WO2011042424A1

WO2011042424A1 - Linkage on a wiper arm in addition to a wiper arm of a windscreen wiper module

Info

Publication number: WO2011042424A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/064810
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Schaeuble; Bruno Egner-Walter
Original assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
Priority date: 2009-10-06
Filing date: 2010-10-05
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: DE102009048414A1

Abstract

Linkage between a wiper arm (1, 5) and a functional element (4) of a windscreen wiper module for vehicles connected by means of a link (6) to the wiper arm (1, 5), having at least one flexible line (12), guided around the link (6) in such a manner that it encompasses at least one articulation axis of the link (6) over an angular range dependent on the pivoting position that the wiper arm (1, 5) and the functional element adopt in relation to one another at a radial distance.

Description

Linkage on a wiper arm in addition to a wiper arm of a windscreen wiper module

[0001] The invention refers to a linkage between a wiper arm and a functional element of a windscreen wiper module according to the generic term of patent claim 1 in addition to a wiper arm according to the generic term of patent claim 1 1.

[0002] The linkage is a wiper arm link, which articulates a bearing element of the wiper arm attachable to a windscreen wiper drive, for example to a wiper shaft, to the wiper arm or to a wiper arm element (also a wiper arm rod), in order to guarantee during wiping operation, among other aspects also with convex vehicle windscreens, secure contact of the respective wiper blade with the vehicle windscreen and/or be able to pivot the wiper arm and the latter's wiper arm rod from an operating position to a service position in which the wiper arm and the wiper blade provided on the latter are pivoted away from the vehicle windscreen.

[0003] A linkage in the sense of the invention is also for instance such a linkage between the wiper arm and the wiper arm rod and the wiper blade, which (linkage) allows within certain limits pivoting of the wiper blade in relation to the wiper arm, in order to thereby guarantee optimum contact of the wiper blade with the vehicle windscreen during wiping operation.

[0004] It is frequently necessary to guide at least one line around the linkage, for example a hydraulic line for supply of a so-called aqua wiper blade with cleaning and washing fluid, whereby the angular range over which the line extends at a radial distance around the link and the latter's articulation axis subsequently changes depending on the angular position which the wiper arm and the wiper arm rod and the functional element adopt in relation to one another. As this angular range increases, the line length required for guiding around the link also increases. In order to allow pivoting of the wiper arm and the wiper arm rod and the functional element in relation to one another, it is customary to lay the corresponding lines in large loops around the link so that even in case of extreme pivoting positions, a sufficient line length is available for guiding around the link. The

disadvantage of this measure however is that large and loose loops are evident with a visually disturbing appearance and also induce the risk of damage to the lines or however determine an increased overall height of at least the wiper arm and the wiper rod in order to accommodate such loops concealed from view and protected against damage.

[0005] In case of lines in the form of flexible tubes, with design of the linkage as a wiper arm link, it is also known (DE 197 16 248 A1 ) to guide the at least one flexible tube over this link such that in the operating position of the wiper arm, in which the wiper blade is in contact with the vehicle

windscreen, it is guided without or without substantial tension yet nevertheless sufficiently tightly over the link and on pivoting the wiper arm into the service position is elastically stretched in the area of the link in order to achieve the additionally necessary flexible tube length. The disadvantage in this known design is that the respective flexible tube is exposed to considerable mechanical stresses as a result of its longitudinal stretching. Furthermore, this known principle cannot be used in case of lines in the form of electric cables, which are not elastically stretchable in the longitudinal direction and also cannot be used in particular with hydraulic lines of the type provided internally with electric heating elements in the form of heating filaments, which are likewise not stretchable in the longitudinal direction.

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to demonstrate a linkage that avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages and allows pivoting of the wiper arm and the functional element through a wide angular range, without the need to guide the at least one line with a large, loose loop around the linkage and also obviates elastic stretching of the at least one line in the longitudinal direction of the line.

