EP3400153A1

EP3400153A1 - A connecting device for the vehicle wipers

Info

Publication number: EP3400153A1
Application number: EP16707985.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bahadir KARTAL
Original assignee: Mitsuba Teklas Turkey Otomotiv AS
Current assignee: Mitsuba Teklas Turkey Otomotiv AS
Priority date: 2016-01-06
Filing date: 2016-01-06
Publication date: 2018-11-14
Also published as: WO2017119853A1

Abstract

A connecting device is used for connecting a wiper blade (4) to a wiper arm (1). The device comprising bracket (3), an free end (10) of the wiper arm (1) connected to the bracket (3) so as to rotate around said pivot axis (8) and a sliding element (9) held within the wiper arm (1). Locking of the wiper blade (4) and wiper arm (1) is obtained by means of the sliding element (9).

Description

A CONNECTING DEVICE FOR THE VEHICLE WIPERS

Related Technical Field The present invention relates to an attachment device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in the vehicles such as automobiles.

Prior Art A wiper device comprising an elastic wiper profile for wiping the surface of the windscreen or rear window, an elongated, resilient carrier frame for supporting said profile and a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm have been known for a long time. In order to ensure the proper contact between the wiper profile and the glass surface at every point, the wiper blade should be pivotally connected to the free end of the wiper arm so as to rotate around a pivot axis. Such a rotatable connection is required to be secure enough at one hand to resist the forces acting in all three directions. One of the arm-blade connections meeting said requirements is the bayonet design.

In the Patent No. WO2010112579 a wiper is described, that is mounted onto a bracket fixed to the vertebra and where to a U-shaped adapter pivotally connected to the bracket is mounted .The circular protuberances serving as pins at both sides of the bracket are seated into the holes on both flanks of the adapter and thus, the adapter is pivotally connected to the bracket. The connection between the arm and the adapter is again realized by a resilient tongue provided on upper surfaces of the adapter engaging in a corresponding hole provided on the upper surfaces arm. This design provides a safe connection but the adapter is visible from under or around the arm at the visible top and side portions of the connection and that the connection of the arm and the adapter at these regions are exposed to external factors such as snow, rain, dust, mud.

While the arm is generally produced from metal and the adapter that is produced from plastic as a requirement for elasticity is of different color and luminosity. Therefore, a portion of the adapter being visible on the top and lateral surfaces of the arm that is visible to the end user causes an unaesthetic appearance.

In addition to this, the region where the arm and the adapter joins being open like this is exposed to the risk of mud, dust, snow accumulating at the connection region, thus to the risk of the connection that should be movable becoming dysfunctional.

EP1332076 discloses a connection between arm and wiper blade wherein the all connection elements that provides the attachment between arm and wiper blade are almost completely covered by the arm. Holding elements are arranged within the U- shaped wiper arm and extending downwards from the top wall thereof. Pins at both sides of the bracket are seated into the holes provided on the holding elements and thus, arm is pivotally connected to the bracket. According to the invention, the holes have a closed circumference to enhance the retention of the arm onto the bracket/adapter in the horizontal and vertical directions whereas the longitudinal retention is enhanced by a resilient tongue provided on the adapter engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the arm. The disclosed adapter part can be mounted onto the bracket by resiliently stretching the side walls outwards. However in case the user applies excessive force during assembly, the adapter may lose its function.

In order to eliminate these disadvantages, a connecting device is described by means of the present invention, wherein the connection elements on the blade are almost completely covered by the arm so as to, on one hand, provide an aesthetic appearance and on the other hand to protect the connection region from external factors, and also provides the arm and the blade to be locked in a safe manner against the forces in all directions. Short Description of the Invention

In the present invention, a connecting device that provides aesthetic appearance and also the safe connection of the wiper arm and the blade is disclosed.

The connecting device according to the invention comprises a bracket which is fixed at approximately the central region of the blade by preferably gripping the vertebra with its hook-shaped legs. A pin is preferably provided on the outer surface of bracket top wall. The wiper arm on the other hand, is provided with two extensions protruding downwards from the inner surface of its top wall and form an inverted U-shaped pin housing. An articulated connection between the wiper arm and the bracket is realized by means of the pin being seated into the pin housing. The arm-blade locking is realized by means of a sliding element that is held within the wiper arm. A sliding element is pushed forward in the longitudinal direction until its locking portions close the lateral spaces between pin housing and side walls of the wiper arm. As a result, connection is obtained between the arm and the blade which is resistant against the forces acting in all directions.

