FR2840270A1 - SAFETY ARRANGEMENT FOR SEPARATING THE WIPING ARM FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT IN CASE OF IMPACT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an arrangement for fixing a wiping device (30) for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one bearing (34) for guiding in rotation and for fixing a drive shaft (36) in alternating sweep of a wiper arm (38), which extends axially in a substantially vertical direction, of the type in which the bearing (34) is fixed with a body structure element (42) of the vehicle by means which allow at least partial separation of the bearing (34) from the body structure element (42) when the wiping device (30) is subjected to a characteristic impact in that it comprises means allowing a separation of the wiper arm (38) from the drive shaft (36) when the bearing (34) is detached from the body structure element (42).

Description

than d o 1 "Safety arrangement allowing separation of the arm

  for wiping with the drive shaft in the event of impact "The invention relates to an arrangement for fixing a

  s wiping device for motor vehicle.

  The invention relates more particularly to an arrangement for fixing a wiping device for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one bearing for guiding in rotation and for fixing a drive shaft in scanning or alternating of a wiper arm, which extends axially in a substantially vertical direction, of the type in which the bearing is fixed with an element of the vehicle body structure by means which allow at least partial decoupling of the bearing from [] body structure element when the device

is subject to an impact.

  In the event of the vehicle colliding with a pedestrian, the part of the wiper mechanism which projects overall from the outside of the vehicle constitutes a blunt object which is liable to cause

injuries.

  o It was also noted that, in the event of a violent accident, the wiping device, which is arranged in the engine compartment near the passenger compartment, could penetrate inside

  The passenger compartment through the windshield bay under the effect of the shock.

  Accidental intrusion of such a massive element is therefore dangerous for the safety of passengers and it therefore appeared necessary to better predict the behavior of the device.

wiping in the event of a violent impact.

  We are aware of the existence of means allowing the bearing to be erased, in particular in document o FR-A-2,733,474 which describes a fixing bearing which includes initiation zones at break and, in document WO-A- 99.38736 which describes means allowing the drive shaft to

  slide axially in the barrel in the event of impact.

  However, after erasing the bearing, the arm and the wiper still extend outside the vehicle so that they cause the total erasure of the bearing, and they themselves constitute blunt objects capable of cause injury. The invention therefore provides an arrangement of the type described above, characterized in that it comprises means allowing a separation of the wiper arm from the drive shaft during the separation of the bearing from

o ['body structure element.

  According to other characteristics of the invention: the wiping arm is connected to the drive shaft by means of a drive head which extends longitudinally forwards from an upper portion of The drive shaft and which comprises a fixed element fixed at the upper end of the drive shaft and a front element carry the wiper arm at its free front longitudinal end, and the element and [ 'element before wind connected to each other by connecting means which allow a separation of the element arrears with [' element before during the separation of the bearing from ['element of body structure; - The connecting means comprise at least one initiation zone at break; - the arriving element and the element before wind two parts of the drive head which are connected by the initiation zone to the break; - The drive head is covered by a cap which includes means which are quick to act on the initiation zone at break to initiate the break upon impact; n / a - the cap comprises at least one projecting element in the form of a wedge which extends substantially vertically towards the teas and which is received in a housing complementary to the initiation zone at break; - The connecting means comprise at least one intermediate connecting piece interposed between ['rear element and [' front element, and the intermediate piece comprises the initiation zone at break; - The connecting means comprise at least one elastically deformable element which is able to deform during the separation of the bearing from [the body structure element; - The connecting means comprise at least one intermediate connecting piece which is connected to the rear element and / or to the front element by an elastically deformable element; - The rear element consists of a sleeve which extends substantially vertically and which crosses at least partially a vertical hole complementary to the front element, the external wall of the sleeve and the internal wall of the hole being connected by cooperation of complementary shapes; - The intermediate piece consists of a transverse pin which is received in complementary housings of the rear element and the front element; - The connecting means comprise elements of o complementary shapes which wind nestled into each other and which wind able to break out during the separation of the bearing from the body structure structure; - The rear element is able to pivot overall towards the teas with respect to the front element, around a transverse axis during the opening of the elements of complementary shapes; The rear element and the front element each comprise at least one longitudinal finger, the free longitudinal end of which is bent towards the teas and is received in a complementary housing, respectively of the front element and of its rear element, which is open to its upper face; - The connecting means comprise at least one element which is capable of deforming plastically during the separation of the bearing from [the body structure element; - The rear element is re, cu in a housing complementary to the front element, one face of which is open, and the front element comprises at least one locking paste of

