Support for electric actuation group of a vehicle wiper system

Abstract

The invention relates to a support (100) for an electric actuation group (200) of a motor vehicle wiper system, comprising a plate (110) including a central part (111) provided to fixedly receive said electric actuation group (200) and several arm-shaped protrusions (113) distributed around said central part (111) and intended to ensure the mechanical connection between said support (100) and at least one element of the body structure of said vehicle; characterized in that said support (100) also includes at least one fastening clip (130) including a head (131) carrying retaining means suitable for gripping an electrical supply harness (F) of said electric actuation group (200), as well as a U-shaped anchor bracket (133) mounted overlapping on a rib (119) formed on said plate (110). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Support for an electric actuation group of a vehicle wiper system technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of windshield wiper systems for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to a support for an electrical actuation unit of such a wiper system. Previous technique

[0002] Wiping systems are well known from the prior art and allow the glazing of a motor vehicle, such as its front windshield or rear window, to be wiped in case of rain or snowfall in order to preserve a good view of the environment for the driver.

[0003] Such a wiping system conventionally comprises at least one arm, the first end of which carries a brush equipped with a flexible wiping squeegee intended to sweep the surface of the vehicle's glazing to remove water from the driver's field of vision, and the second end of which is coupled to a rotating shaft of a drive sub-assembly fixedly mounted on the body structure of this vehicle.

[0004] In the case of wiping systems comprising two arms spaced apart and operating simultaneously, such as for example those intended to ensure the cleaning of front windshields, it is well known, for example from document FR 3 021 272 Al, to ensure the back-and-forth movement of the two arms by a drive sub-assembly comprising a single electric motor associated with a linkage mechanism connecting the motor axis to the rotating shafts of the arms as well as a generally tubular structure on which the motor and bearings for guiding the rotation of the rotating shafts are fixed.

[0005] Generally located at the base of the front windshield of the vehicle in an area commonly referred to as the "windshield bay", these drive sub-assemblies are fixed to at least one element of the vehicle's body structure by means of tabs attached to the tubular structure.

[0006] Charged with transforming the constant direction rotational movement of the motor shaft into two back-and-forth movements of the arms, the linkage mechanism of these drive sub-assemblies includes many parts and joints which increase the risk of failures, cause breakdowns and increase costs.

[0007] In order to overcome this problem, it is known to ensure the drive of the two arms by using two separate drive sub-assemblies each comprising an electrical drive group mounted on a support.

[0008] As described for example by document FR 2 965 232 Al, such a support classically comprises a plate including a central part intended to receive said electrical actuation group fixedly as well as several arm-shaped protrusions distributed around said central part and intended to ensure the mechanical link between said support and at least one element of the body structure of said vehicle.

[0009] The electrical actuation group of such a drive sub-assembly is provided with a power connector on which is intended to be connected an additional connector provided at one end of an electrical power harness coming from the passenger compartment and connected to an electrical power source of the vehicle such as the low voltage service battery of this vehicle.

[0010] When the electrical supply harness from the passenger compartment is located above the connector of the electrical drive unit, the path of this harness may cause water droplets to flow along it by capillary action and penetrate into this connector, potentially generating oxidation and / or short circuits that are detrimental to the proper functioning of the wiper system. Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0012] For this purpose, it proposes a support for an electrical actuation group of a motor vehicle wiper system, comprising a plate including a central part intended to fixedly receive said electrical actuation group and several arm-shaped protrusions distributed around said central part and intended to ensure the mechanical connection between said support and at least one element of the body structure of said vehicle; characterized in that said support also includes at least one fastening clip comprising a head carrying retaining means suitable for gripping an electrical supply bundle of said electrical actuation group, as well as a U-shaped anchoring bracket mounted overlapping on a rib formed on said plate.

[0013] The presence of this fastening clip makes it possible to "break" the continuity of the slope of the electrical supply beam of the electrical actuation group so as to prevent water droplets flowing along the part of this beam located above and upstream of this clip from continuing their path by capillary action to the power connector.

[0014] According to preferred characteristics of said support according to the invention: - at least one of the two faces of said rib has two protuberances of lateral guides delimiting on this rib a reception area for said fastening clip; - said reception area has a different thickness from that of the rest of said rib; - said rib extends substantially vertically below said central part of the plate; - said rib has a triangular shape, being backed by two of its sides adjacent respectively to said central part and to one of said protrusions of the plate; - said fastening clip is of the metal-plastic type; - said anchoring bracket of the fastening clip includes a metal insert having two sets of retaining claws projecting inside the U from its two arms and engaging on the two faces of said rib; - said means of retention consist of a self-locking clamp; and / or - said plate was made from a single piece of metal alloy casting.