[0007] In order to solve this problem, a linkage according to patent claim 1 is

developed. A wiper arm is the subject of patent claim 1 1.

[0008] Further developments, advantages and application possibilities of the

invention are also apparent from the following description of examples of embodiment and from the figures. In this case, all the characteristics described and/or illustrated are in themselves or in any desired

combination fundamentally a subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their backward relation. The contents of the claims are also made an integral part of the description.

[0009] In the invention, organised and especially tight accommodation of the at least one line in the wiper arm and in the wiper arm rod is also guaranteed by the at least one tensioning element, particularly also in the case of linkages, by the fact that the additional line length required for wide pivoting angles is received in case of narrow pivoting angles in a compensation section by the at least one spring element or tensioning element and is moved into a position that does not negatively affect or increase the overall height of the functional elements.

[0010] By means of the at least one tensioning element, the at least one line in any angular position which the wiper arm and the wiper arm rod and the functional element adopt in relation to one another is at least guided tightly and therefore tidily over or around the linkage such that loose line lengths running in a disorganised manner which are visually disturbing and/or could be damaged are avoided.

[001 1] The design according to the invention is equally suitable for linkages with hydraulic lines and electric cables straddling or surrounding the latter and particularly also for linkages with hydraulic lines provided internally with an electric heating element in the form of a heating conductor. The linkage is preferably the wiper arm link, which articulates the bearing element of a wiper arm to be linked with the windscreen wiper drive to the wiper arm element (wiper arm rod) bearing the wiper blade. The linkage according to the invention is also suitable however for the link between wiper arm and wiper blade.

[0012] "Aqua wiper blade" generally denotes in the sense of the invention a wiper blade, particularly a flat wiper blade, which presents at least one spray jet and/or at least one spray duct with a large number of spray jets for application of the cleaning and washing fluid to the vehicle windscreen during wiping operation.

[0013] The invention is described below in further detail in examples of

embodiment referring to the use of a tensioning element provided in the wiper arm in relation to a wiper arm link based on the figures:

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a simplified perspective representation of a wiper lever or arm with a flat wiper blade in contact with a vehicle windscreen;

[0015] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged partial representation of a longitudinal section through the wiper arm in the area of a wiper arm link and to be more precise, in an operating position and a service position;

[0016] Fig. 3 shows a section through the wiper arm along line I - I in figure 2;

[0017] Fig. 4 shows a representation as in figure 2 with a further embodiment of the invention;

[0018] Fig. 5 shows a section along line II - II in figure 4;

[0019] Fig. 6 shows an individual representation of a section through a tensioning element for use with a wiper arm according to a further embodiment.

[0020] In the figures 1 - 3, 1 is the wiper arm of a windscreen wiper module for vehicle windscreens 2, especially for vehicle front windscreens and 3 is a flat wiper blade removably fixed to the wiper arm 1 , executed as a so-called aqua wiper blade and which presents a spray duct on at least one longitudinal side of the wiper blade having a large number of spray jets for application of a cleaning and washing fluid (e.g. water with cleaning and antifreeze additives if necessary).

[0021] The wiper arm 1 comprises in the well known manner a bearing section 4 serving for attachment to the wiper shaft of the windscreen wiper module not illustrated, in addition to a wiper arm element or a wiper rod 5, connected to the bearing section 4 by means of a wiper arm link 6 and on which on the end distant from the bearing section 4 the wiper blade 3 is detachably and replaceably and to a certain extent pivotably fixed. This bearing section is designed with an opening 7 for attachment of the bearing section 4 to a wiper shaft not illustrated.

[0022] In the embodiment presented, the wiper arm rod 5 is executed as a U

profile with two shanks 8 and a yoke section linking these shanks, with the U profile being open towards the underside of the wiper arm 1 , i.e. towards the vehicle side with the wiper arm installed.

