WO2007122570A2

WO2007122570A2 - A profile for windshield wipers of vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2007122570A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/051426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ertan Yazici; Bekir Sonmez
Original assignee: Teklas Kaucuk Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
Priority date: 2006-04-21
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: WO2007122570A3; TR200804768U

Abstract

The present invention relates to a development in the wiper blade profiles (5) used in the windshield wiper (1) systems, known as the “flat blade” or “flat bar” technology which is basically composed of a flat and long supporting framework (10) made of resilient metal bent like a bow curve and an elastomer based wiper blade for wiping the surface of the glass mounted on this framework (10) and connected from only the center point by an auxiliary connection element (12) or directly by means of an intermediary adapter (2) to the windshield wiper arm (3) which is attached from one end to the vehicle.

Description

Description A PROFILE FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OF VEHICLES

[1] The present invention relates to a development in the wiper blade profiles used in the windshield wiper systems, known as the "flat blade" or "flat bar" technology which is basically composed of a flat and long supporting framework made of resilient metal bent like a bow curve and an elastomer based wiper blade for wiping the surface of the glass mounted on this framework and connected from only the center point by an auxiliary connection element or directly by means of an intermediary adapter to the windshield wiper arm which is attached from one end to the vehicle.

[2] Prior Art

[3] In the state of the art, work has been carried on various kinds of windshield wiper profiles.

[4] In the patent application No. US2006/0026786 of Shu-Lan Ku, the part of the windshield wiper profile mounted on the framework and carrying out the main wiping process and the spoiler part are separate from each other. In order to form the clearance to be left at the center for the assembly of the connection element, the spoiler part made of an A-profile of two independent longitudinal halves is mounted on top after the wiper-framework connection is made such that the side walls of the framework left outside are covered from the sides and below. This technique not only presents hardships for the production and assembly of the system but also the spoiler fixed to the system only by its ends can be displaced from the system in the long run resulting in quality problems.

[5] In the patent application No. WO2005/080160 of Robert Bosch GmbH, even though a windshield wiper profile having better spoiler geometry is described, the spoiler blade is also an independent, additional element from the rest of the wiper and is mounted on the system like a hat, not providing a reliable performance.

[6] In the patent application No. US2006/0037167 of Marc Nacamuli again the spoiler and the rest of the wiper are independent from each other. However, the spoiler profile is not mounted over the supporting framework that is assembled on the wiper profile later on. On the contrary the supporting framework and the part that carries out the wiping process of the wiper are mounted in the housings of the spoiler. Inside the spoiler having an A-profile, a mounting channel is formed passing lengthwise throughout the length of the blade body being preferably rectangular in shape, all lateral faces being closed except for the inlet and exit. The supporting vertebra is inserted lengthwise inside this housing in the blade. In the blade, a second, smaller sized housing, rectangular in shape is provided under this. The four sides of this housing is closed except for an opening on the bottom facing side wherein the neck of the wiper profile will be fitted in. On the upper region of the wiper profile is an additional projecting element having a cross section that entirely fills in the housing on the spoiler, connected to the body with the thin neck. The installation of the system is completed by inserting this additional projecting element having a rectangular cross section within the housing in the spoiler. This technique comprises of the portion of wiper blade that is active and is deformed by continuously changing shape due to friction is connected to the rest of the system by the mechanical attachment of two elastomer based materials. The long term usage and harsh weather conditions may pose the risk of the active portion of the wiper blade to be dislodged from the rest of the system.

[7] In order to eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages, the windshield wiper blade profile of the present invention is designed as a single piece.

[8] The present invention will be explicated in detail with reference to the attached figures below, where:

[9] Figure 1 - is the view of the windshield wiper system wherein the wiper profile of the present invention is implemented.

[10] Figure 2 - is the exploded view of the windshield wiper system comprising the main elements.

[11] Figure 3 - is the isometric view of the windshield wiper profile of the present invention.

