WO2003047925A1

WO2003047925A1 - Arrangement for fixing a wiper device which enables the retraction of the drive shaft

Info

Publication number: WO2003047925A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/004185
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serge Predeau; Pascal Morin
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes D'essuyage
Priority date: 2001-12-07
Filing date: 2002-12-04
Publication date: 2003-06-12
Also published as: FR2833369A1; FR2833369B1; AU2002364421A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for fixing a wiper device (20) of the type comprising at least one plate (22) which is used to guide in rotation a drive shaft (24), said drive shaft extending axially in an essentially vertical direction (A1). The inventive arrangement is also of the type in which said plate (22) comprises a horizontal sole plate (32) which is used to fix the aforementioned plate (22) to a structural body element (30) of the vehicle. The invention is characterised in that the sole plate (32) is connected to the structural body element (30) of the vehicle by means of a clamp. Said clamp, which consists of two articulated arms (30, 32, 52, 72, 98), opens when the wiper device is subjected to a violent impact comprising a downward vertical part which is greater than a determined value.

Description

"Arrangement for fixing a wiping device allowing the erasure of the drive shaft"

The invention relates to an arrangement for fixing a wiping device for a motor vehicle.

The invention relates more particularly to an arrangement for fixing a wiping device for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one plate for guiding in rotation and for fixing a drive shaft which extends axially along a substantially vertical direction, of the type in which the plate comprises a barrel in which the shaft is guided in rotation, and a horizontal sole for fixing the plate with an element of the vehicle body structure.

Such a plate constitutes a conventional mechanism for fixing the wiping device to the vehicle body.

In the event of a vehicle collision with a pedestrian, the part of the wiper mechanism that extends outside the vehicle constitutes a blunt object which may cause injury. It was also noted that in the event of a violent accident, the wiping device, which is arranged in the engine compartment near the passenger compartment, could penetrate inside the passenger compartment by the windshield bay shock.

The accidental intrusion of such a massive element then proves dangerous for the safety of passengers and it therefore appeared necessary to better predict the behavior of the wiping device in the event of a violent impact.

We know of the existence of means allowing the plate to be erased, in particular in patent FR-A-2,733,474 which describes a fixing plate which comprises zones of initiation of rupture, and in patent WO-A-99,38736 which describes means allowing the drive shaft to slide axially in the barrel in the event of impact. However, these solutions use either a complex design element which is forced to change after each use, which involves a high cost, or an arrangement which allows an erasure of the drive shaft which may be insufficient. to guarantee sufficient security, and which can allow the shaft to return to the initial position and therefore reduce security.

The object of the invention is to propose an assembly allowing complete erasure of the drive shaft and which allows reassembly without the need to change an element of the device.

To this end, the invention provides an arrangement of the type described above, characterized in that the sole is connected to the body structure element by means of a clamp which has two articulated branches, and which is capable of open when the wiping device is subjected to a violent impact, the vertical component of which is oriented downwards and is greater than a determined value, thereby allowing the soleplate to be separated from the body structure element , to obtain an axial erasure of the sole, the guide barrel and the drive shaft.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

- at least one component of the clamp is elastically deformable; - the two branches of the clamp are connected by an elastically deformable element;

- The arms of the clamp are articulated around a substantially horizontal axis;

- the elastically deformable element is a helical torsion spring with a substantially horizontal main axis;

- the arms of the clamp are articulated around a substantially vertical axis;

- the elastically deformable element is a helical compression spring with a substantially vertical main axis; - The free end of a lower branch of the clamp is in abutment against a lower wall of the block which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane;

- At least a first branch of the clamp is elastically deformable;

- The two branches of the clamp are two parts of the same elastically deformable element;

- A first branch of the clamp is connected to the body structure element and in that the second branch of the clamp is integral with the body structure element, or belongs to this element;

- A first branch of the clamp is connected to the sole, and in that the second branch of the clamp is integral with the sole, or belongs to the sole; - the free ends of the two arms of the clamp are connected by a spring.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of the wiping device according to the teachings of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal and vertical sectional view of the wiping device of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing a variant of the invention;

- Figures 4 and 5 are two representations of the end of the sole shown in Figure 3 showing two embodiments according to the invention; - Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing another alternative embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 7 is a partial longitudinal and horizontal sectional view along line 7-7 of the wiping device shown in Figure 6; - Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to those of Figures 2 and 3, showing two other embodiments of the invention.

