JPH04230452A - Mount for wiper blade - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a mount supporting a wiper blade so that the wiper blade can follow a windshield material even if the windshield material is violently bent. CONSTITUTION: This mount for a wiper blade is provided with first and second shells 25, 26 and a hinge means for connecting the shells 25, 26 rotatably around a hinge shaft. The shells 25, 26 have inner grooves and outer faces, and a wiper blade is supported in the inner grooves.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wiper for a windshield such as a windshield.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are no geometrical problems in wiping water and dust off planar windshields. It is simply necessary to move a straight blade along a plane. However, this becomes an important problem when wiping down modern automobile windshields or those with sharply curved aerodynamic surfaces. When the wiper is near the apex of its movement, the tangential surface has a gentle but substantial curvature from a straight line in all directions. At its lowest point it often follows a very sharp curve, and between these points the shape of the line contact changes and is often complex.

[0003] In this technical field, the blade is made to be fairly flexible so that it conforms to the surface of the windshield material, and furthermore, the blade is made to be in as close contact with the surface of the windshield material as possible and with preferably uniform surface contact. This has been dealt with by placing the blade on a support that presses against it.

This conventional arrangement includes articulations on the mount that apply force at several points (four or more) to force the blade against the windshield. Theoretically, short blade nodes follow the surface of the windshield material between these points.

[0005] As expected, these efforts are at least partially successful, but are less effective in dealing with the wind sway and aerodynamic lift of high-speed vehicles. In such an environment, a single blade often leaves wide streaks on the windshield that cannot be wiped away, and wiping these streaks becomes the most important problem.

[0006] This prior art uses two instead of one
We have responded by using two wipers with one blade. This can easily be theorized from the fact that the second blade will be able to wipe the areas that the first blade failed to wipe. Unfortunately, this simple solution creates new problems.

First of all, because the wiper components must be attached to a single actuator arm that moves across the windshield and forces the blades, the load per unit on each blade is halved. The effectiveness of the individual blades is therefore reduced.

[0008] Secondly, there is a problem in that there is an area between the blades that moves water and dust back and forth until it drains to the bottom or is released by centrifugal force. Of course they continue to drain, but between the two blades there is always a reservoir of water and dust that interferes with the blades.

Additionally, because the load on conventional wiper motors is doubled (the wiper resistance is doubled), the failure rate of these motors is significantly higher. This also doubles the cost. Therefore, a single blade wiper with the greatest load on the windshield is more preferred.

Known mounting means for supporting blades under stress at four or more points are trivial. In one type, a rigid housing supports a central beam tensioned by a set of springs;
These are attached to two points on the blade. This device suffers from a lack of adjustment to accommodate severe changes in shape on the windshield due to these two beams.

In other types, the support itself has connections that exert a force against the blade at multiple points. These connections have in common that they are pivotally tilted relative to each other by means of coil springs. The problem here is that the force exerted by this coil spring is a function of the relative angle of the connection position. Therefore, even when the force is most needed, it will be weaker at some points than at others.

One of the objects of the invention is that when the connections bend together to conform to a severely curved profile,
To provide a mount including a connection having a "spring bias" whose tilting force is hardly reduced. Snow, mud, and slush are also a problem, so one of the objectives is to provide a structure that sheds these substances and does not get stuck by them.

Wiper blades are exposed to harsh conditions even when not in use. One of them is aging caused by the blade being exposed to sunlight. 1 of the present invention
One purpose is to provide a shell means that substantially shields the blade from direct sunlight.

A further problem faced by the wiper blade is the requirement to wipe the surface at as good an angle as possible to the direction of its instantaneous movement. Any lift force that moves the blade away from its preferred angle reduces the effectiveness of the blade. Aerodynamic lift and turbulent flow conditions can create this situation. These cause uncompensated movements to the blade as it moves along the windshield.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a shell capable of supporting a blade shaped to withstand the torques caused by the airflow and counteracting the airflow to compensate for the forces exerted by the mount. That's true.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a wiper blade mount according to the present invention is a mount that supports a wiper blade of a windshield material, and includes first and second shells, and the above-mentioned shell. the shell has an internal groove and an external surface and is configured to support the wiper blade within the internal groove.

