FR2997358A1 - WINDSCREEN WIPER SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper system for a windscreen, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (1) of said windshield and a device for spraying the windshield, in a direction transverse to a direction of longitudinal extension of said blade. Said system comprises means (50) for deflecting an air flow of an incident direction, substantially parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension of the blade, at a direction transverse to said incident direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the present invention is that of equipment for vehicles, and more particularly that of equipment for wiping the windows of automobiles. Automobiles are commonly equipped with wiper systems to wash the windshield and to prevent the driver's vision from being disturbed. These wipers are conventionally driven by arms or brush holder making an angular reciprocating movement and comprise elongate brushes, themselves carrying scraper blades made of an elastic material. These blades rub against the windshield and evacuate the water by bringing it out of the driver's field of vision. In a recent version called "flat blade" (for "flat blade"), the brushes comprise a semi-rigid assembly that keeps the scraper blade along its entire length. It is also known to provide the windscreen wipers with spraying devices for bringing a windscreen washer fluid which is conveyed from a tank located on the vehicle and which is sprayed towards the windshield by nozzles located on the windscreen. wiper itself for better distribution of the liquid. The latter is projected on the windshield in a direction located in a plane orthogonal to a direction of longitudinal extension of the brushes. However, it has been observed by the applicant that the movement of the brushes back and forth creates a flow of air, oriented parallel to the brushes, which disturbs the projection of the washing liquid, especially when the vehicle is moving. More precisely, the aerodynamic flow encountered by the moving car, which is disturbed by the presence of moving arms and brooms, creates turbulence around the arms and brooms.

This affects the homogeneity of the distribution of the washing liquid on the windshield and may even have the consequence of preventing the washing liquid from reaching the windshield. This results in a degraded washing performance.

The invention proposes to solve the above problems and relates to a wiper system of a windshield, especially a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade of said windshield and a device for spraying the windshield , in particular from said brush, in a direction transverse to a direction of longitudinal extension of said brush. According to the invention, said system comprises means for deflecting an air flow of an incident direction, substantially parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension of the blade, at a direction transverse to said incident direction.

This deflects the stream of aerodynamic air generated by the movement back and forth of the brushes, which limits or even eliminates the disturbance of the spray device, without having to change the general configuration of the brushes and / or their training arm. According to various embodiments of the invention that may be taken together or separately: said blade comprises a stiffening core and a scraper blade, said core conferring a bending to said blade so as to favor the application of said blade on the bumper -brise, - said blade comprises a hooking clip of said stiffening core and said scraping blade, - said deflection means comprise a deflector on said clip, - said blade comprises a mechanical connector, configured to allow articulation of said blade with respect to a drive arm of said brush and an adapter freely mounted in articulation on said mechanical connector, said adapter being configured to allow assembly and disassembly of the blade on the arm, - said deflection means comprising a deflector located on said mechanical connector and / or on said adapter, said wiper system comprises the drive arm of u broom, - said deflection means comprise a deflector on said arm - said baffle is located at a distal end of said arm at which distal end said broom is secured, - said baffle is located at a proximal end said arm configured to conceal a driving member of said arm, said system comprises a guide for setting up a hydraulic and / or electrical connector between said arm and said broom, said deflection means comprise a baffle located on said guide, - said baffle comprises a base by which it is secured to said clip, said mechanical connector, said adapter, said arm and / or said guide, - said deflection means comprise a deflection surface extending in a manner curved, - said deflection surface extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge, - said leading edge is common to said base and to said deflection surface, - said trailing edge is at a distance from said base, - said trailing edge is facing said distal end of the arm, - said deflection surface has, at the trailing edge, a tangent having a angle with respect to said base strictly greater than 00, or even 5 °, in particular 100, and less than 30 °, - said deflection means are derived from material of said clip, said mechanical connector, said adapter, said arm and / or said guide.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of several embodiments of the invention given as examples. purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached schematic drawings.