[0023] The wiper arm link 6 is realised in the embodiment presented in that the bearing element forms a bearing bushing 10 on an area radially offset in relation to the opening 7, overlapped on both ends by the shanks 8 of the wiper arm rod 5 and which is penetrated by a hinge pin 1 1 respectively secured at both ends in a shank 8. The wiper arm rod 5 is pivotable in relation to the bearing element 4 with the wiper arm link 6 (double arrow A) and to be more precise, between an operating position denoted by B in figure 2 in which the wiper blade 3 is in contact with the vehicle

windscreen 2 at least during wiping operation and a service position denoted by C in figure C, in which the wiper arm rod 5 and the wiper blade 3 provided on the latter is pivoted away from the vehicle windscreen 2 to such an extent that convenient replacement of the wiper blade 3 is possible for example. In the embodiment presented, the pivoting angle between the two positions B and C is approximately 60°. A different pivoting angle is also basically possible however.

[0024] The wiper blade 3 is connected to a supply source on the vehicle side via a supply line for supply of the cleaning and washing fluid. This supply line is executed as a flexible tube 12, at least over the sublength running within the wiper arm 1 , which runs concealed in relation to the upper side of the wiper arm 1 among other aspects within a recess 13 in the bearing element 4 and in the interior 14 of the wiper arm rod 5 delimited by the shanks 8 and the yoke section 9 and to be more precise, in the area of the wiper arm link 6 under the link bushing 10. In each pivoting position of the wiper arm 1 and the wiper arm rod 5, the tube line 12 is in contact with the bearing element 4 in the area of the link bushing 10 and to be more precise, in the operating position B, essentially only in places or over a small initial angular range around the axis of the wiper arm link 6 and in the service position C, over a considerably greater angular range in relation to the initial angular range, approximately corresponding to the pivoting angle of the wiper arm rod 5 from the operating position B into the service position C. As a result, an additional flexible tube length for the tube line 12 is required on pivoting the wiper arm rod 5 from the operating position B into the service position C.

[0025] The additional flexible tube length is provided by the fact that the tube line forms a compensation section 15 in the operating position B and to be more precise, in the form of a curved course of the flexible tube or a flat loop. This compensation section 15 is created by an elastic tensioning element 16, on which the tube line 12 lies within the space 14 formed by the U profile of the wiper arm rod 5 and which in the embodiment presented exerts lateral preload forces or spring forces on the tube line 12 in the direction of the yoke section 9, as implied by the arrow F. In the embodiment presented, the compensation section 15 is shaped such that the latter and the curved flexible tube length or flat loop forming the compensation section 15 are completely accommodated in the space 14 and indeed without any increase in the overall height of the wiper arm rod 5 and such that the convex side of the compensation section 15 faces the yoke section 9. Owing to the preload or spring force F exerted by the tensioning element 16, the tube line 12 is arranged in the interior of the U profile in any pivoting position of the wiper arm and is invisibly

accommodated on the exterior of the wiper arm 1.

[0026] The spring force F is selected to be only sufficient to ensure that the

additional flexible tube length is tidily accommodated in the interior 14 of the U profile by formation of the compensation section 15 and the spring force F generated and its components acting in the longitudinal direction of the tube line 12 are under no circumstances sufficient for stretching of the tube line 12.

[0027] Owing to the compensation section 15 created by the tensioning element 16 and the resulting possibility of pivoting the wiper arm rod 5 from the operating position B to the service position C without stretching the tube line 12, it is also possible in particular to provide an electric heating element in the tube line 12, in the form of a heating filament 17 for example, preferably extending over the entire length of the tube line 12 and by means of which the tube line is heatable in order to avoid freezing of the cleaning and washing fluid. In the absence of provision of the additional flexible tube length in the form of the compensation section 15 required on pivoting the wiper arm rod 5 into the service position C, the stretching of the tube line 12 in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube line would result in tearing of the heating filament 17. [0028] As figure 3 shows, the tensioning element 16 in the embodiment presented is formed in a particularly simple manner of an elastically stretchable element (e.g. elastically stretchable strip or soft tension spring), extending between the two shanks 8, the side facing towards the yoke section 9 of which is in contact with the tube line 12 and indeed in such a manner that the latter runs laterally from a central plane M of the wiper arm rod 5 and of the U profile of this wiper arm rod 5 surrounding the yoke section 9 and oriented vertically to the latter. As a result, sufficient space is created on the other side of the central plane M for a spring 18, acting between the bearing element 4 and the wiper arm rod 5, which among other aspects in operating position B of the wiper arm 1 generates the necessary wiper blade contact pressure, necessary for wiping and cleaning the vehicle windscreen, with which the wiper blade 3 is in contact with the vehicle windscreen.

