A WINDSCREEN WIPER DEVICE OF THE FLAT BLADE TYPE

Abstract

A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (1) for a rod-like extension (2) of an oscillating arm, wherein said rod-like extension (2) can be pivotally connected to said connecting device (1) about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, wherein said connecting device (1) comprises a channel (15) arranged to receive said rod-like extension (2), wherein the connecting device (1) comprises a first and a second retention mechanism for retaining said rod-like extension (2) on said connecting device (1), wherein said first and second retaining mechanisms are arranged to engage in a first, respectively second recess provided on at least one longitudinal exterior side (18a, 18b) of said rod-like extension (2), wherein said channel (15) at least at the entrance and at the opposite end of said entrance has the same width for receiving a rod-like extension (2) having a substantially constant width along the distal end thereof.

Claims

1. A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises: a connecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillating arm, wherein: said rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, said connecting device comprises a channel arranged to receive said rod-like extension, the connecting device comprises a first and a second retention mechanism for retaining said rod-like extension on said connecting device, said first and second retaining mechanisms are arranged to engage in a first, respectively second recess provided on at least one longitudinal exterior side of said rod-like extension, and said channel at least at the entrance and at the opposite end of said entrance has the same width for receiving a rod-like extension having a substantially constant width along the distal end thereof.

2. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a substantially constant width from the entrance to the opposite end.

3. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a closed circumference and wherein said channel has a closed end for receiving the distal surface of the rod-like extension.

4. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said channel comprises a first chamber near the entrance of said channel and a second chamber at a distance from the first chamber near the opposite end of the channel, wherein said chambers have the same width.

5. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second recesseshave an open circumference.

6. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said recesses are arranged at opposite longitudinal exterior sides of the rod-like extension.

7. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 6, wherein the recesses are arranged at opposite sides at the same location along the length of the rod-like extension.

8. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a length and a width, and wherein a plane extending in a direction of the width of said channel and a plane extending through said longitudinal strip along a width thereof at the location of the connecting device enclose an angle α, wherein 15° < α < 60°.

9. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device comprises a protrusion arranged to engage into the first recess provided on a longitudinal exterior side of said rod-like extension, wherein said connecting device comprises a resilient tongue arranged to engage into the second recess provided on a longitudinal exterior side of said rod-like extension, and wherein said resilient tongue is hingeable along a hinge axis between an inward position retaining said wiper blade onto said rod-like extension and an outward position releasing said wiper blade from said rod-like extension.

10. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 6, wherein said rod-like extension has an upper longitudinal exterior side and a lower longitudinal exterior side, wherein said protrusion is arranged to engage said recess in the upper longitudinal exterior side and wherein the resilient tongue is arranged to engage the recess in the lower longitudinal exterior side.

11. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein said resilient tongue is hingeable from said inward position into said outward position by a push button, wherein said push button forms a part of an outer wall of said connecting device.

12. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein said hinge axis extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod-like extension.

13. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein said protrusion is dimensioned such that: in a working position of said wiper blade pivoted relative to said rod-like extension, said protrusion engages into said first recess thus retaining said wiper blade onto said rod-like extension; and in a service position of said wiper blade pivoted relative to said rod-like extension, said protrusion disengages from said first recess thus releasing said wiper blade from said rod-like extension.

14. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device comprises a first part and a second part, wherein said rod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said first part about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second part, wherein said second part comprises said channel, and wherein said first part is connected to said wiper blade and said second part is connected to said first part.

15. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein first protrusion is arranged at the first part and wherein the second part comprises the resilient tongue.

16. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 14, wherein said first part and said second part are provided with mutually cooperating pivot means for pivotally connecting said second part to said first part, wherein said second part is connected to said first part by pivotally engaging protuberances of said first part, at the location of said pivot axis, in recesses provided in said second part.

17. An oscillating arm comprising a rod-like extension arranged to be pivotally connected to a connecting device of a windscreen wiper device, wherein the oscillating arm comprises a first recess and second recess provided on at least one longitudinal exterior side of said rod-like extension and wherein the rod-like extension has a substantially constant width along the distal end thereof.

18. The oscillating arm according to claim 17, wherein said first and second recesses have an open circumference.

19. The oscillating arm according to claim 17, wherein said recesses are arranged at opposite longitudinal exterior sides of the rod-like extension.