  The rear element inside the housing of the front element.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the following detailed description for the

  understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic representation in perspective of an arrangement in accordance with the invention in which the wiper arm and the drive shaft are represented in their normal operating state; - Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in which the wiping arm is represented during its separation from the drive shaft during an impact; - Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, in which the wiping arm is shown after its separation from the drive shaft; - Figure 4 is a detail on a larger scale and seen from above of a first alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the drive head is covered by a cap; - Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view along line V-V of the arrangement shown in Figure 4; - Figure 6 is a schematic perspective representation of the cap shown in Figure 4; - Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 showing a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, o in accordance with the second embodiment of [the invention; - Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 10 is a detail in perspective on a larger scale and in exploded view of the drive head according to the second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 11 is a perspective view from below of the burst of the drive head shown in Figure 10; - Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 10, showing a variant of the second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 13 is a view similar to the cone of Figure 1 showing a third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 14 is a view similar to the cone of Figure 2, in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 15 is a view similar to the cone of Figure 3, in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 16 is a detail in perspective on a larger scale and in exploded view of the drive head in the third embodiment, of the invention; - Figure 17 is a perspective view from below of the exploded view of the drive head shown in Figure 16; go- Figure 18 is a view similar to the cone of Figure 1 showing a fourth embodiment of the invention; - Figure 19 is a similar cone view of Figure 3, in accordance with the fifth embodiment of [the invention; and - Figure 20 is a perspective view from below of the arrangement showing an alternative embodiment of the fifth

embodiment of the invention.

  For the description of the invention, the following will not be adopted

  limiting vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations

  Solon marks it V, L, T indicates in the figures.

  We will also adopt the direction from back to front as being the longitudinal direction and from left to right

referring to figure 1.

  In the description which follows, identical elements,

  similar or analogous will be designated by the same numbers

reference.

  There is shown in Figure 1, a wiping device 30 of a window of a motor vehicle 32 which has a bearing

  34 and a driving shaft 36 driving a wiper arm

ice 38.

  The bearing 34 allows the guiding in rotation and the fixing of the drive shaft 36. Wile comprises a tubular barrel 40 of axis o A1 vertical which is designed to receive rotation about its

axis A1, drive shaft 36.

  For its attachment to a body structure element 42 of the vehicle, the bearing 34 includes a sole 44 which extends

  longitudinally backwards from fGt 40.

  The bearing 34 also includes a stump 46 which extends longitudinally inwards towards the front since the fGt 40 and which turns to the connection of the bearing 34 with the drive system (not

  represented) of the wiping device 30.

  According to a known design, means are provided for fixing the bearing 34 with the body structure element 42 which allow the bearing 34 to be separated from the body structure element 42 when the wiping device 30 is

subjected to a violent impact.

  Here, these fixing means consist of a zone of initiation at break 48 made in the sole 44. However, it will be understood that these means can have a completely different design, such as for example an intermediate piece for fixing the sole 44 with the body structure element 42 which is able to deform plastically or elastically for the separation of the bearing 34 from the body structure element

box 42.

  The wiping arm 38 is connected to the drive shaft 36 by means of a drive head 50 which extends longitudinally forwards from an upper portion of

the drive shaft 36.

  In accordance with the invention, the drive head 50 comprises means which allow the wiping arm to be separated from the drive shaft 36 when the bearing 34 is separated from the structural element. of

box 42.

