MXPA06008575A - A windscreen wiper device - Google Patents

Abstract

A windscreen wiper device (1( comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade (2) includes opposing longitudinal grooves (3) on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips )4) of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips (4) are interconnected by a respective connecting piece (6), which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (7) for an oscillating arm (8), wherein said oscillating arm (8) is pivotally connected to said connecting device (7) about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part (12), with the special feature that the windscreen wiper device is provided with first and second retaining means for retaining said connecting device (7) onto said oscillating arm (8), said first retaining means comprising at least one resilient tongue (13) provided on said joint part (12) engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole (14) provided in said oscillating arm (8), said second retaining means comprising a least one first stop surface (19) provided on the oscillating arm (8) and at least one second stop surface (23) provided on the joint part (12) or the connecting device(7), both first (19) and second (23) stop surfaces being spaced apart during normal operation of the windscreen wiper device, wherein in case of disfunctioning of said first retaining means said connecting device (7) is allowed to move with respect to said oscillating arm (8) causing the second stop surface (23) to correspondingly move towards the first stop surface (19) until the first (19) and second (23) stop surfaces are adjacent one another.

Description

A WIPER CLEANING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device comprising an elongated carrier elastic element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in connection with a windshield to be cleaned; the wiper blade includes opposite longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in the grooves longitudinal strips are located spaced apart from the carrier element, where the contiguous ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, the wiper device comprises a connector device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connector device around a pivot shaft near one end, with the interposition of a joint part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A windshield wiper device of this type is known from German Patent No. 101 30 903 (Robert Bosch GmbH). This prior art windshield wiper device is designed as a wiper device "without fixing brackets", where in its manufacture several clamping brackets connected in pivot to each other are not used, but where the wiper blade is inclined by the carrier element , as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature. This known device has a first fixed coupling half on the oscillating arm, as well as a second coupling half fixed to the windscreen wiper, wherein two support walls of the second coupling half are intersected and parallel and are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the windshield. the wiper blade. Each end of a pivot pin for a connection piece (which is mounted on the pivot pin so that it can be swung between the support walls and provided to connect the swing arm) is secured in these support walls. In order to obtain protection against environmental influences, such as snow, ice and dust, the oscillating arm has the shape of a U in the area of its coupling half, so the base in the form of U covers the support walls (protective) and both U-shaped ends cover the outer sides of these support walls. A disadvantage of the windshield wiper device known from the aforementioned German patent document is that, due to the large forces exerted in practice on the connection between the connector device and the swing arm, the reliability of this connection seems to decrease with the course of the time, which produces a gap between the connector device and the oscillating arm. This clearance, in practice, has proven to produce frictional contact between these parts and, consequently, wear. Another disadvantage of the device is that many of the construction parts are involved in the connection between the connector device and the oscillating arm, which makes the windshield wiper device known to be laborious to manufacture and, consequently, relatively expensive.

OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art indicated above, in particular the objective is to provide a windshield wiper device wherein the connector device and the swing arm are interconnected in a simple but durable manner and solid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to carry out this objective, a windshield wiper device of the type mentioned in the introduction is characterized, according to the invention, in that the wiper device is provided with first and second retaining means for retaining the connecting device on the oscillating arm, the first retaining means comprise at least one flexible tongue provided in the connecting piece that engages with a correspondingly provided hole in the oscillating arm; the second retaining means comprise at least a first stop surface provided on the oscillating arm and at least a second stop surface provided on the connecting piece or connector device, the first and second stop surfaces are separated during normal operation of the windshield wiper device, and in the event of failure of the first retainer means, the connector device can move relative to the swing arm causing the second stop surface to move correspondingly towards the first stop surface until the first and second abutment surfaces are adjacent to each other. In other words, in the rest position, the abutment surfaces of the second retaining means are separated, while in the working position they are adjacent to each other. Preferably, the oscillating arm has at least a substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece, wherein the hole is provided on a base of the U-shaped cross section. or in addition to this, the connecting piece preferably comprises at least two lateral flexible tabs extending outwards, wherein the swinging arm has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection with the connecting piece, and wherein each tab engages with a correspondingly provided hole in a leg of the U-shaped cross section. While the swing arm is mounted on the connecting device / connecting piece, the flexible tongue or tongues are pushed initially against a spring force and then the spring is allowed to return to the orifice (s), thereby entering under pressure, in other words, the Flexible nicks are held within the hole (s). In case these first retention means fail in actual practice, for example, when the flexible tongue (s) are not properly held in the hole (s), finally the second retaining means serves to hold the connector device on the oscillating arm and with it any undesired separation of the same is avoided, with all the