WO1992012030A1

WO1992012030A1 - A method for keeping a windscreen clean using at least one wiper and a device intended to implement the method

Info

Publication number: WO1992012030A1
Application number: PCT/FI1992/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jukka Tapani Tuusinen
Original assignee: Jukka Tapani Tuusinen
Priority date: 1991-01-08
Filing date: 1992-01-03
Publication date: 1992-07-23
Also published as: AU1154892A; FI915427A; FI915427A0

Abstract

The object of the invention is a method and device for keeping a windscreen (1) clean using at least one or more wipers (2, 3). The wipers turn at the end of jointed arms (4) covering the area of the surface of the windscreen between two curves (2A, 2Y, 3A, 3Y) and leave unwiped essentially an area extending slightly upwards from the lower edge in the centre of the windscreen. In accordance with the invention water flow due to the slipstream is prevented from climbing through the aforementioned unwiped area beneath the wipers (2, 3) in the parked position further up the windscreen advantageously by means of a flow guide (5).

Description

A METHOD FOR KEEPING A WINDSCREEN CLEAN USING AT LEAST ONE WIPER AND A DEVICE INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THE METHOD

The object of the invention is a method and device for keeping a windscreen clean using at least one or more wipers, which wipers turn at the end of a jointed arm, covering the area of the surface of the windscreen between two curves, and which wipers leave unwiped an area extending essentially upwards from the lower edge of the centre of the windscreen.

Generally the cleaning of vehicle windscreens is taken care of by two wipers, but mechanisms equipped with a single wiper are also in use. In systems equipped with two wipers both wipers turn back and forwards 100° - 120°. In a system equipped with one wiper the wiper makes a movement of nearly 180°. In both cases an area extending slightly upwards from the rest position of the wipers remains unwiped in the centre of the windscreen. This area as such does not cause an interference, but often water tries to flow up the windscreen through it, in which case upwards pointing trails of water form in the middle of the windscreen. These interfere with the driver's view, in which case the wipers must be used on account of them. The origin of the water may be either washing liquid sprayed onto the windscreen or rain, which remains below the wipers on account of the slipstream. The slipstream tends to move such water in both directions and that part that moves to the centre begins to climb up the windscreen in the manner depicted above.

The intention of this invention is to remove the aforementioned defect. The characteristic features of the method in accordance with the invention are presented in Patent Claim 1, and the features of the corresponding device solution are presented in Patent Claim 2. Other advantageous forms of application and advantages of the invention are presented later. In what follows the invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying figures, which show some forms of application of the invention.

Figure 1 shows the operation of the wipers on the windscreen of a car. Figure 2 shows the flow guide in accordance with the invention. Figure 3 shows cross-sections of flow guides in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 shows a system equipped with two wipers, in which the wipers 2 and 3 are set on the ends of arms 4 and move through the areas of curves 2A and 2Y and correspondingly 3A and 3Y on the windscreen. An area bounded by curves 2Y and 3A, which extends slightly upwards from the wipers, remains in the centre of windscreen 1. Flow guide 5 is installed on the edges of this area. Flow guide 5 is formed of two curves 2L and 3L, which correspond to the curves 2Y and 3A of the ends of the wipers. It is essential that the wipers follow the edge of the flow guide, in which case no water at all remains in the area referred to that stays unwiped, instead all the water travels with the wipers beneath the flow guide. The flow guide prevents the flow of upwardly directed water, when at the very latest the water being slowed down flows to the lower edge of the windscreen, and from there to the side. In a strong slipstream some water collects beneath flow guide 5, but this is no problem.

The cross-sections shown in Figure 3 can be used in flow guide 5. At its simplest an L-shaped model form can be used, in which the flanges 6 and 7 are straight. The angle between the flanges is 45° - 90°. Double adhesive tape 8 is located beneath the lower flange 6, by means of which the flow guide can be easily attached to the windscreen 1. According to Figure 3B the upper flange 7 can also be curved inwards, in which case its ability to retain water is somewhat better, in relation to its height, than in the version in accordance with Figure 3A.

It is obvious than often a simple groove 9 in the surface of the windscreen would suffice as a flow guide.

The flow guide 5 is manufactured from flexible material and is arranged to be bent to different curves, in which case the same piece can be used in connection with different makes of car. In cars equipped with a single wiper the flow guide is formed of a single nearly half-circle shaped piece.

Either rubber or plastic is the most suitable material for a separate flow guide.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A method for keeping a windscreen (1) clean using at least one or more wipers (2, 3) , which wipers turn at the ends of arms (4) covering the surface of the area of the windscreen between two curves (2A, 2Y, 3A, 3Y) , and which wipers leave unwiped essentially an area extending slightly upwards from the lower edge in the centre of the windscreen, charac¬ terized in that the flow of water due to the slipstream from the aforesaid area that remains unwiped beneath the wipers (2, 3) that have turned to the parked position is prevented from climbing higher up the windscreen.

2. A device for implementing the method in accordance with Patent Claim 1, which is intended to be used in connection with a windscreen (1) equipped with one or more wipers (2, 3), which wipers turn at the ends of arms (4) covering an area of the surface of the windscreen between two curves (2A, 2Y, 3A, 3Y) and which wipers leave unwiped essentially an area extending slightly upwards from the lower edge in the centre of the windscreen, characterized in that the device consists of a flow guide (5) to be attached to the windscreen, the shape of which follows the edges of the area that remains unwiped in the centre of the windscreen, and the lower edges of which extend to each wiper in the parked position.

3. A device in accordance with Patent Claim 1 in connection with a windscreen (1) equipped with two wipers, characterized in that the device consists of two curves (2Y, 3A) corresponding to part of the lower curve (3A) of the first wiper (3) and to part of the upper curve (2Y) of the second wiper (2) as far as their point of intersection.

4. A device in accordance with Patent Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the cross-section of the flow guide (5) is L-shaped with straight flanges (6, 7) .

5. A device in accordance with Patent Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cross-section of the flow guide (5) is essentially L-shaped, the flange (7) that rises from the surface of the windscreen (1) being, however, an inwardly turned inwards.

6. A device in accordance with one of Patent Claims 2 -

4, characterized in that the under surface of the flow guide (5) includes a double-sided adhesive tape (8) to attach it to the windscreen (1) .

7. A device in accordance with Patent Claim 2, characterized in that the flow guide (5) is formed by a groove (9) cut in the glass.

8. A device in accordance with one of Patent Claims 2 - 7, characterized in that the flow guide (5) is manufactured from flexible material and arranged to be bent to different curves to fit each vehicle.