[12] Figure 4 - is the cross-sectional view of the main parts of the windshield wiper profile of the present invention.

[13] Figure 5 - is the view of the various framework alternatives that can be used with the windshield wiper profile of the present invention.

[14] Figure 6 - is the detailed view of the windshield wiper profile of the present invention.

[15] Figure 7 - is the cross-sectional view of the spoiler section details of the windshield wiper system of the present invention.

[16] Figure 8 - is the cross-sectional view of the assembled windshield wiper profile and the supporting framework.

[17] THE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[18] The present invention relates to a development in the wiper blade profiles (5) used in the windshield wiper (1) systems, known as the "flat blade" or "flat bar" technology which is basically composed of a flat and long supporting framework (10) made of resilient metal bent like a bow curve and an elastomer based wiper blade for wiping the surface of the glass mounted on this framework (10) and connected from only the center point by an auxiliary connection element (12) or directly by means of an intermediary adapter (2) to the windshield wiper arm (3) which is attached from one end to the vehicle.

[19] In the present invention, the windshield wiper profile (5) that undertakes wiping function of the glass, produced of an elastomer based material is mounted by means of various methods on a supporting framework (10) made of a resilient metal and having a special bow curvature. This framework (10) connected to the wiper arm (3) from one point by a connection element (12) provides the pressure force received from its center point by means of the wiper arm (3) to be distributed homogeneously to every point of the windshield wiper (1) by means of its curved bow shaped configuration and resiliency. The unity of the system components can be solidified by means of the end caps (11) fitted on the free ends.

[20] The elastomer based resilient wiper profile (5) is a long element composed of an end portion (6) at the lowermost side contacting the glass for actualizing the wiping function, a body (8) on the top thereof, having a channeled configuration designed to provide the wiper profile (5) to stretch suitably for always contacting the glass with the most suitable angle during the movement of the wiper arm (3) and a spoiler (9) with a special profile, at the uppermost end providing the wind load to make a pressure towards the glass to prevent the wiper from lifting up at high speeds, having a vertical cross section that does not change along the longitudinal axis of the profile (5) except the two ends and the center of the profile(5), produced at one go by injection method as explained below. Furthermore, channels (7) are provided on the profile (5) between the body (8) and the spoiler (9) wherein the supporting framework (10) can be inserted. Except the spoiler (9) portion, the cross section of the wiper profile (5) is symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis at its center, however, only the spoiler (9) profile is asymmetrical to the central vertical axis as a result of the aerodynamic calculations.

[21] Although the length of the windshield wiper (1) depends on the glass intended to be wiped, the spoiler (9) portion of the wiper profile (5) is not provided along a certain length at the center of the wiper profile (5) in order to form the clearance (14) wherein the connection element (12) will be seated. The spoiler (9) portion is also not provided at both ends of the wiper profile (5) along a certain length so as to form the assembly region wherein the end caps (11) will be mounted.

[22] The bow shaped frame (10) that will carry the wiper profile (5) can be formed of two independent and identical halves (10.a and 10.b) connected from the ends after assembly or can be a single piece with two ends joined but having a channel (7) in the middle throughout its entire length for the wiper profile (5) to be fitted in from the neck (32) depending on the application. In both cases, the position of the framework (10) on the wiper profile (5) does not change at the end of the installation, only the method to be carried out for the assembly can change.