[0029] Figures 4 and 5 show a further embodiment in a similar manner to figures 2 and 3 in which instead of the tensioning element 16 forming the compensation area 15, a tensioning element 19 essentially acting as a spring tongue is provided in the interior 14 of the U profile of the wiper rod 5. The end distant from the wiper arm link 6 of the tensioning element 19 is fixed protected against rotation on the internal surface of a shank 8 and indeed in such a manner that the section 19.1 acting as a spring tongue (double arrow D) of the tensioning element 19 is oriented with its longitudinal extension in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the wiper arm rod 5 and with its surface sides oriented vertically or essentially vertically in relation to the shanks 8, but is spaced from the internal surfaces of both shanks 8. The section 19.1 is manufactured in a single piece with a clip 20, connected with the one shank 8 by riveting or in another suitable manner. Furthermore, the section 19.1 , on its upper side forming the support for the tube line 12 and facing the yoke section 9 is designed with several lugs or bridges 21 protruding over this upper side, which form a lateral seating surface or support for the tube line. On the end adjacent to the wiper arm link 6, the spring tongue-like section 19.1 is designed with a retaining section 22, represented in detail in figure 6 and basically executed as a U profile with two shanks 23 projecting over the upper side of the section 19.1 and with an angling 24 adjoining the top edge of a shank 23. This angling extends parallel to the section 19.1 in the direction of the other shank 23, but ends however at a distance a from this shank. An insertion opening 25 is formed as a result, the width a of which is smaller than the external diameter d of the tube line 12, so that the latter may be introduced with elastic deformation into the retaining section 22 and in particular also during use of the wiper arm 1 , no unintentional slipping down or detachment of the tube line 12 from the tensioning element 19 occurs.

[0030] The tensioning element 19 is manufactured in a single piece by bending and punching for instance from a metallic flat material with spring properties, for example spring steel, or however as a plastic moulding. As figure 5 shows, the tensioning element 19 is arranged such as to be located on one side of the central plane M of the U profile of the wiper arm rod 5; on the other side of the central plane M, the spring 26 acting between the wiper arm rod 5 and the wiper arm link 6 can be

accommodated, which among other aspects generates the wiper blade contact pressure.

[0031] By means of the tensioning element 19, the tube line 12 is again laterally impinged with spring force (arrow F) in the vicinity of the wiper arm link 6 in such a manner that in any position of the wiper arm 1 , the tube line 12 is in contact with the side of the link bushing 10 facing away from the yoke section 9 and in the operating position B of the wiper arm 1 , the tube line 12 presents as a result of the tensioning element 19 the compensation section 15 in the form of the curved course or the flat loop, from which the length required for pivoting into the service position C is subsequently provided with elastic deformation of the tensioning element 19 in the direction of the open side of the U profile of the wiper arm rod 5. The embodiment illustrated in figures 4 - 6 therefore offers the advantage that in any operating position of the wiper arm 1 , the tube line 12 is tidily accommodated in the wiper arm 1 and longitudinal stretching of the tube line 12 on pivoting from the operating position into the service position does not occur and therefore the tube line 12 may among other aspects be equipped in turn with a heating filament 17 serving as an electric heating element.