[0017] Further, the outer surface may have a spoiler tab extending along each shell, and the spoiler tab may be arranged so as to press the shell against the windshield when receiving an air flow.

Furthermore, the shell may be provided with a skirt on the opposite side of the spoiler tab to counteract the torque caused by the spoiler tab. One of the shells may protrude over the other of the shells so as to cover the area where the hinge pin is located.

[0019] The mount may further include biasing means for tilting the shell in the closing direction. The biasing means may have a configuration in which the hinge pin and the shell face each other with a leaf spring in between.

The mount also includes a rocker beam disposed within the groove and rotatable relative to the hinge pin, the rocker beam having a pair of arms such that the wiper blade is attached to the arm. Both and the free end of the shell may be supported to exert a force against the windshield. Furthermore, when the above shell is viewed from a cross section, mud,
It may also be rounded to better prevent ice and snow from accumulating.

[0021]

According to the mount of the present invention, the hinge axis is typically at least reasonably parallel to the facing surface of the windshield. In the conventional approach, the mount is hinged to the actuator arm and exerts a force that pushes the wiper against the windshield.

In the present invention, the biasing means tilts the shell in the closing direction so that a force is exerted on the wiper blade at both ends of the biasing means. The rocker beam has branches on both sides and is pivoted to a hinge. In this way, a force is applied toward the windshield by the spring force of the actuator arm. The above provides several adhesive points on the wiper blade. one at the end of each shell and one at each free end of the rocker beam arm.

According to a preferred but optional feature of the invention, the biasing means is a leaf-shaped spring repelling between the hinge and the shell, which has a lower angle relative to the shell than with a conventional coil spring. This results in a spring bias that is less susceptible to

According to a preferred but other optional feature of the invention, the shell includes a sunshade that substantially protects the top and most of the sides of the wiper blade from sunlight.

According to a preferred but still further optional feature of the invention, the shell has an aerodynamic shape that creates a force that tends to counter the airflow and keep the wiper pressed against the windshield. You may do so, if you wish.
It may also include a torque associated with the surface to resist twisting of the mount due to air flow. These and other features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a mount 20 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Its purpose is to hold the conventional wiper blade 21 against the windshield (not shown) and sweep it across the windshield by the force of a conventional vibrating actuator arm carried out by the vehicle.

This mount 20 has a pair of shells 25, 2
6, which are hinged together by a hinge pin 27. This hinge pin 27 has a central axis 28 and flanges 29, 30 for holding the shells together, which are rotatable relative to each other about a hinge axis 31. In operation, the hinge axis approaches as parallel as possible to the facing surface of the windshield. Of course, this situation varies depending on the geometrical situation.

Bias spring 35 (bias means)
is preferably formed like a leaf-shaped spring, with a central part 36 held against the hinge axis and two arms 37 each fitting into a recess 39, 40 in the shell.
, 38. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the biasing means tend to bend the shells towards each other, so that the ends 41, 42 of the shells are pressed against the windshield. In the figure, shell 2
Although the end portions of shell 26 are omitted, they are in a mirror image relationship with the end portion of shell 26.

The rocker beam 45 is pivotally connected to the hinge pin shaft. It swings around the hinge pin and
The force applied to the hinge pin by the actuator arm causes it to tilt toward the windshield. The rocker beam 45 has arms 46, 47 on either side of the hinge pin.

This configuration provides four attachment points on the wiper blade. That is, points 50, 51 at the edges of the shell (point 5
0 is at the end on the shell 25 side and is therefore not visible), and points 52 and 53 at the ends of the rocker beam. This provides a wiper blade mount that is functional enough to properly press the flexible blade against the wide contours of the windshield.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the shells 25, 26 have a longitudinally extending central portion 60 facing the airflow.
have. The skirts 61 and 62 on both sides of the central portion 60 are placed in close contact with and close to the windshield material so as to protect the wiper blade from sunlight as much as possible. Of course, these must have enough clearance to prevent the shell from touching the windshield and to allow water and dust to drain out. This is a groove 65 in the shell which receives the support means for the wiper blade and the majority of the wiper blade itself.
form. The flange ends, such as flange 65a, are fitted inside the groove in the shell.