Description of the Figures

Figure l is the exploded isometric view of the wiper of the present invention.

Figure 2a, 2b and 2c is the isometric, sideways and frontal view of the blade with the bracket integrated thereon.

Figure 3 a and 3b are the two different isometric views of the wiper arm.

Figure 4 is the isometric view of the sliding element.

Figure 5a is the cross-sectional view showing the assembly of the sliding element into the wiper arm.

Figure 5b is the cross-sectional view showing the sliding element mounted within the wiper arm

Figure 6a and 6b are the cross-sectional view showing the assembly process of the articulated connection. Figure 6c is the cross-sectional view showing the bracket mounted with the wiper arm in the articulated manner.

Figure 7a is the cross-sectional view of connection device of the present invention in the unlocked state.

Figure 7b is the cross-sectional view of connection device of the present invention in the locked state.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

I Wiper arm

10 Wiper arm free end

II Side walls of the wiper arm

Inner surface of the side wall of the wiper arm free

110 end

12 Top wall of the wiper arm

120 Inner Surface of the Top wall of the wiper arm

13 Front wall of the wiper arm

130 Lower Portion of the front wall

14 Window

15 Pin Housing

151 Extensions

16 Holding Elements

17 Guiding Elements

18 Rail

19 Opening

3 Bracket

30 Bracket body

31 Side walls of the bracket

32 Top wall of the Bracket

320 Outer surface of the top wall

33 Bracket legs

34 Pin

341 Head Surfaces of the pin

35 Base Plate 4 Wiper blade

6 Vertebra

7 Wiper profile

8 Pivot axis

9 Sliding Element

91 Handle

910 Bottom Surface of the Handle

92 Bifurcated Arms

920 Holding Portion

1 Length of the pin

w Width of the Opening

d Diameter of the pin

400 Vertical direction

500 Vertical axis

600 Longitudinal direction

Detailed Explanation

As shown in figure 1, the connecting device is used for connecting a wiper blade (4) having at least one elastomeric wiper profile (7) with a lip portion for wiping the glass surface, an arc-shaped resilient metal vertebra (6) and a bracket (3) fixed to the vertebra (6) at the longitudinal middle region, to a wiper arm (1) one end of which is connected to a motor in the vehicle so as to rotate around a pivot axis (8).

The connecting device according to the present invention comprises said bracket (3), an free end (10) of the wiper arm (1) connected to the bracket (3) so as to rotate around said pivot axis (8) and a sliding element (9) held within the wiper arm (1). Sliding element (9) provides attachment and detachment of the wiper blade (4) and wiper arm (1).

As shown in figure 2, the bracket (3) is fixed to the blade (4), preferably directly to the vertebra (6) by means of its hook-shaped legs (33). The body portion (30) above these legs (33) has preferably two parallel side walls (31) and a top wall (32) joining former two (31). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, pin (34) is arranged on the outer surface (320) of the top wall (32) of the bracket. Between the pin (34) and outer surface (320) of the top wall (32), base plate (35) connecting the former two (320, 34) can be formed. In the preferred arrangement, the bracket (3) is produced as a single-piece. Pin (34) is in the form of horizontal cylinder so as to head surfaces (341) are parallel to the side walls (31) of the bracket (3). Preferably, pin (34) is in the form of bulging horizontal cylinder. Length (1) of the pin (34) is smaller than the diameter (d) thereof.

As shown in the Figure 3, the said free end (10) of the wiper arm (1) comprises two parallel side walls (11) and a top wall (12) and a front wall (13) joining the former two. The front wall (13) is partially empty by means of a window (14) with its lower portion (130) open.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pin housing (15) that grips the pin (34) on the bracket (3) in the assembled state is formed on the inner surface (120) of the top wall (12). The pin housing (15) is in the form of an inverted U and is preferably formed by means of two arc-shaped extensions (151) that extend downwards.

