Windshield Wiper Blade with a Fairing

Abstract

In particular, a windshield wiper (1, 2) for an automobile includes: a cowl (100, 400) having a central mounting portion (110, 410) and at least one end cap (120, 520) arranged continuously with the central mounting portion; and at least one yoke (140, 440) pivotally connected to the central mounting portion (110, 410), and the at least one end cap (120, 520) is pivotally connected to the at least one yoke (140, 440).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper having an automobile cowl (front guard), and a wiping system including such a wiper.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle windshield wiper, since aerodynamic elements constitute a main part of the windshield wiper structure, it is increasingly desired to incorporate aerodynamic features into the windshield wiper. Such a windshield wiper is generally called a "hybrid type" windshield wiper.

[0003] Such aerodynamic features have multiple advantages. In particular, it reduces the resistance force caused by the air flow hitting the windshield wiper. The aerodynamic shape may be configured to generate a vertical resistance force against the windshield wiper when air passes through the windshield wiper. Thereby, the windshield wiper is pressed against the windshield, and the wiping performance is improved. Also, the contour shape has a better aesthetic appearance than a conventional windshield wiper composed of multiple stages of yokes.

[0004] In a "hybrid type" windshield wiper, the aerodynamic feature is realized in the form of the shape of a rigid cowl that forms part of the structure of the windshield wiper. The cowl generally comprises a plurality of individual parts, which are connected to each other so that the windshield wiper can follow the curvature of the windshield by bending when passing over the windshield. Also, depending on the length of the wiper, the windshield wiper may comprise a single-stage yoke (also called a "clamp"). These are connected to the cowl and hold a rubber squeegee blade so as to more evenly distribute the force exerted by the wiper arm over the length of the wiper.

[0005] In this way, the cowl forms a main part of the structure of the windshield wiper, simplifying the structure.

[0006] When the central mounting part and the end caps are rigid elements, but the windshield wiper must be able to follow the curvature of the windshield as it bends, it is necessary to provide a kind of connecting means that allows the end caps to pivot relative to the central mounting part. In particular, when the windshield wiper must maintain a high wiping performance along its entire trajectory while following the curvature of the windshield, the connection of the end caps to the central mounting part should have rigidity and robustness about all axes in all other directions while allowing free rotation about a lateral axis.

[0007] For example, as disclosed in French Patent Application FR 3 023 805, it is known to install a direct connection between the central mounting part and the end caps. FR 3 023 805 discloses a connection with fingers extending from the central mounting part and pivotally received and held within corresponding structures of the end caps.

[0008] Such a structure has the drawback that due to the rigidity of the cowl elements, the wiper cannot properly follow the surface of the windshield being used. More specifically, a rigid cowl combined with a single rotatable connection impairs the wiper's ability to follow the curved surface of the windshield. Furthermore, the rigid uniaxial connection of the end caps to the central mounting part does not have an optimal appearance. Finally, by providing a windshield wiper with an easily mountable cowl, the additional advantage of minimizing breakage of the connection during wiper installation and use is obtained.

[0009] The invention of the present application aims to address at least one of these drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] Accordingly, according to the first aspect, the present invention provides a cowl including a central mounting portion and at least one end cap arranged continuously with the central mounting portion, particularly for a vehicle windshield wiper.

[0011] According to the present invention, the at least one end cap is pivotally connected to the at least one yoke.

[0012] By connecting the end cap to the yoke rather than directly to the central mounting portion, a configuration is obtained in which the end cap can perform not only rotational movement but also translational movement with respect to the central mounting portion.

[0013] More specifically, the connection point of the end cap is located on an element that is rotatable itself. The yoke is rotatably connected to the central mounting portion, and the end cap is mounted at a distance from the pivot axis of the yoke.

[0014] As a result, the end cap has high mobility with respect to the central mounting portion, while maintaining the rigidity and robustness of the connection between the elements of the cowl outside the connecting shaft. Therefore, the wiper configured in this way can closely follow the surface it wipes while maintaining a high degree of mechanical robustness.

