GB2472642A

GB2472642A - Windscreen wiper unit having two wiper blades with water dispensing conduit in between

Info

Publication number: GB2472642A
Application number: GB0914238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mervyn Duke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-14
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Also published as: GB0914238D0

Abstract

A windscreen wiper unit 2 comprises a support arm 4 and two wiper blades 24 spaced from each other, and wherein a conduit 12 for dispensing water has apertures 14 located in between the two blades. The support arm may support the first and second wiper blades, or may comprise first and second arm portions 22 to support said blades. The two wiper blades may be pivotally attached to the respective support arm portions. The wiper blades 24 are preferably parallel to each other, and move across the screen surface in an arc in use. Alternatively, a linear type wiper arrangement is envisaged (see figure 3). The conduit for dispensing the water is preferably mounted on the interior of the support arm, but may be located on the exterior instead. The windscreen twin-wiper assembly is preferably used to clean the windshield of a vehicle, and the conduit may dispense a cleaning fluid.

Description

WINDSCREEN WIPER ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper assembly for a vehicle, in particular to a windscreen wiper assembly for an automobile.

It is conventional practice to provide vehicles with one or more wiper assemblies to wipe and clean the windscreen of the vehicle. It is known to provide such assemblies to both the front and rear screens of the vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is an automobile. Similar assemblies are also known to be applied to the headlights of vehicles. The known wiper assemblies may be characterised generally as comprising a support means, for example an arm, moveable across the outer surface of the screen. The arms support at their distal ends a wiper blade assembly.

The wiper blade assemblies are generally provided with a flexible blade portion that is held in contact with the outer surface of the screen. One or more motors, generally electric motors, are provided to move the wiper assembly. The arms may be mounted so as to be moveable in a linear motion across the screen. More commonly, in the case of automobiles, the arms are mounted at one end to a rotatable spindle, such that rotation of the spindle causes the arm to move in a * **� **.g'U simple arcuate pattern across the screen. More complex assemblies are also known *:*::* for providing the arm with a complex arcuate pattern of movement, in order to ensure that the arm is moved across a greater portion of the screen. The wiper assemblies are generally applied in pairs to the front screens of vehicles and singularly on the rear screens of vehicles. In some cases, automobiles are provided with a single *.25 wiper assembly for the front screen.

The wiper assemblies are operable by the user of the vehicle to clean the screen, in particular to remove water from the screen, for example when the vehicle is passing through rain. In addition, the wiper assemblies may be used to remove other material that collects on the screen through use, such as dirt, dust and like. To assist with this cleaning operation, the vehicle is generally provided with means to spray water onto the screen. The spray means generally comprise one or more nozzles disposed on the bodywork of the vehicle adjacent the screen to provide one or more jets of water onto the screen. The operation of the wiper assembly and the spray means may be linked, such that operation of the spray means generally activates the wiper assemblies for a limited period of time, to ensure that the water sprayed onto the screen is removed.

An important function of the wiper assembly of any vehicle and the associated water spraying system is to remove any obstructions to visibility through the screen from within the vehicle, particular the visibility provided to the driver or operator of the vehicle. As noted, wiper assemblies are used to remove water accumulating on the windscreen due to rain. The presence of water on the outer surface of the screen can significantly impair the ability of the occupants of the vehicle from seeing through the screen. The impairment is particularly acute at dusk or at night, when light, such as from the headlights of oncoming vehicles, is heavily diffracted and reflected by water droplets on the screen. It will be appreciated that this impairment in vision for the operator or driver of the vehicle can give rise to a dangerous situation, in particular when the vehicle is travelling at high speeds.

An improved windscreen wiper assembly is provided in EP 0 653 339. The wiper assembly comprises a wiper arm and blade, as generally described above.

The assembly is provided with a tube extending along the arm for supplying water to * S..

2t the arm. Holes are provided in the arm to direct a spray of water from the arm of the * .. wiper assembly onto the surrounding region of the screen. It is alleged in EP 0 653 339 that this arrangement provides an improved cleaning of the windscreen.

