Streamlined windscreen wiper, windscreen wiper system and vehicle

Abstract

The streamlined windscreen wiper (100) comprises a longitudinal wiper blade (125), a fairing comprising a central mounting base (105) and at least one end cap (110), at least one adapter element (200) fixed to the central mounting base (105) comprising a central web (205) and two legs (210), one of said at least one end cap (110) being articulated to said adapter element (200), and a retaining means (245) formed in said adapter element (200) and comprising a first portion engaging with a complementary second portion extending from a lower surface (215) of the central mounting base (105), the first portion of the retaining means (245) comprising a tongue (250) extending from the central web (205) of the adapter element (200) to its longitudinal tip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a streamlined windscreen wiper for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to articulation means for such a streamlined windscreen wiper.

Background Art

[0002] In vehicle windscreen wipers, it is becoming increasingly desirable to incorporate a streamlined profile into the windscreen wiper to such an extent that the streamlined element forms a significant part of the structure of the windscreen wiper. Such windscreen wipers are generally referred to as "hybrid" windscreen wipers.

[0003] The streamlined profile presents several advantages, most notably reducing the drag force from the airflow incident on the windscreen wiper. The streamlined shape may also be configured to generate a downforce on the wiper when air flows over the wiper, pressing the wiper against the windscreen and improving wiping performance. The streamlined shape also presents a more aesthetically pleasing aspect than a windscreen wiper configured with a more traditional style of nested tournament arm.

[0004] Generally, the streamlined profile is implemented in the form of a rigid fairing that forms part of the structure of the windscreen wiper. The fairing generally comprises several individual pieces that are articulated to each other such that the wiper blade can flex to follow the curvature of the windscreen as the windscreen wiper passes over it. Further, depending on the length of the blade, the wiper can include a single level of tournament arm (also known as a "caliper") that is articulated to the fairing holding the wiper rubber to more evenly distribute the force of the wiper arm along the length of the wiper blade.

[0005] In this way, the fairing constitutes a significant part of the windscreen wiper structure and simplifies that structure.

[0006] The central mounting base and the end caps are rigid components, and since the wiper blade must be able to flex to follow the curvature of the windscreen, some kind of articulation means must be provided to allow the end caps to pivot relative to the central mounting base. In particular, since the wiper blade must follow the curvature of the windscreen while maintaining a high wiping performance throughout its entire trajectory, the articulation of the end caps to the central mounting base must allow free rotation about a transverse axis, but must be rigid and robust about all other directions and all other axes.

[0007] One way to achieve this is to provide an adapter element that is attached to one of the central mounting base or the end caps and provides a point to which the other of the central mounting base and the end caps is articulated. Such a solution is advantageous in that it is cost-effective and easy to implement, especially as compared to joints formed integrally with the central mounting base and the end caps.

[0008] However, such a configuration can be disadvantageous in that the additional component of the adapter element introduces an additional degree of tolerance into the windscreen wiper assembly, and as a result, may reduce the rigidity of the joint. In addition, the adapter element is necessarily subject to various different forces during the operation of the windscreen wiper and is subject to deflection and torsion under those forces.

[0009] In extreme cases, this can result in the disarticulation of the windscreen wiper under heavy load conditions such as in an automatic car wash or under heavy ice or snow. Such situations are not normal in that they are not normally encountered during the use of the windscreen wiper in most situations, but are nevertheless not unpredictable in normal use.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a windscreen wiper that at least partially addresses the above-mentioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to a first aspect, there is provided a streamlined windscreen wiper, particularly for a vehicle, comprising a longitudinally extending wiper blade, a central mounting base, a longitudinally streamlined fairing having at least one end cap disposed at a distal end thereof, and at least one adapter element fixed to the central mounting base at its distal end, the at least one adapter element comprising a central web and two legs extending substantially perpendicularly from edges on both sides of the central web, and at least one of the at least one end caps being articulately coupled to the at least one adapter element, and holding means having a first portion formed within the at least one adapter and engaging a complementary second portion extending from a lower surface of the central mounting base.

[0012] According to the invention, the first portion of the holding means comprises a tongue extending from the central web of the adapter element to its longitudinal tip.

[0013] This is advantageous in that it provides a simple and economically manufactured means for reinforcing the connection between the adapter element and the central mounting base of the windscreen wiper. In particular, the engagement of the holding means increases the resistance of the windscreen wiper to lateral and torsional forces and prevents the windscreen wiper from disassembling, especially under high load conditions.

