FR3031949A1 - LONGITUDINAL BODY FOR A WIPER BLADE - Google Patents

Abstract

Longitudinal member for a wiper blade (110), in particular a motor vehicle, said member comprising a first longitudinal element (130) comprising means for retaining a stiffening vertebra (118) and / or a wiping blade (116), and a second longitudinal member (114) comprising or carrying an aerodynamic longitudinal deflector, characterized in that it comprises an internal longitudinal cavity configured to receive a pipe (154) for distributing a fluid, such as a washer fluid.

Description

The present invention relates in particular to a longitudinal member for a wiper blade of a vehicle window, in particular a motor vehicle, a wiper blade comprising such a member as well as a mounting method. Typically, a wiper blade of a window such as the windshield of a motor vehicle comprises a longitudinal body carrying an aerodynamic deflector, and means for holding or retaining a wiper blade, general rubber, intended to rub against the window of the vehicle to evacuate water by bringing it outside the field of view of the driver. The blade further comprises means for retaining a longitudinal vertebra which stiffens the wiper blade, so as to promote the application of this blade on the windshield. The broom is carried by an arm which is driven by a motor in an angular back and forth motion. The means for connecting the blade to the arm generally comprise a connector which is integral with the body and an adapter which is articulated on the connector and fixed to one end of the arm.

The means for holding the wiper blade and the retaining means of the stiffening vertebra are generally carried by a longitudinal member of the blade, which may be independent of the body of the blade and fixed thereto by suitable means or which can be formed in one piece with this body, for example by coextrusion.

A wiper blade may include equipment such as means for spraying washer fluid on the windshield. It is for example known to provide a projection ramp on the wiper blade. This ramp generally comprises a longitudinal distribution pipe which has liquid projection orifices distributed along its length. In the present art, the pipe is attached to an outer longitudinal surface of the blade and is secured thereto by specific clamps. The pipe is thus visible to the user, which affects the aesthetics of the broom or even its aerodynamics in operation. The invention provides a simple, effective and economical solution to this problem. The invention proposes a longitudinal member for a wiper blade, in particular a motor vehicle, said member comprising a first longitudinal element comprising means for retaining a stiffening vertebra and / or a blade for wiping, and a second longitudinal member comprising or carrying an aerodynamic longitudinal deflector, characterized in that it comprises an internal longitudinal cavity in which is mounted and extends a fluid distribution line, such as a washing liquid. ice cream.

The pipe may thus not be visible to a user which improves the appearance of the brush, which is also simpler than that of the prior art because it does not include fasteners of the aforementioned type. The longitudinal member may comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation from one another or in combination with one another: said first and second members are formed in one piece, and preferably in two different materials for example by coextrusion, said first and second members are attached and fixed to one another, said longitudinal cavity is located in said second member or between said first and second members, said second member is elastically deformable, preferably so as to enlarge the transverse dimensions of said longitudinal cavity, - said second element comprises two side walls each having a substantially C-shaped section, or V-shape, the openings of which are oriented towards each other. another, at least one of these walls defining said longitudinal cavity, said sidewalls are non-symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane of the member, passing between the sidewalls and substantially midway thereof, - at least one of said sidewalls comprises through holes, 5 - said conduit comprises orifices fluid ejection in fluid communication with said through holes. The present invention also relates to a wiper blade of a vehicle window, in particular an automobile, comprising a longitudinal member as described above.

The present invention finally relates to a method of mounting a longitudinal member as described above comprising the steps of: a) inserting a longitudinal end of said pipe into a longitudinal end of said cavity, and b) sliding conducting in the cavity until the pipe extends substantially throughout its length in said cavity. The method preferably comprises a preliminary step of elastically deforming the member to enlarge the cross-sectional dimensions of said cavity.

The method may comprise a preliminary step of elastically deforming at least a portion of the member to enlarge the cross-sectional dimensions of said cavity. The deformation can be achieved by applying a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the member, and which is for example applied to said deflector. The method may comprise, after steps a) and b), a step of simultaneously drilling a side wall of the member and the pipe, to form fluid projection orifices.

