WO2018010631A1

WO2018010631A1 - A protecting cap for a wiper arm

Info

Publication number: WO2018010631A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/092453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qingqing ZHENG; Jinfang Zhang; Chenli HOU
Original assignee: Taizhou Valeo Wenling Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-07-13
Filing date: 2017-07-11
Publication date: 2018-01-18
Also published as: CN107618480A; CN107618480B

Abstract

A protecting cap (100) for a wiper arm (300) has a coupling section (310) at its end (320), the protecting cap (100) having a body (110) extending along its longitudinal direction, the body (110) having a first face (120) facing toward the coupling section and a second face (130) facing away from the coupling section in the longitudinal direction, the body (110) also having a cavity (200) extending along the longitudinal direction, wherein the cavity (200) is open at the first face (120) and receives the coupling section via the first face (120), and the cavity (200) has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction which matches a section of the coupling section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and receives the coupling section in the cavity.

Description

A PROTECTING CAP FOR A WIPER ARM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a protection cap for a wiper arm of a motor vehicle, which, particularly, can receive a coupling section of the wiper arm.

BACKGROUND

A motor vehicle is generally equipped with a wiping system to wipe and clean windshield and prevent the field of view of the driver being disturbed. The wiping system usually comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade with the wiper arm having a coupling section at its end for connecting to the wiper blade. The wiper arm moves angularly back and forth to actuate the wiper such that the wiper blade rubs against the windshield and removes the water and dirt from the field of view of the driver.

In some circumstances, the wiper arm, for instance before the rain-shower test, is generally assembled on the motor vehicle, for example in a lower area of the front windshield or rear windshield in a rest state, and however, the wiper blade is not mounted to the wiper arm and instead put in the compartment of the vehicle for example.

In addition, for a vehicle long-term unused, it is preferable that the wiper blade is not assembled to the wiper arm so as to prevent the aging of the wiper blade.

In such a case, the coupling section of the wiper arm would contact the windshield directly, and the coupling section would impact or scrape the windshield to cause damage to the windshield when the wiper arm is actuated accidentally.

SUMMARY

The aim of the invention is to overcome the above defects by proposing a protection cap for a wiper arm. The protection cap according to the invention can receiving a plurality of types of coupling sections, that is to say that it is common to a plurality of types of coupling sections and thus there is no need to design the dedicated protection caps with respect to specific shapes, dimensions and the like of different types of the coupling sections.

The invention proposes a protecting cap for a wiper arm which has a coupling section at its end, the protecting cap having a body extending along its longitudinal direction, the body having a first face facing toward the coupling section and a second face facing away from the coupling section in the longitudinal direction, the body also having a cavity extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cavity is open at the first face and receives the coupling section via the first face, and the cavity has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction which matches a section of the coupling section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and receives the coupling section in the cavity.

Preferably, the cavity comprises a main passage and a sub passage which extend in the longitudinal direction and the main passage is in communication with the sub passage. The cooperation between the main passage and the sub passage facilitates to retain the coupling section in the protection cap.

Preferably, the main passage has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction which is substantially rectangular, and the sub passage has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction which comprises an elongated base and at least one leg perpendicular to the base and extending from the base.

Preferably, in a section of the body perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage is perpendicular to a length direction of the base of the sub passage.

Preferably, in a section of the body perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage is parallel to a length direction of the base of the sub passage, and the main passage overlaps the base.

Preferably, the protecting cap is made of rubber.

Preferably, the body is provided with a protruded supporting foot on at least one side, for contacting a vehicle windshield. Using the supporting foot provided on the side of the body of the protection cap to contact the windshield of the vehicle reduces the contacting area between the protection cap and the windshield so as to reduce the friction force between the protection cap and the windshield when the wiper arm is actuated, facilitating to avoid the protection cap from dropping from the coupling section.

Preferably, the supporting foot is in form of protruded strip or protruded bump, or is formed by cutting a groove on the side at which the supporting foot is located.

Preferably, the second face is a closed face to prevent the coupling section from penetrating out of the second face.

Preferably, the cavity is a through cavity. In this case, it is not only saving materials for cost saving, but also that the protection cap can be made by way of a working piece with the features according to the invention and with a great length in the longitudinal direction being made firstly, and then, according to requirements, being cut into segments each of which forms a separate protection cap. As such, the method for manufacturing the protection cap is simple and easy to operate.