Despite the alleged improvements provided by the wiper assembly of EP 0 653 339, a significant problem remains with wiper assemblies. As noted above, the * arm of a wiper assembly is moved across the outer surface of the screen in a repeating pattern, either linearly or, more commonly, arcuately, travelling repeatedly on an outward path and a return path from a rest position. Water hitting the screen, for example as a result of operation of the spray system, is removed from the screen as the wiper blade passes thereover. As will be appreciated, water reaching a portion of the screen after the blade has passed thereover will only be removed when the blade returns on either its outward or return path. Depending upon the speed of operation of the wiper system, the water may remain on the screen for some time, impairing the visibility of the occupants of the vehicle. Operation of the spray system to minimise this impairment is both difficult and distracting for the vehicle operator.

There is a need for an improved wiper assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a wiper assembly for the screen of a vehicle, the wiper assembly comprising: a support arm mountable to a wiper drive assembly of a vehicle; a conduit for receiving water from a reservoir in the vehicle, the conduit comprising an aperture for dispensing water therefrom; a wiper blade assembly connected to the support arm, the wiper blade assembly comprising a first wiper blade and a second blade, the first and second wiper blades being displaced from each other in a direction of intended travel of the wiper blade assembly when in use; wherein the aperture in the conduit for dispensing water therefrom is disposed between the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade.

The wiper assembly of the present invention comprises a support arm with a : wiper blade assembly having first and second wiper blades. As is conventional, when in use, the support arm is moved across the surface of a screen of a vehicle * with the wiper blades in contact with the surface. The wiper assembly will thus have an intended path that the blades will follow when in use, as determined by the arrangement of the vehicle on which the assembly is installed. The first and second wiper blades are displaced from one another in the direction of travel, such that a *1**a* :. 5 portion of the surface of the screen over which the blades pass is swept first by one * blade and then by the other in quick succession. In normal operation, with the assembly moved from a rest position first in an outward direction and second in a return direction along a path, one wiper blade is a leading blade on the outward pass and the other blade the leading blade on the return pass. In either case, water dispensed from the aperture in the conduit between the two wiper blades is removed very quickly from the screen by the trailing wiper blade, thereby minimising the length of time that the visibility through the screen is impaired by the water.

The support arm may be of any suitable arrangement and such arrangements are known in the art. The support arm may comprise a single arm portion supporting both the first and second wiper blades. Alternatively, the support arm may comprise first and second arm portions, preferably extending substantially parallel to one another, and support the first and second wiper blades respectively.

The support arm is arranged to be mounted to a suitable drive system in the vehicle. Suitable drive systems are well known in the art, as described hereinbefore, In one arrangement, the support arm is arranged to mount to a spindle extending from the vehicle, the spindle being rotated in use by a drive system, to move the support arm in an arcuate path over the screen. In an alternative arrangement, the drive system of the vehicle is arranged to move the support arm in a linear path over the screen. Other arrangements and pattern of movement of the arm over the screen may also be applied.

The wiper assembly further comprises a conduit for water or suitable liquid composition for washing and cleaning the surface of the screen. Such compositions are generally aqueous and may comprise a suitable detergent or other cleaning agent. Suitable liquid compositions are well known in the art. References to water' .-...20 herein are also to be understood as including both water and other liquid cleaning compositions, both aqueous and non-aqueous.

The conduit may be any suitable shape and form to provide for the passage of liquid along the support arm. The conduit is arranged to be connected to a system of the vehicle supplying the water from a reservoir. Again, such systems comprising a reservoir, pump and means for delivery liquid to the screen are well known in the art. The connection between the conduit of the support arm and the system of the vehicle is suitable flexible, to allow the support arm to move through its path of motion with the supply of water uninterrupted.

The conduit may be formed within the structure of the support arm, such as a hollow component thereof. Alternatively, the conduit may be attached to and extend along the exterior of the support arm.

