Motor vehicle wiper element and device

Abstract

Element of a motor vehicle wiper device (100) comprising an external surface intended to be subjected to the incident airflow, characterized in that the external surface has a surface texture having a plurality of the same spherical, ovoid, or oblong patterns, the surface texture being configured to reduce the drag of said element. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle wiping element and device. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a component of a motor vehicle wiping device. The invention also relates to a wiping device. Technical background

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with wiping systems designed to clean their glass surfaces, particularly their windshields. Such wiping systems include a wiper arm and a wiper blade driven by said arm. The wiper arm is connected to an electric motor of the vehicle, and the wiper blade includes at least one wiping blade adapted to make contact with the glass surface to be wiped.

[0003] Certain parts of the wiping device arranged under the incident airflow and likely to impact aerodynamic performance, have shapes configured so that the relative wind produced by the movement of the vehicle produces a force tending to press the wiper blade against the glass panel.

[0004] However, due to manufacturing constraints, some of these parts may be relatively heavy and not very optimized.

[0005] A recent development made possible by additive manufacturing allows for improved aerodynamic performance by reducing the drag and lift of wiper arm components, such as the housing. However, the surfaces of raw parts produced by additive manufacturing exhibit stair-stepping, due to the very principle of 3D printing, which deposits material in successive layers. This stair-stepping defect, the appearance of which can vary depending on the orientation of the part during the printing process, can nevertheless be corrected by a chemical / mechanical post-treatment process such as mechanical or chemical polishing or a tribofinishing process. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy at least partially the above drawbacks, in particular by improving the aerodynamic performance of elements of the wiping device.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to an element of a motor vehicle wiping device comprising an external surface intended to be subjected to the incident airflow, characterized in that the external surface has a surface texture featuring a plurality of the same spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns, the surface texture being configured to reduce the drag of said element.

[0008] Surface texture is the three-dimensional topography of the element, that is, its relief. The surface texture on the external surface of the element modifies its aerodynamic behavior by creating a layer of local turbulence that attracts the airflow lines incident to the element's surface, thus shifting the separation line between the airflow lines and the element's surface, thereby reducing the element's drag. Surface texture thus optimizes aerodynamic performance by reducing the element's drag, which also reduces the stresses and strains exerted on the wiper motor. Texturing also allows for customization of parts according to users or applications.

[0009] The wiping device element may further include one or more of the characteristics described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0010] The distribution of spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be regular or irregular.

[0011] Spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be separated from each other by the same distances or by different distances.

[0012] The spherical pattern is inscribed for example in a sphere of diameter greater than or equal to 3mm and / or less than or equal to 4mm, such as 3.5mm.

[0013] The area of ​​the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern at the external surface is, for example, greater than or equal to 7 mm2 and / or less than or equal to 8 mm2.

[0014] The density of the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern is for example greater than or equal to 65000 spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns per m2 and / or less than or equal to 100000 spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns per m2.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the spherical, ovoid or oblong motif is in relief.

[0016] The penetration dimension of the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern in a direction normal to the external surface is for example greater than or equal to 0.7mm and / or less than or equal to 0.8mm, such as 0.75mm.

[0017] The surface texture may cover an intrados and / or an extrados of said element.

[0018] Said element of the wiping device, and in particular the surface texture, can be produced by additive manufacturing.

[0019] The wiping device element may be one of the following: - a component of a wiper arm, such as a housing, drive unit, end cap, cover, or aerodynamic hood, - a component of a pantograph arm such as a connecting rod, a housing, or a clip, - a component of a wiper blade, such as a component of a flat wiper blade like a deflector, an end cap or a bridge, - an element of an articulated frame of a broom with levers, in particular a mount or lever of the articulated mount, - a component of a hybrid broom, in particular a mount or end cap, - an adapter, - an aerodynamic hood.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle wiping device comprising a wiper arm intended to be connected to a motorized vehicle wiping mechanism and a wiper blade connected in an articulated manner to the end of the wiper arm characterized in that the wiping device comprises at least one element as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0023] [Fig-1] Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a wiping device.

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows an exploded view of a wiper blade of a device wiping.

[0025] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] shows an enlarged view of a detail of a surface texture of a element of the wiping device of the [Fig.l].

[0026] [Fig.4A] Fig.4A shows a simulation of the incident airflow lines around a cross-sectional view of a prior art brush and arm housing in a vertical position.

[0027] [Fig.4B] [Fig.4B] shows the elements of [Fig.4A] in an inclined position relative to the vertical position of [Fig.4A].

[0028] [Fig.5A] Fig.5A shows a simulation of the incident airflow lines around a cross-sectional view of a brush and an arm housing whose intrados is covered with a surface texture according to the invention, in a vertical position.

