JP2005527428A - Safety device that can separate the wiper arm from the drive shaft in the event of a collision - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for fixing a wiper device (30) for an automobile. The device according to the invention comprises at least one bearing (34) oriented axially along a substantially vertical direction, used for fixing the alternating wiping drive shaft (36) of the wiper arm (38) and guiding its rotation. ). In addition, when the wiper device (30) receives an impact on the vehicle body structural component (42) of the vehicle, the support portion (34) is at least partially separated from the vehicle body structural component (42). It is a form that is fixed using means that can be separated from each other. The present invention is characterized by comprising means for separating the wiper arm (38) from the drive shaft (36) when the support portion (34) is separated from the vehicle body structural component (42).

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for fixing a wiper device for an automobile.

  In particular, the invention relates to a device for fixing a wiper device for a motor vehicle, wherein at least one bearing (or substantially perpendicular) for guiding and fixing the rotation of a shaft which drives the wiper arm in an alternating wiping state ( 34), wherein the support part is fixed to the vehicle body structural part of the vehicle by means capable of at least partially separating the support part from the vehicle body structural part when the wiper device receives an impact. Relates to a type of device.

  When the automobile collides with a pedestrian, the portion of the wiper mechanism that protrudes outside the vehicle becomes an object that may cause harm.

  It is also known that in the case of a severe accident, the wiper device placed in the engine compartment close to the passenger compartment may rush into the passenger compartment through the windshield opening due to the impact of the collision.

  Such accidental entry of hard parts is dangerous for occupant safety, and therefore it seems necessary to take better precautions against the behavior of the wiper device during severe collisions .

  Means capable of retracting the support portion are conventionally known, and in particular, a fixed support portion having a fracture start zone (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and the drive shaft is pivoted in the body portion in the event of a collision. There is a means (see, for example, Patent Document 2) that enables sliding in a direction.

  However, even after the bearing has been retracted, the arms and wiper blades are still outside the vehicle, so they interfere with the complete retracting of the bearing and become themselves a potentially dangerous object.

French Patent Application Publication No. 2.733.474 WO99.38736 pamphlet

  The present invention provides an apparatus of the above type, characterized in that it comprises means capable of separating the wiper arm from the drive shaft when the support portion is separated from the vehicle body structural component. is there.

Other features of the present invention are as follows.
-The wiper arm is connected to the drive shaft by a drive head extending longitudinally forward from the upper part of the drive shaft. The drive head has a rear member fixed to the upper end of the drive shaft and the wiper arm at the front end in the longitudinal direction. The rear member and the front member are connected to each other by a connecting means that has a supporting front member and can separate the rear member from the front member when the support portion is separated from the vehicle body structural component. .
The connecting means has at least one break start zone.
The rear member and the front member are two parts of the drive head that are connected by a break start zone.
The drive head is covered with a cap having means capable of acting on the break initiation zone in order to initiate a break on impact.
The cap has at least one protruding member in the form of a wedge that extends substantially vertically downwards and fits into a complementary housing in the break initiation zone;
The connecting means has at least one intermediate connecting piece interposed between the rear member and the front member, and this intermediate piece has a fracture start band.
The connecting means has at least one elastically deformable member that can be deformed when the support portion is separated from the vehicle body structural component.
The connecting means has at least one intermediate connecting piece connected to the rear member or the front member by an elastically deformable member.
The rear member comprises a sleeve extending substantially vertically and inserted at least partially through a complementary vertical hole in the front member, the outer wall of the sleeve and the inner wall of the hole being of complementary shape They are linked through collaboration.
The intermediate connecting piece is a lateral pin fitted into a complementary housing of the rear member and the front member.
The connecting means includes complementary members that are fitted to each other and can be disconnected when the support portion is disconnected from the vehicle body structure portion.
When the complementary member is cut, the rear member can rotate substantially downward with respect to the front member about the horizontal axis.
Each of the rear member and the front member has at least one longitudinal finger, the longitudinal free end of which is curved downwards, and the front and rear members, respectively, of the complementary housing with an open top surface; It is inset.
The connecting means has at least one member that can be bent and deformed when the support portion is separated from the vehicle body structural component.
The rear member is fitted into a complementary housing of the front member which is open on one side, the front member having at least one lug for locking the rear member inside the housing within the front member;

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description. For the understanding, reference is made to the attached drawings.

  In the description of the present invention, the vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions are used without limitation according to the standards V, L and T shown in the drawings.