For the description of the invention, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted, without limitation, according to the reference V, L, T indicated in FIG. 1.

In the description which follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers. FIG. 1 shows a device for wiping a window glass of a motor vehicle (not shown) which comprises a plate 22, and a shaft 24 for driving a wiper blade ( not shown).

The plate 22 allows the guiding in rotation and the fixing of the shaft 24. It comprises a tubular barrel 26 of vertical axis A1 which is designed to receive in rotation about its axis A1, the shaft 24.

For its attachment to a body structure element 30 of the vehicle, the plate 22 comprises a sole 32 which extends substantially horizontally from the barrel 26.

The plate 22 also includes a stump 34 which extends horizontally from the barrel 26 and which serves for the connection of the plate 22 with the drive system (not shown) of the wiping device 20. The upper end 36 of the shaft 24 protrudes axially outward beyond the upper end of the barrel 26 so as to allow the mounting of the wiper on a bearing surface, conical 38, in this case notched, against which the wiper is intended to be tightened axially by a nut (not shown) screwed onto a threaded portion of the upper end 36 of the shaft 24.

To allow the shaft 24 to be driven in rotation, a crank 40 is provided which is mounted in rotation with the shaft 24, substantially perpendicular to the axis A1 of the barrel 26. For its connection with a control linkage (not shown), itself driven by a geared motor (not shown), the crank 40 has, at its free longitudinal end 42 opposite its end for fixing to the shaft 24, a ball joint spherical 44 which is intended to be received in a housing of complementary shape (not shown) carried by the linkage.

According to a known general design, in particular in order to dampen vibrations, the sole 32 is fixed to the body structure element 30 by means of a damping block 46 which is for example a block made of elastomeric material.

It is known to produce the block 46 in the form of an element of elastomeric material overmolded around the free end of the sole 32. In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the block

46 is connected to the body structure element by means of an elastic clamp.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the block 46 is held under the underside 30i of the body structure element 30 by the clamp which comprises an upper branch which is the body structure element 30, and a lower branch which is the free end strand 52 of a spring 48.

FIGS. 1 to 2 show a wiping device 20 in which the spring 48 is a helical torsion spring with a horizontal main axis A2.

The spring 48 is fixed on the upper face 30s of the body structure element 30. For its fixing, the spring 48 comprises a fixed end strand 50 which is fixed to the body structure element 30 by a screw mounting 51. The spring 48 also comprises a set of turns 56, which are arranged on the upper face 30s of the body structure element 30, of which a turn 56 of a first end is extended by the fixed end strand 50 which is horizontal, and a turn 56 of a second end is extended by the free end strand 52.

The free end strand 52 extends substantially vertically downward from the coil 56 of the second end. It passes through an orifice 60 in the body structure element 30 and it has a lower end 58 which is folded and which bears against a lower face of the block 46.

The spring 48 is prestressed during its mounting, which allows a tightening of the block 46, more or less strong depending on the setting of the spring 48.

During a collision, that is to say when the wiping device 20 is subjected to a violent impact oriented generally downwards, the force of the impact is transmitted to the clamp via the block 46. Under the action of this force, which is oriented downwards, the spring 48 is twisted so that the free end strand 52 pivots around the main axis of the spring A2, counterclockwise, referring to Figure 2. The calibration of the spring 48 and its stiffness are determined so that the clamp opens and releases the block 46 when the force of the impact is greater than a predetermined value, allowing an axial erasure of the sole. 32

- the guide barrel 26 and the drive shaft 24.

It will be understood that the spring 48 can be fixed under the underside 30i of the body structure element 30 without harming the operation of the invention.

There is shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 u another variant of the invention in which the spring 48 is a helical compression spring of main axis A2 substantially vertical.

The spring 48 is connected to the underside 30i of the body structure element 30 by means of a screw-nut assembly 62, 64.