The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description 3031949 VVFR2041 4 made by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a windscreen wiper, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a windscreen wiper blade according to the prior art, FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view. partial perspective view of a wiper blade according to the prior art, - Figures 4a to 4f are schematic cross-sectional views of a longitudinal member according to the invention, and represent steps of a method 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the longitudinal member according to the invention, and FIGS. 6a and 6b are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of another variant of FIG. realization of the organization longitudinal dimension according to the invention, and represent steps of a mounting method. It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate.

In the description which follows, the longitudinal or lateral designations refer to the orientation of the wiper blade according to the invention. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main axis of the blade in which it extends, while the lateral orientations correspond to intersecting straight lines, that is to say which intersect the longitudinal direction, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis broom in its plane of rotation. For the longitudinal directions, the outer or inner names are assessed relative to the point of attachment of the blade on a brush arm, the inner denomination corresponding to the part where the arm and a half-brush extend. Finally, the directions referenced as upper or lower correspond to orientations perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the wiper blade, the lower denomination containing the plane of the windshield.

3031949 VVFR2041 5 It is illustrated in Figure 1 a system according to the prior art windshield wiper of a vehicle windshield, in particular automobile. This system comprises a windshield wiper 10 and a wiper arm 12 which is partially shown and adapted to be driven by a motor to follow a back-and-forth angular movement to evacuate the windshield. water and possibly other undesirable elements covering the windshield. The blade 10 here comprises a longitudinal body 14, a longitudinal scraper blade 16, generally made of rubber, and at least one longitudinal vertebra 18 which gives the blade 16 bending so as to favor the application of this blade on the bumper. -broken. The body 14 of the blade 10 comprises an upper aerodynamic deflector 20 intended to improve the operation of the wiper system, the purpose of this deflector 20 being to improve the plating of the blade on the windshield and therefore the aerodynamic performance of the system. . The blade 10 further comprises hooks or hooking clips 22 of the blade 16 and the vertebra 18 on the body, these clips 22 being located at each of the longitudinal ends of the body 14.

The body 14 of the brush is here made in two independent parts which are arranged substantially end to end and connected to one another by an intermediate connector 24. This connector 24 is interposed between the two parts of the body 14 and comprises fixing means to these parts.

To ensure its mounting on the arm 12, the blade 10 comprises an adapter 26 mounted on the connector 24 and allowing an articulation of the blade 10 relative to the arm 12. The articulation of the blade 10 relative to the arm 12 is a joint according to a movement of rotation about an axis of rotation Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade 10. The blade 30 must indeed have at least one degree of freedom in rotation relative to the arm 12, and more specifically with respect to a piece 3031949 VVFR2041 6 end of the arm 12, to allow the blade 10 to follow the curvature of the windshield. The invention relates to a particular type of wiper blade in which the wiper further comprises a longitudinal member for holding the blade and / or retaining the vertebra. Figure 2 shows a wiper blade 10 'of this type according to the prior art of the present invention. The elements already described in the foregoing are designated in the following by the same reference numerals. Thus, the references 14, 16, 18, 20 respectively denote the body, the blade, the vertebra and the deflector of the blade 10 '. The holding element 30 comprises two lateral longitudinal hooks 46. These hooks 46 are substantially coplanar, each hook 46 extending laterally on the opposite side to the other hook. The hook 46 located at the front of the blade thus extends forward and the hook 46 located at the rear of the blade extends rearwardly. Each hook 46 comprises at its free end a longitudinal hooking tooth 48 The body 14 of the brush comprises at its lower end hooking means on the holding member 30. In the example shown, the body 14 comprises two hooks lateral longitudinal members 50 which are intended to cooperate with the hooks 46 of the holding element. The hooks 50 are substantially coplanar and extend towards one another to define between them a slot in which the element 30 can slide and is mounted. The hook 50 located at the front of the blade thus extends towards the rear and hook 50 located at the rear of the blade extends forward.

