wiping arm (13a, 13b) of the wiping device (11), a first end connector (25a) arranged at a first end of the wiper blade (23) and of the support frame (21) and configured to ensure the connection between the wiper blade (23) and the support frame (21) and a second end connector (25b) arranged at a second end opposite the first end of the wiper blade (23) and the support frame (21) and configured to ensure the connection between the wiper blade (23) and the support frame (21), the wiper blade (20a,20b) also comprising at least one intermediate element (29) arranged between the central connector (27) and one of the end connectors (25a, 25b), said intermediate element (29) comprising a projection nozzle (31) configured to project cleaning liquid towards an area peripheral to a wiping area of ​​the wiper blade (20a, 20b), the wiper blade (20a, 20b) also comprising means (33) for supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector (27) and the projection nozzle (31) of the intermediate element (29).,

Description

Title of the invention: Wiper blade and associated wiping device

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of devices for cleaning motor vehicle equipment.

[0002] Motor vehicles increasingly include optical detection or vision devices such as cameras or Lidars which are, for example, arranged on the roof or on the pillars arranged on either side of the windshield.

[0003] However, in order to ensure optimal operation of these detection devices, they should be cleaned regularly.

[0004] For this purpose, it is known to use cleaning devices, for example cleaning liquid spraying devices such as spray nozzles arranged adjacent to the detection device and oriented towards the detection device.

[0005] However, with the multiplicity of detection devices, it becomes difficult to integrate all these cleaning devices and their supply of cleaning liquid due to the limited space in the vehicle and it also becomes expensive to multiply these cleaning devices.

[0006] It is therefore appropriate to find a solution to reduce the cost and size of cleaning devices for optical detection devices.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a wiper blade for a motor vehicle wiping device comprising:

[0008] - a wiping blade,

[0009] - a support frame of generally elongated shape configured to receive the blade wiping and comprising a central connector configured to ensure the attachment of the blade to a wiping arm of the wiping device, a first end connector arranged at a first end of the wiping blade and the frame and configured to ensure the connection between the wiping blade and the support frame and a second end connector arranged at a second end opposite the first end of the wiping blade and the support frame and configured to ensure the connection between the wiping blade and the support frame.The wiper blade also comprises at least one intermediate element arranged between the central connector and one of the end connectors, said intermediate element comprising a projection nozzle configured to project cleaning liquid towards a zone peripheral to a wiping zone of the wiper blade, for example a longitudinal projection towards the peripheral zone, the wiper blade also comprising means. of supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector and the projection nozzle of the intermediate element.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the wiper blade comprises a plurality of spray orifices configured to spray cleaning liquid onto the wiping area and at least one cleaning liquid distribution channel extending between the central connector and the spray orifices. The use of spray orifices integrated in the wiper blade and in particular in the wiper blade makes it possible to spray cleaning liquid just in front of the wiper blade and therefore just before wiping said cleaning liquid so that the driver's visibility is improved and the quantity of water not reaching the windshield is reduced to a minimum. The consumption of cleaning liquid is therefore reduced.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the means for supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector and the spray nozzle of the intermediate element are provided by the at least one cleaning liquid distribution channel extending between the central connector and the spray orifices.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one cleaning liquid distribution channel is integrated into the support frame.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the intermediate element comprises a Y-type valve configured to allow or block the transmission of the cleaning liquid to the projection nozzle of the intermediate element depending on the pressure of the cleaning liquid at an inlet of the Y-type valve.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, the wiper blade comprises a first cleaning liquid distribution channel configured to supply a first plurality of spray orifices and a second cleaning liquid distribution channel configured to supply a second plurality of spray orifices, the intermediate connector comprising a first projection nozzle supplied by the first cleaning liquid distribution channel and a second projection nozzle supplied by the second cleaning liquid distribution channel.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first plurality of spray orifices is configured to spray cleaning liquid in a first direction of movement of the wiper blade and the second plurality of spray orifices is configured to spray cleaning liquid in a second direction of movement of the wiper blade.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the intermediate element is a connector configured to provide the connection between different elements of the wiper blade.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the intermediate connector is a bridge configured to connect two parts of the support frame.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the intermediate element is configured to clip onto the support frame.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the means for supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector and the projection nozzle of the intermediate connector are provided by a pipe.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle wiping device comprising a cleaning liquid reservoir, at least one wiping arm, at least one wiping blade as described previously, fluid connection elements between the reservoir and the central connector of the wiping blade and a pump configured to pump the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the at least one projection nozzle of the wiping blade.