[0015] The wiper may further include one or more of the following optional features that can be freely combined according to the requirements of the embodiment.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one yoke includes a central core, two lateral flanks extending from opposite edges of the central core, and at least a pair of claws at the longitudinal ends of the at least one yoke.

[0017] The yoke configured in this way has robustness and at the same time is inexpensive to manufacture. Therefore, the advantages of the present invention are provided without excessive additional costs or increased complexity.

[0018] Advantageously, the at least one yoke comprises at least one connecting bore formed in at least one of the two lateral flanks of the yoke.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one end cap comprises two connecting pads extending from the lower surface of the at least one end cap facing each other to form a connecting shaft, and the connecting pads are press-fitted into the at least one connecting bore of the yoke.

[0020] Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that it provides a connection between the end cap and the central mounting portion that is easy to manufacture and easy to mount.

[0021] In one embodiment, the yoke has a constriction at a predetermined location of the at least one yoke at the connection of the end cap to the yoke, and the constriction extends from the at least one connecting bore of the yoke to the central core.

[0022] Such a wiper is advantageous in that the presence of at least one constriction makes the connection and mounting of the end cap very easy. In particular, the constriction reduces the force inevitably exerted on the end cap and / or the deformation inevitably applied to the end cap during the mounting operation required to mount the end cap on the yoke, while enabling the connection portion of the end cap to be mounted in the corresponding connecting bore of the yoke.

[0023] Advantageously, the at least one constriction is at least partially formed by at least one mounting surface formed on the yoke, and the at least one mounting surface is inclined towards the central plane of the yoke.

[0024] Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that by providing such an inclined planar surface, the end cap can be mounted on the yoke gradually and easily. The assembly force and mechanical stress exerted on the end cap during mounting are also reduced accordingly.

[0025] Preferably, each of the at least one mounting surface is adjacent to at least two guide surfaces, and the at least one mounting surface and the at least two guide surfaces integrally form a channel, and the at least two guide surfaces are preferably substantially planar.

[0026] Preferably, the channel extends from the connecting bore of the yoke to the central core.

[0027] Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that by providing at least one guide surface, a slight misalignment between components is tolerated, making it easier to connect and mount the end cap to the yoke. In the connecting operation, one or more guide surfaces can guide the connecting pads towards the bore by their sliding contact.

[0028] In one possible configuration, the at least one constriction is inclined at an angle in the range of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably in the range of 10 to 15 degrees, more preferably 13 degrees, with respect to the longitudinal central plane of the yoke.

[0029] Therefore, an optimal balance between compactness and ease of mounting is obtained by the orientation of the at least one constriction.

[0030] According to a second aspect, the present invention comprises a wiping system as described above.

[0031] These aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will be readily understood in light of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention will be better understood in light of the following description against the background of the drawings.

[0034] First, it should be noted that in some of the drawings, one or more axes are shown to facilitate understanding of the drawings related to the following description. More specifically, it should be noted that these axes follow the overall direction of the windshield wiper. That is, these axes are understood as a longitudinal axis following the length of the wiper, a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in a direction parallel to the surface of the windshield on which the wiper is disposed, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the windshield surface.

[0035] Also, when relative terms such as “upper (side)” and “lower (side)” are used, these terms are used with reference to the wiper disposed in a state where the rubber windshield wiper is in a horizontal plane, and it is understood that the terms “upper (side)” and “lower (side)” are used with reference to gravity in a normal manner.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a windshield wiper 1 for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The windshield wiper 1 has a cowl 100 including a central mounting portion 110 and two end caps 120. The two end caps 120 are each continuously connected to the central mounting portion 110 in its longitudinal direction by a pivotable connecting portion, which will be described in more detail below.