Each hook 50 comprises at its free end a longitudinal attachment tooth 52 intended to cooperate with the tooth 48 of the corresponding rim 46 of the element to limit the risk of accidental detachment of the body from the element. The longitudinal member 30 of the blade 10 'also comprises a first housing or lower housing 32 for receiving a longitudinal bead 34 of the blade 16. The blade 16 is for example fir-type, well known to those skilled in the art . Its upper end is connected by a hinge 36 and a damping element 38 to the heel 34. In known manner, in operation, the blade 16 can abut on the element 38 which dampens its forward roll-over. or backwards. The housing 32 is configured to receive longitudinally sliding the heel 34 of the blade 16. This housing 32 is delimited by two side walls whose lower ends are each connected to a longitudinal flange 40. These flanges 40 are substantially coplanar and s' extend towards each other. They delimit between them a slot in which is slidable and mounted a lower portion of the heel portion 34 which has a substantially T-shaped section. As can be seen in the drawing, the heel 34 is mounted in the housing 32 with play, both horizontally and vertically (the median longitudinal plane P of the broom being vertical). The member 30 includes a second housing or upper housing 42 for receiving the vertebra 18, which thus extends above the heel 34 of the blade. The housing 42 is configured to receive by longitudinal sliding the vertebra 18. This housing 42 is delimited by two side walls whose upper ends are each connected to a longitudinal flange 44. These flanges 44 are substantially coplanar and extend one. towards the other. Figure 3 shows a wiper 10, 10 'of wiper of the prior art comprising a pipe 54 of fluid distribution and in particular windshield washer fluid. The pipe 54 extends substantially the entire length of the blade 10, 10 ', on an outer surface of the body 14 of the blade. The pipe 54 is held on the body 14 by means of fasteners 56 which are attached and fixed to the body and are regularly distributed over the length of the blade. In a known manner, the pipe 54 is connected, for example at the aforementioned connector 24, to means 30 for supplying windshield washer fluid. The pipe 54 includes orifices (not visible) for spraying washer fluid on the windshield of the vehicle.

Referring now to Figures 4a to 4f which show a first embodiment of the invention. The wiper blade 110 includes the aforementioned characteristics relating to the blade 10 in that they do not contradict the following.

The references 114, 116, 118, 120, 130 respectively denote the body, the blade, the vertebra, the deflector and the brush holding member 110. The holding member 130 comprises a first housing or lower housing 132 of receiving a longitudinal heel 134 of the blade 116 which is for example of fir type, well known to those skilled in the art. The housing 132 is configured to receive by longitudinal sliding the heel 134 of the blade 116. This housing 132 is delimited by two side walls whose lower ends are each connected to a longitudinal flange 140. These flanges 140 are substantially coplanar 15 and s' extend towards each other. They delimit between them a slot in which is slidable and is mounted a thinned lower portion of the heel 134 which has a substantially T-shaped section. The element 130 comprises a second housing or upper housing 142 for receiving a vertebra, which thus extends above the heel 134 of the blade. The housing 142 is configured to receive by longitudinal sliding the vertebra 118. This housing 142 is delimited by two side walls whose upper ends are each connected to a longitudinal flange 144. These flanges 144 are substantially coplanar and 25 extend one to the other. towards the other. In the example shown, the body 114 and the holding member 130 are formed in one piece by coextrusion. They are preferably made of two different materials, the material of the body 114 being here elastically deformable and being for example elastomer.

The body 114 of the wiper comprises a substantially horizontal longitudinal wall 158 connected at its longitudinal lateral edges to the upper longitudinal edges of two lateral longitudinal walls 160 whose lower longitudinal edges are connected to the holding element 130. Lower longitudinal edges of the side walls 160 of the body 114 are here connected to the lower ends of the side walls of the housing 142.