[0032] The invention has been described above based on examples of

embodiment. It is understood that modifications and variations are possible without departing as a result from the concept on which the invention is based.

[0033] It was therefore assumed above that the spring forces F acting from the respective tensioning element 16 and 19 on the tube line 12 for formation of the compensation section 15 are oriented in axial directions vertically in relation to the pivot axis of the wiper arm link 6. Naturally, with

corresponding design of the tensioning elements, their formation of spring forces serving as compensation sections may also act in different axial directions. Furthermore, two or more than two tensioning elements may be used for generation of several compensation sections and indeed particularly in cases in which a particularly long additional flexible line length is required on pivoting the wiper arm link 6.

[0034] The invention has been explained above by the example of the wiper arm link 6. The design according to the invention is of course meaningful and usable with other linkages between functional elements of a windscreen wiper, for example in the area of a linkage between the wiper arm 1 and the wiper blade 3, wherein the at least one tube line is likewise guided in an orderly manner such that in an initial pivoting position of the functional elements, it is for example in contact with a concavely curved side on the link only in places or over a small angular range with reference to the axis of the link and in the other pivoting position however, it is in contact with a concavely curved side over a considerably greater angular range. The additional length of the tube line is also provided in this case again by the fact that the tube line, in the initial pivoting position, presents a

compensation section created by the at least one spring or tensioning element.

[0035] The design according to the invention is also suitable for linkages over which two flexible tube lines or two electric cables are guided. In this case, the at least one tensioning element is jointly provided for both lines or at least one separate tensioning element exists for each line.

[0036] The design according to the invention is ultimately not only suitable for flexible tube lines, but also for electric cables, guided over or around a link.

[0037] The additional flexible tube length is provided by the fact that the tube line 12 inside the wiper arm 1 or in the area of the wiper arm link 6 however is designed with a length that allows pivoting of the wiper arm rod 5 into the service position C without or substantially without stretching of the tube line 12 in the longitudinal direction, i.e. the tube line 12 is designed with such a length that it is also free of tensile forces that could result in stretching of the tube line 12 in the service position C.

[0038] List of references

[0039] 1 wiper arm

[0040] 2 vehicle windscreen

[0041] 3 wiper blade

[0042] 4 bearing elements

[0043] 5 wiper arm rod

[0044] 6 wiper arm link

[0045] 7 opening for wiper shaft

[0046] 8 shank

[0047] 9 yoke section

[0048] 10 bearing or link bushing

[0049] 1 1 hinge pin

[0050] 12 flexible tube line

[0051] 13 recess

[0052] 14 interior of the U profile of the wiper arm rod

[0053] 15 compensation section of the flexible tube line

[0054] 16 tensioning element

[0055] 17 heating filament

[0056] 19 tensioning element

[0057] 19.1 spring tongue-like section

[0058] 20 clip

[0059] 21 bridge [0060] 22 retaining section

[0061] 23 shank

[0062] 24 angling

[0063] 25 insertion opening

[0064] B operating position

[0065] C service position

[0066] D pivoting movement of the spring element 19

[0067] F spring force

[0068] M central plane

[0069] a width of insertion opening 25

[0070] d external diameter of the flexible tube line

[0071]

Claims

1. Linkage between a wiper arm (1 , 5) and a functional element (4) of a

windscreen wiper module for vehicles connected by means of a link (6) to the wiper arm (1 ), having at least one flexible line (12), guided around the link (6) in such a manner that it encompasses at least one articulation axis of the link (6) over an angular range dependent on the pivoting position that the wiper arm (1 , 5) and the functional element adopt in relation to one another at a radial distance,

characterised in that on and/or in the wiper arm (1 , 5), at least one tensioning element (16, 19) acting on the at least one line (12) is provided and to be more precise, for tensioning the line (12) around the link (6) and/or for receiving any surplus line length arising in a compensation section (15) formed by the line (12) and for dispensing of an additional line length from the compensation section (15) if the angular range increases.