[0037] The windshield wiper 1 also includes a wiper blade 130 that is disposed at a predetermined position on the windshield wiper 1 by a yoke 140 and claws 145, 150. The first pair of claws 145 is supported by an end of the yoke 140, and the second pair of claws 150 is integrally formed with the end cap 120. The yoke 140 (only part of which is visible in FIG. 1 and is shown in more detail in subsequent drawings) is an arch-shaped structure having claws at its ends. The claws are intended to hold the wiper blade 130 and are pivotably connected to the central mounting portion 110 of the windshield wiper 1.

[0038] These yokes 140 serve to distribute the vertical resistance force F exerted on the windshield wiper 1 by an arm of a wiping system (not shown) of the vehicle over the entire length of the wiper 1. This purpose is to ensure the effectiveness of wiping and a closer followability to the curved shape of the windshield. The yoke also serves to hold the wiper blade 130 on the windshield wiper 1 in conjunction with the claws 150. N Figure 2 shows the windshield wiper 1 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In FIG. 2, one of the central mounting portion 110 and the end cap 120 is shown transparently so that the internal structure and mounting of the connecting portion can be seen.

[0039]

[0040] ​More specifically, the connecting portion between the central mounting portion 110 and the yoke 140 is realized by an adapter element 200. The adapter element 200 is attached inside the central mounting portion 110 and provides a configuration in which the yoke 140 can be connected and mounted to the central mounting portion 110 at a connecting pin 210.

[0041] However, it should be understood that in another embodiment, the wiper 1 may not include an adapter element. In this case, the yoke 140 is directly connected to the central mounting portion 110 or alternatively to another yoke. The present invention of this application can be similarly applied to these embodiments different from the embodiments presented herein.

[0042] The yoke 140 extends beyond the longitudinal end portion 220 of the central mounting portion 110. The yoke 140 has the overall shape of two arms extending on each side of the connecting pin 210 and is composed of a central core 230 and two side flanks 235a, 235b. Each side flank extends from two opposing side edges of the central core 230. At each end of the yoke 140, there is a pair of claws 250 for holding the wiper blade.

[0043] Connecting bores 260 are provided in each of the side flanks 235a, 235b of the yoke 140. One of them is shown in FIG. 2. As will be described below with respect to FIG. 3, the connecting bore 260 serves to provide a mounting point for the connecting and mounting of the end cap 120 to the yoke 140.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the connecting bore 260 is a hole formed in the side flank 235a. The connecting bore 260 is a substantially cylindrical through bore. In other configurations, for example, a blind hole and / or a threaded hole can be easily envisioned.

[0045] Figure 3 shows in more detail the connection and attachment of the end cap 120 to the yoke 140 and the structure of the end cap 120 that enables attachment to the yoke 140. More specifically, Figure 3 shows a partially exploded view with the end cap 120 turned over to release its connection to the yoke 140 and expose its underside. To better show the connection structure, Figure 3 further includes a detailed view of detail A as an inset.

[0046] The end cap 120 includes a pair of connecting pads 300a, 300b. As shown in Figure 3, these are integrally formed on the end cap 120 and extend facing each other from the lower surface of the end cap 120. The two connecting pads 300a, 300b are press-fitted into the connecting bores 260. The end cap 120 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and is preferably made of an elastic material. Therefore, due to the elasticity of the end cap 120, its connection and attachment are possible, and it is ensured that the connecting pads 300a, 300b are held in the connecting bores 260.

[0047] Optionally but advantageously, the connecting pads 300a, 300b may also include stabilizing pads 310. The stabilizing pads 310 are integrally formed with the end cap 120 and the connecting pads 300a, 300b and extend substantially in the longitudinal and vertical directions from the connecting pads 300a, 300b. The stabilizing pads 310 are configured to closely adhere to and follow the shape of the side flanks 235a, 235b of the yoke 140 when the end cap 120 is connected and attached to the yoke 140. Therefore, this configuration improves the lateral rigidity along the lateral axis of the windshield wiper 1 and the resistance to torsion about the longitudinal axis of the wiper 1.

