FR2804393A1 - Scraping blade, for windscreen wiper blade, has longitudinal stiffeners, which fit into longitudinal grooves in upper section of blade and which have fixing clips, which clip together through central fin of blade - Google Patents

Abstract

The wiper blade (10) consists of an upper part for attachment to the support and a lower cleaning section. The upper part is formed in an elastomeric material and is reinforced by two longitudinal spines (32, 34), which fit into the longitudinal grooves, located on either side of the heel (22) of the blade. The reinforcing spines are fixed to each other, transversely, by means of retaining clips (52, 54), which pass through the central fin (50) of the heel of the blade and clip together.

Description

The invention relates to a wiper blade for a wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle.

The invention relates more particularly to a wiping squeegee of flexible material, rubber or elastomer of the type comprising an upper hooking part which comprises an upper heel reinforced by at least two opposite longitudinal stiffening vertebrae which are received in longitudinal grooves.

According to a known design, two longitudinal stiffening vertebrae are produced separately in the form of a strip of metal or plastic, then they are inserted transversely each in one of the longitudinal grooves in the form of a slot which are previously formed for this purpose. in the upper heel, during the operation of producing the squeegee by extrusion, and which each open into a lateral face of the latter.

Each vertebra must include means for immobilizing it relative to the heel. These means must immobilize the vertebrae longitudinally and transversely.

Thus, each of the vertebrae comprises means for its longitudinal immobilization with respect to the heel, these means being for example produced in the form of teeth or harpoons formed on the internal longitudinal edges of the vertebrae which penetrate into a vertical connecting strip which extends between the parallel and opposite bottoms longitudinal grooves in the form of opposite slots.

In addition, the vertebrae are retained transversely in position in the grooves when the heel and the vertebrae are introduced by longitudinal sliding in support claws belonging to stirrups or pedals of an articulated structure of the brush.

This design has various drawbacks.

The realization of the longitudinal immobilization means of the vertebrae relative to the heel is complicated. The transverse immobilization of the vertebrae is only obtained after mounting the squeegee provided with its vertebrae in the articulated support structure of the brush.

Before this assembly, the manipulation of the assembly constituted by the assembly of the stiffening vertebrae in the upper heel must be carried out with care to prevent the vertebrae from coming out of the longitudinal grooves in which they are housed.

In addition, some wiper blades are rigid enough and therefore do not require a support structure. The transverse immobilization of the vertebrae can no longer be ensured by the claws of this structure.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new design for a wiper blade which overcomes the drawbacks which have just been mentioned.

To this end, the invention provides a wiper blade for a wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising an upper attachment part which is intended to be connected to a support structure belonging to a blade or a wiper arm and which has an upper heel made of elastomeric material reinforced by at least two opposite longitudinal vertebrae stiffening the heel which are received, at least partially, in longitudinal grooves located transversely on both sides other of the heel, characterized in that it comprises means for assembling the stiffening vertebrae on the upper heel by means of which the opposite vertebrae are fixed transversely to each other so that they are integral with the heel and immobilized in longitudinal translation relative to the heel.

Thus, when the two opposite stiffening vertebrae are assembled on the upper heel, it forms therewith a set of elements which can be manipulated without risk of disassembly.

According to other characteristics of the invention - one of the vertebrae comprises, in particular near its free ends, first transverse fixing means which cooperate with second complementary fixing means which are carried, opposite the first means, by the other vertebra; - at least one of the fixing means is made in one piece with the corresponding vertebra; - at least one of the fixing means is attached to the corresponding vertebra; - At least one of the fixing means transversely crosses a portion of the upper attachment portion of the squeegee which delimits transversely inwards the opposite bottoms of the two grooves which receive the vertebrae; - At least one of the first fixing means comprises a transverse rod which extends in the direction of the second fixing means and which cooperates with a hole opposite the second corresponding means; - The free end of the rod of the first fixing means is shaped as a harpoon to fix the two vertebrae opposite to each other transversely when it enters the hole of the second fixing means; - during assembly of the vertebrae, the free end of the rod passes through the hole and is crimped onto the second fixing means for transversely fixing the two vertebrae opposite to each other; - The first and second fixing means are bonded together to fix the two vertebrae opposite to each other transversely; - At least one of the vertebrae comprises, on an intermediate longitudinal section, a first connecting and / or articulation element with the support structure belonging to the blade or with the arm of the wiper; - The first connecting and / or articulation element of one of the vertebrae cooperates with a second connecting and / or articulation element complementary carried, opposite the first element, by an intermediate section of the 'other vertebra to fix transversely the two vertebrae opposite to each other; - At least part of at least one connecting and / or articulation element is made in one piece with the vertebra which carries it; - At least part of at least one connecting and / or articulation element is attached to the vertebra; - The first connecting and / or articulation element comprises a cylindrical part forming an articulation rod which extends transversely towards the outside of the vertebra which carries it so as to cooperate with the support structure belonging to the brush or with the wiper arm; - at least one of the vertebrae includes an accessory; - The accessory is a section of longitudinal spraying boom, and the supply of washing liquid is carried out through at least one of the connection and / or articulation elements; - the accessory is a section of aerodynamic deflector; - The aerodynamic deflector section is made in a single piece with the corresponding vertebra, and its profiled face is aligned with a face of the upper attachment portion of the squeegee forming deflector.