[0014] Other features and improvements of the invention beyond the above aspects are further envisioned and may be freely combined with each other in any quantity or combination.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, the tongue extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central web of the adapter element.

[0016] Preferably, the second part of the holding means comprises a pair of opposing side faces arranged on the lower face of the central mounting base, and the opposing side faces are engaged by the first part of the holding means.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the holding means further comprises a cross-section arranged on the lower face of the central mounting base, and the cross-section is engaged by the first part of the holding means.

[0018] In another possible embodiment, the windscreen wiper further comprises a positioning pin extending from the aforementioned central mounting base and engaging with a complementary structure formed within the adapter element.

[0019] Preferably, the positioning pin has a cross-section that is substantially circular and / or cross-shaped.

[0020] Most preferably, the positioning pin tapers in a direction extending from the aforementioned central mounting base towards the distal end of the positioning pin.

[0021] According to a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a windscreen wiper system comprising a wiper arm, a drive motor configured to drive the wiper arm in a reciprocating motion, and the windscreen wiper as described above.

[0022] According to a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a vehicle comprising the windscreen wiper or windscreen wiper system as described above.

[0023] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood when considered in light of the included drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] The present invention will be better understood in the context of the figures and in light of the following description.

[0026] In order to assist in the understanding of the figures in connection with the following description, it should first be noted that in each figure, a set of axes is described. These axes clearly follow the general meaning of a windshield wiper, where axis L corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the windshield wiper, i.e., the direction along the length of the windshield wiper 100, axis T corresponds to the transverse direction, i.e., across the width of the windshield wiper 100, and axis V corresponds to the vertical direction of the windshield wiper, i.e., through the height of the windshield wiper 100.

[0027] Furthermore, although the following description is directed to a single joint of the windshield wiper 100, it will be readily understood that the windshield wiper can be provided with the present invention at one or several of its joints.

[0028] Furthermore, when relative terms such as "upper" and "lower" are used, such terms are used with respect to the windshield wiper when it is arranged in a horizontal plane together with the rubber wiper blade, and in particular, "upper" and "lower" are understood to be used in the normal manner with respect to gravity.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a windscreen wiper 100 according to a possible embodiment of the present invention. The windscreen wiper 100 comprises a fairing consisting of a central mounting base 105 and two end caps 110. Each end cap 110 is provided with a plurality of hooks 115 which engage with a rubber wiper blade 125 and hold it in a predetermined position. Further, the central mounting base 105 is provided with a plurality of calipers 120 (which may also be referred to elsewhere in the art as "whippletrees" or "tournament arms"), the ends of which are visible in Figure 1. The calipers 120 are pivotally attached to the central mounting base and hold the wiper blade at their ends. Thus, the wiper blade 125 is held within the windscreen wiper 100 by the combined action of the hooks 115 and the calipers 120. The central mounting base is provided with an arm connector 130 which enables a user to attach the wiper 100 to a wiper arm of a motor vehicle (not shown).

[0030] Each of the end caps 110 is pivotally articulated to the central mounting base 105. Figure 2 shows one of these joints in detail. Figure 2 is a detailed view of the joint between the central mounting base 105 and one of the end caps 110, seen from below the windscreen wiper. For clarity, the wiper rubber 125 and any associated structures such as rivets which may be necessary to attach it to the central mounting base 105 and the end caps 110 are omitted.

[0031] The joint between the end cap 110 and the central mounting base 105 is formed by an adapter element 200. The adapter element 200 comprises a central web 205 and two legs 210 which extend substantially perpendicularly from the side edges opposite the central web 205. Thus, the adapter element 200 is provided in an inverted "U" shape when assembled to the windscreen wiper.

[0032] The adapter element 200 may be formed of metal, particularly sheet metal such as mild steel or spring steel, or aluminum. The properties of such materials are well known in the art and are generally inexpensive to manufacture. Alternatively, the adapter element 200 may be provided of a plastic material and may be manufactured by injection molding or a similar process. Such an adapter element is particularly advantageous in that it is lightweight and corrosion resistant since it is manufactured from plastic.

[0033] The adapter element 200 is securely attached to the lower surface 215 of the central mounting base 105, extends longitudinally from the central mounting base 105, and terminates at a joint 220 that is disposed longitudinally outside of the central mounting base 105 as shown. The joint 220 is formed by two bores 225 (one of which is shown) provided in each of the outer legs 210 of the central mounting base 105. The two bores are engaged by complementary pivot pins 230 (one of which is shown) integrally formed on the inner surface of the end cap 110.

