FR2863232A1 - Windshield wiper device for motor vehicle, has stop units connected to one wiper arm and contacting another wiper arm, when arms are in clustered position in which arms are placed next to each other - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has two wiper arms (110, 120) with opposite movements and having wiper holders (111, 121) supporting respective wipers (112, 122). Stop units (130, 140) are connected to a wiper arm (120) and contact a wiper arm (110), when the wiper arms are in a clustered position. The wiper arms are placed in an approximately parallel manner and directly next to each other in the clustered position. An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle including a windshield wiper device.

Description

WIPER DEVICE

  The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising two counter-movement brush arms.

  It should be noted that throughout this text, the term arm-broom conventionally refers to any assembly consisting of a brush holder or arm and a wiper blade.

  The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the automotive field.

  A motor vehicle equipped with a wiper device of the antagonist type traditionally has two arms-brushes respectively located under each lower end of the windshield. These brush arms are conventionally pivotally mounted in opposite directions of movement, between a grouped position in which they are arranged substantially parallel to the lower edge of the windshield, and an extended position in which they are respectively positioned substantially parallel to the two side edges of said windshield.

  This type of wiper device however has the disadvantage of significantly clutter the lower part of the windshield, especially at rest but also during operation during the final phase of scanning wiper blades. For if the lower wiper arm is generally arranged at the bottom of the windshield, the upper wiper arm is commonly positioned much higher for essentially cinematic reasons; the goal being to avoid any unexpected contact, synonymous with 2863232 2 deterioration. In practice, it is not uncommon for the distance between the wiper arm to reach values of between 30 and 70 mm.

  However a very high position of the upper arm-broom on the windshield is particularly unsightly, and especially since said arm-broom is always systematically in the field of view of the driver. This presence can even become troublesome for the driving of certain motor vehicles, since it is likely to reduce the driver's low viewing angle.

  Also the technical problem to be solved, by the object of the present invention, is to provide a windscreen wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising two armrests with opposing movements, each consisting of a brush holder carrying a broom. wiping device, wiper device that would avoid the problems of the state of the art including providing an integration capability significantly improved from an aesthetic point of view.

  The solution to the technical problem that is posed, according to the present invention, in that the wiper device comprises at least one abutment element which is integral with a broom arm, and which is able to cooperate by contact with the bumper. other arm-brush when the two arms-brushes are in a so-called grouped position in which they are arranged substantially parallel and directly close to each other.

  Of course, each stop element can take any form as long as it is adapted to perform its function. Furthermore, each stop element can be fixed anywhere in the corresponding brush arm, whether at the level of the brush holder or the wiper blade. This joining can be achieved by any known fastening technique, such as clipping, gluing, screwing, crimping, overmolding, welding, etc. The invention as defined thus has the advantage of being able to have brush arms positioned closer to each other in the grouped position, and without risk of deterioration in case of shock due to the presence of element stop. This relative provision gives the windscreen wiper device unparalleled compactness which can even become maximum in the event of permanent contact between the wiper arms, via each stop element. This optimization of the space also allows for a lower position of the wiper device with respect to the windshield, and therefore an aesthetically harmonious integration, while preserving the driver's field of vision.

  The present invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

  This description given by way of nonlimiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a windshield 30 of a motor vehicle equipped with a wiper device -glace according to the invention.

  FIG. 2 shows in detail the contact zone between the wiper arms of the wiper device of FIG. 1, and in particular the abutment elements 2863232 4 according to a first example of a first embodiment of the wiper arm of FIG. invention.

  FIG. 3 shows a brush arm provided with an abutment element according to a second example of the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows in detail the abutment element of FIG. 3.

  Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the brush arm of Figures 3 and 4.

  Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the brush arm of Figures 3 to 5.

  Figure 7 illustrates a brush arm with a stop member according to a third example of the first embodiment of the invention.

  Figure 8 shows in detail the abutment element of Figure 7.

  Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the brush arm of Figure 7.

  Fig. 10 shows a wiper arm with an abutment element according to a fourth example of the first embodiment of the invention.

  Figure 11 shows in detail the stop element of Figure 10.

  Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper arm of Figure 10.

  Figure 13 illustrates a stop member according to a second embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 14 is a variant of the second embodiment of FIG. 13.