In these drawings: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a wiper system to which the invention applies; - Figure 2 is a partial view in perspective of the wiper system of Figure 1, assembled, according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a partial view, in perspective, of the wiper system of Figure 1, assembled, according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is a partial view, in perspective, of the wiper system of Figure 1, assembled, according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 5 is a partial view, in perspective, of the wiper system of Figure 1, assembled, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6 is a partial view, in perspective, of the wiper system of Figure 1, assembled, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7 is a partial view, in perspective, of the wiper system of Figure 1, assembled, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, said system being completed with a drive arm; FIG. 8 is a partial view, in perspective, of the wiper system of FIG. 1, assembled, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, said system being completed by a driving arm; FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment, according to the invention, of the drive arm of Figures 7 and 8. In these drawings, identical reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements. As illustrated in Figure 1, the invention relates to a windshield wiper system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. In known manner, said system is intended to follow an angular movement back and forth to evacuate the water and / or other unwanted elements covering the windshield. Said wiper system comprises a wiper 1 for wiping said windshield. This is, for example, a flat blade that is to say of the type comprising a stiffening core 2 and a scraper blade 3, in particular rubber. Said stiffening core 2 confers a bending to said scraper blade 3 so as to promote the application of said scraper blade on the windshield.

According to the illustrated embodiment, said stiffening core 2 comprises two vertebrae 4, located at respective grooves formed in said scraper blade 3. According to a variant, not shown, said stiffening core comprises a single vertebra located in a housing provided on along the broom.

Said blade 1 may further comprise hooks or hooking clips 5 of said stiffening core 2 and said scraper blade 3, located at each of the longitudinal ends of the blade 1. In the embodiment with two vertebrae, they allow to assembling said vertebrae 4 to said scraper blade 3. In the single-vertebra embodiment, said hooking clips 5 blocks the latter longitudinally. Said blade 1 may also include a body 6, here having a fin 7 for improving the operation of the wiper system. Specifically, the purpose of the fin 7 is to improve the broom plating on the windshield and therefore the aerodynamic performance of the system. Said body 6, said stiffening core 2 and / or said scraper blade 3 are assembled, in particular with the aid of said hooking clips 5. To ensure its mounting, said blade 1 comprises, for example, a mechanical connector 10, configured to allow an articulation of said blade 1 with respect to an arm 12 of said wiper system, allowing the drive of said blade 1, and an adapter 14, freely mounted in articulation on said mechanical connector 10. Said mechanical connector 10 is secured to said body 6 , said stiffening core 2 and / or said scraper blade 3. Said adapter 14 is configured to allow assembly and disassembly of the blade 1 on the arm 12.

Said adapter 14 allows a rotation between the blade 1 and the drive arm 12. Indeed, the blade must have at least one degree of freedom in rotation relative to said arm, and more specifically with respect to a part or end portion 16 said arm 12, to allow the blade to follow the curvature of the glazing to be wiped. Said mechanical connector 10 here comprises for this purpose pins 18 formed on lateral flanks of said mechanical connector 10, said pins 18 cooperating with orifices 19 formed on lateral sides of said adapter 14. The mechanical connector 10, carrying the blade, is here inserted in the yoke forming the adapter 14. On its side, the adapter 14 is inserted in the end piece 16 by a translation movement along a longitudinal extension axis of said end piece 16, to come into use position , where it is located in abutment against the end piece 16 in which it is reversibly fixed by means of a retractable locking knob 20, which cooperates with a recess 22 formed for this purpose in the upper part of the end piece 16 In this position, said end piece 16 covers the adapter 14. The retractable button 20 and the recess 22 are here provided in the upper part, respectively of said adapter 14 and said end piece 16, said knob 20 being located at a distal end of a flexible tab 24. Numerous locking variants are possible.