[0048] Figure 4 shows the windshield wiper 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The windshield wiper 2 of Figure 4 is notably similar to the windshield wiper 1 of Figures 1 - 3 in that it comprises a cowl 400 having a central mounting portion 410 and at least one end cap (not shown in Figure 4 but visible in Figure 5B and labeled with reference numeral 520). The wiper 2 also includes an adapter element 420 to which a yoke 440 holding a wiper blade 430 is pivotally attached, similar to the windshield wiper 1 of Figures 1 - 3.

[0049] The windshield wiper 2 differs from that of the preceding drawings in that it has a constriction 450 in a connection bore 460 at one of the branches of the yoke 440.

[0050] In this example, the constriction 450 is composed of two mounting surfaces 460a, 460b. As shown in Figure 4, the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b are formed on the side surfaces 445a, 445b of the yoke 440 and extend from the corresponding connection bore 460 of the yoke 440 to the central core 440a.

[0051] Thus, due to the presence of at least one of the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b, the constriction of the yoke 440 is formed at the connection bore 460.

[0052] The yoke 440 further includes at least one guide surface. One of them, the guide surface 465, is shown for clarity. Preferably, each guide surface 465 is substantially tangent to the connection bore 460 from which it extends. The guide surface 465 is substantially planar in this example, but may be concave or convex as required by the embodiment.

[0053] Accordingly, the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b are defined at the lower part by the connecting bore 460, at the upper part by the central core 440a of the yoke 400, and at the side parts by at least one guide surface 465. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each mounting surface 460a, 460b is adjacent to two guide surfaces 465, and the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b and their guide surfaces 465 are combined to integrally form a channel 470.

[0054] Advantageously, the guide surfaces 465 are also inclined, whereby the channel 470 is wider on the side of the central core 440a than on the side of the connecting bore 460. Accordingly, the channel takes the form of a ladle. Due to this ladle shape, the connecting pads of the end caps can be slightly displaced along the longitudinal axis of the windshield wiper 2, facilitating the mounting of the end caps to the yoke 440.

[0055] FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the windshield wipers 1 and 2 respectively, cut along the connecting bores 260 and 460.

[0056] FIG. 5A shows how the connecting pads 300a, 300b extending along the connecting axis A are press-fitted into the connecting bore 260. In particular, note how the side flanks 235a 235b are perpendicular to the central core 230 of the yoke 140 and substantially parallel to the central plane M of the windshield wiper 1. Also note how the stabilizing pads 310 follow closely the shape of the side flanks 235a, 235b to stabilize the connection of the end cap 120 to the yoke 140.

[0057] To attach the end cap 120 to the yoke 140, it is only necessary to sufficiently separate both side surfaces of the end cap 120 so that the connecting pads 300a, 300b can pass through the central core 230 of the yoke. Then, advance the end cap 120 on the yoke 140 until the connecting pads 300a, 300b are received in the connecting bores 260. Since the end cap 120 is elastic, it can return to its initial shape, and the connecting pads 300a, 300b can be held in the connecting bores 260.

[0058] Also, FIG. 5B shows connecting pads 500a, 500b that extend from the end cap 520 and together define a connecting shaft A'. Similar to the windshield wiper 1 of FIG. 5A, the connecting pads 500a, 500b extend from the lower surface of the end cap and are press-fitted into the connecting bores 460, and the stabilizing pads 510 closely follow the shapes of the side flanks 445a, 445b of the yoke 440.

[0059] To connect the end cap 520 to the yoke 440, position the two connecting pads 500a, 500b at the upper edges of the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b in the central core of the yoke 440. Then, apply an assembling force F A and press the connecting pads 500a, 500b against the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5B, the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b are inclined with respect to the central plane M' of the windshield wiper 2. When the assembling force F A is applied to the end cap 520, due to the inclination of the mounting surfaces 460a, 460b, the corresponding connecting pads 500a, 500b are pushed back. For this reason, both side surfaces of the end cap 520 are separated from each other along the directions D and D' as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0061] Gradually, the assembling force F AUpon receiving the driving force, the connecting pads 500a and 500b advance on the mounting surfaces 560a and 560b toward the connecting bore 460. At the end of their movement, the connecting pads are press-fitted into the connecting bore 460. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, due to the elasticity of the end caps 520, they are held in place.