unfavorable consequences involved, as for example, the loss of the wiper blade. In case the first retaining means will come to break, the wiper blade and the connecting device attached to it can move relative to the swing arm. As will be explained in more detail below, this movement occurs in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, which causes the second stop surface (provided in the connecting piece or connecting device) to move towards the first surface of stop (provided on the swing arm) in a similar manner. However, this relative movement of the wiper blade and the oscillating arm and, consequently, the relative movement of both abutment surfaces are blocked when the second abutment surface reaches the first abutment surface and is stopped by the first abutment surface. stop. In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the present invention, the orifice (s) have a closed circumference. This or these closed holes improve the retention of the oscillating arm on the connecting device / joining piece in all directions, particularly in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the present invention, the swing arm has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the attachment part, and wherein each leg comprises members of fastening that engage with the rounded longitudinal sides of the joining piece that are oriented away from each other. These clamping members are formed, preferably, as internally bent flanges integrally with the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, serve to further improve the retention of the swing arm on the connector device / connecting piece in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the direction Longitudinal swing arm. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the present invention, the second abutment surface is caused to move correspondingly towards the first abutment surface in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. Again, this longitudinal relative movement of both abutment surfaces will eventually be blocked when the first abutment surface stops movement of the second abutment surface, which will also produce a retention in the longitudinal (horizontal) direction. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the present invention, the swing arm has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece, where the first surface of the wiper is provided. stop on a leg of the U-shaped cross section. The first stop surface is formed, in particular, by a hook-shaped projection extending downwards. In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the present invention, the connecting piece has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection with the connector device, wherein the second surface of the wiper is provided. stop on a leg of the U-shaped cross section. Preferably, the second stop surface is formed by a hook-shaped projection extending upwards. In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the present invention, the first stop surface is formed by a transverse pin extending inwardly. In particular, the second stop surface is formed by a guide groove in the connector device. The groove guides the transverse pin towards or away from the position "secured" of the oscillating arm in the connector device. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the present invention, the connector device is located at least substantially within the joint part. In particular, this allows the connection piece to be adhered to the connector device by the projections of the connector device at the location of the pivot axis, these projections are pivotally coupled in the cavities provided in the joint piece. These projections acting as support surfaces are quite separate, so that the forces exerted on the support surfaces will be relatively low. Since these projections replace the pivot pin that is employed in the windscreen wiper device discussed above, fewer construction components are used in the connection between the connecting device and the swing arm. Of course, as an alternative, the joint piece is equipped with projections at the location of the pivot shaft, this projections of the present invention are pivotally coupled to the cavities provided in the connector device. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the present invention, the connecting piece has at least a substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connection with the connecting device, wherein the connecting piece at each The leg of the U-shaped cross section is provided with a cavity provided coaxially with the pivot axis. Preferably, the projections extend outward on both sides of the connector device (i.e.: outwardly in the lateral direction with respect to the swing arm), wherein the projections are at least substantially cylindrical. In particular, the cavities are formed correspondingly. In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device in accordance with the present invention, the attachment piece is made of plastic, which includes any synthetic material that has some flexibility. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the present invention, the swing arm, the connecting device and the connecting piece are each made in one piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR FIGURES Now, the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the figures illustrated in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic and perspective view of a windscreen wiper device of the "without clamps" type; fixation "according to the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 show details of the windshield wiper device of Figure 1, where several successive steps are shown to fit an oscillating windshield arm to a connector device employing two different types of joint pieces ("separators"), which in particular illustrate the first means of retention; Figure 4 is a schematic and perspective view of one end of an oscillating windshield arm employed in Figure 3; Figures 5 and 6 show details of the windshield wiper device of Figure 1, which in particular illustrate the second retention means; Figure 7 is a schematic and perspective view of a connector device and an oscillating windshield wiper arm end, which in particular illustrates a second embodiment of the second retention means; and Figure 8 shows different steps in the assembly and disassembly of the oscillating windshield wiper arm and connector device of Figure 7. Figure 1 shows a wiper device (1) of the "without clamp" type according to the present invention. . This windshield wiper device is constituted by an elastomeric wiper blade (2), on the longitudinal sides the longitudinal grooves (3) opposite each other are formed, and by the longitudinal strips (4) made of metal spring tape, which are fixed in the longitudinal grooves (3). These strips (4) form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade (2), so to speak, which is adjusted in a curved position (the curvature in the