20. The oscillating arm according to claim 19, wherein the recesses are arranged at opposite sides at the same location along the length of the rod-like extension.

21. The oscillating arm according to claim 17, wherein the rod-like extension has a twisted orientation relative to the oscillating arm.

22. (canceled)

23. A method for manufacturing an oscillating arm, comprising the steps of: providing an oscillating arm comprising a rod-like extension having a substantially constant width along the distal end thereof; and providing two recesses in at least one longitudinal exterior sideof said rod-like extension.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of providing the two recesses comprises providing said recesses at opposite longitudinal exterior sides of the rod-like extension.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the recesses are provided at opposite sides at the same location along the length of the rod-like extension.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of providing the recesses comprises a cutting operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The present invention is further illustrated by the following Figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, wherein:

[0049] - FIG. 1A shows a windscreen wiper device in assembled state;

[0050] - FIG. 1B shows a windscreen wiper device in disassembled state;

[0051] - FIG. 2A shows the different steps of inserting a rod-like extension in the channel in a bottom view of the connecting device;

[0052] - FIG. 2B shows the different steps of inserting a rod-like extension in the channel in a bottom view of the connecting device;

[0053] - FIG. 2C shows the different steps of inserting a rod-like extension in the channel in a bottom view of the connecting device;

[0054] - FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the channel;

[0055] - FIG. 4 shows the entrance of the channel in the connecting device;

[0056] - FIG. 5A shows moving the connecting device from the working position to the service position;

[0057] - FIG. 5B shows moving the connecting device from the working position to the service position;

[0058] - FIG. 5C shows moving the connecting device from the working position to the service position; and

[0059] - FIG. 6 shows the connecting device in partial cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] FIGS. 1A and B refers a windscreen wiper device 100 of the flat blade type built up of a wiper blade, in the longitudinal sides of which opposing longitudinal groove are formed, and of longitudinal strips (“flexors”) made of spring band steel, which are fitted in said longitudinal grooves. Said strips form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade, as it were, which is thus biased in a curved position (the curvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped). As shown in particular in FIG. 1B, the windscreen wiper device 100 is furthermore built up of a connecting device 1 of plastic material for a rod-like extension 2 of a windscreen wiper arm 30 (see also FIG. 6). Said connecting device 1 comprises a first part 3 and a second part 4 acting as a joint part, wherein said rod-like extension 2 arm can be pivotally connected to said first part 3 about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second part 4. Said first part 3 comprises a flat base 5 (see also FIG. 3) having inwardly extending legs 6 integral therewith engaging around longitudinal sides of the wiper blade, at the location of said grooves, as a result of which the first part 1 is firmly attached to the unit consisting of the wiper blade and the strips. Said first part 3 comprises two opposite side walls 7,8 extending in upright direction from said flat base 5. On said opposite side walls 7,8 are formed cylindrical protuberances 9,10 extending outwardly. These protuberances 9,10 pivotally engage, at the location of said pivot axis, in identically shaped recesses 11,12 provided in opposite walls 13,14 (see also FIGS. 2A and 4) of the second part 4. Hence, said second part 4 is connected to said first part 3 through a snapping/clipping operation. Said side walls 7,8 of said first part 3 are entirely located inside said second part 4 in a working position of said wiper blade.

[0061] With reference to FIGS. 2A-C and 3, said second part 4 comprises a channel 15 arranged to receive (in a linear movement I) said rod-like extension 2 of said oscillating arm. As shown, said channel 15 has a length and a width, and wherein a plane extending in a direction of the width of said channel and a plane extending through said longitudinal strip along a width thereof at the location of the connecting device enclose an angle α=40°. Also the rod-like extension 2 extends under the same angle α and has a twisted orientation relative to the oscillating arm 30 (see again FIG. 6).

[0062] As best seen in FIGS. 2A-C, the channel 15 is subdivided in channel sections or chambers 15a and 15b. Chamber 15a is located at the entry side of the channel 15 and functions to guide the rod-like extension 2 within the second part 4 upon insertion. This is shown in FIG. 2B. At the opposite end of the channel 15, a second chamber 15b is provided which is arranged to receive the distal end of the rod-like extension 2. The channel 15 hereto has an end wall 15c which is arranged to receive the end surface 2c of the rod-like extension 2. When the extension 2 is fully inserted into the channel 15, as shown in FIG. 2C, the end surface 2c of the extension 2 abuts the end wall 15c. Further inwardly movement I is then not possible.