[0062] Similar to the windshield wiper 1 in FIG. 5A, it should be noted that by moving both side surfaces of the end cap 520 away from each other, deformation and thus mechanical stress occur in the body of the end cap 520. The greater the distance the end cap has to be separated, the greater this stress becomes.

[0063] Providing the yoke 440 with constrictions associated with the connecting bores such as the two mounting surfaces 460a and 460b shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B, in addition to the advantages of the present invention described above, the separation movement at the initial stage (when the assembly force F A starts to be applied and the connecting pads 500a and 500b begin to advance on the mounting surfaces 460a and 460b) is particularly advantageous in that it becomes smaller compared to a configuration where the yoke does not have constrictions. Also, due to the presence of the mounting surfaces 460a and 460b, the stress generated during the connecting and mounting of the end cap can be better controlled. This is because the separation movement of the end cap is applied more slowly and to a smaller extent.

[0064] Furthermore, by reducing the stress during the connecting and mounting of the end cap 520, the side flanks of the yoke can be made more rigid than would be possible if they were perpendicular to the central core. This enables the end cap to be better held by the windshield wiper, particularly under extreme operating conditions such as in a frozen state or inside an automatic car wash.

[0065] Since the mounting surfaces 460a and 460b are inclined at angles θ1 and θ2 with respect to the central plane M’, it can be seen in more detail that a constriction is formed at a specific location on the yoke 440. In FIG. 5B, it is shown that the angles θ1 and θ2 are the same and that the mounting surfaces 460a and 460b are planar. This enables the end cap 520 to deform substantially gradually linearly until the connecting pads 500a and 500b are properly press-fitted into the connecting bore 460 as shown.

[0066] As an alternative, by selecting asymmetric angles θ1 and θ2, the separation movement of the cap on one of the two sides is promoted. Thereby, the deformation along the direction D becomes larger than the deformation along the direction D’. The reverse is also true. Also, it can be assumed that one or both of the mounting surfaces 460a and 460b have a curvature (not planar as shown in FIG. 5B) so that the deformation and stress progress non-linearly when the end cap is mounted on the yoke.

[0067] According to another alternative (not shown), a single mounting surface extending from one of the connecting bores may be provided on only one of the side flanks of the yoke. In such a case, the other side flank of the yoke is substantially orthogonal to the central core.

[0068] The relative decrease in the assembling force F A realized by the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5B is shown in the graph of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows three curves 600, 610, 620, each corresponding to the assembling force F A exerted on the end cap during the connecting and mounting of the end cap of the windshield wiper. The three curves 600, 610, 620 represent the initial position P I where the connecting pad contacts the yoke but the cap has not deformed yet when connecting and mounting the end cap to the yoke, to the final position P F where the connecting pad is properly press-fitted into the corresponding connecting bore and the end cap does not deform into a separated state. The assembling force F A is plotted against the displacement of the end cap.

[0069] The first curve 600 corresponds to a configuration in which the flange of the yoke is substantially orthogonal to the central core of the yoke. Therefore, there is no constriction in the yoke in the connecting bore. For this reason, this curve corresponds to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A and 5A.

[0070] In this configuration, it can be seen that after the displacement of the end cap starts, the assembly force F A needs to rapidly rise to the peak 605 and then decrease to the plateau. The assembly force F A remains substantially constant until the end cap reaches its final position P F .

[0071] The second curve 610 has a configuration in which there is a slight constriction at the connection part of the end cap in the yoke because the angles θ1 and θ2 are 5 to 7 degrees. As a result, a peak 615 is observed in the assembly force F A , but the peak is very low compared to the configuration of the curve 600 that has no constriction at all. After the peak 615, the assembly force decreases to the plateau until the end cap reaches its final position P F .

