GB2635888A

GB2635888A - Wiper arm

Info

Publication number: GB2635888A
Application number: GB2312429.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marchant Robert; Lewis Jordan; Baggesi Vincenzo; Booth Joshua
Original assignee: Marchantcain
Current assignee: Marchantcain
Priority date: 2023-08-15
Filing date: 2023-08-15
Publication date: 2025-06-04
Also published as: GB202312429D0

Abstract

A mechanism 100 for moving a vehicle windscreen wiper arm 104 comprises a moveable wiper arm bracket 106 with a pivot axis and a transmission assembly connecting the bracket to a motor (194, fig. 4b) via a spindle (180, fig. 4b). The motor drives rotation of the spindle assembly, to transmit motion to the transmission assembly, causing the wiper arm assembly to move rotationally over the vehicle screen. The transmission mechanism may comprise a rubber belt 150 with tensioner 156 or a gear assembly. The spindle assembly may comprise a linkage mechanism causing the belt to act upon the wiper pulley 154 and pivot the wiper. The mechanism may be formed of a metal, carbon fibre or hard plastic.

Description

Wiper Arm

Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is a mechanism for controlling a windscreen wiper arm, particularly for automobiles.

Background

In a standard windscreen wiper, the wiper arm is controlled so that the blade moves clockwise and counter clockwise across the windscreen to clear the window of water. Typically the pivot point at the base of the wiper arm is fixed. Currently available wiper arm systems, having single or double arms, will be provided with the arm pivot axis outside the windscreen area, lower down on the windscreen, closer to the bonnet of the car.

Thus, the problems described above with known windscreen wiper systems have been resolved by the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for moving a wiper arm across a vehicle screen, comprising: a moveable wiper arm bracket with a pivot axis, for connection to the wiper arm, so movement of the wiper arm about the pivot axis, across the vehicle screen can be controlled; a transmission assembly connecting the wiper arm bracket to a spindle assembly, wherein the spindle assembly has a spindle pivot axis and is connected to a motor; wherein, in operation of the mechanism, the motor causes the spindle assembly to rotate about the spindle pivot axis, to transmit motion to the transmission assembly so that the transmission assembly moves the wiper arm bracket about the pivot axis of the wiper arm bracket, as to cause the wiper arm to move rotationally over the vehicle screen.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission assembly is a belt assembly. Further preferably, the belt assembly comprises: a belt, a belt tensioner, a wiper arm pulley and a wiper mechanism pulley, wherein the belt is secured at either end around the wiper arm pulley and the wiper mechanism pulley, with the belt tensioner located between the wiper arm pulley and the wiper mechanism pulley. In an embodiment of the invention, the belt comprises a continuous rubber belt.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the transmission assembly is at least one of: chain-gear assembly, a linkage assembly, a gear to gear assembly.

Further preferably, the spindle assembly comprises a spindle, operative to rotate the wiper pulley mechanism, and a linkage mechanism connecting the spindle to the motor, to transmit motion from the motor to the wiper pulley mechanism, and thus cause the belt to move around the wiper mechanism pulley and the wiper arm pulley to rotate the wiper arm bracket around the wiper arm pivot axis to cause rotational movement of the wiper arm bracket.

In an embodiment of the invention, the windscreen wiper will move between 110°-200° as it moves across the windscreen. Further preferably, the windscreen wiper will move between 140°-160° as it moves across the windscreen.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more of the components of the mechanism are made of metal, carbon fibre or hard plastic. Further preferably, the metal is stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, or any combination of these In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanism is encased in a mechanism cover. Preferably, the mechanism cover is metal, carbon fibre or plastic.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a windscreen wiper comprising a mechanism as described above, connected to a wiper arm, with a wiper blade held in position by the wiper arm.

In a yet further embodiment of the invention there is also provided a vehicle further comprising at least one windscreen wiper comprising a mechanism as described above, connected to a wiper arm, with a wiper blade held in position by the wiper arm.