[0034] In this way, the end cap 110 is pivotally jointed to the central mounting base 105, enabling the end cap to pivot about a transverse axis formed by the two pivot pins 230.

[0035] Furthermore, the adapter element 200 comprises a caliper pivot axis 235 to which a caliper (not shown) is pivotally attached. In this way, the windscreen wiper can bend to conform to the curvature of the windscreen and ensure effective wiping by the rubber wiper blade.

[0036] The adapter element 200 is fixed in a defined position within the central mounting base 105 by several different structures. The adapter element 200 is mainly held by clips 240 that extend from the inner surface of the central mounting base 105 and engage the two legs 210 of the adapter element 200 so as to hold the adapter element 200 in the vertical direction V, i.e., to prevent the adapter element 200 from falling from the bottom of the windscreen wiper 100.

[0037] However, the clip 240 is not always effective in fixing the adapter element 200 longitudinally or transversely, especially when the windscreen wiper is placed under transverse or torsional heavy loads (especially about the longitudinal axis), such as when the windscreen wiper is covered with ice or snow, or when the vehicle is in contact with the brushes of an automatic car wash and the wiper system is operating.

[0038] For that purpose, the adapter element 200 further comprises retaining means 245 that complement the hook 210. The retaining means 245 consists of two parts, a first part formed within the adapter element 200 and extending from the central web 205, and a second part formed within the central mounting base 105.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first part is constituted by a tongue 250 that extends from the central web 205 at its proximal end (note that the joint 220 is at the distal end on the opposite side). In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue 250 extends substantially perpendicular to the central web 205, but it will be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, the angle at which the tongue 250 extends may be an acute or oblique angle.

[0040] The second part of the retaining means is constituted by shoulders 255a, 255b. The shoulders 225a, 225b are formed on the lower surface of the central mounting base 105 and are positioned such that the tongue 250 is disposed between the shoulders when the adapter element 200 is disposed within the central mounting base 105 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] In this way, the lateral movement of the tongue 250, and thus the lateral (i.e., in the transverse direction T) and torsional deformation (i.e., about the longitudinal axis L) of the adapter element 200, are reliably suppressed.

[0042] In this way, the adapter element is made more resistant to particularly heavy load situations such as when the windscreen wiper 100 is covered with ice and / or snow or when the vehicle is in an automatic car wash and is subject to the action of automatic brushes and rollers.

[0043] In particular, by positioning the shoulders 225a, 225b on the sides of the tongue 250 that face each other in the transverse direction, the tongue is prevented from twisting about the longitudinal axis L, whereby the windscreen wiper 100 has a considerably lower likelihood of breaking or becoming disarticulated under such extreme conditions.

[0044] Optionally and preferably, the width of the tongue 250 and / or the spacing between the shoulders 225a, 225b may be controlled such that the tongue 250 is sandwiched between the shoulders 225a, 225b and held in position by friction. Such a configuration gives the windscreen wiper additional rigidity when maximum resistance is required.

[0045] Also optionally, the central mounting base 105 may be provided with a third shoulder (not shown) arranged in the transverse direction T between the shoulders 225a, 225b to give the adapter element 200 additional rigidity in the longitudinal direction L. Such a shoulder is formed integrally with the central mounting base 105, like the shoulders 225a, 225b.

[0046] Optionally, the windscreen wiper 100 may be provided with a positioning pin 260 that extends from the central mounting base and engages with a positioning hole 265 arranged within the central web 205 of the adapter element 200. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0047] FIGS. 3A and 3B show, respectively, a second part of the retaining means 245 formed within the central mounting base 105 and an adapter element 200 comprising a first part of the retaining means 245.

[0048] In FIG. 3A, two surfaces 300a, 300b of the shoulders 255a, 255b are shown respectively, which, as described above, accommodate the tongue portion of the adapter element therebetween.

[0049] For example, it may be advantageous to provide such a texture in a particular orientation to facilitate deformation of the adapter element in a particular direction that does not cause windshield wiper malfunction, thereby reducing the tendency towards harmful deformation of the windshield wiper. The particular form and arrangement of such texturing necessarily depends on the particular embodiment, and one of ordinary skill in the art can determine such.

[0050] A positioning pin 260 can be further provided that engages with complementary positioning holes 265 within the adapter element 200 (shown in FIG. 3B). The positioning pin 260 serves to accurately position the adapter element 200 relative to the central mounting base 105, and thus its ability to withstand any kind of lateral and longitudinal loads is of secondary importance.