[23] Particularly at high speeds, the lifting force of the air coming onto the windshield wiper (1) becomes dominant and causes the stationary windshield wiper (1) to move upwards on the glass or reduces the perpendicular pressure applied on the glass during wiping hence decreasing the quality of wiping. The geometry of the spoiler (9) is designed such that the flow direction of air coming on the windshield wiper (1) is changed and the lifting effect of this force is eliminated thus increasing the perpendicular pressure exerted by the windshield wiper (1) on the glass, which is optimized by the results of various aerodynamic analysis for providing a minimum air resistance in order not to contribute to the total air resistance of the vehicle which is desired to be kept at a minimum for efficiency. Accordingly, the vertical cross section of the spoiler (9) portion of the wiper profile (5) is such that it is seated on a horizontal base (31), the glass facing surface (34) of the vehicle in the operating position rises with a right angle from this base (31) but first makes a recess (36) towards the interior, then rises following a concave curvature and finally the third surface (33) that receives the wind first with respect to the movement direction of the vehicle during functioning, rises with a minimum of 40° , maximum of 50° angle (35) following a convex curvature and meets with the other side (34) at the apex, forming a right triangle profile with three corners and seated on one of its right sides. The spoiler (9) is connected to the body (8) of the wiper profile (5) from its base (31) by a neck (32).

[24] The channels (7) that extend along longitudinally on both sides of the wiper profile

(5) wherein the supporting framework (10) will be emplaced are rectangular shaped channels (7) with one side open, formed by the lower base (31) of the spoiler (9), the upper base of the shoulder (41) that the body (8) forms at the top and the neck (32) connecting the body (8) with the spoiler (9) vertically. Either both halves (10.a and 10.b) or the entirely separate pieces of the supporting framework (10) joined from the ends, are inserted into the abovementioned rectangular channel (7) from the open side and positioned such that they bear on the neck (32) of the wiper profile (5) form both sides.

[25] The body (8) of the wiper profile (5) having a channeled configuration, is the part that is between the end portion (6) actualizing the wiping process and the channels (7) housing the supporting frame (10). During the operation of the windshield wiper (1), the upper portion (7 and 9) housing the supporting framework (10) is the portion transmitting the force received from the windshield wiper arm (3), however the end portion (6) actualizing the wiping function should follow the curvature of the glass by providing a homogeneous pressing force and at the same time be deformed in order to provide optimum functioning at every angle of the glass. The body (8) having at least one channel (7) dampens the relative movement that between the relatively rigid upper portion (7 and 9) of the wiper profile (5) and the wiping end portion (6) deformed on the glass. The body (8) being composed of two shoulders (41, 42) parallel to each other and a neck (34) portion in between is connected to the wiper end portion (6) by a relatively thin neck (36). The upper base (51) of the wiper end portion (6) is not parallel particularly to the lower surface of the lower shoulder (42), on the contrary is sloped such that the distance therebetween is covered as it moves farther away from the central vertical axis of the wiper profile (5). The reason for this is that during operation the end portion (6) that becomes deformed starting from its tip, to lean softly on the shoulder (42) at the body (8) above and as the force is increased during wiping, transmitting the deformation at the end portion (6) up to the shoulder (41) slowly and gently. This technique prevents the windshield wiper (1) from jumping on the glass when first actuated, becoming dysfunctional or making a noise.

[26] The wiper profile (5) is produced as a single piece from natural rubber, elastomer, or thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer material by injection method which increases the service life of the windshield wiper (1).

Claims

[1] windshield wiper profile (5) comprising an end portion (6) contacting the windshield surface of the glass, a body (8) above thereof with a channeled configuration and a spoiler (9) at the very top having a special profile, the said profile having an uniform vertical cross section along the longitudinal axis of the windshield wiper (1) except in the middle and at the two ends.

[2] A windshield wiper profile (5) as defined in Claim 1, produced as a single piece in one go from elastomer, thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer based material by injection method.

[3] A windshield wiper profile (5) as defined in Claim 1, wherein the upper base

(51) of the wiper end portion (6) is not particularly parallel to the lower surface of the lower shoulder (42), but becomes sloped as it moves farther away from the central vertical axis of the wiper profile (5).

[4] A windshield wiper profile (5) as defined in Claim 1 wherein the surface of which facing the windshield (34) forms a concave profile and the wind receiving surface (33) forms a convex one and wherein the said surface (33) rises with a minimum of 40° and maximum a 50° angle (35) from the horizontal base (31) .