  For this purpose, the entradement head 50 comprises a front element 52 at the free front longitudinal end 52a of which the arm

  o wiping 38 is mounted hinges around a transverse axis A2.

  The free end 52a of the front element 52 also carries means for fixing an end of a spring 55, which makes it possible to maintain the wiper blade 38 (shown in FIG. 11) in

support against the glass 32.

  The drive head 50 also includes a rear element 54 which is fixed to the upper portion of the drive shaft 36 via a bearing surface

  notched conical 55 shown in Figure 4.

  The front element 52 and the rear element 54 are connected to each other by the connecting means allowing separation of the wiping arm from the drive shaft 36 during the separation of the bearing 34 from 1 structural element of

box 42.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention represented in FIGS. 1 to 3, these connecting means consist of

a primer zone at break 56.

  The front element 52 and the rear element 54 wind two parts of the drive head 50 and they are connected by the zone

  initiation of rupture 56 which here consists of a vertical axis hole.

  o The initiation zone at break, which can be of any shape, is produced so that the drive head 50 is strong enough to transmit the drive forces from the drive shaft 36 to the arm

  of wiping 38, and it must break under impact.

  Thus, under normal conditions of use, the wiping device 30 is in the form shown in Figure 1, in which the drive head 50 consists of a single piece. s When the wiping device 30 is subjected to an impact, as shown in FIG. 2, the initiation zone at break 48 of the sole 44 gives way, thereby separating the bearing 34 from The body structure element 42. 11 results in a movement towards the teas of the assembly formed by the bearing 34 and

o the drive shaft 36.

  The drive shaft 36 and the front element 52 remain in abutment on the window 32 so that they do not follow the movement towards the teas of the bearing 34 and so that the initiation zone has the

break 56 starts to break.

  s After the impact, as shown in FIG. 3, the rupture initiation zone 56 has ruptured, so that the front element 52 and the rear element 54 are completely disengaged. The assembly formed by the bearing 34, the drive shaft 36 and the rear element 54 is then separated from the body structure element 42 and from the assembly formed by the

  wiper arm 38 and the front element 52.

  According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, represented in FIGS. 4 to 6, the initiation zone at break 56 is produced in a vertical transverse plane passing through the axis A1 s of the drive shaft 36 and it comprises two conical holes made in the upper face 50s of the drive head 50. The wiping device also includes a cap 58 which covers the rear element 54 and the rear end 52b from the front element 52. The cap 58 comprises a crown 62 which extends vertically towards the teas from the horizontal upper wall 58s of the cap 58 and the free lower end of which is extended by steps 64 which are conically shaped

  complementary to conical holes 60.

  The steps 64 do not bear against the bottom of the conical holes 60, so that on impact, the cap 60 the crown 62 and the steps 64 are pushed towards the teas. The pastes 64 then act on the initiation zone at rupture 56 in the manner of a wedge to initiate rupture. After the rupture of the initiation zone at rupture 56, the front element 52 and the rear element 54 separate from the drive shaft 36. Under the impact force, the cap 58 comes in abutment against the drive shaft 36 to cause the separation of the bearing 34 from the structural element of

box 42.

  For locking in the mounting position of the cap 58, the pastes 64 each have a shoulder 65 on which a support washer 66 rests for a fixing nut

  68 of the drive shaft 36 with the drive head 50.

  In addition, the crown 62 is an element separate from the cap 58, the upper end 62s of which is encased in an annular complementary housing 70 of the cap 58 to allow the cap 58 to be locked in position, so that the crown o 62 is previously fixed. on the drive head 50 before

to be attached to the cap 58.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention represented in FIGS. 7 to 11, the means for connecting the front element 52 with the rear element 54 comprise a transverse pin 72 which is interposed between the front element 52 and [' rear element 54. The section and the material of the pin 72 wind determined so that it breaks on impact to guarantee the separation of the front element 52 from the element

rear 54.

  o The pin 72 is received in complementary holes 74 of the front element 52 and of the rear element 54, and it is blocked transversely by means of a jumper 76 in the form of a U which overlaps the front element 52 and 1 rear element 54. The pin constitutes a transverse axis, or rod

  of articulation of the front element 52 with the rear element 54.

