WO2023217388A1

WO2023217388A1 - A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type

Info

Publication number: WO2023217388A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/063050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel BOUDJENAH
Original assignee: Trico Belgium S.a.
Priority date: 2022-05-13
Filing date: 2022-05-13
Publication date: 2023-11-16

Abstract

A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal slit, in which slit at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillating arm, wherein said rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, wherein said connecting device comprises a channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension, with the special feature that said windscreen wiper device comprises a housing for said rod-like extension, wherein said housing comprises a channel to receive said rod¬ like extension, said channel of said housing in mounted position being co-axial with said channel of said connecting device, wherein said windscreen wiper device further comprises a flexible conduit for guiding a washing liquid therethrough from a washing liquid source towards a nozzle for spraying the guided washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped, and wherein said windscreen wiper device further comprises at least one clip for connecting said flexible conduit onto said housing through a snapping operation.

Description

A WINDSCREEN WIPER DEVICE OF THE FLAT BLADE TYPE

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal slit, in which slit at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillating arm, wherein said rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, wherein said connecting device comprises a channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension.

Preferably, said connecting device comprises a first component and a second component, wherein said rod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said first component about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second component, wherein said first component is connected to said wiper blade and said second component is pivotally connected to said first component, wherein said second component comprises said channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension. Said longitudinal strip is also called a “flexor”, while said connecting device is also indicated as a “connector”. The slit may be open or closed. Preferably, said second component is also detachably connected to said first component.

Preferably, said wiper blade comprises a spoiler at a side thereof facing away from the windscreen to be wiped. The spoiler is also called an "air deflector” and is preferably made in one piece with said wiper blade through extrusion. Said longitudinal slit is preferably a central longitudinal slit accommodating said longitudinal strip. Said connecting device is preferably fixedly connected to the longitudinal strip(s) particularly through a welding, brazing (“soldering”), gluing or clamping operation or with the help of a pin inserted through said connecting device and said longitudinal strip(s). In the alternative or in addition thereto, said connecting device is clamped onto the flexible material of the wiper blade, particularly in case the latter is equipped with a central longitudinal slit for the carrier element. In the alternative or in addition thereto, said connecting device comprises a groove for accommodating said wiper blade and/or said longitudinal strip(s), wherein said groove comprises retention means for retaining said connecting device in place.

In use, said oscillating arm is connected to a mounting head mounted on a drive shaft, wherein said oscillating arm at one end thereof is pivotally connected to the mounting head by means of a pivot pin and at another end thereof is connected to said wiper blade placed in abutment with said windscreen to be wiped. In use, the shaft rotates alternately in a clockwise and in a counter- clockwise sense carrying the mounting head into rotation also, which in turn draws the oscillating arm into rotation and by means of said connecting device moves the wiper blade. Said oscillating arm can thus oscillate to-and-from between first and second reversal positions.

The present invention also relates to a connecting device arranged for use in such a windscreen wiper device.

It is noted that the present invention is not restricted to automobiles, but also refers to rail coaches and other (fast) vehicles.

A windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior art windscreen wiper device is designed as a so-called "flat blade" or "yokeless blade", wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotally connected to each other, but wherein the wiper blade is biased by the carrier element, as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature. A disadvantage of the known windscreen wiper device is that it is often used in combination with a nozzle fixedly mounted on (or below) a bonnet of a car for spraying a washing liquid onto the car’s windscreen to be wiped. In practice it has become apparent that the windscreen cannot effectively be cleaned by a combination of the oscillating arm and the nozzle, as the nozzle emits the washing fluid thereon at a large distance relative to the windscreen, so that a relatively large amount of the washing fluid does not effectively reach a wiping pattern on the windscreen to be wiped. Further, it has become apparent that in the prior art a large amount of liquid (consumption) is required in an attempt to clean the windscreen to be wiped. Further, if the washing fluid is spread onto the car’s body instead of onto the windscreen to be wiped, it may damage the car. Indeed, ethanol, methanol and other components of the washing fluid are believed to have a corrosive effect on paint, rubber, car wax and plastics, for example. In order to overcome this disadvantage, it has been proposed to mount the nozzle onto the oscillating arm, so that the use (and replacement) of a simple and inexpensive wiper blade is also assured. However, mounting the nozzle onto the oscillating arm has the disadvantage that aerodynamic properties of the interconnection between the wiper blade and the rod-like extension are negatively influenced.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved windscreen wiper device, wherein these disadvantages are obviated, in the sense that at minimum costs - without using complex machinery and additional tools - an aerodynamic, but reliable and controllable interconnection between the wiper blade and the rod-like extension is realized, also in the event that a nozzle is mounted on the oscillating arm. More in particular, an object of the present invention is to propose an improved windscreen wiper device, wherein the rod-like extension and any flexible conduit for guiding a washing liquid therethrough from a washing liquid source towards the nozzle for spraying the guided washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped, are preferably not visible or only partly visible from outside, and wherein aerodynamic properties, particularly wind lift performance, of the wiper blade is improved.

