JPH0130283Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In automotive windscreen wiper systems, it is common to use a removable connector to connect the wiper arm to the blade. This allows replacement for replacement if the blade becomes obsolete. Connectors need to be highly reliable and have a sufficiently long lifespan to satisfy automobile users, and at the same time, they need to be as low in cost as possible.

In particular, the invention provides for a side-to-side coupling of the wiper arm and the blade for pivoting relative to a portion of the pin that projects laterally at right angles to the blade. This invention relates to a connector that performs side-to-side connection (hereinafter referred to as side-to-side connection).

GB 1475097 proposes a connector which is an integrated plastic member, including a body and a spring lug. This spring lug is of the same plastic material as the rest of the member, and its shape is
It is in the form of a straight leaf with one end connected onto the connector body. As far as we understand, this proposed structure has not been commercially available. The internal connection between the lug and the surrounding globe at the pin appears to age very quickly since it is limited to only a small area of reliability in terms of safety.

The present invention relates to connectors made of plastics materials that provide reliable performance and have a reasonably long lifespan.

The connector of the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, it is a wiper connector for arranging wiper blades side by side on the side of a wiper arm, the connector is formed as one piece from a synthetic resin material, and the connector has a lateral side for receiving a pin 28. A cylindrical hole 26 extending in the direction
The wiper blade and the wiper arm are supported around the pin 28 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the connector is further formed with a latch 18 that can be elastically bent to one side. The latch 18 extends from the integral connecting portion 22 with the body 2 so as to be able to engage a circumferential groove 38 of the pin 28 when the pin 28 is located within the cylindrical bore 26. In a connector for a wiper, which assumes a position in the cylindrical hole 26 when not under stress, the latch 18 has a surface 16 on the side of the shaft 48 of the cylindrical hole 26. A groove 50 is formed so that the latch 18 is connected to the pin 28.
When engaged, the groove 50 of the latch 18 partially surrounds the bottom of the circumferential groove 38 of the pin 28, and the area of the overlap region 54 between the latch 18 and the cylindrical hole 26 is This wiper connector is characterized in that the latch 18 is made larger than when the groove 50 is not formed.

The accompanying drawings show some examples of connectors and pins in the present invention. The connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3a is of UV-resistant plastic material, preferably acetal resin, and comprises a substantially rigid body 2. The connector shown in FIGS. At the rear of the body 2, a vertical socket 4 of rectangular cross section is provided for receiving the free end of a wiper arm in a known manner. Apertures 6 and 8 are provided for receiving pips in arms of various designs;
The floor 10 of the socket 4 is delimited by a slit 12 (FIG. 2) so as to form a flexible latching tongue 11. An aperture 11 is further provided in the tongue 11 so as to receive the pip when the pip is located on the underside of the wiper arm.
is provided.

The entrance to the socket 4 is formed with chamfers 4a at the top and bottom to facilitate the introduction of the pip on the arm, whether it is located on the top side or on the bottom side. The lower chamfer also allows the insertion of a screwdriver or other tool to pry the tongue downward and remove the pip and arm.

The present invention relates to the structure of the front part of a connector. In this front part there is a vertical cavity 14 which is actually a branch cavity which continues below the socket 4. The floor 16 of this cavity 14 is formed by a latch 18. This latch 18 is delimited on both sides by slits 20, so that it is integrally connected to the body 2 of the connector at the joining area, which is shown as a plane by the dashed line 22. Both sides of latch 18 are substantially parallel. As shown most clearly in FIG.
Each includes two ears 24 and through which two portions of a cylindrical hole 26 are provided.

In use, this hole 26 serves to receive a pin 28 as shown in FIG. In practice, this pin may have a portion 32 secured in the wiper blade by riveting, such that the collar portion 32 contacts one side of the wiper blade.

The pin 28 has two cylindrical parts 34, 36
and a concentric globe 38 between these parts.
There is. Adjacent to the cylindrical portion 34, the globe 38 is bounded by a shoulder 40 substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pin.

Pins 28 can be inserted on either side of the connector. For explanation purposes, color 32
It is assumed that the pin 28 is inserted from the right side to the left side in FIG. 3 until the left side of the connector body contacts the right side of the connector body. In this condition, the latch 18 snaps into the globe 38 of the pin 28 so that the left side 46 of the latch, which is substantially perpendicular to the axis 48 of the hole 26, cooperates with the shoulder 40 in the pin. Forces acting along the axis 48 of the pin (which in turn coincides with the axis 48 of the hole 26) are transferred from the wiper arm through the connector to the pin without creating separation between the pin and the connector. From there it is transmitted to the blade.

