Windshield Wiper Blade with a Fairing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade (1), particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising a fairing (100) including a central mounting portion (110) and at least one end cap (120), and at least one adapter element (200) attached to the central mounting portion (110), wherein the adapter element (200) comprises a central core (240) and two legs (300a, 300b) extending from opposite edges of the central core (240), and one of the at least one end cap (120) is pivotally hinged to the adapter element (200), and the adapter element (200) has a constricted portion (230) located at the hinge joint between the end cap (120) and the adapter element on at least one of the two legs (300a, 300b), the constricted portion (230) extending from at least one hinge hole (220) of the adapter element to the central core.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In vehicle wipers, since aerodynamic elements constitute a major part of the wiper structure, it is increasingly desired to incorporate an aerodynamic appearance into the wiper. Such wipers are generally called "hybrid type" wipers.

[0003] Such an aerodynamic appearance has a plurality of advantages. In particular, there is an advantage of reducing the drag of the air flow hitting the wiper. The aerodynamic shape may be configured to generate a vertical drag force on the wiper when air passes through the wiper. Thereby, the wiper is pressed against the windshield, and the wiping performance is improved. In addition, the contour shape has a better aesthetic appearance than a conventional wiper composed of a multi-stage yoke.

[0004] In a "hybrid type" wiper, the aerodynamic appearance is realized by the shape of a rigid cowl that forms part of the wiper structure. The cowl generally includes a plurality of individual parts, and when these are connected to each other, the wiper can bend and follow the curvature when passing over the windshield. Further, depending on the length of the wiper, the wiper may include a single-stage yoke (also called a "bracket"). These are connected to the cowl and hold a rubber squeegee so as to more evenly distribute the force of the wiper arm over the length of the wiper.

[0005] In this way, the cowl constitutes a major part of the wiper structure, making the structure simple.

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

[0007] One way to do this is to provide an adapter element. This adapter element is fixed to one of the central mounting part and the end cap and provides a point where the other of the central mounting part and the end cap connects. This solution is advantageous in that it can be inexpensively and easily implemented, especially with respect to the connecting part integrally formed with the central mounting part and the end cap.

[0008] However, such a configuration may have the drawback that the end cap has to be deformed in order to connect and attach it to the adapter element. More specifically, when assembling the wiper, it is necessary to space the side surfaces of the end cap apart from each other in order to correctly position the connecting element of the end cap relative to the adapter element. Then, when the side surfaces are released, the connecting part is held in place by the elasticity of the end cap.

[0009] This deformation is empirically due to elasticity, but can cause damage to the end cap. The end cap usually has a cross-sectional shape that is reverse U-shaped or reverse V-shaped. For this reason, when the free ends of the cap are spaced apart, mechanical stress concentrates at the junction between the two sides of the cap. This concentration can cause the cap to break.

[0010] More generally, in order to connect and attach such an end cap to the adapter element, it is necessary for a machine or an operator to apply a considerable force to the end cap.

[0011] Therefore, it is advantageous to provide a wiper cowl that addresses at least one of these drawbacks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cowl comprising a central mounting portion and at least one end cap disposed continuously with the central mounting portion, and at least one adapter element fixed to the central mounting portion. A wiper, particularly for a motor vehicle, wherein the adapter element comprises a central core and two legs extending from opposite edges of the central core, and one of the at least one end cap presents a wiper pivotally connected to the adapter element.

[0013] According to the present invention, the adapter element has at the connection portion of the end cap a point narrowing of at least one of the two legs, the narrowing extending from at least one connection bore of the adapter element to the central core.

[0014] Such a wiper is advantageous in that the presence of at least one narrowing allows for very easy attachment at the connection of the end cap. In particular, the narrowing allows the connection portion of the end cap to be attached to the corresponding connection bore of the adapter in a manner that reduces the force required and / or the deformation required to be applied to the end cap during the attachment operation necessary to attach the end cap to the adapter.

[0015] The wiper may further comprise one or more of the following alternative aspects that are freely combinable according to the needs of the implementation.

[0016] Advantageously, the narrowing may comprise at least one substantially planar mounting surface. The at least one mounting surface is inclined towards the median plane of the adapter element.

[0017] Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that by providing such an inclined planar surface, the end cap can be gradually and easily attached to the adapter. The assembly force and mechanical stress received by the end cap during attachment are similarly reduced.

[0018] Advantageously, the constriction comprises two mounting surfaces arranged opposite to the median plane of the adapter element.

