Windscreen wiper

Abstract

The invention relates to a windscreen wiper (1) including a wiper blade (2), at least one spring strip (3; 3a, 3b) and a deflector (6) having a fin (9), characterised in that at least the fin (9) is made of transparent material.

Description

Windshield wiper blade Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade. Technical background

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with windshield wiper systems to sweep and wash the windshield and prevent the driver's view of his surroundings from being disturbed. These wipers are typically driven by an arm performing an angular back-and-forth movement and include elongated blades, themselves carrying scraper blades made of an elastic material. These blades rub against the windshield and evacuate the water, bringing it out of the driver's field of vision.

[0003] The brooms are made in the form of either, in a classic version, articulated levers which hold the scraper blade in several discrete places, or, in a more recent version such as the brooms called FlatBlade ® (for "flat blade"), a semi-rigid assembly which holds the scraper blade along its entire length.

[0004] Flat brooms generally have one or more stiffening vertebrae made of metal or hard polymer to give the broom an intrinsic bend.

[0005] To ensure good wiping performance of flat wiper blades, some blades are equipped with a deflector (called a "spoiler" in English) extending along the upper surface of the blade and having a prominent aerodynamic profile shaped so that the relative wind produced by the movement of the vehicle produces a force tending to press the wiper blade against the glass panel. Indeed, even partial detachment of the blade from the window can lead to a lack of wiping. However, this prominent shape can tend to hinder the driver's visibility by increasing the thickness of the blade.

[0006] One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a windshield wiper blade which at least partially resolves a drawback of the prior art.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra and a deflector having a fin, characterized in that at least the fin is made of transparent material.

[0008] This reduces the visual discomfort caused to the driver by the prominent part of the blade, which appears thinner, while maintaining good aerodynamic performance provided by the presence of the spoiler.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment, the transparent material is a thermoplastic elastomer or a polycarbonate.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment, only the deflector fin is made of transparent material.

[0011] The deflector can be made by joining at least two materials, the deflector fin being made of transparent material.

[0012] The base of the deflector may be made at least partially of opaque material. In particular, the base may be made entirely of opaque material.

[0013] Alternatively, the base may be made of opaque material only near at least one housing configured to accommodate the at least one vertebra, the base otherwise being made of transparent material.

[0014] The joining can be achieved by coextrusion or molding.

[0015] The fin and the base may have at least one complementary rib and groove, one carried by the fin and the other by the base to promote the adhesion of the two materials.

[0016] The deflector can be made entirely of transparent material.

[0017] The deflector can be made in two longitudinal parts assembled along at least one vertebra on either side of a connector of the wiper blade.

[0018] The wiper blade may have end caps.

[0019] The transverse end surfaces facing the end caps and the deflector may have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, one carried by the end caps, the other by the deflector, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the deflector end to end to the end caps.

[0020] It may further be provided that the fins of the end caps are shaped to be at the same height as the fins of the deflector to which the end caps are assembled.

[0021] The opposite end transverse surfaces of the connector and the two parts of the deflector may have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the connector, the others by the parts of the deflector, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the parts of the deflector end to end to the connector.

[0022] The invention also relates to a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiping blade, at least one vertebra, two end pieces arranged at each longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade and a covering element such as a deflector, characterized in that the transverse end surfaces facing the end pieces and the covering element have two male plugs and two complementary sockets, some carried by the end pieces, the others by the covering element, the male plugs being able to engage in the sockets to join the covering element end to end to the end pieces.

[0023] The covering element and the end caps may have a respective aerodynamic fin or be flat. In the case where the covering element and the end caps have a respective fin, the covering element is a deflector. Provision may be made for the fins of the end caps to be shaped to be at the same height as the fins of the deflector to which the end caps are assembled. In the case where the covering element and the end caps are flat, i.e. do not have fins, provision may be made for the upper flat surfaces of the end caps to be shaped to be at the same height as the upper flat surfaces of the covering element to which the end caps are assembled. Apart from this feature, all other features of this wiper blade may be the same as those described for the previous invention. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, but in no way limiting, as well as the appended drawings in which:

[0025] This is a perspective view of a windshield wiper blade.