  For the sake of clarity, the same elements have been designated by identical references. Likewise, only the essential elements for understanding the invention have been represented, and this without regard to the scale and in a schematic manner.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a wiper device 100 with opposing armrests 110, 120, which is located at the lower part of a windshield 1 of a motor vehicle. The wiper arms are conventionally pivotally mounted in opposite directions of movement, between a grouped position in which they are arranged substantially parallel to the lower edge 2 of the windshield 1, and an extended position in which they are respectively positioned. substantially parallel to the two side edges 3, 4 of said windshield 1. Each brush arm 110, 120 is otherwise conventionally composed of a brush holder or arm 111, 121 supporting a wiper blade 112, 122.

  As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, and in accordance with the subject of the present invention, the wiper device 100 further comprises two stop elements 130, 140 which are respectively integral with each arm -balai 110, 120. The assembly is arranged so that the stop element 130, 140 of each brush arm 110, 120 is able to cooperate by contact with the other brush arm 110, 120, when the two brush arms 110, 120 are in the grouped position, that is to say arranged substantially parallel and directly close to each other (Figures 1 and 2).

  The fact that each stop element 130, 140 is able to come into contact with the brush arm 110, 120 positioned in opposition, does not necessarily mean that the contact in question is systematic, although this will generally be the case with a standard wiper device. With a more evolved mechanism, that is to say able to control the angular displacement of the brush arms 110, 2863232 6 relatively accurately, the stop elements 130, 140 will play a role of safety by intervening sporadically in case for example too strong aerodynamic pressure or excessive inertia of the brush arms 110, 120.- According to a feature of the invention, the grouped position corresponds to a low sweeping position of the brush arms 110, 120. It is a question here the extreme lower limit which is reached by the brush arms 110, 120 during normal operation of the wiper device 100, that is to say during the effective scanning of the windshield 1 by the brushes wiper 112, 122.

  But according to another particularity of the invention, the grouped position can also and / or specifically correspond to a parking position of the brush arms 110, 120. This is a position which is even lower than the position sweeping low, and which conventionally aims to mask as much as possible the brush arms 110, 120 when the wiper device 100 is not implemented. It should be noted that in this storage position, the wiper blades 112, 122 are generally detached from the surface of the windshield 1 in order to preserve them from premature aging.

  Particularly advantageously, each stop element 130, 140 is able to damp any contacting of the brush arms 110, 120. Thus, in the grouped position, each stop element 130, 140 is not only able to cooperate by contact with the brush arm 110, 120 positioned directly in opposition, but it is also able to damp any shock resulting from this contact. This characteristic also makes it possible to attenuate the noises inherent to the contacts themselves, but also to filter any vibrations.

  Of course, the damping capacity of the abutment element 130, 140 may result from the intrinsic flexibility of the constituent material and / or flexibility of the component structure. In the latter case, one thinks for example of a composite structure consisting of an assembly of rigid elements hinged elastically to each other.

  However, the abutment elements 130, 140 of this first embodiment are simply made of an elastically deformable material, namely elastomer.

  In this particular embodiment, chosen solely by way of example, each wiper arm 110, 120 comprises a stop element 130, 140. This characteristic makes it possible to distribute the contact pressure between the wiper arms 110 at several points, 120. The overall damping capacity of the system is therefore significantly improved, as well as the relative retention of the arms 110, 120 in the grouped position.

  This phenomenon can of course be accentuated by multiplying the number of abutment elements 130, 140 on each broom arm 110, 120. The successive implementation of the various abutment elements 130, 140 as the angular displacement of arm-broom 110, 120, also provides a more gradual depreciation.

  The windscreen wiper device 100 is furthermore arranged in such a way that, in the grouped position, each stop element 130, 140 is able to maintain a spacing of approximately 5 mm between the wiper arms 110, 120. value is to be considered optimal in that it corresponds to a spacing substantially minimal, if one takes into account the need to have sufficient space to allow the deformation of the stop elements 130, 140 in case contact between the brush arms 110, 120.

  According to a first presently preferred embodiment of the invention, each stop element 130, 140 of each brush arm 110, 120 is in fact integral with the brush holder 111, 121 corresponding.

  This configuration is economically very interesting insofar as each stop element 130, 140 is thus fixed on the component of the brush arm 110, 120 which is intended to remain permanently 'on the motor vehicle. This advantageously avoids having to change it systematically during the regular replacement of the corresponding wiper blade 112, 122, which constitutes a replacement element by nature.