  The rear-to-front direction is also used as the left-to-right longitudinal direction when viewed in FIG.

  In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same, similar, or similar members.

  FIG. 1 shows a wiper device 30 for an automotive window 32 having a drive shaft 36 for driving a bearing 34 and a wiper arm 38.

  The support portion 34 can guide and fix the rotation of the drive shaft 36. It has a tubular barrel portion with a vertical axis A1, which is configured to receive a drive shaft 36 for rotation about its axis A1.

  In order to fix the support portion 34 to the vehicle body structural part 42 of the vehicle, the support portion 34 has a sole plate 44 that extends rearward in the longitudinal direction from the trunk portion 40.

  The bearing 34 also includes a stud 46 extending longitudinally forward from the barrel portion 40, which serves to connect the bearing 34 to a drive system (not shown) of the wiper device 30.

  Means for fixing the support 34 to the vehicle body structural part 42 is provided according to a known structure. This allows the bearing portion 34 to be separated from the vehicle body structural component 42 when the wiper device 30 receives a severe impact.

  In the embodiment, these fixing means include a fracture start band 48 formed in the sole plate 44. However, they can be flexibly or elastically deformed in order to separate the bearing 34 from the vehicle body structural part 42, for fixing any sole plate 44 to the vehicle body structural part 42, for example. It will be understood that you can have intermediate parts.

  The wiper arm 38 is connected to the drive shaft 36 by a drive head 50 extending longitudinally forward from the upper portion of the drive shaft 36.

  According to the present invention, the drive head 50 has means capable of separating the wiper arm from the drive shaft 36 when the support portion 34 is separated from the vehicle body structural component 42.

  For this purpose, the drive head 50 has a front member 52, and a wiper arm 38 is attached to the front end portion 52a in the longitudinal direction thereof in an articulated state with the horizontal axis A2 as the center.

  The free end 52a of the front member 52 also supports means for fixing one end of the spring 55 that allows the wiper blade 38 (shown in FIG. 11) to be held against the window 32.

  The drive head 50 also has a rear member 54 secured to the top of the drive shaft 36 by a notched conical surface 55 'shown in FIG.

  The front member 52 and the rear member 54 are connected to each other by connection means that can separate the wiper arm from the drive shaft 36 when the support portion 34 is separated from the vehicle body structural part 42.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, these connecting means comprise a fracture start band 56.

  The front member 52 and the rear member 54 are two parts of the drive head 50, and in this case are connected by a break start band 56 comprising a hole having a vertical axis.

  The rupture initiation zone can be of any shape, and when subjected to an impact while having sufficient strength to allow the drive head 50 to transmit drive force from the drive shaft 36 to the wiper arm 38. It is always formed to break.

  For this reason, in a normal use state, the wiper device 30 has a shape shown in FIG. 1 in which the drive head 50 is a single body.

  When the wiper device 30 receives an impact, as shown in FIG. 2, the breaking start band 48 of the sole plate 44 is folded, and the support portion 34 is separated from the vehicle body structural component 42. As a result, the assembly formed by the bearing 34 and the drive shaft 36 moves downward.

  The drive shaft 36 and the front member 52 remain in contact with the window 32 so that they do not follow the downward movement of the bearing 34 and the break start band 56 begins to break.

  After the collision, as shown in FIG. 3, the breaking start band 56 is broken, so that the front member 52 and the rear member 54 are completely separated. At that time, the assembly formed by the support portion 34, the drive shaft 36 and the rear member 54 is separated from the vehicle body structural component 42 and from the assembly formed by the wiper arm 38 and the front member 52.

  According to the modified embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the fracture start band 56 is formed on a horizontal vertical plane passing through the axis A <b> 1 of the drive shaft 36, and the upper surface 50 s of the drive head 50. Have two conical holes 60.

  The wiper device also includes a cap 58 that covers the rear end portion 52b of the rear member 54 and the front member 52. The cap 58 has a ring 62 extending vertically downward from the horizontal upper wall 58 s of the cap 58, and a complementary conical lug 64 extends from the free lower end of the cap 58 to the conical hole 60. ing.

  The lug 64 does not contact the bottom of the conical hole 60, so that the cap 60, the ring 62 and the lug 64 are pushed down in the event of a collision. At that time, the lug 64 acts on the breaking start band 56 like a wedge in order to start breaking.

  After the fracture start band 56 is broken, the front member 52 and the rear member 54 are separated from the drive shaft 36. Under the force of the collision, the cap 58 abuts on the drive shaft 36, whereby the support portion 34 is separated from the vehicle body structural component 42.