On the inner surfaces (110) of the at least one, preferably both side walls (11), at least one holding elements (16), in the form of protuberance or extension are disposed. Moreover, free end (10) of the wiper arm (1) comprises guiding elements (17) extending downwards from the inner surface of the said top wall. Also, a rail (18) extending longitudinally is provided on the inner surface (120) of the top wall (12).

In the preferred arrangement, wiper arm (1) is produced as a single-piece.

As shown in the Figure 4, sliding element (9) comprises a handle (91) and a pair of bifurcated legs (92). Handle (91) has uneven preferably serrated or knurled bottom surface (910) so as to being used by end user easily. In the preferred version locking portions (920) wider than the rest of the legs (92) are provided at the distal ends thereof.

The assembly process of the wiper arm (1) and the wiper blade (4) is shown in the Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7. Figure 5 a shows the connection of the sliding element (9) to the free end (10) of the arm (1). In order to mount the sliding element (9) into the arm (1), element (9) is moved in the vertical direction (400) as shown in the figure. During the assembly, holding elements (16) of the arm (1) pass underneath the both legs (92) of sliding elements (9). Thus, as shown in the Figure 5b, sliding element (9) is connected and held within the free end of the wiper arm (1).

Figure 6 shows the assembly process of the articulated connection of the wiper arm (1) and the bracket (3).

Figure 6 shows the connection of the wiper arm (1) and the bracket (3) that is fixed on the blade (4). As shown in the Figure 6a, in the first step of the assembly, bracket (3) is moved in the vertical direction (400) so as to mount the bracket(3) into the pin housing (15) of the wiper arm (1). However, diameter (d) of the pin (34) is larger than the width (w) of the opening (19) between the extensions (151) and it would not be possible to place pin (34) into the housing (15) if the bracket (3) is parallel to the wiper arm (1). Hence, bracket (3) is brought into a position that is perpendicular to the wiper arm (1), thus narrow side of the pin (34) is easily placed into the pin housing (15) because length (h) of the pin (34) is smaller than the width (w) of the opening (19).

As shown in the Figure 6b and 6c, after the pin (34) is placed into the pin housing (15), by rotating bracket (3) 90 degrees about the vertical axis, bracket (3) is brought into a position that is parallel to the wiper arm (1). In this position, extensions (151) of the wiper arm (1) surround the pin (34) of the bracket (3).

Thus, by means of the pin (34) being seated into the pin housing (15), wiper arm (1) is connected to the blade (4) in an articulated manner.

Figure 7 shows the assembly of the arm (1) and the wiper blade (4). As shown in the Figure 7a, the assembly is realized by pushing forward the sliding element (9) within the wiper arm (1) in the longitudinal direction (600) until its locking portions (920) close the lateral spaces (19) between the pin housing (15) and the side walls (11) of the wiper arm (1). As a result, sliding element (9) locks the wiper arm (1) and the blade (4). During the assembly or disassembly of the wiper blade (1), by means of a rail (18) and guiding elements (17), end user can easily push/pull the sliding element (9) in the longitudinal direction without any yaw movement. Figure 7b shows the connecting device of the present invention in the locked state. As shown, the free end of the arm (10) is fastened to the bracket (3). As a result, any possibility of detachment of the arm (1) and the blade (4) due to forces in all three directions is eliminated thanks to the sliding element (9). On the other hand, by means of a pin (34) and pin housing (15), the articulated connection between the arm (1) and the blade (4) is provided.

In the alternative embodiment, pin (34) may be provided on the inner surface (120) of the top wall (12) of the wiper arm (1) and pin housing (15) may be provided on the upper surface (320) of the top wall (32) of the bracket (3). Moreover, pin housing (15) can be produced as a separate piece and inserted into the wiper arm (1) or mounted onto the bracket (3). Also, pin (34) can be produced as a separate piece and inserted into the wiper arm (1) or mounted onto the bracket (3).

In the different alternative embodiment, in contrast to the preferred embodiment, sliding element (9) can be placed into the free end (10) of the wiper arm so as to the handle (91) is close to the front wall (13) of the wiper arm (1).

Connecting device according to the present invention disclosed above can be used for windshield wipers or preferably rear windows.