The dependent claims provide further details of embodiments. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further details, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers are used to identify like or functionally similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 illustrates a wiper arm with a control mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an alternative view of the wiper arm with control mechanism as shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is an expanded view of the wiper arm and control mechanism of figures 1 and 2; Fig. 4(a) illustrates the drive mechanism for the control mechanism of the wiper arm according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4(b) is an exploded version of the drive mechanism of figure 4(a) Fig. 5(a) shows the wiper arm and control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a first phase of movement; according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5(b) shows a close up of the control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a first phase of movement; according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6(a) shows the wiper arm and control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a second phase of movement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6(b) shows a close up of the control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a second phase of movement; according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7(a) shows the wiper arm and control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a third phase of movement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7(b) shows a close up of the control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a third phase of movement; according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8(a) shows the wiper arm and control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a fourth phase of movement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8(b) shows a close up of the control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a fourth phase of movement; according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 9(a) shows the wiper arm and control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during the fifth phase of movement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9(b) shows a close up of the control mechanism in position on a vehicle windscreen during a fifth phase of movement; according to an embodiment of the invention;

Detailed description

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The system may consist of a single or a multiple wiper arms system, and so of a single or multiple belt assemblies. In this description we are going to consider the version having one arm only for an easier explanation of the system, however, the operational principles as described are application to other possible wiper systems.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism comprises a Motor linked to a mechanism which will transmit the rotation to the belt system and so the wiper arm, however the same concept can be driven by a different kind of mechanism (in this presentation will be considered the 4 bar linkage mechanism) or the wiper arm and so the belt system can be direct mounted to the motor without any use of a mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a belt system is used to transmit the rotation between a Wper Mechanism pulley to a Wiper Arm pulley, however other systems/approaches can achieve the same result, like a chain-gear assembly, or a mechanism-linkages system or a gear-to-gear system.

Figures 1 to 3 shows a wiper for a vehicle windscreen with a control mechanism 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The wiper is standard and comprises a wiper blade 102, wiper arm 104, and wiper arm lift bracket 124. These are standard for a wiper and will not be described in any further detail. The control mechanism 100 includes a cover 101, that covers or encases the main parts of the mechanism, when the control mechanism is in place on a windscreen. Preferably, the cover 101 is made of metal or plastic, or other waterproof material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cover is shaped like a droplet, but other shapes may also be envisaged. The cover has a top 103, and curved sidewall 105. The cover may also have a base (not shown).

As shown in figures 2 and 3 the control mechanism 100 comprises belt cover 101, wiper arm pulley 154, belt tensioner 156, wiper mechanism pulley 152, belt 150, spindle housing cover 160, wiper spindle housing 162. Preferably, the belt is a continuous rubber belt, but may be made of other material such as rubber reinforced with glass fibre or Kevlar fibres for example Also shown are wiper arm bracket 106. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt is provided as a transmission assembly to transmit the rotation between the Wiper Mechanism pulley 152 to a Wper Arm pulley 154. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the belt assembly comprises: a belt, a belt tensioner, a wiper arm pulley, and a wiper mechanism pulley, wherein the belt is secured at either end around the wiper arm pulley and the wiper mechanism pulley, with the belt tensioner located between the wiper arm pulley and the wiper mechanism pulley. Alternatively, however other systems/approaches for the transmission assembly can achieve the same result, like a chain-gear system, or a mechanism-linkages system or a gearto-gear system.

Figures 4(a) and (b) show the components of the motor control spindle sub assembly 180. Figure 4(a) shows the components in position, and figure 4(b) is an exploded view, showing all of the different components. Assembly 170 comprises spindle 180, spindle bush 182, rocker 186, linkage 190, crank bush 188, wiper mechanism spindle housing 192, motor 194, motor backet 196, and crank 198. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spindle assembly comprises a spindle, operative to rotate the wiper pulley mechanism, and a linkage mechanism connecting the spindle to the motor, to transmit motion from the motor to the wiper pulley mechanism, and thus cause the belt to move around the wiper mechanism pulley and the wiper arm pulley to rotate the wiper arm bracket around the wiper arm pivot axis to cause rotational movement of the wiper arm bracket.

The Rotating Belt Driven Wiper System is preferably moved by a motor 194 which is supported by a motor bracket 196, the motor transmits the rotation to the wiper arm 104 through a 4-bar linkage system consisting of a crank 198, a linkage 190 and a rocker 186 which can then rotate the spindle 180, as the spindle 180 is direct bonded with the rocker itself. Alternatively, motor 194 may be directly mounted on the Pulley Mechanism, 152, thus obviating the need for the linkages system.