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0022] [Fig-1] represents a schematic perspective view of a front part of a motor vehicle;

[0023] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a windshield wiper blade;

[0024] [Fig.3] represents a perspective and sectional view of the wiper blade of the [Fig.2] ;

[0025] [Fig.4] represents a perspective and sectional view of an intermediate element according to a first embodiment;

[0026] [Fig.5a] represents a stopping device in a first position;

[0027] [Fig.5b] represents a stopping device in a second position;

[0028] [Fig.5c] represents a stopping device in a third position;

[0029] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of an intermediate element according to a second embodiment.

[0030] In these figures, identical elements have the same references.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle wiping device and a wiping blade for such a wiping device.

[0033] [Fig.l] represents a schematic perspective view of a front part of a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a windshield 3 surrounded by uprights 5 connecting a hood 7 to the roof 9 of the motor vehicle 1. The windshield 3 is equipped with a wiping device 11 for the windshield 3 comprising two pivoting arms 13a, 13b on which are mounted respective wiper blades 20a, 20b so as to wipe a wiping zone of the windshield 3 when the pivoting arms 13a, 13b are rotated, for example by an electric motor arranged under the hood 7. Rearview mirrors 15 are also positioned on either side of the windshield 3, for example on the uprights 5.

[0034] In addition, the motor vehicle 1 also comprises a Lidar type device 17 arranged on the roof 9 of the motor vehicle 1 and more precisely above the windshield 3. The Lidar device 17 is configured to detect elements located in the environment of the motor vehicle 1 and in particular in front of the motor vehicle 1 in order to help the driver of the motor vehicle 1 to adapt his driving to the elements of the environment of the motor vehicle 1.

[0035] The present invention relates to at least one of the wiper blades 20a, 20b, for example the wiper blade 20a or the wiper blade 20b. The wiper blade(s) 20a, 20b of the present invention is (are) configured so as to be able to clean an optical device arranged on an element peripheral to the wiping zone of the wiper blade(s) 20a, 20b. In the example of [Fig.l], the optical device is the Lidar device 17 and the element peripheral to the windshield 3 is the roof 7. However, the present invention also applies to other optical devices such as cameras, optical detectors or lighting such as headlights.These optical devices can also be arranged on other elements peripheral to the wiping zone such as the uprights 5, the rearview mirrors 15, the windshield 3 outside the wiping zone (the optical device can be in front of or behind the windshield 3) or even the hood 7 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0036] Figures 2 to 4 show a wiper blade 20a according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wiper blade 20a comprises a support frame 21 of generally elongated shape configured to receive a wiper blade 23. The support frame 21 is for example made of plastic or composite material and the wiper blade 23 is for example made of rubber. The wiper blade 23 is for example configured to be received in a longitudinal housing of the support frame 21. The support frame 21 can also receive one or more vertebrae extending along the length of the wiper blade. The wiper blade 20a comprises a first end connector 25a arranged at a first end of the wiper blade 23 and the support frame 21. The first end connector 25a is configured to provide the connection between the wiper blade 23 and the frame support 21. The wiper blade 20a also comprises a second end connector 25b arranged at a second end opposite the first end of the wiper blade 23 and the support frame 21. The second end connector 25b is configured to provide the connection between the wiper blade 23 and the support frame 21.

[0037] The wiper blade 20a also comprises a central connector 27 configured to ensure the attachment of the wiper blade 20a to the wiper arm 13a of the wiper device 11.

[0038] The wiper blade 20a also comprises at least one intermediate element 29 arranged between the central connector 27 and one of the end connectors 25a, 25b. In the example of [Fig.2], the wiper blade 20 comprises four intermediate elements 29, two intermediate elements 29 arranged between the central connector 27 and the first end connector 25a and two intermediate elements 29 arranged between the central connector 27 and the second end connector 25b.

[0039] At least one of the intermediate elements 29 comprises a projection nozzle 31 (visible in [Fig. 4]) configured to project cleaning liquid towards an area peripheral to the wiping area of ​​the wiper blade 20a. In the example of [Fig. 4], the intermediate element 29 comprises two projection nozzles 31 arranged on one side and the other of the support frame 21. The two projection nozzles 31 may have different characteristics and / or orientations.