[0026] This is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade of the.

[0027] This is a perspective view of one longitudinal end of the wiper blade without an end cap.

[0028] This is a perspective view of part of a wiper blade deflector of the.

[0029] This is a front view of the deflector portion of the.

[0030] This is a perspective view of a wiper blade end cap.

[0031] This is a perspective view of one longitudinal end of the wiper blade of the.

[0032] This is a perspective view of a wiper blade connector.

[0033] This is a perspective view of a longitudinal end of another embodiment of the wiper blade.

[0034] This is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade at a deflector.

[0035] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0036] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0037] In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions indicated in particular on the trihedron (X, Y, Z) fixed relative to the adapter will be adopted without limitation. The longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the main direction of the wiper blade. The vertical Z and transverse X directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and perpendicular to each other.

[0038] The term "transparent" means a body that lets light pass through by refraction and through which objects behind it are clearly visible, the curvature of the transparent body being able to distort this clarity.

[0039] The term "lower" or "bottom" refers to the side of the wiper blade intended to be closest to the glass surface and the term "upper" or "top" refers to the opposite side.

[0040] Figures 1 and 2 show a windscreen wiper blade 1 intended to be connected to a windscreen wiper arm to ensure the cleaning of a glass surface of the vehicle, for example a windscreen.

[0041] The wiper blade 1 is a FlatBlade ® type blade (for "flat blade"), it is mainly longitudinally oriented.

[0042] The windscreen wiper blade 1 comprises a wiping blade 2 made of a flexible material, and which is capable of coming into contact with the glass panel to be wiped, at least one vertebra 3a, 3b for longitudinal stiffening (called a "spline" in English) and two end pieces 4, 5 (called an "endclip" in English) arranged at each longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade 1.

[0043] The wiping blade 2 comprises a lip 2a intended to scrape a glass surface, as well as a heel 2b. The blade 2 is formed from a profile, for example made of elastomer, which groups together in a single-piece assembly both the lip 2a and the heel 2b. The wiping blade 2 has a median longitudinal plane of symmetry.

[0044] In this embodiment, the wiper blade 1 comprises two vertebrae 3a, 3b arranged on the one hand, in a respective groove of the wiper blade 2 and on the other hand, in a respective groove 8a, 8b of a longitudinal central cavity 8 of a deflector 6 (called "spoiler" in English) of the wiper blade 1, and which form the structure of the blade 1 itself.

[0045] Each vertebra 3a, 3b is formed from a single-piece body, comprising a flat strip of metal or hard polymer, which is curved vertically, so that when the wiper blade 1 is resting on the glass panel, the bearing forces exerted by the drive arm are distributed over the entire length of the wiper blade 2.

[0046] The wiper blade 1 also has a connector 7 in the middle of the blade 1 for assembling and articulating the blade 1 at the end of the drive arm.

[0047] The deflector 6 extends in the longitudinal direction Y along the wiper blade 1 and more particularly along the vertebrae 3a, 3b. The deflector 6 has a base 10 extending by a fin 9 here in the form of a point. The fin 9 allows the relative wind which is produced by the movement of the vehicle, to produce a force tending to press the wiper blade 1 against the glass panel. The fin 9 can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically on the base 10, that is to say offset or not on one side of the base 10 of the deflector 6 relative to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the wiper blade 2. The asymmetrical profile of the deflector 6 makes it possible to have a larger bearing surface of the deflector 6 for the incident air flow.

[0048] The deflector 6 is made of flexible material.

[0049] For example, it is made of two separate longitudinal parts 6a, 6b assembled along the vertebrae 3a, 3b on either side of the connector 7. One of the two parts 6a is shown on the.

[0050] At least the fin 9 of the two parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 is made of transparent material.

[0051] This reduces the visual discomfort caused to the driver by the prominent part of the blade 1 which appears thinner, while maintaining good aerodynamic performance provided by the presence of the spoiler 9.

[0052] The transparent material is, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a polycarbonate.