The conduit is provided with an aperture for dispensing water therefrom. The aperture is arranged such that, in use, the water is directed onto the surface of the screen over which the support arm is passing. The aperture may take any suitable form and may consist of a simple hole in the wall of the conduit or comprise a nozzle or the like for forming a jet of water. A single aperture may be provided.

Alternatively, the conduit may be provided with a plurality of apertures for delivering water to a greater region of the screen. References herein to a single aperture are to be understood to include a plurality of such apertures.

As noted, the wiper assembly comprises a first wiper blade and a second wiper blade, the wiper blades being spaced apart from one another along the path to be travelled when in use. The aperture is disposed in the conduit so as to deliver water to the portion of the screen between the first and second wiper blades. In this way, the water dispensed onto the screen when the assembly is in motion will be disposed between a leading blade, having passed the targeted portion of the screen and a trailing blade yet to pass over the targeted portion. The water thus dispensed onto the surface of the screen is quickly removed from the screen by the trailing wiper blade, as it passes across the targeted portion. I...

The first and second wiper blades may be of any suitable form. Again, * *. suitable wiper blade arrangements are well known in the art and are commercially available. It is an advantage of the wiper assembly of the present invention that it can employ existing commercially available wiper blades.

*.. The wiper blades are mounted to the support arm. The wiper blades may be * mounted in any suitable manner. Generally, the wiper blades are connected to the support arm by a pivot assembly, such that each blade is able to rotate about the pivot with respect to the arm. In this way, the blade is held in better contact with the surface of the screen throughout its motion along its path. Suitable pivoted mounts are also well known in the art and feature in existing wiper blades and wiper assemblies. The first and second wiper blades may be mounted on a single support arm portion, for example on opposing sides thereof. Alternatively, each of the first and second wiper blades may have a respective support arm portion, as mentioned hereinbefore.

Each wiper blade may be mounted to the support arm at any suitable position. In one arrangement, both the first and second wiper blades are mounted to the distal end of the support arm, in particular where the wiper assembly is to be moved along an arcuate path, as is common with many domestic and commercial automobiles.

The first and second wiper blades may be mounted to the support arm in any suitable orientation, for example as defined by the configuration of the drive assembly, bodywork and screen of the vehicle to which the wiper assembly is to be mounted. Suitable geometries for the wiper blades and support arm are also known in the art and include arrangements in which the wiper blades extend parallel to the support arm or at an angle thereto. The first and second wiper blades are preferably mounted to the support arm at their centres. However, other arrangements may also be employed, if desired. *S.. * . S

5:.. The first and second wiper blades are displaced from one another along the S...

path to be covered when the wiper assembly is in use. They may extend at any suitable angle to one another. In one preferred arrangement, they extend parallel to one another. The first and second wiper blades may be coterminus, that is the path on the surface of the screen swept by the blades is the same for both the first and : ° second wiper blades. Alternatively, the blades may be in a staggered arrangement, such that one or both of the first and second wiper blades sweeps a portion of the screen that is not swept by the other blade. The first and second wiper blades are preferably of the same length.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle having a screen and comprising a wiper assembly as hereinbefore described. In particular, the vehicle comprises a drive system for moving the wiper assembly across the surface of a screen and a system for providing water to the screen. As previously noted, such systems are conventional and well known in the art. Again, it is an advantage of the wiper assembly of the present invention that it can employ the existing drive and water supply systems with little or no modification thereto.

The vehicle may comprise the wiper assembly on any screen or window, including the front or windscreen, the rear window or screen and/or one or more side windows or screens. The wiper assembly may also be employed to clean the glasses or lenses of a light assembly, such as a headlight or rear light assembly.

The vehicle may employ a single wiper assembly for the or each screen.

Alternatively, two or more wiper assemblies may be employed for each screen. In a preferred arrangement, the vehicle comprises two wiper assemblies of the present invention on its front or windscreen.