[0029] [Fig.5B] [Fig.5B] shows the elements of [Fig.5A] in an inclined position relative to the vertical position of [Fig.5A].

[0030] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of a detail of a surface texture according to another example of an achievement.

[0031] [Fig.7] Fig.7 shows a detail of a wiping device according to another example of realization.

[0032] [Fig-8] [Fig.8] shows a figure similar to that of [Fig.3] for another example of a project.

[0033] [Fig.9] Figure [Fig.9] shows a detail of a wiping device in its disassembled state. according to another example of implementation.

[0034] [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 shows a detail of a wiping device according to another embodiment.

[0035] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] shows a wiper arm in the disassembled state of a wiping device according to another embodiment.

[0036] [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] shows a wiper arm in the disassembled state of a wiping device according to another embodiment.

[0037] [Fig. 13] Fig. 13 shows a wiping device according to another embodiment.

[0038] [Fig. 14] The [Fig. 14] shows a wiping device in the disassembled state according to another embodiment.

[0039] [Fig. 15] The [Fig. 15] shows a wiping device in the disassembled state according to another embodiment.

[0040] [Fig. 16] Fig. 16 shows a wiping device according to another embodiment.

[0041] In these figures, identical elements bear 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. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0043] Figure [Fig.1] shows an example of a motor vehicle 100 wiper device.

[0044] The wiping device 100 includes a wiper arm 200 intended to be connected to a motorized wiping mechanism of a vehicle and a wiper blade 300 connected in an articulated manner to the end of the wiper arm 200, generally by means of an adapter 400.

[0045] The wiper arm 200 includes a drive 201 configured to be driven by a reciprocating pivoting motor and a housing 202 configured to be connected on one side to the drive 201 by a pivot link and on the other side to the wiper blade 300.

[0046] In this example, the wiper arm 200 further includes an aerodynamic hood 203, which is assembled onto the housing 202 and is aerodynamically shaped so that the relative wind produced by the vehicle's movement exerts a force tending to press the wiper arm 200 against the glass surface. The aerodynamic hood 203 can also be used to clip on a hose for conveying cleaning fluid to a nozzle or spray bar on the wiper blade 300.

[0047] In this example, the 300 wiper blade is a flat blade of the FlatBlade ® type (for "flat blade"), it has a main longitudinal orientation.

[0048] As can be seen more clearly in the example of [Fig.2], the wiper blade 300 comprises a wiping blade 301 made of a flexible material, which is suitable for contacting the glass panel to be wiped, at least one longitudinal vertebra 302 (called a "spline" in English), here two, and two end clips 303 (called "endclips" in English) arranged at each longitudinal end of the wiper blade 300. The end clips 303 are mounted on the longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 302 and the wiping blade 301 to lock the vertebrae 302 and the wiping blade 301 in longitudinal sliding and to improve the overall aesthetic and aerodynamic appearance of the wiper blade 300.

[0049] The wiper blade 300 also includes a connector 304 in the middle of the blade 300 for the assembly and articulation of the blade 300 to the end of the wiper arm 200, in particular via the adapter 400.

[0050] The wiper blade 300 also includes a deflector 305 (forming what is called a "spoiler") that extends along the blade and is aerodynamically shaped so that the relative wind produced by the vehicle's movement exerts a force tending to press the wiper blade 300 against the glass panel. The deflector 305 has a base extending into a fin, here in the form of a point. The fin can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically on the base, that is, offset or not to one side of the base of the deflector 305 relative to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the wiper blade. The asymmetrical profile of the deflector 305 provides a larger bearing surface for the incident airflow. The 305 deflector is made of flexible material.

[0051] The wiper blade 300 also includes here bridges 306 configured to clip onto the blade 300 to hold the blade assembled ([Fig.l]).

[0052] An external surface of an element of the wiping device 100 intended to be subjected to the incident airflow has a surface texture having a plurality of the same spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns, the surface texture being configured to reduce the drag of said element.

[0053] The distribution of spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be regular or irregular.

[0054] According to an example of realizing a regular distribution, the spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns are separated from each other by the same distances.

[0055] Figure 3 shows more precisely an example of a surface texture with spherical patterns and a regular distribution, in which the spherical patterns are spaced the same distances apart. The surface texture is the three-dimensional topography of the element, i.e., its relief. The surface texture on the external surface of the element modifies the aerodynamic behavior by creating a layer of local turbulence that attracts the airflow lines incident to the surface of the element, thus shifting the separation line between the airflow lines and the surface of the element, thereby reducing the drag of the element. The surface texture thus optimizes aerodynamic performance by reducing the drag of the element, which also reduces the stresses and strains exerted on the wiper motor. Texturing also allows for customization of parts according to users or applications.