If desired, spoiler tabs 66, 67 can be extended lengthwise along one side of the shell. It slopes upward away from the windshield side of the mount. Its aerodynamic effect, when exposed to airflow,
The purpose is to add force to the mount to hold it against the windshield material. This will counteract the lift the airflow would exert on the mount.

The mount shown in FIG. 3 has a split 70 between the ends of the shell. In more modern applications this is less preferred. Figures 10-12 show an example in which the flange 71 of the shell 72 that protrudes from the shell 73 is used to provide a more acceptable appearance.

[0034]Additionally, additional stability of the tip may be desired, especially in high speed installations, to counteract the torque exerted by the spoiler. Figure 10~
12 shows the use of skirt tabs 75 at the ends of the shell. These are arranged so that they press against the windshield and exert additional force on their tips against the torque.

As best seen in FIGS. 5-9, shell 8
The shell central portion 80 of 1 and 82 may have a longitudinally extending, almost semicircular, rounded outer surface 83, which shape not only conforms to the front windshield (windshield);
It also finds its best application as a rear window glass wiper. This is because it reduces the effect of its own agitation. It keeps the surface in better condition and repels mud, ice and snow.

The term windshield as used herein includes any surface exposed to airflow created by the movement of a vehicle. This includes not only the windshield, but also the rear window, hatchback window, and rear door glass, for example.

[0037] The use of leaf-shaped springs also provides the advantage that their tips have a significant bearing area for supporting the plastic shell material. This results in reduced long-term damage to the shell material compared to the thin wire contact made by the ends of the coil spring. However, in the present invention, the definition of biasing means also includes coil springs.

The shell tends to repel snow, mud, and ice;
For example, it can be made of a smooth-surfaced plastic such as nylon. Importantly, it can be easily formed into beautiful and effective shapes. The concept of using shells allows it to be adopted in all new areas of styling and performance concepts.

[0039]

According to the present invention, a mount capable of supporting a wiper blade has first and second shells, and a hinge means for joining the shells so as to be rotatable around a hinge axis, has an internal groove and an external surface, and is configured to support the wiper blade placed in the internal groove, thereby protecting the wiper blade from the outside, repelling airflow, and adhering closely to the windshield material. is possible,
Even when the windshield material is severely bent, the wiper blade can follow the windshield material, which is an unprecedented and excellent effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of a wiper blade mount according to the present invention, and since the structure is symmetrical, one side is shown for the sake of brevity. is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1;

3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but in a different position than in FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 5;

9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 5. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is symmetrical, so that portions of one side have been omitted for simplicity of disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a side view in one position of FIG. 10;

12 is a side view similar to FIG. 11, but in a different position from FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Mount 21 Wiper blade 25, 26 shell 72, 73 Shell 81, 82 shell 27 Hinge pin 31 Hinge axis 35 Bias means 45 Rocker beam 46, 47 Arm 61, 62 Skirt 65 groove 66, 67 Spoiler tab 83 Outer surface

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A mount capable of supporting a wiper blade of a windshield material, the mount comprising first and second shells and hinge means for rotatably joining the shells around a hinge axis, the mount comprising: A mount having an inner groove and an outer surface and configured to support the wiper blade within the inner groove. 2. The outer surface has a spoiler tab extending along each shell, the spoiler tab being arranged to press the shell against the windshield when subjected to airflow. The mount according to claim 1. 3. The mount of claim 2, wherein the shell is formed with a skirt on the side opposite the spoiler tab to counteract the torque caused by the spoiler tab. 4. The mount of claim 1, wherein one of the shells projects onto the other of the shells so as to cover the area where the hinge pin is located. 5. The mount of claim 1, further comprising biasing means for tilting said shell in a closing direction. 6. The mount according to claim 5, wherein the biasing means has a configuration in which the hinge pin and the shell face each other with a leaf spring in between. 7. The mount includes a rocker beam disposed within the groove and pivotable relative to the hinge pin, the rocker beam having a pair of arms such that the wiper blade is attached to the arms. 2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the mount is supported by both the shell and the free end of the shell to apply a force to the windshield. 8. The mount of claim 1, wherein the shell is rounded in cross-section to better inhibit the accumulation of mud, ice, and snow.