[0051] The positioning pin 260 is substantially cylindrical and extends from the lower surface of the central mounting base 105 (shown upside down here). The positioning pin 260 is provided here in a substantially cross shape, which reduces the overall weight of the positioning pin without sacrificing its ability to accurately position the adapter element 200 relative to the central mounting base 105. Of course, other cross-sectional forms (e.g., circular, elliptical, or polygonal) are also conceivable.

[0052] Optionally, the positioning pin 260 may taper in the direction extending from the central mounting base to the distal end of the positioning pin 260. More specifically, the positioning pin 260 comprises tapered surfaces 305 (two of which are shown for clarity). In this way, the positioning pin 260 automatically centers itself in the corresponding hole of the adapter element 200, further improving the reproducibility and accuracy of the positioning.

[0053] Figure 3B shows the adapter element 200, in particular its structure cooperating with the shoulders 255a, 255b and the positioning pins 260.

[0054] Specifically, the tongue portion 250 is shown, and in Figure 3B, the extensions in both the vertical direction V and the longitudinal direction L from the central web 205 of the adapter element 200 can be understood.

[0055] Furthermore, Figure 3B shows the positioning holes 265 provided in the adapter element 200, which are engaged by the positioning pins described above with respect to Figures 2 and 3A. The positioning holes may simply be drilled or cut from the central web 205 of the adapter element 200 so as to be in the same plane as the surface of the central web 205.

[0056] Alternatively, as shown here, the positioning holes 265 are extended in the vertical direction V by the positioning hole collar 310. By providing the positioning hole collar 310, the accuracy and precision of the positioning effect provided by the positioning pins 265 are further improved. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the positioning hole collar 310 may be tapered in a complementary manner to the tapered surface 305 of the positioning pin 260.

[0057] Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that other substitutions or combinations of the above aspects may be possible without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 100 Windshield Wiper 105 Central Mounting Base 110 End Cap 115 Hook 120 Caliper 125 Wiper Blade 130 Arm Connector 200 Adapter Element 205 Central Web 210 Leg 215 Lower Surface 220 Joint 225 bore 230 pivot pin 235 pivot axis 240 clip 245 holding means 250 tongue 255a, 255b shoulders 260 positioning pin 265 positioning hole 300a, 300b surfaces 305 tapered surface 310 hole collar

Claims

1. A streamlined windscreen wiper (100) for a vehicle, a longitudinal wiper blade (125), a longitudinal streamlined fairing comprising a central mounting base (105) and at least one end cap (110) disposed at the distal end of the central mounting base (105), at least one adapter element (200) disposed within the central mounting base (105) and fixed to the central mounting base (105) at its distal end, the adapter element (200) comprising a central web (205) and two legs (210) extending perpendicularly from the edges on both sides of the central web (205), and at least one adapter element (200) articulately coupled to one of the at least one end cap (110), holding means (245) comprising a first portion formed within the adapter element (200) and a second portion extending from the inner surface of the central mounting base (105) and complementarily engaging the first portion, the holding means (245) preventing the adapter element (200) from twisting about the longitudinal axis (L) of the wiper blade (125), comprising, wherein the first portion of the holding means (245) comprises a tongue (250) extending from the central web (205) of the adapter element (200) at its longitudinal tip, characterized in that the windscreen wiper (100).

2. The windscreen wiper (100) according to claim 1, wherein the tongue (250) extends in a direction perpendicular to the central web (205) of the adapter element (200).

3. The windscreen wiper (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the second portion of the holding means comprises a pair of opposing side surfaces (300a, 300b) disposed on the inner surface of the central mounting base (105), and the opposing side surfaces (300a, 300b) are engaged by the first portion of the holding means.

4. The windscreen wiper (100) according to claim 3, wherein the holding means (245) further comprises a cross-section disposed on the inner surface of the central mounting base (105), and the cross-section is engaged by the tongue (250).

5. The windscreen wiper (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a positioning pin (260) extending from the central mounting base (105) and engaging with a complementary structure (265) formed within the adapter element (200).

6. The windscreen wiper (100) according to claim 5, wherein the positioning pin (260) has a cross-section having a circular and / or cross shape.

7. The windscreen wiper (100) according to claim 5, wherein the positioning pin (260) tapers in a direction extending from the central mounting base (105) towards the distal end of the positioning pin (260).

8. A windscreen wiper system, comprising: a wiper arm; a drive motor configured to drive the wiper arm in a reciprocating motion; the windscreen wiper (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2; and a system comprising the same.

9. A vehicle comprising the windscreen wiper (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2.

10. A vehicle comprising the windscreen wiper system according to claim 8.

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