[0053] According to a first example of embodiment visible in figures 1 to 5, only the fin 9 of the deflector 6 is made of transparent material.

[0054] Each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 is for example produced by joining at least two materials, one opaque and the other transparent, the base 10 of the deflector 6 being made of opaque material and the fin 9 of transparent material.

[0055] However, in a preferred embodiment, the base 10 may be made of transparent material everywhere, except near the grooves 8a, 8b, in which the vertebrae 3a, 3b are housed; at the vertebrae 3a, 3b, the base 10 is made of opaque material instead. Such a configuration is advantageous in that it minimizes the visual bulk of the wiper, while maintaining a high level of mechanical strength at the vertebrae 3a, 3b where the forces on the base 10 are greatest.

[0056] The joining is for example achieved by coextrusion or molding. As used herein, the term "molding" is understood here to encompass all manufacturing processes including a molding step, in particular co-molding, overmolding, or insert molding techniques.

[0057] It may further be provided that the fin 9 and the base 10 of each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 have at least one rib 22 and a complementary groove 23, oriented in the longitudinal direction Y, one carried by the fin 9 and the other by the base 10 to promote the adhesion of the two materials. In the illustrative example, the fin 9 has a rib 22 of rectangular cross-section, complementary to a groove 23 formed in the base 10 (figures 2, 3 and 5).

[0058] The longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiper blade 2 project longitudinally relative to the associated longitudinal end of the deflector 6, as can be seen where the wiper blade 1 is without a tip. The end tips 4, 5 are mounted on these longitudinal ends to achieve the locking of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiper blade 2 in longitudinal sliding and to improve the overall aesthetic and aerodynamic appearance of the wiper blade 1 ().

[0059] As can be seen in the, the end pieces 4, 5 have a respective base 13 surmounting at least one internal housing 11 in which the longitudinal ends of the vertebrae 3a, 3b and of the wiper blade 2 are received, the base 13 extending by a respective fin 12 here in the form of a point. The fin 12 can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically on the base 13, that is to say offset or not on one side of the base 13 relative to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the wiper blade 2.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment, the end pieces 4, 5 have a respective transverse end surface comprising two male plugs 24a, 24b extending in an axial direction. A transverse end surface of the deflector 6 has two complementary sockets 25a, 25b (), or vice versa, i.e. the two sockets 25a, 25b can be provided in a transverse end surface of the end pieces 4, 5 and the deflector 6 have a transverse end surface having two complementary male plugs 24a, 24b. These plug-in elements are for example arranged on each side of the median longitudinal plane of the wiper 1.In the illustrative embodiment, the two male plugs 24a, 24b are respectively arranged on either side of the internal housing 11 of the end pieces 4, 5 () and the two sockets 25a, 25b are respectively arranged on either side of the longitudinal central cavity 8 of the deflector 6, above the grooves 8a, 8b ().

[0061] The male plugs 24a, 24b engage in the sockets 25a, 25b to align and secure the parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 to the end caps 4, 5. It may further be provided that the fins 12 of the end caps 4, 5 are shaped to be at the same height as the fins 9 of the deflector 6 to which the end caps 4, 5 are assembled (). The fins 12 of the end caps 4, 5 then extend in continuity with the fins 9 of the deflector 6.

[0062] The male plugs 24a, 24b and the sockets 25a, 25b extend in the longitudinal direction Y, for example over a distance of between 0.5 cm and 1 cm and have, for example, a respective circular cross-section. During assembly, the male plugs 24a, 24b are inserted into the complementary female sockets 25a, 25b until the deflector 6 abuts against the end piece 4, 5.

[0063] The end pieces 4, 5 can thus be joined end to end to the deflector 6, without the deflector 6 being covered by the end pieces 4, 5 and without the height of the end pieces 4, 5 exceeding. The absence of a step between the deflector 6 and the end pieces 4, 5 allows the latter to be less visible, for the deflector 6 to be well adjusted with the end pieces 4, 5 and reduces the risks of deformations in this assembly zone.

