Windshield wiper, motor vehicle comprising such a wiper, and method for operating such a wiper

Abstract

The invention concerns a windshield wiper (10), comprising: a blade (20) for wiping a windshield (2), and a body (30) supporting the blade (20); wherein the windshield wiper (10) comprises a plurality of pistons (40) distributed all along the blade (20) for pressing the blade (20) against the windshield (2). The invention further concerns a motor vehicle comprising at least one such windshield wiper (10), and a method for operating such a windshield wiper (10).

Claims

1. A windshield wiper, comprising: a blade for wiping a windshield, a body supporting the blade; and a plurality of pistons unevenly distributed along the blade for pressing the blade against the windshield.

2. The windshield wiper of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pistons comprises at least ten pistons distributed along the blade.

3. The windshield wiper of claim 1, wherein adjacent pistons of the plurality of pistons are separated by less than about ten centimeters along the blade.

4. The windshield wiper of claim 1, further comprising a pressurizing system for applying a constant fluid pressure on the plurality of pistons to apply a uniform pressure along the blade.

5. The windshield wiper of claim 4, wherein the windshield wiper is configured to be equipped to a motor vehicle, wherein the pressurizing system is configured to receive fluid from the motor vehicle.

6. The windshield wiper of claim 5, wherein the pressurizing system is configured to receive liquid from a windshield washer of the motor vehicle.

7. The windshield wiper of claim 5, wherein the pressurizing system is configured to receive air from a windshield washer of the motor vehicle.

8. The windshield wiper of claim 5, wherein the pressurizing system is configured to receive air from a cabin of the motor vehicle.

9. The windshield wiper of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pistons has a front end contacting a rear side of the blade.

10. The windshield wiper of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pistons has a front end fitted inside the blade.

11. The windshield wiper of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises a flexor and a rubber element.

12. The windshield wiper of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises a rubber element.

13. A motor vehicle, comprising: a windshield wiper, comprising: a blade for wiping a windshield; a body supporting the blade; and a plurality of pistons unevenly distributed along the blade for pressing the blade against the windshield.

14. A method of operating a windshield wiper, comprising: applying a constant fluid pressure on a plurality of pistons of a windshield wiper to apply a uniform pressure along a blade of the windshield wiper, the plurality of pistons unevenly distributed along the blade; and pressing the blade against the windshield by the plurality of pistons.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be explained in correspondence with the annexed figures, and as an illustrative example, without restricting the object of the invention. In the annexed figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a windshield with a slight curvature;

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line II-II on FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of a windshield with a more pronounced curvature;

(5) FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV on FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is an upper view of a windshield wiper according to prior art;

(7) FIG. 6 is a upper view, as a schematic representation, of a windshield wiper according to the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing another windshield wiper according to the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII on FIG. 7; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

(11) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a windshield 2 equipping a motor vehicle 1 and having a slight curvature. If windshield 2 is wiped with a classical wiper, such as wiper 4 of FIG. 5, most parts of windshield 2 are cleaned:

(12) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a windshield 2 having a more pronounced curvature. In particular, windshield 2 is provided with curved upper and lateral parts 3. If windshield 2 is wiped with a classical wiper, such as wiper 4 of FIG. 5, windshield 2 is left with unwiped areas, in particular in parts 3.

(13) FIG. 5 shows a windshield wiper 4 known from the state of the art. Wiper 4 comprises an articulated structure 5 and a blade 6. Structure 5 is formed of different elements 5a, 5b and 5c arranged on different levels, in order to distribute pressure along blade 6. More precisely, structure 5 comprises one element 5a transmitting mechanical forces to two elements 5b, which in turn transmit mechanical forces to four elements 5c, which in turn transmit mechanical forces to blade 6 on eight pressure points 7.

(14) As the pressure on blade 6 is higher at the pressure points 7, this wiper 4 does not provide a uniform pressure distribution on a windshield.

(15) FIG. 6 shows a windshield wiper 10 according to the invention.

(16) Wiper 10 comprises a blade 20, a body 30, a plurality of pistons 40, and a pressurizing system 50. Blade 20 is designed for wiping windshield 2 of vehicle 1. Body 30 supports blade 20, pistons 40 and system 50. Pistons 40 are distributed all along blade 20 for pressing blade 20 against windshield 2.