The end piece 16 of the drive arm 12 has an inverted "U" shape where the opening of this "U" shape faces the windshield. The adapter 14 has a clevis shape, complementary to the internal volume of the end piece 16, so as to be housed in the latter. During the introduction of the blade 1 in the drive arm 12, the adapter 14 is introduced into said end piece 16 through an opening 26 provided at the distal end thereof and guided by flanges 28 of its flanks side, directed towards the inside of said end piece 16. The adapter 14 here has an end 30, called cap, closing the distal end of the arm 12.

The system according to the invention further comprises a device for spraying the windshield from said brush 1. As symbolized by the arrows illustrated 3, the sprinkling is carried out in a transverse direction, in particular orthogonal, at a longitudinal extension direction D of said broom 1. Said spraying device comprises, for example, channels 32 made here in the body 6, for dispensing the cleaning liquid inside the broom 1 to the nozzles. spraying, not visible, distributed along said brush 1. Said spraying device further comprises a hydraulic connector 34 feeding the brush 1 from one or flow ducts of said liquid, not shown. The mechanical connector 10 is configured to circulate said spraying liquid of the hydraulic connector 34 to said brush 1. Here it comprises orifices (not visible) for connection with the hydraulic connector 34 and leading to the internal channels 32 of liquid distribution The wiper system may further comprise a device for heating the spraying liquid. Said heating device comprises, for example, a heating wire, non-visible, located in the brush 1, and an electrical connector 36, feeding said heating wire, said mechanical adapter 10 being configured to allow the connection of said power adapter 36 and its connection to said heating wire. To facilitate the introduction of the blade 1 in the arm 12, said system may further comprise a guide 38 positioning said hydraulic connectors 34 and / or electrical 36 between said arm 12 and said blade 1, more particularly to allow the connection of said connectors hydraulic 34 and / or electrical 36 to said mechanical connector 10. Said guide 38 is configured to be integral with the actuating arm 12, in particular its end portion 16, and to lock in position said hydraulic connectors 34 and / or electrical 36, in a first assembly / disassembly configuration of the blade 1, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to give a degree of freedom in pivoting to said hydraulic connectors 34 and / or electrical 36, here around the pins 18 of the mechanical connector 10, in a second configuration, called service, of use of said wiper system. In this latter configuration, the hydraulic connectors 34 and / or electrical 36 are carried by said mechanical connector 10, here through hooks 40, located in the rear portion of said mechanical connector 10, while being free to rotate relative to said arm 12. Said arm 12 comprises distal end 60 and proximal end 62 opposite, better visible in Figures 7 and 8. Said proximal end 62 is configured to be oriented towards an axis, not shown, of articulation of said drive arm 12 of said brushes 1 Said piece or end portion 16 of said arm 12 is situated at said distal edge 60. As illustrated in the following figures, according to the invention, said system comprising means 50 for deflecting an air flow of an incident direction , substantially parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension D of the blade 1, at a direction transverse to said incident direction, as symbolized by the arrow marked F. L The Applicant has found that this improves the spray by reducing the disruptive effect of aerodynamic air flows generated along the blade 1 by the angular movement back and forth of the blade 1, particularly when the vehicle is in taxi mode. Said deflection means 50 are advantageously located on the rising face of the blade 1, that is to say on the face of the blade to be turned upwards in use. Said trailing edge is preferably turned towards said distal end 60 of the arm 12. The deflection means 50 comprise one or more baffles which can be positioned in different parts of the wiper system, as will be developed below.

The at least one deflector comprises, for example, a base 52 for connecting to the member of the wiper system which supports them, in particular by following the contour of said member. Said base 52 is, for example, flat. Said deflector here comprises a deflection surface 54, extending in a curved manner, or plane, in particular between a leading edge 56 and a trailing edge 58. Said leading edge 56 is common to said base 52 and to said deflection surface 54. Said trailing edge 58 is at a distance from said base 52. Said deflection surface 54 has, at the trailing edge 58, a tangent having an angle with respect to said base 52, for example, strictly greater than 00, especially greater than 5 °, see 100, and / or less than 30 °. The at least one deflector is, for example, derived from material of the wiper system member which supports them. They may alternatively be snapped, glued, welded or other. As illustrated in Figure 2, a deflector according to the invention may be located on one of the staples 5 of the blade 1. As shown in Figure 3, a deflector according to the invention may also be located on said adapter 14 , for example at its cap 30. Said adapter here comprises a body inserted inside the end end 16 of the arm 12, said baffle and said body defining a slot 70 in which a flange 72 of said end 16 of the drive arm 12 of the blade 1 is introduced. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a deflector according to the invention may also be located on said mechanical connector 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a deflector according to the invention is this time situated at the level of said guide 38. in the following figures, the deflector is now positioned on said arm 12.

