Windscreen wiper arm setting tool

Abstract

A windscreen wiper arm setting tool 1 comprises a block with a handle 2, at least one slot 3 which receives a wiper arm in use, a first face 4 arranged to lie against a windscreen in use, a second fac

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool for setting the location on a windscreen of windscreen wiper arms during vehicle assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a tool which can simultaneously set the height of both a driver’s side arm and a passenger side arm. Aspects of the invention relate to a windscreen wiper arm setting tool, and to a method of using such a windscreen wiper arm setting tool. Background to the Invention As road vehicles are assembled, it is necessary to set the height on the windscreen of each windscreen wiper arm. Normally, two wiper arms and blades are fitted to road vehicles; but one or three or another number of wiper arms may be fitted on the or each windscreen, depending on the size and shape of the screen(s). Historically, the main concern in setting wiper arm height has been to ensure that a sufficient area of the windscreen is cleared by the wiper blades in use; and particularly in allowing the blades to approach, but not override, the lateral edges of the screen; particularly on the driver’s side. A recent innovation in windscreen wiper systems has been the use of windscreen washer nozzles which are fitted underneath the wiper arms (that is, on the windscreen side of the arm) to distribute screen cleaning fluid onto the screen close to the wiper blades. Such nozzles are very efficient in cleaning the screen; but may damage the bottom of the windscreen if the wiper arms are set incorrectly during vehicle assembly, causing customer dissatisfaction. It would also be helpful to reduce the range of positions in which the wiper arms may be set; particularly if a way could be found to set both driver and passenger arms at the same time, so that they can be properly set relative to each other. Prior art patent US4,765,019 discloses a means of setting windscreen wiper arms so that they do not touch the windscreen or cowl when parked; because they are located on a raised platform fitted over the cowl. This is considered to be a development dead end, as it adds weight and cost to the vehicle; and time and additional processes to vehicle assembly. It would be better to have such a setting device which does not have to be carried around on the vehicle; but can be used once during vehicle assembly, then retained in the vehicle factory. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a windscreen wiper arm setting tool that at least partially overcomes or alleviates these problems. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a windscreen wiper arm setting tool comprising a block with a handle, at least one slot which is arranged to receive a wiper arm in use, a first substantially flat face arranged to lie against a windscreen in use, a second substantially flat face arranged to lie against a first surface of a windscreen cowl in use, and a third substantially flat face arranged at an obtuse angle to the second substantially flat face to lie against a second surface of a windscreen cowl in use. In a preferred embodiment, the second substantially flat face is arranged at an obtuse angle to the first substantially flat face. In a preferred embodiment, the third substantially flat face is arranged at an angle of between 110 and 130 degrees to the second substantially flat face. In a preferred embodiment, the handle has an undercut so that it can be gripped and pulled or pushed by an operator. In a preferred embodiment, the setting tool comprises two slots, of which one is arranged to receive a passenger side wiper arm in use, and the other is arranged to receive a driver side wiper arm in use. In a preferred embodiment, the setting tool is arranged to set wiper arms for a right hand drive car, and the legend RHD (or an equivalent abbreviation for a language other than English) is shown on the tool so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the setting tool is arranged to set wiper arms for a left hand drive car, and the legend LHD (or an equivalent abbreviation for a language other than English) is shown on the tool so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator. In a preferred embodiment, the legends DRIVER and ASSIST (or equivalent words for a language other than English) are shown on the tool so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator. In a further preferred embodiment, the legends DRIVER and ASSIST (or equivalents) on the tool are accompanied by arrows or arrow heads so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator. In a preferred embodiment, the slot for one wiper arm passes all the way across the tool from a left to a right side of the tool in use; but the slot for the other wiper arm is a blind slot which is open at only one left or right side of the tool in use. According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of setting two windscreen wiper arms is provided, comprising assembling the windscreen wiper arms to the car in a provisional position; fitting the windscreen wiper arm positioning tool over both wiper arms so that they fit into respective slots in the setting tool; placing the setting tool against the windscreen and windscreen cowl; tightening the fastenings on the windscreen wiper arms; and removing the windscreen wiper arm setting tool. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one or more embodiments thereof will now be described - by way of example only - with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to the invention, showing the side of the tool fitted with a handle; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the side of the tool which faces the windscreen in use; Figure 3 is a transverse section through a car windscreen and windscreen cowl, showing a windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to the invention in use; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in use; Figure 5 is a transverse section through a car windscreen and windscreen cowl, showing a windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to the invention in use; and Figure 6 is a transverse section through a car windscreen and windscreen cowl, showing a dimensional comparison between a windscreen wiper arm set using a tool according to the invention, and a windscreen wiper arm set using prior art methods. Turning now to Figure 1, a windscreen wiper arm setting tool 1 according to the invention comprises a handle 2, a slot 3 which can accommodate a windscreen wiper arm in use, a first substantially flat face 4, a second substantially flat face 5, and a third substantially flat face 6. X, Y and Z axes are also shown in this Figure: X-X being along the length of the vehicle when the tool is in use; Y-Y being across the vehicle when the tool is in use; and Z-Z being vertical relative to the vehicle in use. Figure 2 shows an inverse view to that in Figure 1. This view could be that of a vehicle occupant sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle as the tool rests on the vehicle windscreen. Through slot 3 A is arranged to accommodate a passenger or “assist side” wiper arm in use; while blind slot 3D is arranged to accommodate a driver’s side wiper arm in use. Angle a between the second and third faces 5 and 6 will usually be between 110 and 130 degrees. Figure 3 shows a section through a windscreen wiper arm setting tool 1 in use. The handle 2 projects upwards, allowing a vehicle assembly operator to place and withdraw the tool. A passenger side wiper arm 11 is shown within a slot (3 A in Figure 2); while the first substantially flat face 4 rests on windscreen 21. The second substantially flat face (5 in Figure 1) rests on a face 31 of the windscreen cowl which is slightly angled compared to the windscreen 41; while the third substantially flat face 6 rests on a further angled face 32 of the windscreen cowl which slants up towards the vehicle bonnet (not shown). Figure 4 shows a windscreen wiper arm setting tool 1 in use, from the viewpoint of a vehicle assembly operator. Passenger wiper arm 11 and driver wiper arm 16 have been set loosely and held in place by the setting tool. The wiper arms can now be fixed in position and the tool removed. This Figure also shows lettering moulded into the tool to ensure clarity and mistake deterrence for the operator. Lettering LI spells out LHD, to tell the operator to use that tool on a Left Hand Drive car. This information is needed because windscreen wipers are mounted differently according to driver position, to ensure that the area swept by the wipers gives good visibility right up to the vehicle “A” pillar at each end of the windscreen. Lettering L2 reads ASSIST, this (along with arrowhead AH2) tells the operator that the assist, or passenger, side wiper will project from the left hand side (as shown in this Figure) of the tool as fitted in use; unlike the driver’s side wiper, which fits into blind slot 3D (Figure 2), as alluded to by DRIVER lettering L3 and arrowhead AH3. Faces 31 and 32 of the cowl panel fitted below windscreen 21 can also be seen in this Figure. It should be noted that for an RHD vehicle, the assist wiper will fit into a blind slot; while the driver’s wiper will pass through the tool in a full width slot. Figure 5 is a further cross-sectional view showing the windscreen and cowl. Numeral 36 represents a grille which admits ambient air for the vehicle HVAC system, but keeps leaves and twigs and other debris out. Finally, Figure 6 shows how the windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to the invention helps the vehicle assembly operator to assemble the windscreen wiper arms to tighter tolerances than have been achieved previously. The previous nominal wiper arm position llo was set against a mark near the lower edge of windscreen 21. As the dashboard moulding behind the screen was dark in colour, it was difficult to set the wipers precisely; a tolerance of +1- 7.5mm was therefore provided. The tool according to the invention can be set more precisely by abutting tool face 6 (Figure 1) against cowl face 32, allowing a reduction in the tolerance of the wiper arm position to +7.5mm. Numeral 51o and 5In show the nominal positions of windscreen washer nozzle 51 under old (o) and new (n) setting conditions. Further benefit of the use of the setting tool according to the invention is that wiper blades which are set further down the screen are less distracting to a driver’s forward view; and will tend to lower the drag coefficient (Cd) of the vehicle as they interfere less with the air flow over the lower part of the windscreen. Although the description above relates to the use of a windscreen wiper arm setting tool, it is acknowledged that such a tool and the use thereof could be adapted for 5 use on a vehicle rear screen. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool comprising a block with a handle, at least one slot which is arranged to receive a wiper arm in use, a first substantially flat face arranged to lie against a windscreen in use, a second substantially flat face arranged to lie against a first surface of a windscreen cowl in use, and a third substantially flat face arranged at an obtuse angle to the second substantially flat face to lie against a second surface of a windscreen cowl in use.

2. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to claim 1, wherein the second substantially flat face is arranged at an obtuse angle to the first substantially flat face.

3. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the third substantially flat face is arranged at an angle of between 110 and 130 degrees to the second substantially flat face.

4. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to any previous claim, wherein the handle has an undercut so that it can be gripped and pulled or pushed by an operator.

5. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to any previous claim, wherein the setting tool comprises two slots, of which one is arranged to receive a passenger side wiper arm in use, and the other is arranged to receive a driver side wiper arm in use.

6. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to claim 5, wherein the legends DRIVER and ASSIST (or equivalent words for a language other than English) are shown on the tool so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator.

7. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to any previous claim, wherein the setting tool is arranged to set wiper arms for a right hand drive car, and the legend RHD (or equivalent abbreviation for a language other than English) is shown on the tool so as to be visible to a vehicle assembly operator.

8. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the setting tool is arranged to set wiper arms for a left hand drive car, and the legend LHD (or equivalent abbreviation for a language other than English) is shown on the tool so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator.

9. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to claim 6, wherein the legends DRIVER and ASSIST (or equivalents) on the tool are accompanied by arrows or arrow heads which are placed so as to be visible to the vehicle assembly operator.5 10. A windscreen wiper arm setting tool according to claim 5 or claim 6, whereinthe slot for one wiper arm passes all the way across the tool from a left to a right side of the tool in use; but the slot for the other wiper arm is a blind slot which is open at only one left or right side of the tool in use.

11. A method of setting two windscreen wiper arms, comprising assembling the 10 windscreen wiper arms to the car in a provisional position; fitting a windscreenwiper arm setting tool according to claim 5 or claim 6 over both wiper arms so that they fit into respective slots in the setting tool; placing the setting tool against the windscreen and windscreen cowl; tightening the fastenings on the windscreen wiper arms; and removing the windscreen wiper arm setting tool.

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