operating position is that of a windshield to be cleaned) . The contiguous ends of the strips (4) are interconnected on both sides of the windshield wiper device (1) by means of the connecting pieces (6) functioning as fastening members. In this embodiment, the connecting pieces (6) are separate construction elements that can be formed to effect an adjusted closure ("positive closure" or "having a positive adjustment"), or to perform a forced closure at the ends of the closure. the strips (4). In another preferred variant, these connecting pieces (6) are in one piece with the strips (4) made of metal spring tape. In the latter case, these connection pieces form the transverse bridges for the strips (4), so to speak. The windshield wiper device (1) is further constituted by a connector device (7) of plastic material for a swing arm (8) of the windshield wiper. The connector device (7) comprises fastening members that are integral with each other, which engage with the rounded longitudinal sides of the strips (4) that are oriented away from each other, as a result of which, the connector device (7) it is firmly attached to the unit constituted by the wiper blade (2) and the strips (4). The oscillating arm (8) of the windshield wiper is pivotally connected to the connector device (7) about a pivot shaft near one end, and does so as mentioned below. With the reference of Figure 2, the connector device (7) comprises two cylindrical projections (10) that extend outwards on both sides of the connector device (7) (Figure 2a). These protrusions (10) are pivotally coupled in the cylindrical cavities (11) of identical confirmation in a plastic joining piece (12) (Figure 2b). The projections (10) act as abutment surfaces at the location of a pivot axis in order to pivot the connecting piece (12) (and the oscillating arm (8) of the windscreen wiper attached thereto) around the axis of pivot near one end of the arm (8). The protrusions (10) are preferably one piece with the connector device (7); alternatively, the projections (10) are part of a single pivot pin perpendicular to the connector device (7). This connector device (7) can be equipped with a cover or cover in order to obtain an aesthetic appearance, to avoid affiliated edges and to provide protection against UV light, etc. The connecting piece (12) comprises two lateral flexible tabs (13) that extend outwards, while the oscillating arm (8) of the windshield wiper has a U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece (12), so that each tongue (13) engages an identical hole (14) provided in a leg (15) of the U-shaped cross section (Figure 2c). Figures 3a, 3b and 3c correspond to Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, respectively, with the difference that the flexible tongue (13) in Figure 3 is fixed in the hole (14) provided in the base (16) of the U-shaped cross section (Figure 3c).

With reference to both Figures 2 and 3, while the oscillating arm (8) of the windscreen wiper is mounted on the connector device (7) / connecting piece (12), the flexible tongue (s) (13) are initially pushed against it. a spring force and then the spring is allowed to return to the or the holes (14), whereupon they enter under pressure, in other words the flexible tongue (s) (13) is held within the or of the holes (14). This is a bayonet type connection. Each leg (15) of the U-shaped cross section comprises clamping members which engage the rounded longitudinal sides of the connecting piece (12) which are oriented away from each other. In Figures 2, 3 and 4, these fastening members are formed as internally bent flanges (17) integral with the legs (15) of the U-shaped cross section, which serve to further improve the retention of the swing arm ( 8) on the connector device (7) / connecting piece (12) in vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the oscillating arm (8) of the windscreen wiper. With reference to Figure 5, each leg (15) of the U-shaped cross section is provided with a first stop surface (19) formed by a projection extending downwardly in the form of a hook (20), as it can be observed in Figure 5b. Each of the legs of the U-shaped cross section of the connecting piece (12) comprises an edge (21) extending in the lateral direction equipped with a projection extending upwards in the form of a hook (22) , wherein the hook (22) forms a second stop surface (23) provided in the connecting piece (12) (see Figure 5a). In assembly position (Figure 6a), both surfaces (19), (23) are located at a distance from each other. However, in the event that the first retaining means have a malfunction, for example, when the flexible tongue (13) is not properly fixed in the hole (14), the connector device (7) and the workpiece Union (12) attached thereto will be able to move relative to the swing arm (8) in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade (2), which is in the direction of the arrow (24) (Figure 6b). At the same time, the second stop surface (23) will move in the same direction until the second portion (19) stops it. Both stop surfaces (19), (23) will then be adjacent to each other (Figure 6b). In other words, the abutment surfaces (19), (23) mutually function as second retention means for retaining the connector device (7) on the oscillating arm (8). Figures 7a and 7b refer to another embodiment of the second retention means. In this case, the first stop surface (19) is formed by a transverse pin (26) extending inwardly, while the second stop surface (23) is formed by a guide groove (27) correspondingly formed therein. connector device (7). The guide groove (27) serves to guide the pin (26) to a position mounted on the connector device (7). Again, in case the first retaining means fail, the connector device (7) and the connecting piece (12) attached thereto will be able to move relative to the oscillating arm (8) in the longitudinal direction of the sheet wipers (2). Again, the second stop surface (23) will move in the same direction until it is stopped by the second portion (19) formed by the pin (26) extending inwardly. Both stop surfaces (19), (23) will then be adjacent to each other. The mutually cooperative stop surfaces (19) (formed by the inwardly extending pin (26)), (23) (formed by the groove (27) in the connector device (7)) function as the second retaining means to retain the connector device (7) on the oscillating arm (8). Figure 8 shows the steps of assembling and disassembling the connector device on or from the oscillating arm (8). While a pivoting movement is made by the connector device (7) and the connecting piece (8) attached thereto with respect to the oscillating arm (8) (or vice versa), the stop surfaces (19), (23) are no longer in line and can no longer mutually cooperate, so that the connector device (7) and the connecting piece (12) attached thereto can be released from the oscillating arm (8) (Figures (8a) and (8b)). Figure 8c refers to the normal "closed" position. Possibly, in addition a spoiler (18) is provided (Figure 