The invention also provides a motor vehicle wiper, characterized in that it carries, directly or via a wiper blade, a wiper blade in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which - Figure 1 is a cross-sectional and perspective view illustrating the assembly stiffening vertebrae in the upper heel of a wiper blade produced in accordance with the state of the art; - Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a section of a first embodiment of a wiper blade according to the teachings of the invention; - Figure 3 shows in detail a variant of part of the fixing means of the stiffening vertebrae of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a sectional view substantially along line 4-4 of Figure 2; - Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a wiper blade according to the teachings of the invention; - Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure 5 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the wiper blade; - Figure 7 shows in detail and in exploded perspective a longitudinal end according to another variant of the wiper blade shown in Figure 5; - Figure 8 shows the assembly of the longitudinal end shown in Figure 7; - Figure 9 shows in perspective the free front end of a wiper arm equipped with a wiper blade according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective of the wiper blade according to the third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade along line 11-11 of Figure 10; FIG. 12 represents in detail and in cross section the means for fixing the stiffening vertebrae of the wiping squeegee of FIGS. 9 to 11.

In the description which follows, use will be made, without limitation, of a vertical orientation in the direction of the plane P shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a section of a wiper blade 10 for a wiper blade. -glass (not shown).

The wiping squeegee 10 has a general symmetry of design with respect to a median vertical longitudinal plane P. The wiping squeegee 10 essentially consists of an upper connecting or hooking part 12 intended to be connected to a support structure (not shown) belonging to the wiper blade or to the wiper arm, and a lower wiping part 14 which is essentially constituted by a wiping blade 16 in the form upside down arrow whose tip 18 is provided to cooperate with the surface of the window to be wiped (not shown) by constituting the lower longitudinal wiping edge.

The upper part 12 is connected to the lower part 14 by articulation means 20, in the form of a longitudinal and vertical strip, which give its flexibility to the lower wiping part 14 and which allow the wiping blade 16 to rotate alternately around a longitudinal pivot axis A.

The upper connecting part 12 is essentially constituted by an upper heel made of elastomeric material 22 which is produced integrally by extrusion with the lower wiping part 14.

The upper heel 22 comprises, in each of its opposite lateral faces 24 and 26 of vertical orientation, a longitudinal groove 28, 30 in which is inserted dirty transver a first 32 and a second 34 stiffening vertebra, respectively.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the stiffening vertebrae 32, 34 comprise assembly means 36 which make it possible to fix them transversely to one another. Thus, after their assembly, they grip or pinch between their internal transverse faces 38 and 40 opposite, a vertical strip 50 of the upper heel 22 which separates the bottoms of the longitudinal grooves 28 and 30. The stiffening vertebrae 32, 34 are thus secured longitudinally and transversely to the upper heel 22. The squeegee 10 can be manipulated without risk of separation of the vertebrae 32, 34 from the heel 22.

The assembly means 36 consist of first means 52 for transverse fixing of the first vertebra 32 which cooperate with second means 54 for transverse fixing of the second vertebra 34.

In accordance with FIG. 2, the first 52 and the second 54 fixing means are made in one piece with the corresponding vertebra 32 and 34.

Thus, the first fixing means 52 consist of a rod 56 which extends transversely from the internal transverse face 40 of the vertebra 34.

The second fixing means 54 are constituted by a longitudinal slot made in the second vertebra 34 facing the first fixing means 52, with a deformation of the zones 53 and 55 located on either side of the longitudinal slot each in an opposite vertical direction. The second fixing means 54 thus delimit an orifice 58.

During the assembly of the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 in the upper heel 22, the transverse rod 56 is introduced into the orifice 58. The immobilization in transverse translation of the rod 56 relative to the orifice 58 is obtained by example by elastic deformation or by plastic deformation of the rod 56 or of the orifice 58. Immobilization can also be achieved by wedging the rod 56 in the orifice 58.

An additional operation such as crimping or welding the rod 56 relative to one of the zones 53 or 55 can also make it possible to immobilize the vertebrae 32 and 34 in transverse translation.