  To block the front element 52 in rotational movement around the pin 72, the rear end 52b of the front element 52 s abuts against the front end 54a of the rear element 54, thus preventing rotation towards the top of the front element

  52 with respect to the rear element 54.

  In addition, the two vertical wings 78 of the rider 76 each have a longitudinal groove 80 which receives a complementary rib 82 of the front element 52 and of the element

rear 54.

  The grooves 80 and the ribs 82 prevent on the one hand any rotation of the front element 52 with respect to the rear element 54 around the pin 72, and they make it possible to carry out the locking in position of the overlapping rider of

  ['element before 52 and the rear element 54.

  As can be seen in FIG. 7, under normal conditions of use, the mounting head 50 forms a sufficiently rigid assembly for the normal operation of the device.

o wiping 30.

  When the wiping device 30 is subjected to an impact, as shown in FIG. 8, the initiation zone at break 48 of the sole 44 gives way, thereby separating the bearing 34 from 1 body element 42. 11 results in a movement towards the teas of the assembly formed by the bearing 34 and

the drive shaft 36.

  The drive shaft 36 and the front element 52 remain in abutment on the window 32 so that they do not follow the movement towards the teas of the bearing 34, thus causing a rotation towards the teas o of the rear element 54 relative to the front element 52 around the pin 72, by forcing the ribs 82 out of the grooves of the jumper 76 which then separates from the front element 52 and

['rear element 54.

  Then, the magnitude of the impact effort causes a

breakage of pin 72.

  After the impact, as shown in FIG. 9, the pin 72 broke, so that the assembly formed by the bearing 34, the drive shaft 36 and the rear element 54 is detached from the body structure element 42 and

  ['assembly formed by the wiper arm 38 and [' front element 52.

  If one does not go laughing at the second embodiment of the invention represented in FIG. 12, the pin 72 is connected to the rear element 54 by means of two hooks 84 which

wind open upwards.

  The hooks 84 are designed so as to deform elastically so as to allow the pin 72 to be detached from the rear element 54 during the impact, and therefore the

  s separation of the front element 52 from the rear element 54.

  FIGS. 13 to 17 show a third embodiment of the invention in which the connecting means comprise elements of complementary shapes which are interlocked to connect the front element 52 o with the rear element 54, and which is apt to fall apart on impact. As can be seen in Figures 16 and 17, these elements of complementary shape comprise a first doipt 86 which extends longitudinally towards the rear from the rear longitudinal end 52b of the front element 52, and whose end

  free rear 86b is in the form of a hook bent towards the teas.

  The free end 86b of the first finger 86 is capable of being received in a complementary housing 88 of the front end 54a of

['rear element 54.

  o The elements of complementary shapes also include second fingers 90 which extend longitudinally towards the front from the front longitudinal end 54a of the rear element 54, and whose free ends 90a are in the form of hooks curved towards the teas. The free ends 90a of the second fingers 90 are able to be received in complementary housings 92 of the rear end 52b of the front element 52. The hook shape of the first and second fingers 86, 90 allows longitudinal locking to be ensured. of the front element 52 with respect to the rear element 54. In addition, the first and second fingers 86, 90 are distributed transversely so as to allow the transmission of the sweeping forces to the wiping arm 38.1ci, the second 90 wind fingers available

  o on either side of the first finger 86.

  For the separation of the rear element 54 from the front element 52, the rear element 54 is able to pivot towards the teas around a transverse axis so that the free ends 86b, 90a of the fingers 86, 90 no longer cooperate with the complementary housings 88, 92, the front element 52 is then able to

  generally slide longitudinally forwards.