[0063] The channel 15, at least at the entrance and at the opposite end of said entrance has the same width for receiving the rod-like extension 2. For the entrance side (chamber 15a), this is best visible in FIG. 4. The extension also has a substantially constant width along the distal end thereof. Upon receipt of the extension 2 in the channel 15, or the chambers 15a, b thereof, any movement along the direction of the width is prevented. As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of the channel 15 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the extension 2. The channel 15, at least he chambers 15a, b thereof, are thus shaped in accordance with the shape of the rod-like extension 2. Upon receipt, any movement other than movement along the longitudinal direction (indicated with I in FIG. 2A) is thus prevented.

[0064] One of said side walls 8 of said first part 3 comprises a protrusion 16 (see for instance FIG. 5A) arranged to engage into a first recess 17 having an open circumference and provided on a longitudinal exterior side 18a of said rod-like extension 19. As can be best seen in FIG. 5C, the protrusion 16 is located near the edge (seen in longitudinal direction) of the first part 3. This increases the distance between the pivot axis as defined by the protuberances 9,10 and the protrusion 16.

[0065] For mounting or dismounting the connecting device 1 from the rod-like extension the second part 4 (and thus the free end of the rod-like extension 2 connected thereto), is pivoted relative to the first part 3, wherein reference is made to FIGS. 5A-C. As far as dismounting is concerned, while carrying out the pivot movement (arrow II in FIG. 5B), the protrusion or cam 16 is no longer in line with the first recess 17, so that the second part 4 and the first part 3 attached thereto can be released (arrow III in FIG. 5C) from the rod-like extension 2 (see service position seen in FIGS. 5B and C). As far as mounting is concerned, while carrying out the pivot movement, the protrusion or cam 16 becomes in line with the first recess 17, so that the second part 4 and the first part 3 attached thereto is retained onto the rod-like extension 2 (working position seen in FIG. 5A). The mutually cooperating protrusion 16 and recess 17 act as second retention mechanism in case first retention mechanism, as explained below, would inadvertently fail.

[0066] The rod-like extension 2 is also provided with a second recess 19 also having an open circumference and provided on the opposite longitudinal exterior side 18b of said rod-like extension 2. As shown, said first and second recesses 17,19 have an open circumference and are located at the same longitudinal position on the extension 2 on opposite sides 18a,b thereof. Said second recess 19 cooperates with a resilient tongue 20 on the second part 4 arranged to engage into a second recess 19, together acting as first retention mechanism in this case. Said resilient tongue 20 is hingeable along a hinge axis between an inward position retaining said second part 4 (together with the first part 3 and the wiper blade attached thereon) onto said rod-like extension 2 (see FIG. 6 wherein the tongue 20 is shown to engage the recess 19) and an outward position releasing second part 4 (together with the first part 3 and the wiper blade attached thereon) from said rod-like extension 2. Said resilient tongue is hingeable (i.e. activated and deactivated) from said inward position into said outward position by a push button 21. Said push button 21 forms a part of an outer wall 22 of said second part 4 and is located near a free end of said second part 4 facing towards said rod-like extension 2. Pushing the button 21 downwardly (see arrow IV in FIG. 6) will thus result in moving the resilient tongue 20 from the recess 19, also in a downward direction in this example. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the resilient tongue 20 extends in the channel 15, specifically the chamber 15a and forms a wall 21 thereof. A part of the resilient tongue 20, for instance a protrusion thereof, is then arranged to engage the recess 19.

[0067] As mentioned above, the extension 2 has a twisted orientation relative to the oscillating arm 30 and thus has an upper lateral side 18a and a lower lateral side 18b. The first recess 17 is arranged at the upper later side 18a, while the second recess 19 is arranged at the lower lateral side 18b.

[0068] The recesses are provided at the same longitudinal location on the extension and are preferably formed by an extrusion cut operation. Both recesses can thus be formed in a single step, which provides an efficient manufacturing process.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but extends also to other embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.