In accordance with FIG. 2, the free end of the rod 56 comprises a head 60 shaped as a harpoon. Thus, during assembly, the head 60 is introduced into the orifice 58 so that the head 60 or the orifice 58 is deformed or wedged to ensure the transverse immobilization of the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34.

To do this, the dimensions of the orifice 58 are such that the introduction of the head 60 so that after assembly, the first means 52 for transverse fixing are retained inside the orifice 58.

The first means 52 shaped as a T and the second means 54 constituted by a slit are for example obtained by a known cutting technology, used in particular for the production of teeth or harpoons for the longitudinal immobilization of the stiffening vertebrae according to the state of the art.

In general, the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 have a length substantially equal to the upper heel 22. The first fixing means 52 then cross transversely the vertical strip 50 of the upper attachment portion 12 of the squeegee 10. It is possible to provide holes previously formed for the passage of the head 60 through the vertical strip 50. To facilitate the piercing of the strip 50, the head 60 can be shaped in the shape of an arrow in accordance with FIG. 3.

Advantageously, in accordance with FIG. 4, the vertebrae 32 and 34 are identical, that is to say that they each have at their ends first means 52 or second means 54 for fixing respectively. Such a type of identical vertebrae 32, 34 makes it possible to reduce the costs of production and storage and makes it easier to assemble them. Indeed, the vertebrae 32 and 34 being identical, they can be mounted either in one or the other of the longitudinal grooves 28 and 30.

4 shows a sectional view along a substantially horizontal plane which comprises the section line 4-4 shown in Figure 2, the vertebrae 32 and 34 being fixed together and crossing the vertical strip 50 according to the invention.

It is understood from the view of this figure that the two stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 are immobilized transversely and longitudinally relative to the heel 22 of the squeegee 10 with which they form a unitary sub-assembly. According to a second embodiment, in accordance with FIG. 5, the fixing means 52 and 54 are attached to the vertebrae 32 and 34 respectively, for example by overmolding in plastic material. The first fixing means 52 comprise a transverse rod 56 which extends in a transverse orientation in the direction of the second fixing means 54 and which cooperate with the second means 54, here a hole 58. The fixing of the first 52 and of the second 54 fixing means can be obtained by a process such as gluing, riveting, welding, crimping etc. The free end of the transverse rod 56 can also be shaped in an arrow or a harpoon to be fixed by elastic and / or plastic deformation of the hole 58 of the second fixing means 54 or of the free end of the transverse rod 56 itself. even. The rods 56 can also be replaced, in particular by screws or rivets. In accordance with FIG. 5, each of the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 comprises, on an intermediate longitudinal section, a connecting and / or articulation element 64 and 66, also called a connector with the support structure belonging to the brush or with the arm of the wiper.

Each connecting element 64, 66 is made in one piece with the vertebra 32, 34 which carries it. The elements 64 and 66 are located on the external transverse face of the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 so as not to prevent their introduction into the upper heel 22. The connecting elements 64 and 66 carry longitudinal rods 68 and holes 70 in vis-à-vis for transversely fixing the intermediate longitudinal sections of the two vertebrae 32 and 34. This makes it possible to maintain, in a substantially central area, the vertebrae 32 and 34 to prevent them from coming out of the longitudinal grooves 28 and 30.

A transverse orifice 72 passes right through the connecting elements 64 and 66 and it allows for example the passage of a connecting and articulation axis (not shown) with the arm of the wiper.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the wiper blade 10 in which the connecting and / or articulation elements 64 and 66 are attached to the vertebrae 32 and 34 by overmolding. This configuration makes it easier to manufacture the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 which then have a simple strip shape.

Similarly to the first embodiment of the invention, the vertebrae 32 and 34 may be identical, and thus comprise at their longitudinal ends first means 52 or second fixing means 54 respectively.

Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of the first fastening means 54. Indeed, when one of the faces 74 of the upper heel 22 is inclined and profiled, for example to form an aerodynamic deflector, it is advantageous, in particular of from an aesthetic point of view, that an external lateral face 75 of the first fixing means 52 is situated in the extension of the face 74.

According to a third embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 12, the vertebra 34 includes an accessory. The example proposes that the vertebra 34 constitutes a section of aerodynamic deflector. Indeed, one of its lateral faces 76 is profiled is inclined and it is aligned with the inclined face 74 of the upper attachment portion 12 of the squeegee 10 forming a deflector, FIGS. 9 to 12 also illustrate a variant of the means assembly 36 of the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 of the squeegee 10.