Claims

1. A connecting device is used for connecting a wiper blade (4) having at least one elastomeric wiper profile (7) with a lip portion for wiping the glass surface, an arc- shaped resilient metal vertebra (6) and a bracket (3) fixed to the vertebra (6) at the longitudinal middle region, to a wiper arm (1) one end of which is connected to a motor in the vehicle so as to rotate around a pivot axis (8), the device comprising bracket (3), an free end (10) of the wiper arm (1) connected to the bracket (3) so as to rotate around said pivot axis (8) and a sliding element (9) held within the wiper arm (1), wherein the said sliding element (9) provides the locking of the wiper blade (4) and wiper arm (1).

2. A connecting device as in Claim 1, characterized in that said sliding element (9) comprises a handle (91) and a pair of bifurcated legs (92).

3. A connecting device as in previous claim, characterized in that said handle

(91) has uneven preferably serrated or knurled bottom surface (910).

4. A connecting device as in Claim 2, characterized in that locking portions (920) wider than the rest of the legs (92) are provided at the distal ends of the said legs

(92) .

5. A connecting device as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the articulated connection of the arm (1) and bracket (3) is obtained by means of a pin (33) and a pin housing (15), wherein the said pin (33) is seated.

6. A connecting device as in previous claim, characterized in that said pin housing (15) is provided on the inner surface (120) of the top wall (12) of the wiper arm

(1) and said pin (34) is provided on the upper surface (320) of the top wall (32) of the bracket (3).

7. A connecting device as in previous claim, characterized in that said pin housing (15) is in the form of an inverted U and is preferably formed by means of two arc-shaped extensions (151) that extend downwards from inner surface (120) of the said top wall (12).

8. A connecting device as in Claim 5, characterized in that, said pin (34) is in the form of horizontal cylinder so as to head surfaces (341) are parallel to the side walls (31) of the bracket (3).

9. A connecting device as in previous claim, characterized in that, length (1) of the said pin (34) is smaller than the diameter (d) thereof.

10. A connecting device as in previous claim, the width (w) of the opening (19) between the extensions (151) is smaller than the diameter (d) of the pin (34) and larger than length G) of the pin (34).

11. A connecting device as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that, on the inner surfaces (110) of the at least one, preferably both side walls (11) of the said free end (10) of the wiper arm (1), at least one holding elements (16), in the form of protuberance or extension are disposed so as to pass underneath the both legs (92) of sliding elements (9) in order to hold the said sliding element (9) within the free end (10) of the wiper arm (1).

12. A connecting device as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that said sliding element (9) is pushed forward within the wiper arm (1) in the longitudinal direction (500) until its locking portions (920) close the lateral spaces (19) between pin housing (15) and side walls (11) of the wiper arm (1) so that the said arm (1) is locked with the said wiper blade (4).

13. A connecting device as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that said free end (10) of the wiper arm (1) comprises guiding elements (17) extending downwards from the inner surface of the top wall and a rail (18) extending longitudinally is provided on the inner surface (120) of the top wall (12) so that the end user can easily push/pull the sliding element (9) in the longitudinal direction without any yaw movement during the assembly or disassembly of the wiper blade (1).

14. A connecting device as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the said bracket (3) is brought into a position that is perpendicular to the said wiper arm and moved in the vertical direction (400) so as to mount the bracket (3) into the pin housing (15) of the wiper arm (1), after narrow side of the pin (34) is easily placed into the pin housing (15), bracket (3) is brought into a position that is parallel to the wiper arm (l) by rotating bracket (3) 90 degrees about the vertical axis so that the said pin (34) is seated into the pin housing (15) and wiper arm (1) is connected to the blade (4) in an articulated manner.

15. A connecting device as in Claim 5, characterized in that said pin (34) is provided on the inner surface (120) of the top wall (12) of the wiper arm (1) and said pin housing (15) is provided on the outer surface (320) of the top wall (32) of the bracket (3).

16. A connecting device as in Claim 5, characterized in that said pin housing (15) can be produced as a separate piece and inserted into the said wiper arm (1) or mounted onto the said bracket (3).

17. A connecting device as in Claim 5, characterized in that said pin (34) can be produced as a separate piece and inserted into the said wiper arm (1) or mounted onto the said bracket (3).