The side walls 160 form the lower end of the body, its upper end comprising a longitudinal protrusion 162 forming an aerodynamic deflector 120. This protrusion here is offset with respect to a median longitudinal plane P of the brush (see Figure 4a). The walls 160 have in cross section a substantially C, U or V shape whose openings are oriented in transverse direction, substantially facing one another. In the free state without constraint, shown in FIG. 4a, the walls 160 are not symmetrical with respect to the plane P (which passes between the walls 160 and at a distance from them). In the example shown, one of the walls 160 (left in the drawings) defines a longitudinal cavity 160a having a relatively small cross section Sa. The other wall 160 (right in the drawings) defines a longitudinal cavity 160b having a larger cross section Sb. The longitudinal cavity 160b has a generally cylindrical shape. In the example shown, the cavities 160a, 160b communicate with each other. According to the invention, the cavity 160b is configured to receive a fluid distribution line 154, such as windshield washer fluid, here by elastic deformation of the body 114. FIGS. 4a to 4e show successive stages of assembly of the conduct 154 and manufacture of the brush 110. As mentioned above, Figure 4a shows the brush 110, and in particular the longitudinal member formed by the body 114 and the element 130, in the free position without constraint. To facilitate, or even allow, the mounting of the conduit 154 30 in the cavity 160b, the body 114 is elastically deformed as shown in Figure 4b. For this, the element 130 is held firmly and a force is applied, here in a substantially transverse direction and slightly upwards (see arrow), on the protrusion 162 forming the deflector 120. 1, a fixed support 170 having in section a shape complementary to the housing 132 of the element 130, here in T, is engaged substantially without play in the housing 132. Figure 4b shows a longitudinal jaw 164 with inverted U-section , whose longitudinal groove (which opens downwards) receives the upper end of the protuberance 162. The force is applied on the jaw 164 which allows to distribute it over the entire length of the deflector 120 and thus the body 114 and deform it evenly. This deformation causes an enlargement of the section Sb of the cavity 160b, as can be seen in FIG. 4b. The brush 110 is held in this deformed position and the pipe 154 is engaged in the cavity 160b. A longitudinal end of the conduit 154 is inserted into a longitudinal end of the cavity 160b, and the conduit is then slid into the cavity until the conduit extends substantially its entire length into said cavity (FIG. 4c). The conduit 154 may comprise two independent half-lengths 20 and mounted one after the other in the cavity 160b. This is particularly the case when the body 114 is made in two half-parts as shown in Figure 1. The force applied to the protrusion 162 is then released, removing the jaw 164, and the body 114 then takes a position close to its initial position, by elastic return (see arrow in Figure 4c). The pipe 154 is then clamped by the side wall 160 defining the cavity 160b. It is here held in abutment against one of the side walls of the housing 142 of the element 130. Other parts of the brush 110, such as the attachment end pieces, 30 may be mounted on the member (Figure 4d). This is the case of the blade 116 which is mounted in the housing 132 after disassembly of the fixed support 170.

Lastly, bores are made simultaneously in the wall 160 and the pipe 154 to form orifices 166 for washing liquid spray. As in the prior art, line 154 is connected to means for supplying windshield washer fluid, for example at the level of the brush connector or at a longitudinal end of the brush. The free longitudinal ends of the pipe 154 can be closed by independent plugs or carried by the aforementioned hooking tips. In the case where the pipe 154 is made in two parts, each part may comprise an end nested in a cannula of the connector comprising said supply means. FIG. 5 represents an alternative embodiment of the invention which comprises all the characteristics described above in relation to FIG. 2. The wiper 110 'here further comprises a pipe 154 which is housed in an internal longitudinal cavity of the body 114. The body 114 is here attached and fixed on the element 130, as described in the foregoing. The body is not necessarily made of elastically deformable material. The receiving cavity of the conduit 154 may be configured to slidably receive this conduit. In the example shown, this cavity 154 is also defined between one of the side walls of the housing 142 of the element 130 and one of the side walls 160 of the body 114. Referring finally to FIGS. 6a and 6b which represent another embodiment embodiment of the invention. The wiper blade 110 "includes the aforesaid features relating to the wiper 110 to the extent that they do not contradict the following: The body 114" of the wiper comprises a substantially horizontal longitudinal wall 158 "connected at its edges. lateral longitudinal members at the upper longitudinal edges of two longitudinal side walls 160 "whose lower longitudinal edges are connected to the holding member 130".

The lateral walls 160 "form the lower end of the body, its upper end comprising a longitudinal protuberance 162" forming an aerodynamic deflector 120. This outgrowth is here shifted relative to a median longitudinal plane P of the brush (see FIG. Figure 6a).