The free ends of the stiffening vertebrae 32 and 34 comprise the first 52 and the second 54 transverse fixing means on their lateral faces 38 and 40 opposite. The first fixing means 52 consist of a conical transverse rod 56 whose free end 60 is shaped as a harpoon which cooperates with a stepped cylindrical hole 84 of the second fixing means 54. The end 60 shaped as a harpoon, which comprises a first diameter, crosses a first section 86 of the stepped cylindrical hole whose diameter is slightly less than the first diameter of the end 60, then it emerges in a second section 86 whose diameter is greater than the first diameter of the end 60. One face transverse of the end 60 blocks the first fixing means 52 in the second means 54. The vertebrae 32 and 34 are then fixed to each other.

In its central part, the vertebra 32 carries a connecting and / or articulation element 64 which comprises a cylindrical part forming an articulation rod which here extends transversely towards the outside of the vertebra 32 so as to cooperate with a connector 90 for connection with the structure of the arm 92 of the wiper.

The third embodiment described is not limiting.

 Indeed, the accessory can be attached to one of the vertebrae 32, 34. In addition, it can be a section of longitudinal spray bar which can be supplied with washing liquid through one of the connecting elements and / or joint in the form of a transverse rod.

Claims (19)

<U> CLAIMS </U> 1. Wiper blade (10) for a wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising an upper hooking part (12) which is intended to be connected to a support structure belonging to a blade or to a wiper arm and which comprises an upper heel (22) of elastomeric material reinforced by at least two opposite longitudinal vertebrae (32, 34) for stiffening the heel (22) which are received, at least partially, in longitu dininal grooves (28, 30) located transversely on either side of the heel (22), characterized in that it comprises assembly means (36) of the stiffening vertebrae (32, 34) on the heel upper (22) by which the vertebrae (32, 34) opposite are fixed transversely to each other so that they are integral with the heel (22) and immobilized in longitudinal translation relative to the heel (22). 2. Wiping scraper (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one of the vertebrae (32, 34) comprises, particularly near its free ends, first transverse fixing means (52) which cooperate with second complementary fixing means (54) which are carried, opposite the first means, by the other vertebra (34, 32). 3. Wiping blade (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the fixing means (52, 54) is made in one piece with the corresponding vertebra (32, 34). 4. Wiper blade (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the fixing means (52, 54) is attached to the vertebra (32, 34) corresponding. 5. Wiping scraper (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the fixing means (52, 54) transversely crosses a portion of the upper attachment part ( 12) of the squeegee (10) which delimits transversely inwards the opposite bottoms of the two grooves (28, 30) which receive the vertebrae (32, 34). 6. Wiping scraper (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the first fixing means (52) comprises a transverse rod (56) which extends in the direction of the second fixing means (54) and which cooperates with a hole (58) opposite the second corresponding means (54). 7. Wiping blade (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end of the rod (56) of the first fixing means (52) is shaped as a harpoon to fix the two vertebrae (32, 34 ) opposite to each other when it enters the hole (58) of the second fixing means (54). 8. Wiping scraper (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, during the assembly of the vertebrae (32, 34), the free end of the rod (56) passes through the hole (58) and is crimped on the second fixing means (54) for transversely fixing the two vertebrae (32, 34) opposite to each other. 9. wiper blade (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the first (52) and the second (54) fixing means are bonded together to fix the two vertebrae (32 , 34) opposite to each other. 10. Wiping scraper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the vertebrae (32, 34) comprises, on an intermediate longitudinal section, a first connecting element and / or articulation (64) with the support structure belonging to the blade or with the arm of the wiper. 11. Wiping scraper (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first connecting and / or articulation element (64) of one of the vertebrae (32) cooperates with a second connecting element and / or articulation (66) complementary carried, opposite the first element (34), by an intermediate section of the other vertebra (34) to fix transversely the two vertebrae (32, 34) opposite to each other . 12. Wiping blade (10) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least part of at least one connecting and / or articulation element (64, 66) is produced in one piece with the vertebra (32, 34) which carries it. 13. Wiping blade (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that at least a part of at least one connecting and / or articulation element (64, 66) is attached on the vertebra (32, 34). 14. wiper blade (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the first connecting and / or articulation element (64) comprises a cylindrical part forming an articulation rod which s' extends transversely towards the outside of the vertebra (32) which carries it so as to cooperate with the support structure belonging to the blade or with the wiper arm. 15. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the vertebrae (32, 34) comprises an accessory. 16. Wiping blade (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the accessory is a section of longitudinal spray bar, and in that the washing liquid is supplied through at least one of the connection and / or articulation elements (64). 17. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the accessory is a section of aerodynamic deflector. 18. Wiping scraper (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the aerodynamic deflector section is produced in a single piece with the corresponding vertebra (34), and in that its profiled face (76) is aligned with a face (74) of the upper attachment portion of the squeegee forming a deflector. 19. Wiper motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a wiper blade which carries a wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.