Preferably, the sub passage has a plurality of legs such that the cavity of the protection cap has a greater flexibility to adapt different coupling sections.

Preferably, at least one inner side wall of the cavity is provided with a pressing rib which extends in the longitudinal direction, projects from inner surface of the cavity and contacts the coupling section. The pressing rib can apply a pressure to the coupling section so as to retain it in the cavity reliably, which can avoid the protection cap from dropping when the wiper arm is actuated.

Preferably, the dimension of the cavity in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction matches the dimension of the coupling section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, or inner walls of the cavity is press fitted with the coupling section.

Preferably, the body has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction which is shaped as rectangular, square, circular, oblong or oval.

Preferably, the cavity is chamfered at inlet edge of the first face so as to facilitate the insertion of the coupling section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The further features, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the description by way of example and with respect to the accompanied drawings:

Figure 1A is a schematic view of a protection cap according to the invention mounted on a coupling section of a wiper arm of a front windshield of a vehicle, wherein the wiper arm is in a rest position；

Figure 1B is a schematic view of the protection cap according to the invention mounted on the coupling section of the wiper arm of the front windshield of the vehicle, wherein the wiper arm is in a working position；

Figure 2A is a schematic view of a protection cap according to the invention mounted on a coupling section of a wiper arm of a rear windshield of a vehicle, wherein the wiper arm is in a rest position；

Figure 2B is a schematic view of the protection cap according to the invention mounted on the coupling section of the wiper arm of the rear windshield of the vehicle, wherein the wiper arm is in a working position；

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a protection cap according to one embodiment of the invention；

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a protection cap according to one embodiment of the invention；

Figure 5 is a cross section view, perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, of a protection cap according to one embodiment of the invention；

Figure 6A shows a schematic perspective view of the protection cap according to figure 4 receiving a coupling section； Figure 6B shows a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, when the protection cap according to the figure 4 receives the coupling section；

Figure 7A shows a coupling section of a wiper arm； Figure 7B shows a schematic perspective view of the protection cap according to figure 4 receiving the coupling section； Figure 7C shows a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, when the protection cap according to the figure 4 receives the coupling section, wherein the coupling section has a U-shape cross section；

Figure 8 is a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, of a protection cap according to another embodiment of the invention；

Figure 9 is a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, of a protection cap according to another embodiment of the invention；

Figures 10A to 10C are schematic perspective views when the protection caps according to the embodiments of the invention receive the coupling sections；

Figures 11A to 11D are cross section views, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, of a protection cap according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drawings show various embodiments of the invention and these drawings may be used to define the invention naturally if applicable.

Figures 1A and 1B show a vehicle 500 with a front windshield W. Figures 1A and 1B additionally show a wiper arm 300 for wiping the windshield W, one end of which may provided with a coupling section 310 for connecting a wiper blade (not shown) . The other end 320 of the wiper arm 300 is mounted pivotably to a body of the vehicle 500. The wiper arm 300 may pivot around a pivot axial (not shown) at its end 320 when actuated, for example by a motor, to move angularly back and forth, so as to bring the wiper blade mounted to the coupling section 320 to rub against the windshield W back and forth in order to remove the water and dirt from the field of view of a driver. Figure 1 shows the wiper arm 300 being in its rest position, namely a position in which the wiper arm 300 is not actuated, in which rest position the wiper arm 300 is located in a lower area of the windshield W. Figure 1B shows a state in which the wiper arm 300 is working and in this state the wiper arm 300 has left the working position and is rubbing against the front windshield W.

As shown in figures 2A and 2B, the vehicle 500 further comprises a rear windshield V. Similarly, an end of a wiper arm 300'for the rear windshield V may be provided with a coupling section 310'for connection to a wiper blade wiping the rear windshield V. The other end of the wiper arm 300'is mounted pivotably on the body of the vehicle 500. Figure 2A shows the wiper arm 300'being in its rest position, namely a position in which the wiper arm 300'is not actuated, in which the wiper arm 300 is located in a lower area of the windshield V. Figure 2B shows a state in which the wiper arm 300'is working and in this state the wiper arm 300'has left the working position and is rubbing against the windshield V to remove the water and dirt from the field of view of the driver.