In Figure 6, said deflector is located at the distal end 60 of said arm 12 while Figures 7 to 9, it is located at the proximal end 62 of said arm 1. Note that the arm 12 comprises here a trainer 83 (visible figure 9 only) and a housing 82. The trainer 83 may be covered with a coach cover 80 which is snapped on the trainer 83. The housing 82 pivots around the coach 83 at the level of the proximal end 62 of the arm 12. A housing cover 81 can also be snapped into the housing 82. In Figure 7, said deflector is on said coach cover 80. In Figure 8, said deflector is on said cache 81. In Figure 9, said deflector is positioned directly on the trainer 83 in the case where there is no coach cover 80.

In the above, sprinkling takes place from the wiper blade. However, the invention may also be applied to a washing embedded on the drive arm and / or at the means of connection of the blade to the drive arm, that is to say, at the mechanical connector , the adapter and / or the end portion of said arm. In this case, the deflectors considered may correspond to those described in relation to FIGS. 7 and 8. The deflector may also be integrated with one or more sprinklers of the spraying device, to protect the jet of water coming out of the nozzle (s). . The invention can also be applied to brushes equipped with irrigation systems, type mini ramp.

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. Wiper system for a windscreen, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (1) of said windscreen and a device for spraying the windscreen, in a direction transverse to an extension direction longitudinally of said brush, said system comprising means (50) for deflecting an air flow of an incident direction, substantially parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension of the brush, at a direction transverse to said incident direction. 2. System according to claim 1 wherein said blade (1) comprises a stiffening core (2) and a scraper blade (3), said core (2) conferring a bending said blade (3) so as to promote the application said blade (2) on the windshield. 3. System according to claim 2 wherein said blade (1) comprises a hooking clip (5) of said stiffening core (2) and said scraper blade (3) and said deflection means (50) comprise a deflector located on said clip (5). 4. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said blade (1) comprises a mechanical connector (10), configured to allow articulation of said blade (1) relative to a drive arm (12) of said blade ( 1) and an adapter (14), freely mounted in articulation on said mechanical connector (10), said adapter (14) being configured to allow assembly and disassembly of the blade (1) on the arm (12). The system of claim 4 wherein said deflection means (50) comprises a deflector on said mechanical connector (10) and / or on said adapter (14). 6. System according to any one of claims 4 or 5 comprising said drive arm (12) of the blade (1). The system of claim 6 wherein said deflection means (50) comprises a deflector on said arm (12). The system of claim 7 wherein said baffle is located at a first end (60) of said arm (12) to which said broom (1) is secured and / or at a second end (62). said arm (1), configured to conceal a drive member of said arm (1). 9. System according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said system comprises a guide (38) for the establishment of a hydraulic connector (34) and / or electrical (36) between said arm (12) and said blade (1) and said deflection means (50) comprise a deflector on said guide (38). The system of any one of 6 to 9 wherein said deflection means comprises a curvedly extending deflection surface (54). The system of claim 10 wherein said deflection surface extends between a leading edge (56) and a trailing edge (58). 25 The system of claim 11 wherein said trailing edge (58) is facing a distal end (60) of the arm (12). 13. System according to any one of claims 11 or 12 wherein said deflection surface (54) has, at the trailing edge 30 (58), a tangent having an angle relative to said blade (1) and / or audit arm (12), strictly greater than 00 and less than 30 °. 14. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said deflection means (50) are derived from material.