(17) Blade 20 has a rear side 21 receiving pressure from pistons 40 and a front side 22 pressing against windshield 2. Blade 20 is partly fitted inside body 30, in an arrangement not shown for simplification purpose.

(18) Blade 20 may be made of a rigid flexor and a rubber wiper. The flexor may be made of plastic or metal material. The flexor receives the pistons 40, while the rubber wiper is pressed against windshield 2.

(19) Alternately, blade 20 can be made of a rubber wiper, without flexor.

(20) Pistons 40 are arranged slidable relative to body 30. Pistons 40 are rigid rods, each elongated between a rear end 41 and a front end 42. Pistons 40 may be made of plastic or metal material.

(21) Pistons 40 are non-elastic, contrary to leaf springs or helical springs disclosed in prior art. Pistons 40 are far less subjected to fatigue wear in operation, which prevent degradation of wiper 10 with time.

(22) Rear ends 41 are arranged in body 30. Front ends 42 are arranged in bearing contact with rear side 21 of blade 20. Alternately, front ends 42 may be fitted directly inside blade 20, either directly inside its rubber wiper, or preferably inside its flexor when blade 20 is made of a rigid flexor and a rubber wiper.

(23) In practice, the number and distribution of pistons 40 depends on size and shape of windshield 2.

(24) Preferably, wiper 10 comprises at least ten pistons 40 distributed along blade 20. For example, wiper 10 may comprise twenty or forty pistons 40.

(25) However, as size of windshield 2 may vary, distance between adjacent pistons 40 is more important than number of pistons 40. For example, pistons 40 may be arranged such as adjacent pistons 40 are separated by at most ten centimeters along blade 20. In another example, adjacent pistons 40 may be separated by at most five centimeters along blade 20

(26) In a simple embodiment, pistons 40 can be regularly distributed along the blade 20. Alternately, pistons 40 can be more numerous in certain areas of blade 20, for example at an end 23 of blade 20 intended for pressing against a more curved part 3 of windshield 2.

(27) Pressurizing system 50 is designed for applying a constant fluid pressure on rear ends 41 of the plurality of pistons 40, so that pistons 40 apply a uniform pressure all along blade 20. Thus, a more homogeneous pressure can be applied by blade 20 on windshield 2.

(28) System 50 is supplied by a pressurized fluid, which can be a liquid or a gas, such as oil, water or air.

(29) Preferably, system 50 is supplied with a fluid derived from vehicle 1. As non-limiting examples, system 50 can be supplied with liquid or air from the windshield washer, or air derived from a truck cabin, or from compressed air tanks located in the chassis and managed by an Air Production Management system.

(30) System 50 comprises an arm 51, a channel 52 formed inside arm 51, and a container 53 formed inside body 30. System 50 further comprises a pump, not shown for simplification purpose, conveying fluid along channel 52 to container 53.

(31) FIGS. 7 and 8 show another windshield wiper 10 according to the invention. Wiper 10 has a simpler overall construction in comparison with wiper 4 of FIG. 5.

(32) Body 30 comprises a rigid part 31 and an elastic part 32. Part 31 includes a chamber 33 which forms the container 53 receiving the fluid. Chamber 33 extends inside part 31 along the longitudinal direction of body 30. Part 32 comprises a portion 34 which surrounds part 31 and a portion 35 which extends beyond part 31 and receives blade 20. Front ends 42 of pistons 40 are fitted inside rear side 21 of blade 20. Blade 20 extends outside body 30 through an opening 36 provided in portion 35. Annular seals 38 may be fitted in body 31 around pistons 40.

(33) FIG. 9 shows another windshield wiper 10 according to the invention.

(34) System 50 comprises an inflating membrane 54 which is arranged inside chamber 33 of body 30 and which forms the container 53 receiving the fluid. Membrane 54 extends inside chamber 53 along the longitudinal direction of body 30.

(35) Other non-shown embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the invention. In addition, technical features of the different embodiments can be, in whole or part, combined with each other. Thus, the windshield wiper 10 can be adapted to the specific requirements of the application.