The wiper assembly of the present invention may be employed on a wide range of vehicles, in particular automobiles, including cars, vans, buses, coaches, trucks and the like. Further, the assembly finds use on other vehicles, such as boats and aircraft. S.. * S S

::..: Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of S...

example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: * S. * S * * S* Figure 1 is a view of a wiper assembly for a vehicle of one embodiment of the present invention; * S Figure 2 is a side view of the wiper assembly of Figure 1 along the line II -II; and Figure 3 is a view of a wiper assembly for a vehicle of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a view of a wiper assembly of one embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated as 2. The view is of the assembly showing its underside, that is the side facing the screen or window of the vehicle or as the assembly would be viewed through the screen or window from the interior of the vehicle. The assembly 2 is shown in side view in Figure 2.

The assembly 2 comprises a support arm assembly 4 for connecting to the wiper drive assembly of a vehicle. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the support arm assembly 4 is provided with a mounting 6 for connecting to the shaft of a conventional wiper assembly, such that in use the drive assembly of the vehicle rotates the shaft, in turn moving the wiper assembly 2 in an arc across the screen or window of the vehicle. Such a system is well known in the art.

An elongate tubular conduit 8 extends from the support arm. The conduit 8 has a hollow interior to provide a passage for water. The support arm assembly 4 is provided with an inlet coupling 10 for water and a passage 12, indicated by a dotted line in Figure 1, between the inlet coupling 10 and the conduit 8. In an alternative arrangement, the inlet coupling 10 may be provided directly on the conduit 8. The inlet coupling 10 is arranged to be connected to a reservoir of water or screen washing solution within the vehicle, for example by way of a flexible hose or tube (not 1 5 shown for clarity). *..* * . * S. S

The conduit 8 is provided with a plurality of openings 14 therein, each opening being arranged to direct a jet or spray of water or other aqueous washing solution onto the screen or window of the vehicle, a represented in Figure 2.

A wiper blade assembly, generally indicated as 20, is provided on the assembly 2 and comprises a pair of support arms 22. Each support arm 22 extends * * from the support arm assembly 4 parallel to and spaced apart from the conduit 8.

The support arms 22 are disposed on opposing sides of the conduit 8. Each support arm 22 supports a wiper blade 24 by means of a pivot mount 26. The wiper blades 24 and the pivot mounts 26 are well known in the art and may be of conventional or known design. As shown in Figure 2, the support arms 22 maintain the wiper blades 24 parallel with the conduit 8 and in contact with the surface of the screen or window.

As shown, the conduit 8 is displaced from the support arms 22 so as to be a greater distance from the surface of the screen or window, allowing the water emerging from the openings 14 to spread and cover the screen or window.

The openings 14 in the conduit 8 are arranged to lie between the wiper blades 24, thus, in use, directing the water or other solution emerging from the conduit 8 onto the surface of the screen or window between the wiper blades. In this way, liquid on the surface is quickly wiped by one of the wiper blades 24, regardless of the direction of motion of the assembly 2, and does not remain on the surface for a significant period of time and obscure the screen or window.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 may be modified to include a greater number of wiper blades, as required for the vehicle to which it is to be applied.

Turning to Figure 3, there is shown a wiper assembly, generally indicated as 102, for use on the screen of a vehicle. In contrast to the assembly of Figures 1 and 2, the assembly 102 of Figure 3 is intended to be moved linearly across the surface of the screen. The assembly of Figure 3 is shown as viewed from its underside or through the screen of the vehicle on which it is mounted.

The assembly 102 comprises a pair of carriages 104 mounted for movement ::..: along a pair of rails or wires 106 extending across the screen of the vehicle. It will be S...

appreciated that other drive means for moving the wiper assembly 102 in a linear pattern may also be employed. Such means are known in the art.