[0056] The spherical pattern is inscribed in a sphere, for example, of diameter greater than or equal to 3mm and / or less than or equal to 4mm, such as 3.5mm.

[0057] The area of ​​the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern at the external surface is, for example, greater than or equal to 7 mm2 and / or less than or equal to 8 mm2.

[0058] The density of the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern is for example greater than or equal to 65000 spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns per m2 and / or less than or equal to 100000 spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns per m2.

[0059] Spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns may be inverted.

[0060] In this case, the penetration dimension of the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern in a direction normal to the external surface is for example greater than or equal to 0.7mm and / or less than or equal to 0.8mm, such as 0.75mm.

[0061] The recessed surface textures of spherical patterns spaced from each other at the same distances add realism to the surface by giving the appearance of a golf ball.

[0062] The surface texture may cover all or part of the external surface intended to be subjected to the incident airflow, and in particular an intrados and / or an extrados of said element, the incident airflow lines already sticking to the leading edge.

[0063] This can be better understood with reference to [Fig.4A], 4B, 5A, 5B.

[0064] These figures show a simulation of the incident airflow lines around a Cross-sectional view of a brush and arm housing from the prior art (figures 4A, 4B) and of a brush and arm housing whose intrados is covered with a texture surface with repetitive spherical patterns in relief (figures 5A, 5B), the wiping device being in a vertical position on figures 4A and 5A and in an inclined position on figures 4B and 5B.

[0065] It can be seen that in the vertical position, the incident airflow lines stick to the external surfaces of the arm housing and the brush (figures 4A and 5A).

[0066] However, when the wiping device 100 changes orientation, it is observed that the airflow lines detach from the intrados of the prior art arm housing, which degrades its aerodynamic performance ([Fig.4B]).

[0067] On the other hand, on [Fig.5B], the turbulence generated by the hollows of the spherical patterns of the surface texture of the lower surface of the casing 202 causes the airflow lines to stick together with the surface of the casing 202, which moves the separation line away, reducing the drag of the casing 202 from the arm 200, thus improving the aerodynamic performance of the arm 200.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the element, and in particular its surface texture, is produced by additive manufacturing (or 3D printing), notably in plastic (polymer) or metal. Surface texturing is much easier to achieve by additive manufacturing than by injection molding. Furthermore, the surface texture makes it possible to mask layer defects that may result from additive manufacturing. The surface texture thus improves the appearance of the element by masking imperfections; that is, the surface texture camouflages layer defects resulting from additive manufacturing. This avoids the need for a post-processing step, thereby reducing costs.

[0069] In the wiping device 100 illustrated in [Fig.1], the element comprising an external surface subjected to the incident airflow having a surface texture configured to reduce drag can be an element of the wiper arm 200, such as the housing 202 or the drive 201 or it can be the aerodynamic hood 203, or an element of the wiper blade 300 as illustrated in [Fig.2], such as the deflector 305 or an end tip 303 or a bridge 306 or it can be the adapter 400.

[0070] According to another embodiment, the spherical, ovoid, or oblong motifs are raised as illustrated in [Fig. 6] for spherical motifs. In this case, the projection dimension of the spherical, ovoid, or oblong motif in a direction normal to the external surface is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and / or less than or equal to 0.8 mm, such as 0.75 mm.

[0071] Furthermore, although Figures 1 and 2 show an adapter 400 configured to fit into a clevis of the housing 202 of the arm 200, any type of adapter can have a surface texture with spherical, ovoid, or oblong patterns. [Fig. 7] shows another example of an adapter 400, such as a rod arm adapter, the rod being configured to slide into the adapter.

[0072] According to another embodiment, the spherical, ovoid, or oblong motifs are spaced from each other at different distances, for example, varying between the motifs, according to a distribution that may be regular or irregular. Figure 8 illustrates an example of an irregular distribution of spherical motifs.

[0073] Fig. 9 shows another example of an embodiment in which the link between the arm 200 and the brush 300 is offset to one side of the brush 300.

[0074] In this embodiment, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be a cover 204 of the arm 200 mounted on the remote link.

[0075] Fig. 10 shows another example of an embodiment in which the wiper arm 200 includes a yoke and a cover 204 mounted movable in translation on the yoke between an advanced position and a retracted operating position.

[0076] In this embodiment, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the hood 204 mounted movable in translation on the clevis.