  In order to lock the cap 58 in the mounting position, each lug 64 includes a shoulder 65 and a support washer 66 for a nut 68 for securing the drive shaft 36 to the drive head 50 abuts the shoulder. The ring 62 is a member separated from the cap 58, and an upper end 62s thereof is embedded in a complementary annular housing 70 in the cap 58 to lock the cap 58 in place. Therefore, the ring 62 is fixed to the drive head 50 in advance before being fixed to the cap 58.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the means for connecting the front member 52 to the rear member 54 includes a lateral pin 72 interposed between the front member 52 and the rear member 54. The cross-section and material of the pin is determined to break in order to ensure that the front member 52 is separated from the rear member 54 upon impact.

  The pin 72 is fitted in a complementary hole 74 in the front member 52 and the rear member 54 and is laterally locked by a U-shaped bracket 76 that spans the front member 52 and the rear member 54.

  The pin constitutes a transverse spindle or rod for articulating the front member 52 to the rear member 54. In order to lock the front member 52 from rotating about the pin 72, the rear end portion 52 b of the front member 52 abuts on the front end portion 54 a of the rear member 54, so that the front member with respect to the rear member 54 is 52 upward rotation is prevented.

  Also, the two vertical wings 78 of the bracket 76 each have one longitudinal groove 80 into which the complementary ribs 82 of the front member 52 and the rear member 54 are fitted.

  The grooves 80 and ribs 82, on the one hand, prevent rotation of the front member 52 relative to the rear member 54 about the pin 72 so that the bracket position across the front member 52 and the rear member 54 can be locked.

  As can be seen from FIG. 7, in normal use, the drive head 50 forms an assembly with sufficient rigidity for the wiper device 30 to function normally.

  When the wiper device 30 receives an impact, as shown in FIG. 8, the breaking start band 48 of the sole plate 44 is broken, whereby the support portion 34 is separated from the vehicle body structural part 42. As a result, the assembly formed by the bearing 34 and the drive shaft 36 moves downward.

  The drive shaft 36 and the front member 52 remain in contact with the window 32 so that they do not follow the downward movement of the bearing 34 so that the rear member 54 is pinned relative to the front member 52. Rotate downward about 72 and push the rib 82 out of the groove in the bracket 76, thereby releasing the bracket 76 from the front member 52 and the rear member 54.

  Next, the pin 72 is broken by the magnitude of the collision force.

  After the collision, as shown in FIG. 9, the pin 72 is broken so that the assembly formed by the bearing 34, the drive shaft 36 and the rear member 54 is removed from the vehicle body structural component 42 and the wiper arm 38. And disconnected from the assembly formed by the front member 52.

  According to a modification of the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 12, the pin 72 is connected to the rear member 54 by two hooks 84 that open upward.

  The hook 84 is configured to be elastically deformed so that the pin can be disconnected from the rear member 54 in the event of a collision and thus the front member 52 can be disconnected from the rear member 54.

  FIGS. 13 to 17 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the connecting means can be fitted together and disconnected in the event of a collision in order to connect the front member 52 to the rear member 54. It has a complementary shaped member.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 16 and 17, these complementary shaped members have a first finger 86 extending longitudinally rearwardly from the longitudinal rear end 52 b of the front member 52, after which free The end 86b is in the form of a hook that curves downward. The free end 86b of the first finger 86 can fit into a complementary housing 88 in the front end 54a of the rear member 54.

  The complementary shaped member also has a second finger 90 extending longitudinally forward from the longitudinal front end 54a of the rear member 54, the front free end 90a being in the form of a downward curved hook. It has become. The free end 90 a of the second finger 90 can fit into a complementary housing 92 in the rear end 52 b of the front member 52.

  Due to the hook shape of the first and second fingers 86, 90, the front member 52 can be reliably locked to the rear member 54 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the first and second fingers 86, 90 are laterally distributed, so that a wiping force can be transmitted to the wiper arm 38. In this example, the second finger 90 is disposed on each side of the first finger 86.

  In order to disconnect the rear member 54 from the front member 52, the rear member 54 can be pivoted downward about the horizontal axis so that the free ends 86b, 90a of the fingers 86, 90 are no longer complementary. The front housing 52 can slide approximately longitudinally forward.

  In order to prevent the relative rotational movement of the rear member 54 with respect to the front member 52, the drive head 50 has a bracket 76 similar to the bracket 76 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Thus, the two vertical wings 78 of the bracket 76 each have one longitudinal groove 80 into which the complementary ribs 82 of the front member 52 and the rear member 54 are fitted.