[0015] The invention also relates in a second aspect to a drive sub-assembly for a windshield wiper system of a motor vehicle comprising such a support and an electrical actuation group fixedly attached to the central part of the plate of said support. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an example embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which: - [Fig.1] represents an elevational view of a drive subassembly for a motor vehicle wiper system comprising a support for an electric actuation group according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the support according to the invention on which the part located to the right of the cutting plane ILII of [Fig.1] has been torn off; - [Fig. 3] shows a perspective view of the base plate alone of the support according to the invention; and - [Fig.4] is a partial enlarged view of the area where the power harness attachment clip is located on the plate of [Fig.3]. Description of the implementation methods

[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a drive subassembly 1 for a wiper system intended to be fixedly mounted on at least one element (not shown) of the body structure of a motor vehicle at the lower edge of the windshield of that vehicle. to drive the wiper blade(s) of this wiping system.

[0018] In the following description and by convention, when reference is made to orientation qualifiers (such as the term "vertical") or position qualifiers (such as the terms "upper", "lower", "top" or "bottom"), these shall be defined in relation to the normal mounting position of this drive subassembly 1 in a vehicle.

[0019] As illustrated by [Fig. 1], the drive subassembly 1 comprises a support 100 shown alone in [Fig. 2] and including a plate 110 advantageously cast in a single piece from a metal alloy, for example, aluminum-based. This drive subassembly 1 also includes an electrical actuation group 200 fixedly mounted on the plate 110 of this support 100.

[0020] Represented alone on [Fig.3], the plate 110 comprises a substantially flat central part 111 against the lower face of which the electrical actuation group 200 is fixedly attached, as well as several arm-shaped protrusions 112, 113 distributed around this central part 111.

[0021] In this case, two in number, these protrusions 112, 113 are intended to ensure the mechanical connection between the support 100 and at least one element of the body structure to which this support 100 is to be fixed.

[0022] Each outgrowth 112, 113 comprises a proximal portion 112A, 113A extending from the central part 111 along a mean plane inclined to that of this central part 111, and continuing by a distal portion of free end 112B, 113B extending here along a mean plane substantially parallel to that of this same central part 111.

[0023] The free end portion 112B, 113B of each of these protrusions 112, 113 has a circular orifice 114 receiving a damping pad 120 (see [Fig.1]), also known as a "Silentbloc", and intended to attenuate the transmission of vibrations between the support 100 and the body structure of the vehicle.

[0024] Each shock-absorbing pad 120 comprises a substantially cylindrical body made of an elastically deformable material such as an elastomer, for example natural rubber or EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), and having an axial bore for receiving a fastener O such as a screw or stud. The outer lateral face of this body is further provided with a non-visible annular transverse groove, which is received by the periphery of a corresponding circular orifice 114 in the plate 110, so as to ensure that the pad 120 is held relative to this plate 110 in the axial direction.

[0025] As illustrated by [Fig. 3], and in order to mechanically and isostatically secure the electrical actuation group 200 to the support 100, the plate 110 includes fastening means consisting in this case of several holes 115 provided in its central part 111 and provided to be crossed each by a respective screw which then screw into a corresponding tapped hole provided in this electrical actuation group 200.

[0026] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the isostatic fixing means of the electrical actuation group 200 to the support 100 may be of a different type

[0027] Presented in the form of a single housing, the electrical actuation group 200 comprises an electric motor 210 for example of the direct current type, a reduction device 220, as well as a control device 230 managing the operation of this motor 210.

[0028] The reducing device 220 allows the rotational movement of the shaft of the electric motor 210 to be transmitted, via gearing means (for example with bevel gear or with toothed wheel and worm gear), to a rotating drive shaft 240 oriented perpendicularly with respect to the shaft of this electric motor 210 and on which is intended to be fixed directly a first end of a wiping arm not shown of a wiping system.

[0029] The free end of this rotating drive shaft 240 has a threaded cylindrical section 241 onto which this first end of a wiping arm is intended to be screwed, as well as a frustoconical section 242 extending just below this threaded section 241 and provided with grooves or striations to ensure the absence of relative movement between this rotating drive shaft 240 and this wiping arm.

[0030] In the case of a wiping system comprising two arms spread apart and operating simultaneously, such as for example those intended to ensure the cleaning of the front windshield, the control device 230 will be in electrical communication with that managing the operation of the electric motor of the drive mechanism of the second arm of this wiping system so that the movement of these two arms is carried out in a synchronized manner.

[0031] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the central part 111 of the plate 110 has a passage window 116 through which the rotating drive shaft 240 passes, through a lug 243 projecting radially from the base of the rotating drive shaft 240 to which it is rotationally fixed, and through a portion of the reducing device 220.

[0032] Around the periphery of this passage window 116, the plate 110 also includes a stop with an arc-shaped cross-section 117 extending outwards from the upper face of its central part 111 and whose two lateral edges are intended to cooperate as a stop with the lug 243 so as to define the two extreme positions that a wiping arm fixed on the rotating drive shaft 240 can adopt during its back-and-forth movement.

[0033] In order to improve its mechanical rigidity, the plate 110 advantageously includes a dropped edge 118 extending upwards along the peripheral edge of its central part 111 and its protrusions 112, 113.

[0034] As illustrated by [Fig. 1], the electrical actuation group 200 is equipped with a power connector 250 on which is intended to be connected an additional connector C provided at one end of an electrical power harness F coming from the passenger compartment and connected to an electrical power source of the vehicle not shown, such as the low voltage service battery of this vehicle.