[0019] Such a configuration is advantageous in that the balance of the mounting force passing through the median plane is better. For this reason, it becomes easier to attach the cap to the adapter element.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one end cap comprises two connecting studs that extend vertically from the lower surface of the at least one end cap to form a connecting shaft, and the connecting studs are press-fitted into the at least one connecting bore of the adapter element.

[0021] Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that a connection part with an easy structure and easy attachment is provided between the end cap and the central mounting part.

[0022] Optionally, the at least one constriction is defined by at least one guide surface formed on the adapter element, and the at least one guide surface is preferably substantially planar.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one constriction is defined by two guide surfaces formed on the adapter element, the at least one mounting surface and the two guide surfaces integrally form a channel, and the two guide surfaces are preferably substantially planar.

[0024] Preferably, the channel extends from the connecting bore of the adapter element to the central core.

[0025] Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in that by providing at least one guide surface, a slight misalignment between the components is tolerated, facilitating the connection and attachment of the end cap to the adapter element. During the connection operation, the guide surface guides the connection stud towards the bore by means of a sliding contact between the one or more guide surfaces and the connection stud.

[0026] In a 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 median plane of the adapter element.

[0027] Accordingly, the orientation of the at least one constriction provides an optimal balance between compactness and ease of attachment.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the invention comprises a wiper system as described above.

[0029] These aspects, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as other matters, will be readily understood in light of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description against the background of the drawings.

[0032] To more easily understand the drawings related to the following description, it should first be noted that in some of the drawings, a single or plural number of axes are shown. More specifically, it should be noted that these axes follow the overall direction of the wiper. Therefore, 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.

[0033] Furthermore, when relative terms such as "upper (side)" and "lower (side)" are used, these terms are used with reference to a wiper in a state where the rubber wiper blade 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 in particular.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a wiper 1 for a vehicle including a cowl 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cowl 100 includes a central mounting portion 110 and two end caps 120. The two end caps 120 are each connected to the central mounting portion 110 in its longitudinal direction by a pivotable connecting portion described in more detail below.

[0035] The wiper 1 also includes a wiper blade 130. The wiper blade 130 is held at a predetermined position in the wiper 1 by a yoke 140 and claws 145 and 150. The first pair of claws 145 is supported by the end of the yoke 140, and the second pair of claws 150 is integrally formed by the end cap 120. The yoke 140 (only partially visible in FIG. 1 but shown in more detail in subsequent drawings) is an arch-shaped structure having, at its end, claws for holding the wiper blade 130 and being pivotably connected to the central mounting portion 110 of the wiper 1.

[0036] These yokes 140 serve to distribute the vertical resistance force F exerted on the wiper 1 from the arm of a wiper system (not shown) of the vehicle N over the entire length of the wiper 1. This purpose is to ensure wiping uniformity and closer followability with respect to the curved shape of the windshield. Further, the yoke 140 also serves to hold the wiper blade 130 on the wiper 1 in conjunction with the claw 150.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the wiper 1 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In FIG. 2, one of the central mounting portion 110 and the end caps 120 is shown transparently so that the internal structure and attachment of the connecting portion can be seen.

[0038] More specifically, the connecting portion between the central mounting portion 110 and the end caps 120 is realized by an adapter element 200. The adapter element 200 is fixed to the first portion 200a inside the central mounting portion 110 and extends beyond its longitudinal end 205. As described above, the yoke 140 is attached to the adapter element 200 by a pivotable connection at the connecting portion 210.

[0039] The adapter element 200 also has a second portion 200b that extends beyond the longitudinal end 205 of the central mounting portion 110. The second portion of the adapter element 200 particularly has connection bores 220 formed in its two legs. Thereby, the end caps 120 can be attached to the adapter element 200 by a pivotable connection. More specifically, the end caps 120 have two connection studs extending from the lower surface of the end caps 120 and are press-fitted into the connection bores 220.

[0040] Therefore, the end caps 120 are effectively attached to the central mounting portion 110 by a pivotable connection via the adapter element 200.

[0041] The connecting bore 220 of the adapter element 200 is formed with a constriction 230 of the width of the second part 200b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this constriction is configured as a pair of inclined surfaces 230a, 230b. These inclined surfaces 230a, 230b extend from the upper edge of the corresponding connecting bore 220 to the central core 240 of the adapter element 200. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inclined surfaces 230a, 230b are substantially planar except for the transition zone to the central core 240.