  As can be seen from FIG. 13, in normal use, the drive head 50 forms an assembly having sufficient rigidity for the wiper device 30 to function normally.

  When the wiper device 30 receives an impact, as shown in FIG. 14, the breaking start band 48 of the sole plate 44 is broken, whereby the support portion 34 is separated from the vehicle body structural component 42. As a result, the assembly formed by the bearing 34 and the drive shaft 36 moves downward.

  The drive shaft 36 and the front member 52 remain in contact with the window 32, so they do not follow the downward movement of the bearing 34, so that the rear member 54 is relative to the front member 52 with the pin 72. , And the rib 82 is pushed out of the groove of the bracket 76, whereby the bracket 76 is detached from the front member 52 and the rear member 54.

  As the rear member 54 rotates relative to the front member 52, the free ends 86 b, 90 a of the fingers 86, 90 no longer cooperate with the complementary housings 88, 92 so that the rear member 54 is in front of the front member 52. Detached from.

  After the collision, as shown in FIG. 15, the assembly formed by the bearing portion 34, the drive shaft 36 and the rear member 54 is assembled from the vehicle body structural component 42 and from the wiper arm 38 and the front member 52. Detached from.

  According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the rear member 54 has a vertical axis and is composed of a sleeve coaxial with the drive shaft 36.

  The rear member 54 is fitted in a complementary vertical hole 94 of the front member 52, and the outer cylindrical wall 54e of the rear member 54 and the inner cylindrical wall 94i of the vertical hole 94 are complemented by cooperation of complementary shapes. For example, they are connected to each other by knurling, so that the connection between the front member 52 and the rear member 54 can transmit the driving force of the wiper arm 38.

  However, the front member 52 and the rear member 54 must be able to be separated in the event of a collision. For this purpose, the rear member 54 is configured to be able to deform elastically or flexibly, so that, in the event of a collision, the rear member 54 is brought into contact with the front member 52 as shown in FIG. It can slide against.

  According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 20, the front member 52 is a hollow member that defines a housing 96 open at the bottom, for example, a folded or stamped sheet metal. The rear member 54 has a shape complementary to the housing 96 and is fitted into the housing 96.

  The rear member 54 is fixed to the drive shaft 36 with a nut 68. Generally speaking, the front member 52 and the rear member 54 are coupled together prior to securing them to the drive shaft 36.

  When the rear member 54 is fitted in the housing of the front member 52, it is completely hidden by the front member 52, so that it is difficult to approach the fixing nut 68.

  Therefore, an access orifice (not shown) through which the nut 68 is inserted is provided in the front member 52 so that the nut 68 can be approached.

  The shape of the housing 96 and the rear member 54 is such that they can transmit the driving force of the wiper arm 38.

  The front member 52 has two locking lugs 98 that extend vertically downward from the bottom edge 100 i of the side wall 100 of the housing 96, which are folded horizontally to partially define the bottom surface 54 i of the rear member 54. Cover, thereby locking the rear member 54 vertically in place within the housing 96.

  The dimensions of the locking lugs 98 are determined such that upon impact, they flexibly deform and face downward in the vertical direction, thereby separating the rear member 54 from the front member 52.

  A simple mechanical reversal can be performed to construct a modified embodiment of the present invention. For example, the fingers 86, 90 can be straightened so that they protrude from their lower surfaces.

  In accordance with the present invention, the wiper arm 38 can be separated from the drive shaft 36 so that the wiper arm is no longer a member that can be harmed in the event of a violent collision.