[0040] According to the embodiment of Figures 2 to 4, the support frame 21 comprises a plurality of portions connected together by the intermediate elements 29 which form intermediate connectors or bridges connecting the portions. The intermediate element 29 which comprises the projection nozzles 31 is for example the intermediate element 29 closest to the first end connector 25a so as to facilitate the projection of the cleaning liquid towards the zone peripheral to the wiping zone. Alternatively, several intermediate elements 29 may comprise one (or more) projection nozzle(s) 31.

[0041] The wiper blade 20a also comprises means for supplying the cleaning liquid between the central connector 27 and the projection nozzles 31 of the intermediate element 29.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 2 to 4, these means for supplying the cleaning liquid are produced by two supply channels 33 of the support frame 21. The two supply channels 33 can be configured to supply the two projection nozzles 31 respectively. Alternatively, a single supply channel 33 can supply several projection nozzles 31. A nozzle can also be supplied by several supply channels 33, for example by a first supply channel 33 to allow the projection of cleaning liquid. in a first direction of movement of the brush (upward direction for example) and by a second supply channel 33 in a second direction of movement of the brush (downward direction for example).

[0043] The supply channels 33 are for example integrated into the structure of the support frame 21. These supply channels 33 can also be configured to supply spray orifices of the wiping zone, for example spray orifices integrated into the wiper blade 23. Thus, a first supply channel 33 can be used to supply a first plurality of spray orifices and a first projection nozzle 31 to project the cleaning liquid in a first direction of movement of the wiper blade 20a and a second supply channel 33 can be used to supply a second plurality of spray orifices and a second projection nozzle 31 to project the cleaning liquid in a second direction of movement of the wiper blade 20a.

[0044] In the case of several projection nozzles 31 supplied by a common supply channel 33, the intermediate element 29 may comprise one or more Y-type valves 35 configured to allow or block the transmission of the cleaning liquid from the supply channel 33 to the projection nozzle 31 of the intermediate element 29 depending on the pressure of the cleaning liquid at the inlet 35a of the Y-type valve 35.

[0045] Figures 5a, 5b and 5c represent an exemplary embodiment of such a Y 35 valve.

[0046] The valve Y 35 comprises an inlet 35a configured to be in fluid communication with the supply channel 33, a first outlet 35b configured to be in fluid communication with the first spray nozzle 31 and a second outlet 35c configured to be in fluid communication with the second spray nozzle 31. The inlet 35a is connected to the first outlet 35b via a first channel 37a. The inlet 35a is connected to the second outlet 35c by a second channel 37b. The two channels 37a and 37b are in fluid communication.

[0047] The first channel 37a comprises a first stop device 39 and the second channel 37b comprises a second stop device 39. The stop devices 39 comprise a ball 41 constrained in an obstruction position corresponding to a rest position by an elastic element 43a, 43b. The elastic element 43a, 43b is for example a helical spring. The first helical spring 43a of the first stop device 39 has a stiffness different from the second helical spring 43b of the second stop device 39. The stiffnesses of the first and second helical springs 43a and 43b can be chosen as a function of the desired pressure ranges for the projection of cleaning liquid by the first and second projection nozzles 31 (and as a function of the capacity of the pump 47).

[0048] [Fig.5a] shows the stop device 39 in the rest position, i.e. when the pressure P of the cleaning liquid at the inlet 35a of the stop device 39 is lower than a first predetermined pressure PI (P <P1). Les billes 41 du premier et du deuxième dispositif d’arrêt 39 bloquent le passage du liquide de nettoyage vers la première ou la deuxième sortie 35a, 35b de sorte qu’aucun liquide de nettoyage n’est projeté par les buses de projection 31.

[0049] [Fig.5b] shows the stop device 39 in a first active position in which the pressure P of the cleaning liquid at the inlet 35a of the stop device 39 is between the first predetermined pressure PI and a second predetermined pressure P2 (P1 <P<P2). Le premier ressort hélicoïdal 43a du premier dispositif d’arrêt 39 est comprimé de sorte que la bille 41 est déplacée vers une section plus large du premier canal 37a permettant le passage du liquide de nettoyage vers la première sortie 35b tandis que le deuxième dispositif d’arrêt 39 est toujours dans sa position de repos. Ainsi, le liquide de nettoyage est projeté seulement par la buse de projection 31 reliée à la première sortie 35b de la vanne Y 35.