[0042] The details of the adapter element 200 will be more readily understood from the drawings of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3A, the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b are formed on the legs 300a, 300b of the adapter element 200 and extend from the connecting bore 220 to the central core 240 connecting the two legs 300a, 300b. The presence of at least one mounting surface 230a, 230b constitutes the constriction of the adapter element 200 in the connecting bore 220.

[0044] The adapter element 200 further includes a plurality of guide surfaces 235a, 235b. More specifically, each of the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b is in contact on its side with two guide surfaces 235a, 235b each extending from the connecting bore 220 of the adapter element 200 to the central core 240. More particularly, the guide surfaces 235a, 235b are preferably tangent to the connecting bore 220.

[0045] Accordingly, the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b are defined at the bottom by the connecting bore 220 of the adapter element 200 and at the top by the central core 240. Also, each mounting surface 230a, 230b is preferably defined on the side by two guide surfaces (235a, 235b) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A.

[0046] The guide surfaces 235a, 235b are substantially planar in the embodiment shown in the drawings, but may be concave or convex depending on the needs of the implementation.

[0047] By combining the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b with their corresponding guide surfaces 235a, 235b, the channel 310 is integrally formed. The channel 310 extends from the central core 240 of the adapter element 200 to the connecting bore 220. Advantageously, the guide surfaces 235a, 235b are inclined such that the channel 310 is wider on the side of the central core 240 than on the side of the connecting bore 220, taking the shape of a ladle. This ladle shape facilitates the attachment of the end cap 120 to the adapter element 200, as will be described in subsequent drawings.

[0048] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the wiper 1 cut along the connecting bore 220 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. In this figure, it can be seen that the end cap includes two connecting studs 320 extending vertically from the lower surface of the end cap 120. Thus, the two connecting studs 320 together form the connecting axis A.

[0049] To connect the end cap 120 to the adapter element 200, the two connecting studs 320 are positioned in the central core 240 of the adapter element. Then, an assembly force F A is applied, causing the connecting studs 320 to be pressed against the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3B, the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b are inclined with respect to the center plane M of the wiper 1. When the assembly force F A is applied to the end cap 120, this inclination of the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b has the effect of pushing back the corresponding connecting studs 320. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3B, the two side surfaces of the end cap 120 are spaced apart from each other in the directions D and D'.

[0051] Gradually, the assembly force F AUnder the driving force, the connecting stud 320 advances on the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b toward the connecting bore 220. At the end of its movement, the connecting stud 320 is finally press-fitted into the connecting bore 220. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, due to the elasticity of the end cap 120, they are held in place.

[0052] It should be noted that by moving the two side surfaces of the end cap 120 apart, deformation and thus mechanical stress occur in the body of the end cap. The greater the distance the end cap has to be separated, the greater this stress becomes.

[0053] Providing constrictions associated with the connecting bore, such as the two mounting surfaces 230a, 230b seen in FIG. 3B, in the adapter element is advantageous in that the initial separation operation (when the assembly force F A begins to be applied and the connecting stud 320 begins to advance on the mounting surfaces 230a, 320b) is smaller compared to a configuration where the adapter element does not have constrictions. Also, due to the presence of the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b, the stress generated during its connection and mounting on the end cap can be better controlled. This is because the separation operation of the end cap is applied in a smaller and slower manner.

[0054] In addition, by reducing the stress during the connection and mounting of the end cap 120, the rigidity of the legs of the adapter element can be improved more than when it is possible when the legs of the adapter element are perpendicular to the central core. Thereby, especially under extreme use conditions such as in a frozen state or inside an automatic car wash, the end cap can be better held by the wiper.

[0055] Since the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b are inclined at angles θ1, θ2 with respect to the center plane M, it can be seen that a dot-shaped constriction of the adapter element 200 is formed. In FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the angles θ1, θ2 are the same and the mounting surfaces 230a, 230b are planar. Thereby, until the connecting stud 320 is properly press-fitted into the connecting bore 220 as shown in the figure, the end cap 120 can be substantially gradually linearly deformed.

[0056] As an alternative, by selecting asymmetric angles θ1, θ2, the separation movement of the cap on one of the two side surfaces 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 230a, 230b have a curvature (not planar as shown in FIG. 3B) so that the deformation and stress progress non-linearly when the end cap is mounted on the adapter element.

[0057] 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 legs of the adapter element. In such a case, the other leg of the adapter element is substantially orthogonal to the central core.