[0035] Running above the power connector 250 of the electrical drive group 200, the presence of this electrical power supply bundle F could cause water droplets to flow along it by capillary action and enter this power connector 250.

[0036] In order to overcome this possibility and with reference to [Fig.2], the support 100 also includes at least one fastening clip 130 comprising a head 131 carrying retaining means 132 suitable for gripping this power supply bundle F, as well as a U-shaped anchoring bracket 133 mounted overlapping on a rib 119 formed on the plate 110 and extending substantially vertically below its central part 111.

[0037] As can be clearly seen in [Fig.2], the presence of this fastening clip 130 makes it possible to "break" the continuity of the slope of the beam F so as to prevent the water droplets flowing along the part of this beam F located above and upstream of this clip 130 from continuing their path by capillary action to the power connector 250.

[0038] As can be clearly seen in [Fig.4] and in order to ensure optimal positioning of the fastening clip 130 guaranteeing that this power connector 250 is not reached by water droplets from the beam F, at least one of the two faces of the rib 119 advantageously has two lateral guide protuberances 119A, 119B delimiting on this rib 119 a reception area Za for this fastening clip 130.

[0039] With further reference to [Fig.4], it should be noted that the thickness of this receiving area Za of the rib 119 may differ from that of the rest of this rib 119 in order to best adapt to the spacing between the arms of the anchoring bracket 133 of the clip 130. This thickness of the receiving area Za, which in this case is less than that of the rest of this rib 118, can thus be easily adjusted by removing or adding material in the mold used to manufacture the plate 110.

[0040] As illustrated by [Fig. 1], the rib 119 advantageously has a triangular shape, being backed by two of its adjacent sides respectively to the central part 111 of this plate and to one 113 of its arm-shaped outgrowths, so as to reinforce the mechanical resistance to torsion of this outgrowth 113.

[0041] In order to ensure excellent anchoring of the fastening clip 130 and to limit the risks of the latter being pulled out, this clip 130 is advantageously of the metal-plastic type.

[0042] Its anchoring bracket 133 can thus, for example, include a metal insert with two sets of retaining claws projecting inside the U from its two arms and engaging with the two faces of the rib 119.

[0043] The retaining means in this case consist of a self-locking clamp 132 comprising for example a strap and a clamping element surmounting the anchoring bracket 133 and being connected to one of the ends of the strap, this clamping element having a passage opening suitable for receiving the free end of this same strap.

[0044] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the retaining means may be of a different type. For example, they may consist of a collar formed by two symmetrical, generally semi-circular hoops connected to each other at one end by means of an elastically deformable hinge, allowing them to be moved apart and then brought together to ensure the collar is closed. These two hoops also have locking means at their ends opposite the hinge, capable of cooperating to ensure the collar remains in the closed clamping position.

[0045] These retaining means can also consist of an elastically deformable flange in the shape of a lyre, the two free ends of which, separated by a slot, are curved to form a V, facilitating the insertion of the elongated element.

[0046] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the retaining means could be removably mounted on the head of this clip via additional assembly means.

[0047] According to other embodiments not shown, the drive subassembly according to the invention could also be mounted on the lower edge of the rear window of a vehicle to drive the wiper blade of the rear window wiping system.

[0048] Many variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, but also encompasses all variants of execution within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Support (100) for an electric actuation group (200) of a motor vehicle wiper system, comprising a plate (110) including a central part (111) intended to fixedly receive said electric actuation group (200) and several arm-shaped protrusions (112, 113) distributed around said central part (111) and intended to ensure the mechanical connection between said support (100) and at least one element of the body structure of said vehicle; characterized in that said support (100) also includes at least one fastening clip (130) comprising a head (131) carrying retaining means (132) capable of enclosing an electrical supply bundle (F) of said electrical actuation group (200), as well as a U-shaped anchoring bracket (133) mounted overlapping on a rib (119) formed on said plate (110).

2. Support (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two faces of said rib (119) has two lateral guide protrusions (119A, 119B) delimiting on this rib a reception area (Za) for said fastening clip (130).

3. Support (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said receiving area (Za) has a different thickness from that of the rest of said rib (119).

4. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said rib (119) extends substantially vertically below said central part (111) of the plate (110).

5. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said rib (119) has a triangular shape by being backed by two of its sides adjacent respectively to said central part (111) and to one (113) of said protrusions (112, 113) of the plate (110).

6. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said fastening clip (130) is of the metal-plastic type.

7. Support (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that said anchoring bracket (133) of the fastening clip (130) comprises a metal insert having two sets of retaining claws projecting inside the U from its two arms and engaging with the two faces of said rib (119).

8. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said means of retention consist of a self-locking clamp (132).

9. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said plate (110) is made from a single piece of casting in a metal alloy.

10. Drive subassembly (1) for a motor vehicle window wiping system comprising a support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an electrical actuation group (200) fixedly attached to the central part (111) of the plate (110) of said support (100).

Images