[0050] [Fig.5c] shows the stop device 39 in a second active position in which the pressure P of the cleaning liquid at the inlet 35a of the stop device 39 is greater than the second predetermined pressure P2 (P>P2). The first coil spring 43a of the first stop device 39 is further compressed so that the ball 41 is moved to a narrower section of the first channel 37a, thus blocking the passage of the cleaning liquid to the first outlet 35b. The second coil spring 43b of the second stop device 39 is compressed so that the ball 41 is moved to a wider section of the second channel 37b, allowing the passage of the cleaning liquid to the second outlet 35c. Thus, the cleaning liquid is sprayed only through the spray nozzle 31 connected to the second outlet 35c of the valve Y 35.

[0051] Thus, depending on the pressure of the cleaning liquid at the inlet 35a of the valve Y, the cleaning liquid is sprayed by one or other of the spray nozzles 31. The stiffnesses of the helical springs 43a, 43b can also be chosen so as to spray cleaning liquid into the two spray nozzles 31 simultaneously in a chosen pressure range.

[0052] Other Y 35 valve configurations are also possible such as Y 35 valves based on solenoid valve(s) or flap(s).

[0053] The cleaning liquid can be stored in a tank 45 of the motor vehicle located for example under the hood 7 and pumped by a pump 47 to be transmitted via pipes 49 and / or supply channels 33 to the central connector 27 of the wiper blade 20a as shown in [Fig.l]. Controlling the pump 47 used for the supply of cleaning liquid thus makes it possible to choose the pressure P at the inlet 35a of the valve Y 35 so as to control the projection of cleaning liquid onto the Lidar device 17.

[0054] The pump 47 can thus be configured to spray cleaning liquid between a first angular position A1, A1' of the first 20a and second 20b wiper arms (shown in dotted lines in [Fig.l]) and a second angular position A2, A2' of the first 20a and second 20b wiper arms. This angular interval corresponds to the orientation of the spray nozzles 31 in the axis of the Lidar device 17. The spraying of cleaning liquid is for example carried out by a first spray nozzle 31 in the upward direction of the wiper blade 20a and by a second spray nozzle 31 in the downward direction of the wiper blade 20a.

[0055] Multiple angular intervals may also be selected to clean multiple optical devices.

[0056] According to a second embodiment shown in [Fig.6], the intermediate element(s) 29 are elements configured to clip onto the support frame 21, for example near the first end connector 25a. The support frame 21 can then be made in a single piece or two pieces connected together at the central connector 27. The intermediate element 29 can also serve as an intermediate connector to provide a mechanical connection between different elements of the wiper blade 20a such as for example the connection between the support frame 21 and the wiper blade 23. As in the previous embodiment, one or more vertebrae can also be arranged in the support frame 21.

[0057] As in the previous embodiment also, the intermediate element 29 may comprise one or more projection nozzles 31 configured to project cleaning liquid towards an area peripheral to the wiping area, in this case on the Lidar device 17.

[0058] The supply of cleaning liquid to the projection nozzle(s) 31 of the intermediate element 29 can be done via one or more pipe(s) 34 extending from the central connector 27 to the intermediate element 29. The supply of cleaning liquid can also be done via supply channels 33 as in the embodiment described previously or by a combination of supply channels 33 and pipes 34.

[0059] The intermediate element 29 may also comprise the same characteristics as the intermediate element 29 described previously, in particular the intermediate element 29 may comprise a valve Y 35 and the control of the wiping device 11 may also be similar to allow the projection of cleaning liquid onto the Lidar device 17 arranged on the roof of the motor vehicle 1.

[0060] When the wiping device comprises several wiper blades 20a, 20b, these wiper blades 20a, 20b may be similar or may have different characteristics. For example, only one of the wiper blades 20a, 20b may be provided with an intermediate element 29 comprising one (or more) projection nozzles 31. The projection nozzles 31 of the two wiper blades 20a, 20b may have different orientations in order to best cover the surface of the Lidar device 17. The projection of cleaning liquid may also be carried out over different angular ranges for the two wiper arms 13a, 13b.