In order to accomplish that objective, a windscreen wiper device of the type referred to in the introduction is characterized according to the invention in that said windscreen wiper device comprises a housing for said rod-like extension, wherein said housing comprises a channel to receive said rod-like extension, said channel of said housing in mounted position being co-axial with said channel of said connecting device, wherein said windscreen wiper device further comprises a flexible conduit for guiding a washing liquid therethrough from a washing liquid source towards a nozzle for spraying the guided washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped, and wherein said windscreen wiper device further comprises at least one clip for connecting said flexible conduit onto said housing through a snapping operation. Said channel of said connecting device preferably has a closed circumference, whereas said channel of said housing preferably has an open circumference. Hence, said flexible conduit is held below said rod-like extension, while both said rod-like extension and said flexible conduit are at least partly covered by said housing.

Said housing preferably extends along more than 50%, preferably more than 75%, of the length of the rod-like extension.

Preferably, said channel of said connecting device and said channel of said housing each have a length and a width, and wherein a plane extending in a direction of the width of each channel and a plane extending through said longitudinal strip along a width thereof at the location of the connecting device enclose an angle a, wherein a<30°, preferably 15°. In the alternative, a =0°. In other words, in a transverse or cross-section of the windscreen wiper device, a centre line of the cross-sectional plane of each channel encloses the angle a with a symmetry axis of said longitudinal groove. Because of the angle a a very low design of the connecting device and the rod-like extension at the location of their interconnection. In other words, a bottom of each channel does extend parallel to a windscreen to be wiped (when the oscillating arm in one of said reversal positions is in a central region of the windscreen to be wiped and disregarding any small curvature thereof in that region); said bottom and said windscreen to be wiped enclose said angle a in that region.

It is noted that the present invention is not restricted to the use of only one longitudinal strip forming the elastic carrier element that is particularly located in a central longitudinal slit or groove of the wiper blade. Instead, said carrier element may also comprise two longitudinal strips, wherein said strips are disposed in opposite longitudinal slits/grooves of the wiper blade. Said slit(s)/groove(s) may be closed at one outer end.

In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention said housing in mounted position extends along the length of said rod-like extension and covers said rod-like extension and the clip. Thus, these are invisible from the outside (the free end of said rodlike extension in use resting inside the channel of the connecting device).

In another preferred of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention said housing has a first part having a U-shaped cross-section, as well as a second part forming said channel of said housing, wherein said second part is connected to said first part and located inside said first part, and wherein said second part comprises two deformable legs for engaging said rod-like extension in order to interconnect said second part and said rod-like extension through a snapping operation. Preferably, said first part is made from a softer plastic material than said second part. More preferably, said housing is made through co-extrusion, so that said first part and said second part are made in one piece of different materials.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention said clip comprises at least two opposite, deformable arms defining between them a ring-shaped seat for said flexible conduit, said seat at least partially surrounding said flexible conduit, and wherein said arms are connected to said housing through a snapping operation. Preferably, said arms are connected to said legs of said second part of said housing through a snapping operation. More preferably, free ends of said arms and said legs are provided with mutually cooperating profiles to ensure said snapping operation.