[0077] Figure 11 shows another embodiment in which the wiper arm 200 includes a cover 205 that attaches to the housing 202, for example by clipping, particularly for closing a hollow housing 202. The wiper arm 200 also includes a cover 206 that attaches to the drive 201, for example by clipping, particularly for closing a drive 201 with weight-reducing cavities.

[0078] In this embodiment example, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the housing 202, the drive 201, the cover 205 of the housing 202 and / or the cover 206 of the drive 201.

[0079] Figure 12 shows another example of a wiper arm 200 in which the housing 202, produced by additive manufacturing, is shaped to improve the aerodynamic performance of the arm. The housing 202 has, for example, two longitudinal bars connected to the ends of a housing base by angled bars.

[0080] In this embodiment example, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the housing 202 produced by additive manufacturing, and more specifically the upper external surfaces of the longitudinal bars of the housing 202.

[0081] Fig. 13 shows another example of an embodiment of the wiping arm 200 in which the arm 200 is a pantograph arm.

[0082] The pantograph arm comprises two housings 202, one having one end connected to a drive 201 and one end connected to the brush 300 by a connecting rod 207, the other having one end in a pivot joint and one end connected to the connecting rod 207. The arm 200 may include one or more elongated clips 208, assembled to the housing 202 which is connected to the trainer 201, allowing to hold a garden hose intended to convey a cleaning fluid to a sprinkler or spray bar of the broom 300. The clips 208 may also include a deflector configured to improve the aerodynamic performance of the arm 200.

[0083] In this embodiment, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the connecting rod 207, the housings 202 and the clips 208.

[0084] Fig. 14 shows another example of an embodiment of a wiping device 100 in which the wiper blade 300 is a blade with rocker arms.

[0085] The wiper 300 has an articulated frame 307, connected to the wiper arm 200. The articulated frame 307 has a mount 308 and rocker arms 309 articulated to the mount 308, here two, each equipped with fixing claws through which a wiper blade 301 passes to be held.

[0086] In this embodiment, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the articulated frame 307, in particular the mount 308 and / or the rocker arms 309, the cover 205 of the housing 202 and / or the cover 206 of the driver 201.

[0087] Fig. 15 shows another example of an embodiment of a wiping device 100 in which the wiper blade 300 is a hybrid blade.

[0088] The broom 300 comprises a rigid mount 310 articulated to the arm 200, two end caps 311 fixed to the mount 310 on either side of the mount 310 and two rocker arms 309 articulated to the mount 310, each equipped with fixing claws through which a wiping blade 301 and vertebrae 302 pass to be held.

[0089] In this embodiment, the element carrying the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the mount 310 or the end caps 311.

[0090] Fig. 16 shows another example of an embodiment of a wiping device 100 in which an aerodynamic hood 403 of the wiping device 100 is fixed to one side of the wiper 300.

[0091] In this embodiment, the element bearing the surface texture with spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns can be the aerodynamic hood 403.

Claims

Demands

1. Element of a motor vehicle wiper device (100) comprising an external surface intended to be subjected to the incident airflow characterized in that the external surface has a surface texture having a plurality of the same spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns, the surface texture being configured to reduce the drag of said element.

2. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns are spaced from each other by the same distances.

3. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns are spaced apart from each other by different distances.

4. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spherical pattern is inscribed within a sphere of diameter greater than or equal to 3mm and / or less than or equal to 4mm, such as 3.5mm.

5. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the density of the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern is greater than or equal to 65,000 spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns per m2 and / or less than or equal to 100,000 spherical, ovoid or oblong patterns per m2.

6. Element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern is in relief.

7. Element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the penetration dimension of the spherical, ovoid or oblong pattern in a direction normal to the external surface is greater than or equal to 0.7mm and / or less than or equal to 0.8mm, such as 0.75mm.

8. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element, and in particular the surface texture, is produced by additive manufacturing.

9. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is an element selected from: - an element of a wiper arm (200), such as a housing (202) or a drive (201) or an end cap (204) or a cover (205, 206) or an aerodynamic hood (203),

10. - an element of a pantograph arm such as a connecting rod (207) or a housing (202) or a clip (208), - an element of a windshield wiper blade (300), such as an element of a flat wiper blade like a deflector (305), an end piece (303) or a bridge (306), - an element of an articulated frame (307) of a sweep bar, in particular a mount (308) or a sweep bar (309) of the articulated frame (307), - an element of a hybrid broom, in particular a mount (310) or an end cap (311), - an adapter (400), - an aerodynamic hood (403). Motor vehicle wiping device (100) comprising a wiper arm (200) intended to be connected to a motorized wiping mechanism of a vehicle and a wiper blade (300) articulatedly connected to the end of the wiper arm (200) characterized in that the wiping device (100) comprises at least one element according to one of the preceding claims.

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