As shown in figures 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, the wiper arm 300 is not mounted with a wiper blade at its coupling section 310 and a protection cap 100 is arranged on the coupling section 310 instead such that the coupling section 310 can be avoided from contacting the windshields W and V directly.

Now the protection cap 100 for the coupling sections 310 and 310'is described in detail. The following description is concerned with the coupling section 300 and the protection cap 100, and similar description may be applied to the coupling section 300'a nd its protection cap. As shown in figure 3, the protection cap 100 may have a body 110 extending along its longitudinal direction X which corresponds to a direction in which the coupling section 310 extends following a longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 300, and the longitudinal direction of the protection cap 100 may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 300. The body 110 may have a first face 120 facing toward the coupling section 310 and a second face 130 facing away from the coupling section 310 in the longitudinal direction X (figure 6A) . The body 110 may also have a cavity 200 extending in the longitudinal direction X. The cavity 200 may be open at the first face 120 and can receive the coupling section 310 of the wiper arm 300 via the first face 120. The cavity 200 has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X which matches a section of the coupling section 310 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and receives the coupling section 310 in the cavity 200. Specifically, as shown in figures 6A and 7A, the coupling section 310 may be inserted into the cavity 100 via the first face 120 of the protection cap 100 such that the protection cap 100 can be retained on the coupling section 310 without dropping when the wiper arm 300 is actuated, for example the protection cap 100 can be retained on the coupling section 310 during at least three wiping cycles of the wiper arm 300. Advantageously, the cavity 200 has an inner wall which may be press-fitted with the coupling section 310.

Figure 4 shows a protection cap 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The cavity 200 of the protection cap 100 may comprise a main passage 210 and a sub passage 220 which extend in the longitudinal direction X and the main passage 210 is in communication with the sub passage 220. The main passage 210 has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X which is substantially rectangular. The sub passage 220 has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X which comprises an elongated base 221, as the portion enclosed by the broken line in figure 4, and a leg 222 which may extend perpendicular to and from the base 221. It can be seen in the example shown in figure 4 that in the section of the body 110 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, a length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage 210 may be parallel to a length direction of the base 221 of the sub passage 220 and a part of the main passage 210 may overlap the base 221 of the sub passage 220, for example the region of the base 221 is a overlapping region of the main passage 210 and the sub passage 220.

Next it will be described how the coupling section 310 is received in the protection cap 100 to be protected by it with reference to figures 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B combined with figure 4.

Figure 6A show a part of the wiper arm 300 comprising a wiper arm lever 330, a hooked coupling section 310 at an end of the wiper arm 300 and a bending connection 340 connecting the wiper arm lever 330 to the coupling section 310. Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the protection cap 100 receiving the coupling section 310. The coupling section 310 may have a shape of hook, namely, the wiper arm 300 folds back at its end to form a hook. The hooked coupling section 310may have a first branch 311, a second branch 312 folding back and parallel to the first branch 311 substantially, and a folding portion (not shown) connecting between the first branch 311 and the second branch 312. Figure 6B shows a cross section view in a section Z1-Z1 in figure 6A perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

When the protection cap 100 shown in figure 4 is used, the folding portion of the coupling section 310 may be aligned to first face 120 of the protection cap 100 and the protection cap 100 is set to house outside the first branch 311 and the second branch 312. The second branch 312 is a branch close to the windshield. When the coupling section 310 is inserted into the cavity 200, the coupling section 310 can cooperate with the inner wall of the cavity 200 ensuring that the protection cap 100 would not drop when the wiper arm 300 is actuated, for example the protection cap 100 would not drop so as to avoid the direct contact of the coupling section 310 with the protection cap 100 during at least three wiping cycles. Particularly, it is shown in the examples in the figure 4 and figures 6A and 6B that the body 110 has two legs 222, and the two

branches

311 and 312 of the coupling section 310 may respectively press against protruded edges separating the legs 222, which will be described hereinafter in detail.

Figure 7A shows another coupling section 310 of a wiper arm. The coupling section 310 has a U-shaped cross section and comprises a top 314 and two flanks 315 connecting to the top 314. An insertion section 317 is overhung on the extension line of the top 50. The flank 315 is provided with a stop edge 316 which can cooperate with a connection element for the wiper blade (not shown) . A mark may be provided on the coupling section 310. Such a mark can be achieved by an inclined corner 318 on a flank 315 of the coupling section 310, as shown in figure 7A. The flatten corner 318 here may corresponds to a material coating formed in a complementary manner in a respective position of the connection element of the wiper blade, for ensuring the unique match of the wiper blade and the wiper arm. The coupling section 310 may additionally have a lateral face 319 which is located on the flank 315 and towards a direction of the windshield. The lateral face 319 cooperates with the connection element of the wiper blade when entering a final assembly position.