The wiper assembly 102 further comprises a pair of support arm assemblies :: 108 mounted to respective carriages 104. A hollow, tubular conduit 110 extends * * between the support arm assemblies 108. The conduit 110 has a hollow interior to provide a passage for water. One support arm assembly 108 is provided with an inlet coupling 112 for water and a passage 114, indicated by a dotted line in Figure 3, between the inlet coupling 112 and the conduit 110. In an alternative arrangement, the inlet coupling 112 may be provided directly on the conduit 110. The inlet coupling 112 is arranged to be connected to a reservoir of water or screen washing solution within the vehicle, for example by way of a flexible hose or tube (not shown for clarity).

The conduit 110 is provided with a plurality of openings 116 therein, each opening being arranged to direct a jet or spray of water or other aqueous washing solution onto the screen or window of the vehicle A wiper blade assembly, generally indicated as 120, is provided on the assembly 102 and comprises a pair of support arms 122 extending from one support arm assembly 108 and a single support arm 122 extending from the second support arm assembly 108, as shown in Figure 3. Each support arm 122 extends from the respective support arm assembly 108 parallel to and spaced apart from the conduit 110. The support arms 122 of the pair are disposed on opposing sides of the conduit 110. Each support arm 122 supports a wiper blade 124 by means of a pivot mount 126. The wiper blades 124 and the pivot mounts 126 are well known in the art and may be of conventional or known design. As shown in Figure 3, the support arms 122 maintain the wiper blades 124 parallel with the conduit 110 and in contact with the surface of the screen or window. The conduit 110 may displaced from the support arms 122 so as to be a greater distance from the surface of the screen or window, allowing the water emerging from the openings 116 to spread and cover the screen or window. S.. * S S

The openings 116 in the conduit 110 are arranged to lie between the S...

opposing wiper blades 124, thus, in use, directing the water or other solution emerging from the conduit 110 onto the surface of the screen or window between the wiper blades. In this way, liquid on the surface is quickly wiped by one of the opposing wiper blades 124, regardless of the direction of motion of the assembly 102, and does not remain on the surface bra significant period of time and obscure ** the screen or window.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement of Figure 3 may be modified to include a greater number of wiper blades, as required for the vehicle to which it is to be applied.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wiper assembly for the screen of a vehicle, the wiper assembly comprising: a support arm mountable to a wiper drive assembly of a vehicle; a conduit for receiving water from a reservoir in the vehicle, the conduit comprising an aperture for dispensing water therefrom; a wiper blade assembly connected to the support arm, the wiper blade assembly comprising a first wiper blade and a second blade, the first and second wiper blades being displaced from each other in a direction of intended travel of the wiper blade assembly when in use; wherein the aperture in the conduit for dispensing water therefrom is disposed between the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade.
2. The wiper assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises an arm portion, the first and second wiper blades both being supported by the arm ::.: portion. *..*
3. The wiper assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises a first arm portion supporting the first wiper blade and a second arm portion supporting the second wiper blade. * .
4. The wiper assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first and second arm portions extend parallel to one another.
5. The wiper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support arm is mountable to a vehicle so as, in use, to move in an arc across the surface of a screen.
6. The wiper assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support arm is mountable to a vehicle so as, in use, to move in a linear motion across the surface of a screen.
7. The wiper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit extends within the support arm.
8. The wiper assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conduit is mounted to and extends along the exterior of the support arm.
9. The wiper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of apertures therein for delivering water from the conduit to the screen.
10. The wiper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wiper blades are mounted to the distal end of the support arm.
11. The wiper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wiper blades extend parallel to one another. S... * S S
12. The wiper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and *SS.second wiper blades are of the same length. * S. * . * * S.
13. The wiper assembly according to claim 12, wherein the path swept by the first wiper blade is the same as the path swept by the second wiper blade, when in use.

S..... * .e'S,
14. A vehicle comprising a screen and a wiper assembly according to any preceding claim arranged to clean the screen.
15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the screen is the windscreen of the vehicle.
16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the vehicle is provided with two of the said wiper assemblies for the windscreen.
17. A wiper assembly substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of the accompanying figures.
18. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of the accompanying figures. *..S * * S ** * I... * S 55.S * S. * * * * ** *eSSISS * *SS S * S S * **