1). The invention is not restricted by the variants shown in the drawings, but also extends to other embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. A windshield wiper device comprising an elongated carrier elastic element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in connection with a windshield to be cleaned; the wiper blade includes opposite longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides; separate longitudinal strips of the carrier element are located in the grooves, where the contiguous ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece; the wiper device comprises a connector device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connector device around a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part; characterized in that the wiper device is provided with first and second retaining means for retaining the connector device on the oscillating arm; the first retaining means comprise at least one flexible tongue provided in the connecting piece which engages a corresponding hole provided in the swing arm; the second retaining means comprise at least a first stop surface provided on the oscillating arm and at least a second stop surface provided on the connecting piece or connector device; both the first and second stop surfaces are separated during the normal operation of the windshield wiper device; wherein in case of failure in the operation of the first retention means, the connector device can move with respect to the oscillating arm causing the second abutment surface to move correspondingly towards the first abutment surface until the first and second surfaces stoppers are adjacent to each other. A wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the swing arm has at least one U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece, and wherein the hole is provided at a base of the U-shaped cross-section. 3. A windshield wiper device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting piece comprises at least two outwardly extending flexible side tabs, wherein the swing arm has at least one cross section. almost U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece, and wherein each tab engages with the corresponding hole provided in a leg of the U-shaped cross section. 4. A windshield wiper device according to the claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the orifice (s) has a closed circumference. A wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the swing arm has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece, and wherein each leg comprises clamping members that engage with the rounded longitudinal sides of the joint piece that are oriented away from each other. A wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the second stop surface is caused to move correspondingly towards the first stop surface in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. A windscreen wiper device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein the swing arm has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its connection to the connecting piece, and wherein the first surface The stopper is provided with a leg of the U-shaped cross section. 8. A windshield wiper device according to claim 7, wherein the first stop surface is formed by a hook-shaped projection extending downwards. A wiper device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting piece has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its junction with the connecting device, and wherein the second stop surface is provided on a leg of the cross section in the form of U. 10. A wiper device according to claim 9, wherein the second stop surface is formed by a hook-shaped projection extending upwards. A wiper device according to claim 7, wherein the first stop surface is formed by a transverse pin extending inwardly. A wiper device according to claim 11, wherein the second stop surface is formed by a guide groove in the connector device. A windshield wiper device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12, wherein the connector device is positioned at least substantially within the joint piece. A wiper device according to claim 13, wherein the connecting piece is joined to the connector device by the protrusions of the connector device, which are pivotally engaged at the location of the pivot shaft in the cavities provided in the joint piece. A wiper device according to claim 14, wherein the connecting piece has at least a substantially U-shaped cross section at the location of its junction with the connecting device, and wherein invention on each leg of the cross section In the U-shape, a cavity provided in a direction coaxial with the pivot axis is provided. 16. A wiper device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the projections extend outwardly on both sides of the connector device, and wherein the projections are at least substantially cylindrical. 17. A windscreen wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 13 to 16, wherein the connecting piece is made of plastic. 18. A windscreen wiper device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 17, wherein the swing arm, the connecting device and the connecting piece are each made in one piece. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A windshield wiper device (1) comprising an elongated carrier elastic element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in connection with a windshield to be cleaned, the wiper blade (2) includes opposite longitudinal grooves (3) on their longitudinal sides; separate longitudinal strips (4) of the carrier element are located in the grooves, where the contiguous ends of the longitudinal strips (4) are interconnected by means of a respective connection piece (6); the wiper device comprises a connector device (7) for an oscillating arm (8), wherein the oscillating arm (8) is pivotally connected to the connector device (7) about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joining piece (12); with the special feature that the wiper device is provided with first and second retaining means for retaining the connector device (7) on the oscillating arm (8); the first retaining means comprise at least one flexible tongue (13) provided on the connecting piece (12) and which is coupled with a hole (14) correspondingly provided on the oscillating arm (8); the second retaining means comprise at least a first stop surface (19) provided on the oscillating arm (8) and at least a second stop surface (23) provided on the connecting piece (12) or on the device connector (7); both the first (19) and the second (23) stop surfaces are separated during the normal operation of the wiper device; wherein in case of failure in the operation of the first retention means, the connector device (7) can move with respect to the oscillating arm (8) causing the second stop surface (23) to move correspondingly towards the first surface stop (19) until the first (19) and second (23) abutment surfaces are adjacent to each other.