Figure 7B shows a schematic perspective view of the protection cap 100 according to figure 4 receiving a coupling section 310. Figure 7C shows a cross section view in a section Z2-Z2 in figure 7B perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. When the protection cap 100 shown in figure 4 is used, the terminal of the coupling section 310 is aligned to the first face 120 of the protection cap 100, particularly the flanks 315 are aligned to the legs 222 of the sub passages 220 of the cavity 200 such that, when the protection cap 100 houses the coupling section 310, a part of or the entire of each flanks 315 is received in the respective leg 222 and the top 314 abut against the inner wall of the cavity 200, such that the coupling section 310 can cooperate with the inner wall of the cavity 200 ensuring that the protection cap 100 would not drop when the wiper arm 300 is actuated, for example the protection cap 100 would not drop so as to avoid the direct contact of the coupling section 310 with the protection cap 100 during at least three wiping cycles. In the example shown in figure 7B, the cavity 200 of the protection 100 houses the stop edges 316 of the coupling section 310 therein. Accordingly, the leg 222 of the sub passage 220 has a recessed portion at bottom, for receiving the stop edge 316.

It can be seen from figures 6A and 6B and figures 7A and 7B that the protection cap 100, when receiving the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped cross section (figures 7A and 7B) , rotates approximately 90° around the longitudinal direction X, compared with receiving the hooked coupling section 310 (figures 6A and 6B) . The cavity 200 of the protection cap 100 according to the invention is capable of receiving the coupling sections with various shapes, and there is no need to design different protection caps with respect to the specific shapes, dimensions or the like of each of the coupling sections.

Now the description is with reference to figure 5 combined with the coupling section 310 shown in figures 6A and 6B and figures 7A-7C. Figure 5 shows a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, of a protection cap 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in figure 5, the cavity 200 of the protection cap body 110 may comprise a main passage 210 and a sub passage 220 which extend in the longitudinal direction X and the main passage 210 is in communication with the sub passage 220. The main passage 210 has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X which is substantially rectangular. The sub passage 220 has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X which comprises an elongated base 221, as the portion enclosed by the broken line in figure 5, and a leg 222 which may extend perpendicular to and from the base 221. In the example shown in figure 5, in a section of the body 110 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, a length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage 210 may be perpendicular to a length direction of the base 221 of the sub passage 220.

In the example shown in figure 5, the main passage 210 may be used to receive the hooked coupling section 310 as shown in figures 6A and 6B. The sub passage 220 may be used to receiving the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped section as shown in figures 7A and 7B, wherein the top 314 of the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped section may be received in the base 221 of the sub passage 220 and the flanks 315 thereof may be received in the legs 222 of the sub passage 210. Although it is shown in figure 5 that the sub passage 220 comprises two legs, the sub passage 220 may comprises a single leg 222, and now, when the protection cap 100 receives the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped section, one of the flanks may be received in the single leg 222 of the sub passage, the other flank 315 may be received in the main passage 210 and may or may not abut against the inner wall of the main passage and a part of the top 314 may be received in the base 221 of the sub passage 220.

Figure 8 shows a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, of a protection cap 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. The difference of the protection cap 100 shown in figure 8 from that shown in figure 4 comprises the arrangement of the legs 222 of the sub passage. As shown in figure 8, the sub passage 220 may comprises more than two legs 222A-222D which extend perpendicular to the base 221 and are spaced along the length direction of the base 221. When the protection cap 100 is used, the main passage 210 of the cavity 200 may receive the hooked coupling section 310 and the sub passage 220 may receive the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped cross section. Particularly, the two flanks 315 of the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped cross section can be received in the main passage 210 and/or the sub passage 220 according to the distance therebetween. For example, one flank 315 may be received in the leg 222A which is closest to the external wall of the protection cap and the other flank 315 may be received in the main passage 210 or one of the

other legs

222B, 222C and 222D. It may also be feasible that, for example, one flank 315 is received in one leg 222B in the middle and the other flank 315 is received in the main passage 210 and one of the

other legs

222C and 222D. In addition, the number of the legs 222 may not be limited to that shown in the figures.