The screw 62 extends vertically downward and passes axially through the spring 48 and an orifice (not shown) of the body structure element 30. The head 66 of the screw 62 rests against the upper face 30s of the body structure element 30, and the screw rod receives the nut 64 which allows the spring 48 to be held in place. The nut 64 also makes it possible to prestress the spring 48 in view to define the value of the impact for which the spring 48 deforms enough to release the block 46.

The upper end turn 50 of the spring 48 bears against the lower face 30i of the body structure element 30. The lower end turn of the spring 48 is extended by the free end strand 52 which forms the lower branch of the pliers.

The free end strand 52 of the spring 48 extends radially outwards from the spring 48 and bears against a lower face of the block 46.

Thus, upon impact, the spring 48 is deformed so that the free end strand 52 pivots about a substantially horizontal axis, as well as around the main axis A2. This movement of the free end strand 52 thus makes it possible to release the block 46, which therefore makes it possible to separate the sole 32 from the body structure element 30. However, due to the preload of the spring 48, the free end strand 52 of the spring 48 tends to pivot relative to the upper end turn 50 of the spring 48 about the axis - main A2. This phenomenon could in certain cases cause an unwanted release of the block 46. To remedy this, the free end strand 52 is housed in a complementary groove 68 of the block 46 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

To promote the escape of the second end 52 of the spring 48 from the groove 68 upon impact, the underside 70 of the block 46 is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 4 The inclination of the lower face 70 of the block 46 is determined as a function of the stiffness of the spring 48, the depth of the groove 68, and the force of impact for which the free end strand 52 can be released from the groove 68.

According to another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, the lower branch of the clamp is a bending bar 72.

The bar 72 is a substantially flat part which passes through an orifice 60 of the body structure element 30, so that a first end 74, or jaw, of the bar 72 is in abutment against the underside of the block 46, and that a second end 76 of the bar 72 is situated above the body structure element 30.

The bar 72 is supported on relative to the body structure element 30 at the orifice 60, the support zone

78 thus formed, which is here horizontal and perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8, forming an axis of articulation of the lower branch 72 relative to the body structure element 30.

An adjustment screw 62 makes it possible to bring the second end 76 of the bar 72 closer to the body structure element 30, so as to preload the bar 72 in order to hold the block 46 by the clamp.

Upon impact, the bar 72 flexes so that the jaw 74 moves vertically downward, thereby releasing the block 46.

The adjusting screw 62 makes it possible to adjust the clamping force of the block 46. Thus, the greater the clamping force, the greater the value of the impact must be for the bar 72 to deform. This makes it possible to determine the value of the shock for which the block 46 can be released, thus allowing the separation of the sole 32 from the body structure element 30. According to another embodiment of the invention, the block

46 is fixed to the body structure element 30 and it is connected to the sole 32 by means of a clamp. elastic.

There is shown in Figure 9 pliers according to the teachings of the invention which has a lower branch which is the sole 32, and an upper branch which is the free end strand 52 of a helical torsion spring 48 with a horizontal main axis A2.

The block 46 is fixed to the body structure element 30 by any known means. It here comprises a first groove 82 in which the body structure element 30 is fixed.

The spring 48 is fixed on the upper face 32s of the sole 32. For its attachment to the sole 32, the spring 48 comprises a strand 50 of fixed end which extends horizontally and which is fixed to the sole 32 by a fixing screw 51.

The spring 48 also comprises a set of turns 56, a turn 56 of a first end of which is extended by the strand 50 of fixed end, and a turn 56 of a second end is extended by the strand 52 of free end. When it is mounted on the sole 32, the spring 48 is prestressed, which allows the block 46 to be tightened more or less depending on the setting of the spring.

Thus, during the collision, the spring 48 is twisted so that the free end strand 52 pivots about the main axis of the spring A2 counterclockwise, referring to FIG. 2.

The calibration of the spring 48 as well as its stiffness are determined so that the clamp opens and releases the block 46 when the force of the impact is greater than a predetermined value, allowing axial clearance of the sole 32 of the barrel guide 26 and drive shaft 24

In addition, the block has a second groove 80 which receives one end of the sole 32. To allow separation of the block 46 from the sole 32 during the impact, the block has a lower part 84, forming the lower wall of the second groove 80, which is able to deform during the impact to release the sole 32.