[0064] Furthermore, an end transverse surface of each portion 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 may have two complementary sockets in which two male plugs 26a, 26b of an end transverse surface of the connector 7 () may engage or vice versa (i.e. the sockets may be provided in the end transverse surface of the connector 7 and the male plugs formed in the end transverse surface of each portion 6a, 6b of the deflector 6), to join each of the two portions 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 to the connector 7 of the wiper blade 1.

[0065] The two end pieces 4, 5 are symmetrical. They are for example made of plastic material and can be obtained by molding.

[0066] The spoiler 12 of at least one of the end caps 4, 5 may further comprise at least one window 14 configured to allow a user to see through (). The spoilers 12 of both end caps 4, 5 may comprise at least one respective window 14. The window 14 provided in the spoiler 12 of the end cap 4, 5 makes it possible to reduce the visual bulk of the end cap 4, 5, which limits the discomfort for the driver.

[0067] The window 14 may be formed by a through opening provided in the fin 12, the contour of the through opening being able to match the contour of the fin 12 so that the fin 12 has an arch (or handle) shape connected to the base 13 of the end piece 4, 5.

[0068] According to another embodiment, the window 14 at least may be made of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or the end cap 4, 5, including the window 14, may be made in whole or in part of transparent material, such as polycarbonate or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0069] Figures 9 and 10 show a second example of embodiment of the wiper blade 1.

[0070] This wiper blade 1 differs from the previous one in that it comprises a single vertebra 3 and a support mount 21 (or “holder” in English) carrying the vertebra 3 and the wiping blade 2.

[0071] For this, and as can be better seen in the, the support frame 21 comprises a longitudinal central conduit which receives the vertebra 3. The longitudinal central conduit surmounts two lower hooks facing each other, which delimit a longitudinal lower conduit open downwards, in which the heel 2b of the wiping blade 2 is received.

[0072] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, each part 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 is entirely made of transparent material. Of course, it is also possible to provide that only the fin 9 of the two parts 6a, 6b of the deflector 6 is made of transparent material as described in the first embodiment of the wiper 1 with two vertebrae 3a, 3b.

Claims

Windscreen wiper blade (1) comprising a wiping blade (2), at least one vertebra (3; 3a, 3b) and a deflector (6) having a fin (9), characterized in that at least the fin (9) is made of transparent material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transparent material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a polycarbonate. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only the fin (9) of the deflector (6) is made of transparent material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the deflector (6) is made by joining at least two materials, the fin (9) of the deflector (6) being made of transparent material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a base (10) of the deflector (6) is made at least partially of opaque material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (10) is made entirely of opaque material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the base (10) is made of opaque material only in the vicinity of at least one housing (8a, 8b) configured to accommodate the at least one vertebra (3, 3a, 3b), the base (10) being furthermore made of transparent material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the joining is carried out by coextrusion or molding. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the fin (9) and the base (10) have at least one rib (22) and a complementary groove (23), one carried by the fin (9) and the other by the base (10) to promote the adhesion of the two materials. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the deflector (6) is made entirely of transparent material. Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector (6) is made of two longitudinal parts assembled along the at least one vertebra (3; 3a, 3b) on either side of a connector (7) of the windscreen wiper blade (1). Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises end pieces (4, 5), the transverse end surfaces facing the end pieces (4, 5) and the deflector (6) having two male plugs (24a, 24b), and two complementary sockets (25a, 25b), some carried by the end pieces (4, 5), the others by the deflector (6), the male plugs (24a, 24b), being able to engage in the sockets (25a, 25b) to join the deflector (6) end to end to the end pieces (4, 5). Windscreen wiper blade (1) according to claims 8 and 9, comprising a connector (7), characterized in that the transverse end surfaces facing the connector (7) and the two parts (6a, 6b) of the deflector (6) have two male plugs (24a, 24b) and two complementary sockets (24a, 24b), some carried by the connector (7), the others by the parts (6a, 6b) of the deflector (6), the male plugs (24a, 24b) being able to engage in the sockets (24a, 24b) to join end to end the parts (6a, 6b) of the deflector (6) to the connector (7).

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