2 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the invention showing the wiper arm and the drive shaft in their normal operating state; FIG. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the wiper arm being disconnected from the drive shaft during a collision. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the wiper arm after being detached from the drive shaft. FIG. 6 is a detailed enlarged plan view of a first modified embodiment of the present invention in which the drive head is covered with a cap. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the VV line of the structure shown by FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 2 which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a detailed enlarged exploded perspective view of a drive head showing a second embodiment of the present invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the drive head shown by FIG. 10 from the downward direction. FIG. 11 is a diagram similar to FIG. 10 but showing a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 2 which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a detailed enlarged exploded perspective view of a drive head showing a third embodiment of the present invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the drive head shown by FIG. 16 from the downward direction. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the bottom which shows the modified embodiment of 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Wiper apparatus 32 Automobile window 34 Bearing part 36 Drive shaft 38 Wiper arm 40 Body part 42 Car body structural part 44 Sole plate 46 Stud 48 Breaking start zone 50 Drive head 50a Upper surface of the drive head 52 Front member 52a Longitudinal front end 52b of the front member Rear end 54 of the front member 54a Front end 54a of the rear member 54e Outer cylindrical wall of the rear member 54i Bottom surface of the rear member 55 Spring 55 'Notched conical surface 56 Break start zone 58 Cap 58s Cap horizontal upper wall 60 Conical hole 62 Ring 62s Ring upper end 64 Lug,
65 shoulder portion 66 support washer 68 nut 70 annular housing 72 lateral pin 74 corresponding hole 76 U-shaped bracket 78 vertical wing 80 longitudinal groove 82 rib 84 hook 86 first finger 86b rear end portion of first finger 88 housing 90 second finger 90a Front end portion of second finger 92 Housing 94 hole 94i Inner cylindrical wall of hole 96 Housing 98 Locking lug 100 Side wall 100i Bottom edge

Claims (16)

In a device for fixing a wiper device (30) for a motor vehicle, at least one bearing for directing and fixing the rotation of a shaft (36) that drives the wiper arm (38) in an alternating sweeping state. And when the wiper device (30) receives an impact, the support portion (34) is mounted on the vehicle body structural component (42). A device of the type fixed by means that can be at least partially disconnected from
A device comprising means for separating the wiper arm (38) from the drive shaft (36) when the bearing (34) is separated from the vehicle body structural part (42).   The wiper arm (38) is connected to the drive shaft (36) by a drive head (50) extending longitudinally forward from an upper portion of the drive shaft (36), and the drive head (50) is connected to the drive shaft (36). A rear member (54) fixed to the upper end portion of the shaft (36), and a front member (52) supporting the wiper arm (38) on the longitudinally free front end portion (52a); When the part (34) is separated from the vehicle body structural part (42), the rear member (54) and the front member (54) can be separated by the connecting means capable of separating the rear member (54) from the front member (52). 52. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that 52) are connected to each other.   Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting means has at least one break initiation zone (56).   The rear member (54) and the front member (52) are two parts of the drive head (50) connected by the break start band (56). The apparatus according to item 1.   The drive head (50) is covered with a cap (58) having means (64) that can act on the break start zone (56) in order to start breaking on impact. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4.   The cap (58) has at least one protruding member (64) in the form of a wedge that fits into a complementary housing (60) in the break initiation zone (56) in a generally vertical downward direction. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The connecting means has at least one intermediate connecting piece (72) interposed between the rear member (54) and the front member (52), and the intermediate piece (72) has the breaking start band (56). The device according to claim 3, comprising:   Connecting means, characterized in that it comprises at least one elastically deformable member (84, 54) that can be deformed when the bearing (34) is separated from the vehicle body structural part (42). Item 3. The apparatus according to Item 2.   The connecting means comprises at least one intermediate connecting piece (72) connected to the rear member (54) or the front member (52) by an elastically deformable member (84). The apparatus of any one of -8.   The rear member (54) consists of a sleeve that is substantially vertically oriented and at least partially inserted through a complementary vertical hole (94) in the front member (52), the outer wall (54e) of the sleeve and the aforementioned 9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that the inner walls (94i) of the holes (94) are connected by complementary shaped cooperation.   10. Device according to claim 7 or 9, characterized in that the intermediate connecting piece consists of a transverse pin (72) fitted in a complementary housing (74) of the rear member (54) and the front member (52). .   The connecting means are fitted to each other, and complementary members (86) (88) (90) (92) that can be disconnected when the support (34) is disconnected from the vehicle body structural part (42). The device according to claim 2, comprising:   When the complementary members (86), (88), (90), and (92) are cut off, the rear member (54) rotates substantially downward with respect to the front member (52) about the horizontal axis. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can.   Each of the rear member (54) and the front member (52) has at least one longitudinal finger (86) (90), whose longitudinal free ends (86a) (90b) are curved downward. 14. A device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that each of said front member (52) and rear member (54) is fitted into a complementary housing (88) (92) with open top surfaces. .   3. The coupling means according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one member (98) that can bend and deform when the bearing (34) is separated from the vehicle body structural part (42). apparatus.   The rear member (54) is fitted into a complementary housing (96) that is open on one side of the front member (52), and the front member (52) attaches the rear member (54) to the housing within the front member (52). 16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one lug (98) for locking inside (96).

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