[0072] It should be understood that the peaks 605 and 615 are the timing when the assembly force is at its maximum. This is because at this timing, the sides of the end caps are separated to the maximum in order to move the connecting pads to the yoke. Therefore, the mechanical stress on the end caps is at its maximum at this point.

[0073] As a result, it can be seen that the constriction in this embodiment is advantageous in that it not only reduces the force required to connect and attach the end cap, but also limits the mechanical stress on the cap during attachment by restricting the deformation of the cap.

[0074] Also, due to this fact, the end cap can be provided with a longer connecting pad than would be possible in other ways. For this reason, the connection part of the windshield wiper 2 has further robustness.

[0075] The third curve 620 has an optimal configuration in which the angles θ1 and θ2 are 10° to 15°, preferably 13°. For the two preceding curves 600 and 610, in the third curve 620, the assembling force F A gradually and gently rises to the plateau.

[0076] Therefore, it is not necessary to dimension the end cap to support an assembling force that rapidly rises to a peak, and it is only necessary to dimension it to support the plateau. As a result, it can be made lighter without impairing the strength of the wiper.

[0077] In any case, those skilled in the art will easily understand the optimal values of the angles θ1 and θ2, the assembling force, and the distance between the initial position and the final position for obtaining the optimal assembling force for the embodiment.

[0078] It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The above disclosure should be regarded as illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

1. - A cowl (100, 400) comprising a central mounting portion (110, 410) and at least one end cap (120, 520) arranged continuously with the central mounting portion; - At least one yoke (140, 440) pivotally connected to the central mounting portion (110, 410); In a windshield wiper (1, 2) for a vehicle, in particular, The at least one end cap (120, 520) is pivotally connected to the at least one yoke (140, 440). The wiper (1, 2) is characterized by this.

2. The at least one yoke (140, 440) comprises a central core (230a, 440a), two side flanks (235a, 235b, 445a, 445b) extending from opposite edges of the central core (230a, 440a), and at least a pair of claws (250) at the longitudinal ends of the at least one yoke (140, 440). The wiper (1, 2) according to Claim 1.

3. The at least one yoke (140, 440) comprises at least one connecting bore (260, 460) formed in at least one of the two side flanks (235a, 235b, 445a, 445b) of the yoke (140, 440). The wiper (1, 2) according to Claim 2.

4. The at least one end cap (120, 520) comprises two connecting pads (300a, 300b, 500a, 500b) extending facing each other from the lower surface of the at least one end cap (120, 520) to form a connecting shaft (A, A'). The connecting pads (300a, 300b, 500a, 500b) are press-fitted into the at least one connecting bore (260, 460) of the yoke (140, 440). The wiper (1, 2) according to Claim 3.

5. The yoke (440) has a constriction at a predetermined location of the at least one yoke (440) at the connection of the end cap (520) to the yoke (440). The constriction extends from the at least one connecting bore (460) of the yoke (440) to the central core (440a). The wiper (2) according to any one of Claims 3 and 4.

6. The at least one constriction is at least partially formed by at least one mounting surface (460a, 460b) formed in the yoke (440). The at least one mounting surface (460a, 460b) is inclined towards the central plane (M') of the yoke (440). Wiper (2) according to claim 5.

7. Each of the at least one mounting surface (460a, 460b) is adjacent to at least two guide surfaces (465). The at least one mounting surface (460a, 460b) and the at least two guide surfaces (465) integrally form a channel. The at least two guide surfaces (465) are preferably substantially planar. Wiper (2) according to claim 6.

8. The channel extends from the connecting bore (460) of the yoke (440) to the central core (440a). Wiper (2) according to claim 7.

9. The at least one constriction is inclined at an angle (θ1, θ2) in the range of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably in the range of 10 to 15 degrees, more preferably 13 degrees, with respect to the longitudinal central plane (M') of the yoke (440). Wiper (2) according to one of claims 5 to 8.

10. A wiping system comprising a windshield wiper (1, 2) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

Images