The walls 160 "have in cross section a substantially C, U or V shape whose openings are oriented in transverse direction, substantially facing one another.These walls 160" define longitudinal cavities 160a ", 160b ". In the unrestrained free state, shown in FIG. 6a, the walls 160 "are substantially identical and symmetrical with respect to the plane P (which passes between the walls 160" and at a distance from them). In the example shown, the protrusion 162 "is recessed and its recess defines a longitudinal cavity 162a" for receiving a fluid distribution line 154 "The longitudinal cavities 160a", 160b and 162a "communicate with each other. The cavity 162a "has a generally cylindrical shape. As in the aforementioned case, the cavity 162a "is configured to receive the pipe 154" by elastic deformation of the body 114 ".To facilitate or even authorize the mounting of the pipe 154" 20 in the cavity 162a ", the body 114 "is elastically deformed as shown in Figure 6a. For this, the element 130 "is held firmly by means of a fixed support 170" and a force is applied, here in a substantially vertical direction towards the top (see arrow), on the protrusion 162 ', for example at means of a jaw of the aforementioned type.

The wiper 110 "is held in this deformed position and the conduit 154" is engaged in the cavity 162a. "A longitudinal end of the pipe 154" is inserted into a longitudinal end of the cavity 162a ", and the pipe is then slid. in the cavity until the conduit extends substantially its entire length into said cavity, the force applied to the protrusion 162 "is then released, and the body 114" then resumes a position close to its initial position, by elastic return, the duct 154 "is then clamped by the walls of the notch 162" and held in abutment against a flange 144 "of the element 130 or on the vertebra 118". parts of the brush 110 ", such as the attachment ends, 5 can be mounted on the body, as the blade 116" which is mounted in the housing 132 "after removal of the fixed support 170. Finally, holes are made simultaneously in a 162 "protrusion wall and the conduit 154" to form windshield washer fluid ports 166 ".

As in the prior art, the conduit 154 "is connected to washer fluid supply means, for example at the brush connector or at a longitudinal end of the wiper. "can be closed by independent plugs or worn by the aforementioned hooking tips 15. In the case where the pipe 154 "is made in two parts, each part may comprise an end fitted into a cannula of the connector comprising said supply means.

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. Longitudinal member for a wiper blade (110, 110 ', 110 "), in particular for a motor vehicle, said member comprising a first longitudinal element (130, 130") comprising means for retaining a stiffening vertebra (118, 118 ") and / or a wiper blade (116, 116"), and a second longitudinal member (114, 114 ") having or carrying an aerodynamic longitudinal deflector (120, 120"), characterized in that it comprises an internal longitudinal cavity (160b, 162a ") in which is mounted and extends a pipe (154, 154") for dispensing a fluid, such as a washer fluid. Longitudinal member according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members (114, 130, 114 ", 130") are formed in one piece, and preferably in two different materials, for example by coextrusion. Longitudinal member according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members (114, 130) are attached and fixed to one another. Longitudinal member according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal cavity (160b, 162a ") is located in said second member (114, 114") or between said first and second members (114, 130, 114 ", 130 "). Longitudinal member according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said second member (114, 114 ") is elastically deformable, preferably so as to enlarge the transverse dimensions of said longitudinal cavity (160b, 162a"). 3031949 VVFR2041 15 6. Longitudinal member according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said second element (114, 114 ") comprises two side walls (160) each having a substantially C-shaped section, U or V whose openings are oriented to each other, at least one of these walls defining said longitudinal cavity (160b, 162a "). Longitudinal member according to claim 6, wherein said side walls (160) are non-symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane (P) of the member, passing between the side walls (160) 10 and substantially halfway between distance from them. 8. longitudinal member according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of said side walls (160) comprises orifices (166) therethrough. 15 The longitudinal member of claim 8, wherein said conduit (154, 154 ") comprises fluid ejection ports (166, 166") in fluid communication with said through holes. 20 10. Wiper blade of a vehicle window, in particular an automobile, comprising a longitudinal member according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. A method of mounting a longitudinal member according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: a) inserting a longitudinal end of said pipe into a longitudinal end of said cavity (160b, 162a "), and b) sliding the pipe in the cavity until the pipe extends, substantially along its entire length, in said cavity 3031949 VVFR2041 16 The method of claim 11, wherein it comprises a preliminary step of elastically deforming at least one portion (114, 114 ") of the member to enlarge the cross-sectional dimensions of said cavity (160b, 162a "). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the deformation is obtained by applying a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the member, and which is for example applied to said deflector (120, 120 "). 14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein it comprises, after steps a) and b), a step of simultaneous drilling of a side wall (160) of the body and the pipe (154). 154 ") to form fluid projection orifices (166, 166"). 5 10 15