  To block the relative movement in rotation of the rear element 54 relative to the front element 52, the drive head comprises a jumper 76 similar to the jumper 76 of the second

  o embodiment of the invention.

  Thus, the two vertical wings 78 of the rider 76 each have a longitudinal groove 80, and each groove receives a complementary rib 82 of the front element 52 and

of the rear element 54.

  As can be seen in FIG. 13, under normal conditions of use, the drive head 50 forms a sufficiently rigid assembly for the normal operation of the device.

wiping 30.

  When the wiping device 30 is subjected to an impact, so as it is represented in FIG. 14, the initiation zone at break 48 of the sole 44 gives way, thereby separating the bearing 34 from ['body structure element 42. This results in a movement towards the teas of the assembly formed by the bearing 34 and

the drive shaft 36.

  The drive shaft 36 and the front element 52 rest on the glass 32 so that they do not follow the movement towards the teas of the bearing 34, thus causing a rotation towards the teas of the rear element 54 relative to the front element 52 around a transverse axis, for, cant the ribs 82 to come out of the grooves of the jumper 76 which then dissociates from the front element 52 and

of the rear element 54.

  Due to the rotation of the rear element 54 relative to the front element 52, the free ends 86b, 90a of the fingers 86, o 90 no longer cooperate with the complementary housings 88, 92, thereby separating the element rear 54 with ['element

before 52.

  After the impact, as shown in FIG. 15, the assembly formed by the bearing 34, the drive shaft 36 and its rear element 54 is disconnected from the body structure element 42 and of the assembly formed by the wiper arm 38 and

element before 52.

  According to a fourth embodiment of the invention represented in FIGS. 18 and 19, the rear element 54 consists of a socket with a vertical axis and which is coaxial with the shaft

36.

  The rear element 54 is received in a complementary vertical hole 94 of the front element 52, in addition, the external cylindrical wall 54e of the rear element 54 and the internal cylindrical wall 94i of the vertical hole 94 are linked by cooperation of shapes. complementary, for example by knurling, so that the connection between the front element 52 and the rear element 54 is capable of transmitting the forces

  wiper arm drive 38.

  o However, the front element 52 and the rear element 54 can dissolve during the impact. For this, the rear element 54 is designed so as to be able to deform elastically or plastically to allow sliding of the rear element 54 relative to the front element 52 during

  The impact, as shown in Figure 19.

  According to a fifth embodiment of the invention represented in FIG. 20, the front element 52 is a hollow element, for example made of folded or stamped sheet metal, which defines a housing 96 open at its lower face. The rear element 54 is of complementary shape to the housing 96 and is received at

the interior of the accommodation 96.

  The rear element 54 is fixed to the drive shaft 36 o by a nut 68. Generally, the front element 52 and the rear element 54 are connected together before being fixed on

the drive shaft 36.

  When the rear element 54 is received in the housing 96 of the front element 52, it is completely concealed by the element

  front 52 so that access to the fixing nut 68 is difficult.

  This is why, to allow access to this nut 68, the front element 52 comprises an unrepresented access orifice which

is crossed by nut 68.

  The shapes of the housing 96 and the rear element 54 o such that they allow the transmission of forces

  wiper arm drive 38.

  The front element 52 comprises two locking steps 98 which extend vertically towards the teas from the lower edges 100i of the side walls 100 of the housing 96 and which have been folded horizontally so as to partially cover the lower face 54i of the element rear 54 to lock vertically in position [rear element 54 inside the

housing 96.

  The dimensions of the interlocking steps 98 are determined so that upon impact, they deform plastically to extend it vertically towards the teas, thereby separating the rear element 54 from the front element 52, which is also included. quo dog inversions mAcanlquos simplos peut consB1uor dog varisn10s do rdsUsstion do Flnvon11dn. For example, log dolgis 86, go can 61ro rociNignos o1 compor10n1 uno forme on ssH # o su nlveau do four 1aco idou. L] nvontion pormo1 d'soir uno sApsrshon du brss d'ossuyago 38 do [srbro d'ontrsTnomon1 38, do sor10 quo lo brss d'ossuyago 38 no conshtuo plus a 6mon1 évop11blo de

  cause dos blossuros on css of an impac1 olon1.