  Figures 1 and 2 thus illustrate a first example of this first embodiment of the invention. It is remarkable that the abutment members 130, 140 are constituted by elastomeric cylinders which are glued to the respective distal ends of the brush holders 111, 121.

  Figures 3 to 6 represent a second example according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  As can be seen in FIG. 3, each wiper arm 210 of the windscreen wiper device 200 is always composed of a wiper holder 211 and a wiper blade 212. But the wiper holder 211 here consists of a flat profile 213 which is crimped in a standard housing 214, the whole being conventionally mounted pivotally movable at the end of a driver 215.

  This second exemplary embodiment is distinguished first of all by the fact that the abutment element 230 is here fitted after elastic deformation on the brush holder 211, in this case around the flat profile 213, according to FIG. 4.

  In detail, FIG. 5 shows that the abutment element 230 is provided with a through bore 231 which is able to review the flat profile 213, as well as two elastically deformable tabs 232, 233 which cooperate by interlocking with respectively two notches 216, 217 formed along said flat profile 213.

  According to an advantageous feature of the invention, perfectly visible in FIG. 6, the stop element 230 integral with the brush holder 211 is also able to guide the mobility of the wiper blade 212 which is pivotally mounted to the end of said brush holder 211.

  The abutment member 230 functions in fact as a conventional guide fork, preventing the wiper blade 212 from oscillating with respect to its pivot plane. Due to the existing clearance at the hinge connecting the brush holder 211 and the wiper blade 212, the latter indeed has a natural tendency to cross in one direction or the other during the movement of the arm-broom 210. This phenomenon, likely to disrupt the quality of wiping, is also more marked than the wiper blade 212 is long.

  In order to fulfill this additional function, the stop element 230 of this particular embodiment is provided with two locking lugs 234, 235 which extend on either side of the wiper blade 212. The assembly is arranged so that the tabs 234, 235 are able to cooperate by blocking contact with the respective lateral faces of the wiper blade 212, in case of angular displacement too pronounced relative to its pivot plane.

  In this second embodiment, only the portion 236 of the stop member 230, which is intended to wipe 222 positioned in opposition, an elastically deformable material, the elastomer. The rest of the stop element 230 is made of polyacrylate plastic in this case. It especially for the part allowing the on the brush holder 211, as well as for U-shaped guide fork.

  Figures 7 to 9 show a wiper arm 310 of a windscreen wiper device 300, which is provided with a stop element 330 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  As can be seen in FIG. 7, this third example differs from the second one previously described, essentially in that the abutment element 330 is here fitted, after elastic deformation, inside a standard housing. 314 of brush holder 311, which is itself conventionally mounted pivotally movable at the end of a driver 315. For this, the stop element 330 is provided with four studs 331 (Figure 8) which are able to to cooperate by interlocking with four holes 316 of complementary shapes, formed ad hoc manner through the standard housing 314 (Figure 7).

  In accordance with FIGS. 8 and 9, the abutment element 330 also has a U-shaped part, to enter directly into contact with the broom, which is made of rigid material, so that the part 2863232 11 forming guide fork, which is embodied by two locking tabs 334, 335 extending on either side of the wiper blade 312.

  Again, again, as in the second example, the composite structure of the abutment element 330, with an elastomeric portion 336 which is intended to come into direct contact with the wiper blade 322 positioned in opposition, and everything else in polyacrylate.

  Figures 10 to 12 show a brush arm 410 of a windscreen wiper device 400, which is provided with a stop element 430 also according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  As can be seen in FIG. 10, this fourth example differs from the third previously described, first of all by the longitudinal positioning of the abutment element 430 with respect to the brush holder 411. The abutment element 430 is always fitted after elastic deformation inside a standard housing 414 pivotally mounted at the end of a driver 415. There is also the cooperation between four studs 431 integral with the stop element 430 (Figure 11) and four holes 316 of complementary shapes, formed through the standard housing 414 (Figure 10). But the implementation of the stop element 430 is this time performed at the ends of the wiper blades 412, 422.

  Another significant difference with respect to the third exemplary embodiment relates to the particular shape of the U-shaped part for guiding the wiper blade 412, which is here dimensioned to cooperate with the upper portion of the rear end of said wiper blade. 412. Note in this regard in Figure 12, the shorter length of the two locking tabs 434, 435. However, the assembly is shaped so as to perform the guiding function at the upper portion 418 of a conventional end holding member 419 of flat wiper blade 412.