In another preferred of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention connecting device comprises a first component and a second component, wherein said rod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said first component about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second component, wherein said first component is connected to said wiper blade and said second component is pivotally connected onto said first component, wherein said second component comprises said channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension. Particularly, said first and said second components are each made in one piece of plastic material, wherein said first component is preferably made of hard, non-deformable plastic and said second component is preferably made of soft, deformable plastic. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention said first component and said second component are provided with mutually cooperating pivot means for pivotally connecting said second component to said first component, and wherein said first component engages said second component laterally from the outside at the location of said pivot axis. Particularly, said second part is connected to said first part by laterally outwardly extending protuberances of said second part, at the location of said pivot axis, pivotally engaging in recesses provided in said first part. Hence, a sturdy and reliably interconnection able to compensate high stresses is obtained. Said protuberances are particularly mutually spaced far apart, so as to reduce angular play and to reduce wear.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the said second component is positioned at least substantially inside said first component.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention said channel of said second component is arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension upon sliding said housing onto said second component.

The present invention also relates to a clip and to a housing for use in a windscreen wiper device according to the invention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures illustrated in a drawing, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, in assembled position from above (figure la) and from below (figure lb); figures 2a and 2b corresponds to figure la and lb, respectively, but in exploded (disassembled) views; figure 3a shows part of a rod-like extension and part of a flexible conduit for a washing liquid, together with a housing and a clip to interconnect them, all as used in the windscreen wiper device of figures 1 and 2, while figures 3b through 3e show successive steps in interconnecting the rod-like extension and the flexible conduit; figures 4a, 4b and 4c are a cross-section view, as well as perspective views of the rod-like extension and the flexible conduit connected together. Figures 1 and 2 refer to a windscreen wiper device 1 of the flat blade type in accordance with the invention, built up of a wiper blade 2, in the longitudinal sides of which opposing longitudinal slits 3 are formed, and of longitudinal strips 4 (“flexors”) made of spring band steel, which are fitted in said longitudinal slits 3. Said strips 4 form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade 2, as it were, which is thus biased in a curved position (the curvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped). As shown in figures 1 and 2, the windscreen wiper device 1 is furthermore built up of a connecting device 5 of plastic material for a rod-like extension 6 of a windscreen wiper arm/oscillating arm 7. Said connecting device 5 comprises a first component (not shown) and a second component (not shown) acting as a joint part, wherein said rod-like extension 6 can be pivotally connected to said first component about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second component. As shown in figures 1 through 4, said windscreen wiper device 1 further comprises a housing 8 arranged to accommodate said rod-like extension 6.

Said second part comprises a channel (not shown) arranged to receive (in a linear movement) said rod-like extension 6 of said oscillating arm 7, whereas said housing 8 also has a channel 9 (cf. figures 3 and 4) for accommodating said rod-like extension 6. Both channels are co-axial and extend parallel to a windscreen to be wiped, disregarding any small curvatures.

With reference to figures 3 and 4 said housing 8 has a first part 10 having a U-shaped crosssection, as well as a second part 11 forming said channel 9 of said housing 8, wherein said second part 11 is made in one piece with said first part 10 and located inside said first part 10. Said second part 11 comprises two deformable legs 12,13 for engaging said rod-like extension 6 in order to interconnect said second part 11 and said rod-like extension 6 through a snapping operation. This is successively shown in figures 3b through 3c. Said first part 10 is made from a softer plastic material than said second part 11, preferably through co-extrusion. Preferably, said first part 10 and said second part 11 have the same length, so that the legs 12,13 extend along the entire length of the housing 8. In the alternative, pairs of said legs 12,13 are located at a distance from each other.

Again referring to figures 3 and 4, use is made of a clip 14 comprising at least two opposite, deformable arms 15,16 defining between them a ring-shaped seat 17 for a flexible conduit or pipe 18 for guiding a washing liquid therethrough from a washing liquid source towards a nozzle 19 (cf. figures 1 and 2) for spraying the guided washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped. Said seat 17 at least partially surrounds said flexible conduit 18, wherein said arms 15,16 are connected to said housing 8 through a snapping operation. Particularly, free ends of said arms 15,16 and of said legs 12,13 are provided with mutually cooperating profiles, so as to interconnect them through a snapping operation. This is successively shown in figures 3b through 3c. as shown in figure 2, several clips 14 are used to hold the flexible conduit 18 and to connect the flexible conduit 18 onto the housing 8 at several locations thereof, by clipping these clips 14 onto the housing 8 from below.