In the example shown in figure 8, the legs 222 may not extend only along a same direction, for example, some of the plurality of legs 222 may extend along the direction shown in figure 8, referred as to a first direction, and the other legs 222 may extend along a second direction opposite to the first direction to adapt to a plurality of types of coupling sections. It is also feasible that the legs 222 have different lengths to adapt to the coupling sections 310 with flanks of different lengths.

Figure 9 shows a cross section view, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, of a protection cap 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. The difference of the protection cap 100 shown in figure 9 from that shown in figure 4 comprises the arrangement of the legs 222 of the sub passage 220. As shown in figure 9, the sub passage 220 may comprises more than two legs 222 which extend perpendicular to the base 221 and are spaced along the length direction of the base 221. The length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage 210 may be parallel to the length direction of the base 221 of the sub passage 210 substantially, and the main passage 210 overlaps the base 221.

When the protection cap 100 is used, the main passage 210 of the cavity 200 may receive the hooked coupling section 310 and the sub passage 220 may receive the coupling section 310 with a U-shaped cross section. Particularly, when a hooked coupling section 310 is received, the edges of its first branch 311 and second branch 312 may respectively press against the protruded edges separating the legs 222 For example, an external side of the branch 311 abuts against an inner wall 202 of the cavity 200 extending parallel to the extension direction of the legs 222 and the lateral edge thereof parallel to the longitudinal direction X may abut against an edge 224A1 of a protrusion 224A separating the

legs

222A and 222B, and the lateral edge of the other branch 312 parallel to the longitudinal direction X may abut against the edge of another protrusion so as to retain the hooked coupling section 310 in the protection cap 100. In this example, the external side of the branch 312 may or may not abut against the inner wall of the cavity 200 parallel to the extension direction of the legs 222.

When the coupling section 310 with U-shaped cross section is received, the two flanks 315 of the coupling section 310 may be received in the main passage 210 and/or the sub passage 220 according to the distance therebetween. For example, one flank 315 may be received in the leg 222A which is closest to the external wall of the protection cap and the other flank 315 may be received in the main passage 210 or one of the

other legs

In the example descried above, the plurality of protrusions separating the legs 222 may also have different heights, i.e. lengths parallel to the extension direction of the legs in a plan perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, to adapt to different types of the coupling sections.

Figures 10A-10C show the protection caps of further embodiments according to the invention, which are in states receiving the coupling section 310. Figures 11A to 11D are cross section views, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, of a protection cap according to different embodiments of the invention. The protection caps 100 shown in figures 10A-10C, compared to the protection caps 100 shown in figures 7B and 7C, has a shorter length extending in the longitudinal direction X, housing a portion of the coupling section 310 close to the terminal. In addition and combined with figures 11A-11D, the body 110 of the protection cap 100 may has a supporting foot 111 on at least one side, for contacting the windshield of the vehicle 500 . The supporting foot 111 may be in form of protruded strip, as shown in figure 10A-10C, or protruded bump, as shown in figure 11A and 11B. Additionally, the supporting foot 111 may be formed by cutting a groove on an external side of the body 110 of the protection cap 100, as shown in figure 11C and 11D. Compared with one of the sides of the body 110 entirely contacting the windshield, using the supporting foot 111 provided on the side of the body 110 of the protection cap to contact the windshield of the vehicle reduces the contacting area so as to reduce the friction force between the protection cap 100 and the windshield when the wiper arm 300 is actuated, facilitating to avoid the protection cap 100 from dropping from the coupling section 310. Further, supporting feet 111 are provided in a plurality of side of the body 110 such that it takes no efforts to make sure the orientation of the sides of the protection cap 100 relative to the windshield, namely which side will contact the windshield, when the protection cap 100 houses the coupling section 310, which benefits the facility of the operations and saves time for operation. Figures 11A-11D only show that one and two sides of the protection cap 100 are provided with supporting foot 111, however, three or all four side of the body 110 may provided with support foot 111.