FIG. 1 shows the position of latch 18 with the connector unextended. Next, surface 16
is placed in the plane of symbol X in FIG. In the assembled condition, the latch is biased somewhat downwardly, as shown by the solid hatching in FIG.
6 is in the position indicated by the symbol Y. During assembly, it is necessary to deflect the latch 18 further downwards in order to allow the cylindrical part 34 of the pin 28 to be inserted, in which case the surface 16 is in the position indicated by the symbol Z. becomes. Similarly, when the connector is to be removed from the pins, the surface 16 will be in the position Z.

As shown in FIG. 1, surface 16 of latch 18
There is a glove 50. As indicated at 52, the latch has a crescent-shaped portion underneath the globe 50 entering the hole 26. In the condition shown in FIG. 5, the presence of pin 28 prevents the resiliency of latch 18 from restoring to the condition of FIG.
The base of No. 8 is in contact with the base of No. 8. In this state, the side 46 of the latch 18 and the shoulder 4 of the pin 28
0 spans the crescent-shaped region indicated at 54 in FIG.

This substantial region 54 transmits axial forces and exhibits resistance to aging. Glove 38 at pin 28
When the base of the latch 18 becomes obsolete, the glove 50
As a result, the latch 18 rises slightly from the position indicated by the symbol Y in the direction indicated by the symbol X, and the area of the crescent-shaped entry region 54 increases rather than decreases.

The present invention also encompasses constructions in which the latch 18 enters the globe 38 of the pin 28, but there is no substantial contact between the latch 18 and the globe 38. However, this results in an undesirable situation in that the connection between the sides of the latch and the shoulder of the pin occurs over a smaller area.

In the particular embodiment shown here, when the latch 18 is not tensioned, the bottom surface of the latch 18 at 56 has a plane that converges with the top surface 16, so that the latch 18 is effectively It has a tapered shape. To avoid excessive stress concentration in the coupling area 22 when the latch 18 is deflected downwardly, a rib 57 extending longitudinally from the plane of the coupling area 22 in both forward and rearward directions is provided on the connector. Provided on the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 2, this rib 57 has a width substantially similar to the width of latch 18.

To enable manipulation of the latch 18 such as removing the connector from the pin 28, the latch 18 is
has a wide extension projecting from the back of the ear 24 at position 58.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the cross-section of globe 50 is an arc with a radius somewhat larger than the radius of hole 26. In the absence of tension, the center of this arc is, of course, on the axis of the hole 26, as shown in FIG.

To facilitate assembly of pin 28 with the connector, pin 28 has a tapered leading end at 60.

As previously described, this connector has a socket 4 for releasably receiving the free end of the wiper arm. In one variant, a wiper arm can be permanently attached to this connector. For this purpose, the end of the wiper arm is pushed into the socket and the wall material of the socket is half dispensed into the hole provided in the arm by means of a pip on the arm which connects to the hole in the socket. It is retained by this method. Such a connector can be called an arm termination.

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the various proportions of the glove of the latch compared to the pin. In each perspective view of FIG. 6, solid lines indicate the position of the latch in the assembled condition, while dashed lines indicate the position of the latch during assembly or removal.

For assembly or disassembly, it is necessary that the latch no longer penetrates into the position of the hole 26 and therefore does not interfere with the movement of the parts of the pin designated 34, 36. It can be seen from the perspective views in FIG. 6 that the shape of the globe 50 in the latch has a significant effect on the deflection position of the latch required for assembly or disassembly.

Diagram B corresponds to FIG. 5, but the globe in the latch has the same radius as the hole 26.

Diagram A shows a latch globe 50 with a radius equal to the radius of the base of the pin globe 38. The latch globe 50 surrounds the base of the pin globe 38 by 180 degrees as measured from the axis of the pin.

In perspective C, the latch material is spread downwardly more than in perspective A.

In sketch D, the latch glove 50 is
It has a right hand half with a radius equal to the base radius of the pin's globe 38 as in perspective C and a left hand half with a radius equal to the radius of the hole 26 as in perspective B, extending somewhat downwardly.

View D also shows a variation in which there is a hinge in the latch on the side of the axis of the hole 26 away from the area of connection between the connector body and the latch (i.e. on the right side of the axis of the hole in FIG. 6). This hinge is connected to the deep part of the crack 62 on the underside of the latch and the glove 5 of the latch.
0. It is formed by a plastic web provided between 0 and 0. The presence of this hinge allows the globe 50 in the latch to be spring-deployed, as shown by the dashed lines in diagram D, against the resiliency of the hinge by manipulation of the protruding outer end 58 of the latch. This slit 62 is delimited by two opposing surfaces that are in contact with each other when the glove 50 is spring-deployed, thereby providing a gap from the outer end projection 58 of the latch to the remainder of the latch. The movement is transmitted so that the latch can be deflected and unlatched in the connection region between the latch and the connector body.