[0058] The relative decrease in the assembly force F A realized by the present invention is shown in the graph of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows three curves 400, 410, 420, each corresponding to the assembly force F A exerted thereon during the connection and mounting of the end cap of the wiper. The three curves 400, 410, 420 are from the initial position P I where the connecting stud contacts the adapter element but the cap has not deformed yet when connecting and mounting the end cap to the adapter element, to the final position P F where the connecting stud is properly press-fitted into the corresponding connecting bore and the end cap is no longer deformed in the separated state, showing the assembly force F A with respect to the displacement of the end cap towards it.

[0059] The first curve 400 corresponds to a configuration in which the leg portion of the adapter element is substantially orthogonal to the central core of the adapter element. Therefore, there is no constriction in the adapter element at the connecting bore. In this configuration, a considerable assembling force F A is required at the start of displacement of the end cap, and it can be seen that this assembling force F A reaches the peak 405 rapidly and then decreases to a plateau. The assembling force F A remains substantially constant until the end cap reaches its final position P F .

[0060] The second curve 410 has a configuration in which the angles θ1 and θ2 are 5 to 7 degrees and there is a slight constriction in the adapter element at the connecting portion of the end cap. As a result, a peak 415 is observed in the assembling force F A , but it is very low compared to the configuration of the curve 400 having no constriction at all. After the peak 415, the assembling force decreases to a plateau until the end cap reaches its final position P F .

[0061] It should be understood that the peaks 405 and 415 are the timings at which the assembling force is at its maximum. This is because at this timing, the sides of the end cap are separated to the maximum in order to move the connecting stud to the adapter element. Therefore, it is recognized that the constriction of the present invention is advantageous not only in reducing the force required to connect and attach the end cap, but also in limiting the deformation of the cap and thus the mechanical stress it receives during attachment.

[0062] Also, due to this fact, the end cap can be provided with a longer connecting stud than would be possible in other embodiments, so the connecting portion of the wiper 1 has greater robustness.

[0063] The third curve 420 has an optimal configuration in which the angles θ1 and θ2 are 10° to 15°, preferably 13°. For the two preceding curves 400, 410, in the third curve 420, the assembling force F AIt gradually rises gently up to the plateau.

[0064] Therefore, it is not necessary to dimension the end cap to support an attachment force that rises sharply to the 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.

[0065] In any case, those skilled in the art will easily understand the optimum values of the angles θ1, θ2, and the attachment force for obtaining the optimum assembly force for the embodiment, as well as the optimum distance between the initial position and the final position.

[0066] It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments, and other embodiments will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. The above disclosure should be regarded as illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

1. - A cowl (100) comprising a central mounting part (110) and at least one end cap (120) arranged continuously with the central mounting part (110); - At least one adapter element (200) fixed to the central mounting part (110); A wiper (1) for a motor vehicle in particular, comprising: The adapter element (200) comprises a central core (240) and two legs (300a, 300b) extending from opposite edges of the central core (240); One of the at least one end cap (120) is pivotally connected to the adapter element (200); In the wiper (1), The adapter element (200) has at least one punctiform narrowing (230) of at least one of the two legs (300a, 300b) at the connection part of the end cap (120) to the adapter element; The narrowing extends from at least one connecting bore (220) of the adapter element to the central core; A wiper (1) characterized in that.

2. The narrowing (230) comprises at least one substantially planar mounting surface (230a, 230b); The at least one mounting surface (230a, 230b) is inclined towards the median plane (M) of the adapter element (200); The wiper according to claim 1.

3. The narrowing (230) comprises two mounting surfaces (230a, 230b) arranged opposite to the median plane of the adapter element (200); The wiper (1) according to claim 2.

4. The at least one end cap (120) comprises two connecting studs (320) extending vertically from the lower surface of the at least one end cap (120) to form a connecting shaft (A); The connecting studs (320) are press-fitted into the at least one connecting bore (220) of the adapter element (200); The wiper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The at least one narrowing (230) is at least partially constituted by at least one mounting surface (230a, 230b) formed on the adapter element (200); The at least one mounting surface (230a, 230b) is preferably substantially planar; The wiper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Each at least one mounting surface (230a, 230b) is in contact with two guide surfaces (235a, 235b), the at least one mounting surface (230a, 230b) and the two guide surfaces (235a, 235b) integrally form a channel (310), the two guide surfaces (235a, 235b) are preferably substantially planar, Wiper (1) according to claim 5.

7. The channel extends from the connecting bore (220) of the adapter element (200) to the central core (240), Wiper (1) according to claim 6.

8. The at least one constriction is inclined at an angle (θ １ , θ ２ ) 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 midplane of the adapter element. Wiper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Wiper system comprising a wiper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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