In the prior art a windscreen wiper device is often used in combination with a nozzle fixedly mounted on (or below) a bonnet of a car for spraying a washing liquid onto the car’s windscreen to be wiped. In practice it has become apparent that the windscreen cannot effectively be cleaned by a combination of the oscillating arm and the nozzle, as the nozzle emits the washing fluid thereon at a large distance relative to the windscreen, so that a relatively large amount of the washing fluid does not effectively reach a wiping pattern on the windscreen to be wiped. Further, it has become apparent that in the prior art a large amount of liquid (consumption) is required in an attempt to clean the windscreen to be wiped. Further, if the washing fluid is spread onto the car’s body instead of onto the windscreen to be wiped, it may dirty the car. Indeed, ethanol, methanol and other components of the washing fluid are able to leave marks/spots on the car body and plastics, for example. By now mounting the nozzles 19,20 onto the rod-like extension 6 and onto a mounting head 21, respectively, a windscreen to be wiped can be effectively cleaned, without making parts of a car dirty, wherein less washing liquid is required to clean the windscreen to be wiped.

The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, but extends also to other preferred variants within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A windscreen wiper device (1) of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade (2) includes at least one longitudinal slit (3), in which slit (3) at least one longitudinal strip (4) of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device (1) comprises a connecting device (5) for a rodlike extension (6) of an oscillating arm (7), wherein said rod-like extension (6) can be pivotally connected to said connecting device (5) about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, wherein said connecting device (5) comprises a channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension (6), characterized in that said windscreen wiper device (1) comprises a housing (8) for said rod-like extension, wherein said housing (8) comprises a channel (9) to receive said rod-like extension (6), said channel (9) of said housing (8) in mounted position being co-axial with said channel of said connecting device (5), wherein said windscreen wiper device (1) further comprises a flexible conduit (18) for guiding a washing liquid therethrough from a washing liquid source towards a nozzle (19) for spraying the guided washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped, and wherein said windscreen wiper device (1) further comprises at least one clip (14) for connecting said flexible conduit (18) onto said housing (8) through a snapping operation.

2. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said housing (8) in mounted position extends along the length of said rod-like extension (6) and covers said rod-like extension (6) and the clip (14).

3. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing (8) has a first part (10) having a U-shaped cross-section, as well as a second part (11) forming said channel (9) of said housing (8), wherein said second part (11) is connected to said first part (10) and located inside said first part (10), and wherein said second part (11) comprises two deformable legs (12,13) for engaging said rod-like extension (6) in order to interconnect said second part (11) and said rod-like extension (6) through a snapping operation.

4. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said first part (10) is made from a softer plastic material than said second part (11).

5. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said housing (8) is made through co-extrusion.

6. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 through 5, wherein said clip (14) comprises at least two opposite, deformable arms (15,16) defining between them a ring-shaped seat (17) for said flexible conduit (18), said seat (17) at least partially surrounding said flexible conduit (18), and wherein said arms (15,16) are connected to said housing (8) through a snapping operation.

7. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 3 and 6, wherein said arms (15,16) are connected to said legs (12,13) of said second part (11) of said housing (8) through a snapping operation.

8. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 7, wherein free ends of said arms (15,16) and said legs (12,13) are provided with mutually cooperating profiles.

9. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 through 8, wherein said connecting device (5) comprises a first component and a second component, wherein said rod-like extension (6) of said oscillating arm (7) can be pivotally connected to said first component about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second component, wherein said first component is connected to said wiper blade (2) and said second component is pivotally connected onto said first component, wherein said second component comprises said channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension (6).

10. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 9, wherein said first component and said second component are provided with mutually cooperating pivot means for pivotally connecting said second component to said first component, and wherein said first component engages said second component laterally from the outside at the location of said pivot axis.

11. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 10, wherein said second component is connected to said first component by laterally outwardly extending protuberances of said second component, at the location of said pivot axis, pivotally engaging in recesses provided in said first component.

12. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said second component is positioned at least substantially inside said first component.

13. A windscreen wiper device ( 1 ) according to any of the preceding claims 9 through 12, wherein said channel of said second component is arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension (6) upon sliding said housing (8) onto said second component.

14. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 through 13, wherein said rod-like extension (6) is not twisted relative to a windscreen to be wiped.

15. A clip (14) for use in a windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 through 14.

16. A housing (8) for use in a windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 through 14.