  The fact that the locking tabs 434, 435 are shortened relative to their counterparts of the previous embodiments, proves in practice particularly advantageous in that any risk of contact with the windshield 1 is thus eliminated. This feature, however, requires that the elastically deformable portion 436 is longer and lower down to fully play its role damping stop vis-à-vis the wiper blade 422.

  FIG. 13 very partially illustrates a windscreen wiper device 500 according to a second embodiment of the invention. This is remarkable in that at least one brush arm 510 has at least one stop element 530 integral with the corresponding wiper blade 512.

  In this embodiment, the stop element 530 is more precisely integral with a conventional holding element 519 disposed at the end of the wiper blade 512. In this case, it is in the form of a an elastomeric cylinder 536 which is integrated with the extremal holding member 519 of rigid plastics material; the assembly being obtained by bi-material molding.

  It is understood that the implantation of the abutment element 530 can be carried out at any point of the wiper blade 512. However, at least one abutment element may advantageously be secured to a wiper blade at a location substantially at the vertical point of the articulation point connecting the wiper blade to the corresponding brush holder. This feature makes it possible, in fact when the brush arms are brought into contact, not to subject the wiper blade in question to a force of pressure capable of setting it across with respect to its plane of pivoting.

  FIG. 14 is a variant of the second embodiment of FIG. 13.

  The stop element 630 of the wiper device 600 is always integral with a holding element 619 disposed at the end of a wiper blade 612. However, it is constituted here by a small elastically deformable cylinder. elastomer, which is secured to a support surface formed adequately on the holding member 619 rigid plastic.

  Of course, the invention also relates to any motor vehicle comprising at least one wiper device 20 as previously described.

2863232 14

Claims (14)

  1. Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) especially for a motor vehicle, comprising two brush arms (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) with compound counter-movements each of a brush holder (111, 121, 211, 311, 411) supporting a wiper blade (112, 122, 212, 222, 312, 322, 412, 422, 512, 522, 612, 622), characterized in that it comprises at least one abutment element (130, 140, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) which is integral with a broom arm (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610), and which is adapted to cooperate by contact with the other brush arm (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) when the two brush arms (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) are in a so-called grouped position in which they are arranged substantially parallel and directly close to each other.   Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to claim 1, characterized in that the grouped position corresponds to a low sweeping position of the wiper arms (110, 120, 210). , 310, 410, 510, 610).   3. Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the grouped position corresponds to a parking position of the wiper arms (110). , 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610).   Windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each stop element (130, 140, 230, 330, 430 , 530, 630) is capable of damping any engagement of the brush arms (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610).   Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the part (236, 336, 436, 536, 636) of the stop element (130, 140, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630), which is intended to cooperate directly by contact with the opposing arm (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610), is elastically deformable.   Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (236, 336, 436, 536, 636) of the stop (130, 140, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) is made of elastomer.   Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each wiper arm (110, 120, 210, 310, 410 , 510, 610) comprises at least one stop element (130, 140, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630).   Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each stop element (130, 140, 230, 330, 430 , 530, 630) is able to maintain a spacing of about 5mm between the brush arms (110, 120, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) in the grouped position.   9. Wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one stop element (130, 140, 230, 330, 430) of a brush arm (110, 120, 210, 310, 410) is integral with the brush holder (111, 121, 211, 311, 411) corresponding.   Wiper device (200, 300, 400) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one stop element (230, 330, 430) integral with a brush holder (211, 311, 411) is adapted to guide the mobility of the wiper blade (212, 312, 412) which is pivotally mounted relative to said brush holder (211, 311, 411).   Windscreen wiper device (200, 300, 400) according to claim 10, characterized in that each stop element (230, 330, 430) comprises two lugs (234, 235, 334, 335, 434, 435 ) adapted to cooperate by blocking contact with the respective side faces of the wiper blade (212, 312, 412), in the case of angular displacement of said wiper blade (212, 312, 412) with respect to its pivot plane.   Wiper device (500, 600) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one stop element (530, 630) of a wiper arm (510, 610) ) is integral with the corresponding wiper blade (512, 612).   Wiper device (500, 600) according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one stop element integral with a wiper (512, 522, 612, 622) is positioned substantially at the vertical point of articulation connecting said wiper blade (512, 522, 612, 622) to the corresponding brush holder.   2863232 17 14. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one wiper device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of preceding claims.