Such a slit 62 is also desirable for the structures shown in Diagrams I and J, and may be provided, as shown in phantom, in the structures shown in each of the other sketches, if desired. I can do it.

View E corresponds to view A in which the latch globe 50 surrounds the base of the pin globe 38 at an angle of less than 180°. Similarly, sketch F shows Latch's glove 50.
This corresponds to sketch B, in which the pin globe 38 surrounds the base of the pin globe 38 at an angle of less than 180°.

In sketches G and H, glove 5
The left part of 0 has a larger bound and the right part has a smaller bound. On the contrary, in sketches I and J, the left portion of the glove 50 has a small enclosure, and the right portion has a large enclosure.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the undistracted state, taken along line - in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the connector, a sketch taken in the direction of the arrow in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front end of the connector, ie, in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
Figure 3a is a perspective view of the rear end of the connector.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a pin for use with a connector. FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to a portion of FIG. 1 showing the connector assembled with pins. FIG. 6 shows a slight modification. In the figure, numeral 2 is the connector body, 4 is the wiper arm receiving socket, 6 and 8 are the wiper arm pip receiving holes, 10 is the floor of the socket, 12
is the slit, 14 is the cavity, 16 is the floor of the cavity,
18 is a latch, 20 is a slit, 22 is a connecting part,
24 is an ear part, 26 is a cylindrical hole, 28 and 30 are parts of the pin, 32 is a collar part, 34 and 36 are cylindrical parts, 38 is a circumferential globe,
40 is a shoulder, 42 is a pin axis, 44 is a right side of the connector body, 48 is an axis of a cylindrical hole, 50 is a glove in the latch, 54 is an intruded crescent, and 58 is a protrusion.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A wiper connector for arranging wiper blades side by side on the side of a wiper arm, wherein the connector is formed as one piece from a synthetic resin material, and the connector includes: Laterally extending cylindrical hole 2 for receiving pin 28
6, the wiper blade and the wiper arm are supported around the pin 28 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the connector has a latch 18 that can be elastically bent to one side.
is further formed, and the latch 18 is connected to the pin 2.
A connecting part 2 integral with the body 2 such that it can engage a circumferential groove 38 of the pin 28 when the pin 28 is located in the cylindrical hole 26.
2, the connector for a wiper extends from the axis 48 of the cylindrical hole 26 of the latch 18 and is adapted to assume a position extending into the cylindrical hole 26 in the unstressed state. A groove 50 is formed in the side surface 16,
When the latch 18 engages the pin 28, the groove 50 of the latch 18 engages the pin 28.
8, and the area of the overlapping region 54 between the latch 18 and the cylindrical hole 26 is made larger than in the case where the groove 50 is not formed in the latch 18. A wiper connector featuring: 2 Utility Model Registration In the connector for a wiper according to claim 1, a vertical hole 14 is provided in the front part of the connector, and a floor surface 16 of the hole 14 is defined by a pair of slits 20. 2. The connector comprising the latch 18 which is latched. 3 Utility Model Registration In the connector for a wiper according to claim 2, the main body 2 has two ears 24 located on the sides of the latch 18, and the ears 24 have the cylindrical shape. The connector, in which a portion of each hole 26 is formed. 4. In the connector for a wiper according to claim 2 or 3 of the utility model registration, a rib 57 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the lower surface of the connector.
is formed, and the rib 57 extends over the coupling portion 22 of the latch so that it does not protrude from the connector.
The connector extends in the front-rear direction. 5 Utility Model Registration In the connector for a wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the groove 50 of the latch is formed in a plane perpendicular to the axis 48 of the cylindrical hole 26. The connector has an arc having a radius greater than the radius of the cylindrical hole. 6 Utility Model Registration Scope of Claims In the connector for a wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the latch 18 is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis 48 of the cylindrical hole.
The connector has a smaller thickness in the coupling portion 22 of the latch and a larger thickness in the groove 50 of the latch. 7. In the connector for a wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the latch is provided with a hinge, and the hinge is such that at least the latch is under stress. When not present, the hinge is located laterally of the axis 48 of the cylindrical bore at a position remote from the coupling portion 22 of the latch, and the hinge is located between the groove of the latch and the innermost end of the gap of the latch. The connector is constructed of a web made of a synthetic resin material located between the connector. 8. The wiper connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 of the claims registered as a utility model, wherein the pin 28 is located in the hole 26.
and the groove 50 is arc-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the axis 48 of the hole 26, and at least a portion of the arc has a radius larger than the radius of the bottom of the groove 38 of the pin 28; In the connector having the latch 18 that can be deflected to one side, the groove 50 of the latch 18
The connector is continuously pressed together with the bottom of the groove 38 of the pin 28 against an elastic adjacent portion.