According to another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pliers are a curved hairpin rod, the two branches 98 of which tighten the block 46. The block is made in the form of an element of elastomeric material overmolded around a central fixing element 88. The block is of cylindrical shape with vertical axis A2 and circular section. The fixing element 88 comprises a tubular rod 90 of annular section which passes axially through the damping block 46. The rod 90 comprises a horizontal upper flange of support 92 against the body structure element 30.

The fixing element 88 also includes a blocking element 94 which makes it possible to secure the block 46 with the fixing element 88. The blocking element 94 is generally a horizontal washer whose upper face 94s is in abutment against a lower face 46i of the block 46, and against the lower end of the rod 90.

The fixing element 88 is fixed to the body structure element 30 by any known means. This is an assembly by screw-nut 96.

The elastic clamp is a metal rod 86 curved in the shape of a hairpin. The rod 86 comprises two clamping sections 98 forming the branches of the clamp. The two sections are connected by an intermediate fixing section 100.

The two clamping sections 98 bear against the vertical exterior wall 102 of the block 46.

The vertical outer wall 102 of the block 46 is cylindrical with a vertical axis. As a result, over time, the clamp may slide vertically relative to the block 46 by sliding, until the sole 32 is detached from the block.

46.

To avoid this, the vertical outer wall 102 of the block 46 has an annular groove 104 of vertical axis A2 which receives the clamping sections 98. In addition, the clamping sections 98 are bent so as to adapt to the groove 104 .

The fixing section 100 is fixed to the upper face 32s of the sole 32 by a fixing screw 106. Upon impact, the rod 86 deforms so that the two tightening sections 98 move apart by pivoting about a vertical axis in order to be able to exit from the annular groove 104 and thus to allow the sole 32 d to be detached. 'with block 46.

The mechanical characteristics of the elastic clamp, in particular the cross section of the rod 86 as well as the depth of the groove 104 are chosen to allow the separation of the sole 32 from the block 46 during an impact of determined amplitude.

In addition, to ensure better tightening of the blo 46 by the clamping sections 98, an additional tension spring 110 can connect the free ends of the clamping sections 98.

It will be understood that simple mechanical inversions can constitute alternative embodiments of the invention. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and

7, the elastic clamp 86 can be fixed to the body structure element 30, and tighten the block 46 which is fixed to the sole 32.

The invention therefore allows the attachment of a wiping device 20 on a body structure element 30 which allows separation of these elements during an impact. In addition, this fixing is carried out - by means of elastic elements, which allows reuse of the device without it being necessary to replace any of the elements of the assembly.

Claims

1. Arrangement for fixing a wiping device (20) for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one plate (22) for guiding in rotation and for fixing a drive shaft (24) which extends axially in a substantially vertical direction (A1), of the type in which the plate (22) comprises a barrel (26) in which the shaft (24) is guided in rotation, and a sole (32) horizontal for fixing the plate (22) with a body structure element (30) of the vehicle, characterized in that the sole (32) is connected to the body structure element (30) by means of a clamp which has two branches articulated (30, 32, 48, 72, 98), of which at least one of the branches is elastically deformable, the clamp being able to open when the wiping device is subjected to a violent impact whose vertical component is oriented downwards and is greater than a determined value.

2. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two branches of the clamp are connected by an element (48) elastically deformable.

3. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the branches of the clamp are articulated about an axis (A2) substantially horizontal.

4. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the elastically deformable element is a helical torsion spring (48) of main axis (A2) substantially horizontal.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the branches of the clamp are articulated about an axis (A2) substantially vertical.

6. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the elastically deformable element is a helical compression spring (48) of main axis (A2) substantially vertical.

7. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end of a lower branch (52) of the clamp is in abutment against a lower wall (70) of the block (46) which is inclined relative to a plane horizontal.

8. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two branches (98) of the clamp are two parts of the same element (86) elastically deformable.

9. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a first branch (52, 72) of the clamp is connected to the body structure element (30), and in that the second branch of the clamp is integral with the body structure element (30), or belongs to this element.

10. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a first branch (52, 72) of the clamp is connected to the sole (32), and in that the second branch of the clamp is integral with the sole (32), or belongs to the sole (32).

1 1. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free ends of the two arms (98) of the clamp are connected by a spring (1 10).