2. Linkage according to claim 1 , characterised in that the tensioning element (16, 19) acts laterally on the at least one line (12).

3. Linkage according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one line is an electric cable and/or a hydraulic line (12), for example a tube line for supplying cleaning and washing fluid to an aqua wiper blade (3).

4. Linkage according to any of the above claims, characterised in that the at least one tensioning element (16, 19) is accommodated by the wiper arm (1 , 5) concealed in the latter's interior (14).

5. Linkage according to any of the above claims, characterised in that the

longitudinal extension of the at least one tensioning element (16) is oriented transversally to the longitudinal extension of the at least on line (12) and forms a support for this line (12)

and/or is a spring elastic stretchable rod-shaped or cord-shaped element, for example a strip or cord of elastic rubber material or a tension spring or a coiled spring and is retained for example at both ends on the wiper arm (1 , 5), for instance on shanks (8) of a U-shaped section of the wiper arm (1 , 5).

6. Linkage according to any of the above claims, characterised in that the at least one tensioning element (19) is designed in the manner of a leaf spring or spring tongue.

7. Linkage according to claim 6, characterised in that the at least one tensioning element (19) presents a spring tongue-like section (19.1 ), extending in the direction of the course of the at least one line (12), fixed to the functional element (5) at a distance from an end facing the link (6) and that the at least one line (12) is guided over the spring tongue-like section (19.1 ) such that this section (19.1 ) exerts the lateral spring force on the at least one line (16).

8. Linkage according to claim 7, characterised in that the spring tongue-like

section (19.1 ) is designed with means for guiding and/or retaining and/or securing (21 , 22) the at least one line (12).

9. Linkage according to any of the above claims, characterised in that the link (6) is the wiper arm link (6) between a bearing element (4) and the wiper arm rod (5) of a wiper arm (1 ) and that the at least one line (12) is guided around the side of the link (6) facing away from the upper side of the wiper arm (1 ) or the wiper arm rod (5).

10. Linkage according to claim 9, characterised in that the link (6) is the link

between the wiper arm (1 ) and the wiper blade (3) articulated to the wiper arm

(1).

1 1. Wiper arm of a windscreen wiper module for vehicles, characterised by at least one tensioning element (16, 19) arranged on and/or in the wiper arm (1 , 5) for tensioning at least one line (12) running in the wiper arm (1 , 5) and/or for receiving a surplus line length in a compensation section (15) formed by the line (12), wherein the line is for example an electric cable and/or a hydraulic line (12), for instance a tube line for supplying cleaning and washing fluid to an aqua wiper blade (3).

12. Wiper arm according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the at least one

tensioning element (16, 19) acts laterally on the at least one line (12) and/or is accommodated by the wiper arm (1 , 5) concealed in the latter's interior (14).

13. Wiper arm according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterised in that the longitudinal extension of at least one tensioning element (16) is oriented transversally to the longitudinal extension of the at least one line (12) and forms a support for this line (12)

and/or

is a spring elastic stretchable rod-shaped or cord-shaped element, for example a strip or cord of elastic rubber material or a tension spring or a coiled spring and is retained for example at both ends on the wiper arm (1 , 5), for instance on shanks (8) of a U-shaped section of the wiper arm (1 , 5).

14. Wiper arm according to any of the above claims, characterised in that the at least one tensioning element (19) is designed in the manner of a leaf spring or spring tongue.

15. Wiper arm according to claim 14, characterised in that the at least one

tensioning element (19) presents a spring tongue-like section (19.1 ), fixed to the functional element (5) at a distance from an end facing the link (6) and that the at least one line (12) is guided over the spring tongue-like section (19.1) such that this section (19.1 ) exerts the lateral spring force (F) on the at least one line (16).

16. Wiper arm according to claim 15, characterised in that the spring tongue-like section (19.1 ) is designed with means for guiding and/or retaining and/or securing (21 , 22) the at least one line (12).