Claims (16)

  1. Arrangement for fixing a wiping device (30) for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one bearing (34) for guiding in rotation and for fixing a drive shaft (36) in sweep alternate of a wiper arm (38), which extends axially in a substantially vertical direction, of the type in which the bearing (34) is fixed with a body structure element (42) of the vehicle by means o which allow an at least partial separation of the bearing (34) from the body structure element (42) when the wiping device (30) is subjected to an impact, characterized in that it comprises means allowing a separation of the wiper arm (38) from the drive shaft s (36) during the separation of the bearing (34) from the element of body structure (42).   2. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wiper arm (38) is connected to the drive shaft or (36) by means of a drive head (50) which extends longitudinally towards 1 at the front from an upper portion of the drive shaft (36) and which comprises a rear element (54) fixed at the upper end of the drive shaft (36) and a front element (52) carry the wiping arms (38) at its free front longitudinal end (52a), and in that the rear element (54) and the front element (52) are connected to each other by connecting means which allow separation of the rear element (54) with the front element (52) when the bearing (34) is detached from the front element (52) o body structure (42).   3. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting means comprise at least   an initiation zone at break (56).   4. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rear element (54) and the front element (52) wind two parts of the drive head (50) which wind   s connected by the initiation zone at break (56).   5. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the drive head (50) is covered by a cap (58) which comprises means (64) which vent o apses to act on the initiation zone at break (56) to initiate the rupture upon impact.   6. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cap (58) comprises at least one element (64) projecting in the form of a wedge which extends substantially vertically towards the teas and which is received in a housing   complementary (60) to the rupture initiation zone (56).   7. Age nceme nt se lo n reve nd ication 3, ca racte rise in that the connecting means comprise at least one intermediate connecting piece (72) interposed between the rear element (54) and the front element (52), and in that the intermediate piece   (72) has the rupture initiation zone (56).   s 8. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection means comprise at least one elastically deformable element (84, 54) which is able to deform during the separation of the bearing (34) from the element of structure body (42).   9. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting means comprise at least one intermediate connecting piece (72) which is connected to the rear element (54) and / or to the front element (52) by ['deformable element elastically (84).   10. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear element (54) consists of a sleeve which extends substantially vertically and which passes at least partially through a vertical hole (94) complementary to the front element ( 52), the outer wall (54e) of the sleeve and the inner wall (94i) of the hole   (94) being linked by cooperation of complementary forms.   11. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 or 9, characterized in that the intermediate piece consists of a transverse pin (72) which is received in housings (74) complementary to ['rear element (54) and [' front element (52). 12. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means comprise elements of complementary shapes (86, 88, 90, 92) which wind embotées one in o the other and which wind apt to debug during the decoupling of the bearing (34) from the structural element of body (42).   13. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rear element (54) is capable of pivoting generally towards the teas with respect to the front element (52), around a transverse axis during the opening of the elements of forms complementary (86, 88, 90, 92).   o 14. Arrangement according to one of claims 12 or 13,   characterized in that the rear element (54) and the front element (52) each comprise at least one longitudinal finger (86, 90) whose free longitudinal end (86a, 90b) is bent towards the teas and is received in a complementary housing (88, 92), respectively of the front element (52) and of the rear element   (54), which is open at its upper face.   15. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means comprise at least one element (98) which is able to deform plastically during the separation of the bearing (34) from the structural element of body (42).   o 16. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rear element (54) is received in a complementary housing (96) of the front element (52) of which one face is open, and in that [' front element (52) comprises at least one locking paste (98) of the rear element (54)