[0061] The present invention also relates to a wiping device 11 comprising a cleaning liquid reservoir 45, one or more wiping arms 13a, 13b and at least one wiping blade 20a, 20b according to one of the embodiments described above. The wiping device 11 also comprises fluid connection elements between the reservoir 45 and the central connector 27 of the wiping blade 20a, 20b. The fluid connection elements are for example pipes 49 or supply channels and are arranged in particular in the wiping arm 13a, 13b to allow fluid communication between the cleaning liquid reservoir 45 and the central connector 27 of the wiping blade 20a, 20b.

[0062] The wiping device 11 also comprises a pump 47 configured to pump the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid reservoir 45 to the wiping blade 20a, 20b and in particular to the at least one spray nozzle 31.

[0063] Thus, the use of an intermediate element 29 arranged between the central connector 27 and an end connector 25a, 25b and comprising a projection nozzle 31 oriented towards a zone peripheral to the wiping zone of the wiper blade 20a, 20b makes it possible to project cleaning liquid towards this peripheral zone and thus clean an optical device located in this peripheral zone such as a Lidar device 17, a camera or a headlight arranged on the roof 9, on a rearview mirror 15 or on an upright 5 of the motor vehicle 1 for example.

Claims

Claims

1. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) for a wiping device (11) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a wiping blade (23), - a support frame (21) of generally elongated shape configured to receive the wiping blade (23) and comprising a central connector (27) configured to ensure the attachment of the wiping blade (20a, 20b) to a wiping arm (13a, 13b) of the wiping device (11), a first end connector (25a) arranged at a first end of the wiping blade (23) and of the support frame (21) and configured to ensure the connection between the wiping blade (23) and the support frame (21) and a second end connector (25b) arranged at a second end opposite the first end of the blade wiper blade (23) and the support frame (21) and configured to ensure the connection between the wiper blade (23) and the support frame (21), characterized in that the wiper blade (20a,20b) also comprises at least one intermediate element (29) arranged between the central connector (27) and one of the end connectors (25a, 25b), said intermediate element (29) comprising a projection nozzle (31) configured to project cleaning liquid towards an area peripheral to a wiping area of ​​the wiper blade (20a, 20b), the wiper blade (20a, 20b) also comprising means (33) for supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector (27) and the projection nozzle (31) of the intermediate element (29).,

2. A wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of spray orifices configured to spray cleaning liquid onto the wiping area and at least one cleaning liquid distribution channel (33) extending between the central connector (27) and the spray orifices.

3. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to claim 2 wherein the means for supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector (27) and the spray nozzle (31) of the intermediate element (29) are provided by the at least one cleaning liquid distribution channel (33) extending between the central connector (27) and the spray orifices.

4. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to claim 3 wherein the at least one cleaning liquid distribution channel (33) is integrated into the support frame (21).

5. A wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to claim 4 wherein the intermediate element (29) comprises a Y-type valve (35) configured to allow or block the transmission of the cleaning liquid to the projection nozzle (31) of the intermediate element (29) depending on the pressure of the cleaning liquid at an inlet (35a) of the Y-type valve (35).

6. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to one of claims 3 to 5 comprising a first distribution channel (33) for cleaning liquid configured to supply a first plurality of spray orifices and a second distribution channel (33) for cleaning liquid configured to supply a second plurality of spray orifices, the intermediate connector (29) comprising a first projection nozzle (31) supplied by the first distribution channel (33) for cleaning liquid and a second projection nozzle (31) supplied by the second distribution channel (33) for cleaning liquid.

7. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to the preceding claim wherein the first plurality of spray orifices is configured to spray cleaning liquid in a first direction of movement of the wiper blade (20a, 20b) and the second plurality of spray orifices is configured to spray cleaning liquid in a second direction of movement of the wiper blade (20a, 20b).

8. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) one of the preceding claims wherein the intermediate element (29) is a connector configured to provide the connection between different elements of the wiper blade (20a, 20b).

9. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to the preceding claim in which the intermediate connector (29) is a bridge configured to connect two parts of the support frame (21).

10. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to one of claims 1 to 8 in which the intermediate element (29) is configured to clip onto the support frame (21).

11. Wiper blade (20a, 20b) according to the preceding claim in which the means for supplying a cleaning liquid between the central connector (27) and the projection nozzle (31) of the intermediate connector (29) are made by a pipe (34).

12. Wiping device (11) for a motor vehicle (1) comprising a cleaning liquid reservoir, at least one wiping arm, at least one wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, fluid connection elements between the reservoir and the central connector of the wiper blade and a pump configured to pump the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the at least one projection nozzle of the wiper blade.

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