Further, the cavity 200 of the body 100 may also provided with a pressing rib 201 which is provided on at least one inner side wall of the cavity 200, as shown in figures 11A and 11B. The pressing rib 201 may extend in the longitudinal direction X. The pressing rib 201 may project from inner surface of the cavity 200 and contact the coupling section 310 inserted therein to apply a pressure to the coupling section 310 so as to retain it in the cavity 200 reliably, which can avoid the protection cap from dropping when the wiper arm 300 is actuated. Figures 11A and 11B show that a plurality of pressing ribs 201 are provided on two or three inner side walls of the cavity 200, however, the number and the positions provided may be different from those shown in the figures and instead be set according to practical needs.

In one embodiment, the second face 130 of the body 110 of the protection 100 may be a closed face to prevent the coupling section 310 from penetrating out of the second face 130. The second face 130 may also provided an opening 131, as shown in figure 10B, such that a portion projecting outward at the terminal of the coupling section 310, such as the insertion section 317, may penetrate out of the opening.

In another embodiment, the cavity 200 of the body 110 of the protection cap 100 may be a through cavity, as shown in figure 10C. In this case, it is not only saving materials for cost saving, but also that the protection cap can be made by way of a working piece with the features according to the invention and with a great length in the longitudinal direction X being made firstly, and then being cut into segments each of which forms a separate protection cap 100. As such, the method for manufacturing the protection cap is simple and easy to operate. Also, when there is the portion projecting outward at the terminal of the coupling section, for example the insertion section 317 as shown in figure 10C, the protection cap with a through cavity would not apply a pressure to the portion projecting outward. In view of this, it is not necessary to take much consideration on the inserted depth of the coupling section in the protection cap when setting the protection cap and there is no risk that the closed end might press the projecting portion and make damage to it during the wiping cycle of the wiper arm.

According to an embodiment not shown, the section of the body 110 of the protection cap 100, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, may be shaped as rectangular, square, circular, oblong or oval.

According to an embodiment not shown, the cavity 200 is chamfered at inlet edge of the first face 120 so as to facilitate the insertion of the coupling section 310. The protecting cap 100 according to the invention is made of rubber.

Therefore, the invention provide a protection cap which can receiving a plurality of types of coupling sections, that is to say that the protection cap according to the invention is common to a plurality of types of coupling sections and thus there is no need to design dedicated protection caps with respect to specific shapes, dimensions and the like of different types of the coupling sections.

Claims

A protecting cap (100) for a wiper arm (300) which has a coupling section (310) at its end, the protecting cap (100) having a body (110) extending along its longitudinal direction (X) , the body (110) having a first face (120) facing toward the coupling section (310) and a second face (130) facing away from the coupling section (310) in the longitudinal direction (X) , the body (110) also having a cavity (200) extending along the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the cavity (200) is open at the first face (120) and receives the coupling section (310) via the first face (120) , and the cavity (200) has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) which matches a section of the coupling section (310) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and receives the coupling section (310) in the cavity (200) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity (200) comprises a main passage (210) and a sub passage (220) which extend along the longitudinal direction (X) and the main passage (210) is in communication with the sub passage (220) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main passage (210) has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) which is substantially rectangular, and the sub passage (220) has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) which comprises an elongated base (221) and at least one leg (222) perpendicular to the base (221) and extending from the base (221) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein in a section of the body (110) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) , a length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage (210) is perpendicular to a length direction of the base (221) of the sub passage (220) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein in a section of the body (110) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) , a length direction of the rectangular section of the main passage (210) is parallel to a length direction of the base (221) of the sub passage (220) , and the main passage (210) overlaps the base (221) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protecting cap (100) is made of rubber.
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body (110) is provided with a protruded supporting foot (111) on at least one side, for contacting a vehicle windshield.
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supporting foot (111) is in form of protruded strip or protruded bump, or is formed by cutting a groove on the side at which the supporting foot (111) is located.
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second face (130) is a closed face
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cavity (200) is a through cavity.
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the sub passage (220) has a plurality of legs (222) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one inner side wall of the cavity (200) is provided with a pressing rib (201) which extends along the longitudinal direction (X) , projects from inner surface of the cavity (200) and contacts the coupling section (310) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dimension of the cavity (200) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) matches the dimension of the coupling section (310) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) , or inner walls of the cavity (200) is press fitted with the coupling section (310) .
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body (110) has a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) which is shaped as rectangular, square, circular, oblong or oval.
The protecting cap (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cavity (200) is chamfered at inlet edge of the first face (120) .