The spindle 180 will then rotate the wiper mechanism pulley 152 which then transmit the rotation to the wiper arm pulley 154 by the belt 150. Finally, the arm pulley 154 which is direct bonded with the wiper arm bracket 106 will then rotate around the Wper Arm pivot axis 111 and so wiping the windscreen.

The various components of the control mechanism 100 may be made of metal, carbon fibre or of a hard plastic material. Preferably the metal is stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, or some combination of these metals. Typically, the choice of material for the different components of the control mechanism will be cost and weight driven.

Figures 5-9 show the movement of the wiper and wiper mechanism at various different phases on the movement cycle. For ease of understanding, the cover 101 is not shown in these figures. However, the skilled person in the art would understand that the cover may be provided when the mechanism is in use on a vehicle. The figures 5(a)-9(a) show the position of the wiper arm with respect to the position of the windscreen and figured 5(b)-9(b) shown a close up of the position of the components of the control mechanism as the wiper arm moves over the windscreen. These figures will be described with respect to the embodiment of the control mechanism as shown in figures 1-3.

The rotation of the Wiper Arm around its translating pivot axis is driven by the wiper control mechanism as described in figures 103 above. Preferably, movement of the belt assembly in the mechanism will provide up to a 180° movement of the wiper arm across the windscreen, thus providing the greatest coverage of the windscreen by the wiper arm. As mentioned above, the windscreen wiper will typically move between 110°-180° as it moves across the windscreen. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the windscreen wiper will move between 140°-160° as it moves across the windscreen.

As shown in figures 5(a) and (b) in an embodiment of the invention the wiper arm 104 is positioned at the bottom of the windscreen 200, and on the left-hand side of the windscreen. This is the start position for the wiper arm 104, as it is controlled to move across the windscreen, to the end position at the righthand side on the bottom of the windscreen 200. This is for ease of illustration and the wiper system can be positioned anywhere on the screen for the start of the movement cycle. In addition, the movement can start with either clockwise or counterclockwise movement of the wiper arm 104 with respect to the windscreen 500. As shown in figure 5(b), movement of the control mechanism 10 is via linkage 190, which is connected to the motor 194, and the motor moves the linkage 190, which causes the movement of the spindle 182. Rotation of the spindle 182 causes the wiper mechanism pulley 152 to rotate as well. This rotation of the wiper pulley mechanism causes the belt 150 to move, leading to rotation of the wiper arm pulley 154, leading to the wiper arm bracket to rotate about its pivot axis, and start to move the wiper arm 102 across the windscreen 200. The belt moves around the outside of the wiper arm pulley 154 and the wiper mechanism pulley 152, as well as past the belt tensioner 156, which is located between the two pulleys.

Figures 6(a) and (b) shows the second phase in the movement of the control mechanism 100. In this figure, the wiper arm 104, has moved up the windscreen 200, but is still on the left-hand side of the windscreen. The motor 194 continues to drive the linkage 190, so that spindle 180 continues to rotate and move the belt assembly, so that the wiper arm bracket continues to rotate about the pivot axis, and the wiper arm is moved over the windscreen, 200.

Figures 7(a) and (b) shows the third phase of the movement of the wiper arm 104. In this phase the wiper arm 104 is positioned straight on the windscreen 200, In figures 8(a) and (b), the control mechanism 100 continues to move the wiper arm clockwise, and wiper arm is now on the right-hand side of the windscreen 200.

Figures 9(a) and (b) shows phase five of the wiper cycle. In this phase of the movement of the wiper arm 104 over the windscreen 500, the wiper arm is now at the final position on the left-hand side of the image, at the base of the windscreen.

The wiper arm control mechanism of this invention has the following benefits: The first benefit is that having the pivot axis of the Wiper Arm on the windscreen means that the system can better cover the homologation zones of the windscreen. Coverage of the homologation zones by the wiper arm is regulated, so that the maximum area of the windscreen will be covered by the wiper arm. This is especially important for single arm wiper system as they have limited wiping area especially on both sides area of windscreen as a general rule.

The second benefit is the Windscreen Pivot Axis System will generally require a smaller wiper blade in length compared to an equivalent traditional wiper system as having a higher pivot axis up on the screen will improve the system kinematics, this means forces and tensions on the Windscreen Pivot Axis Wiper System are lower as they depend on the Wiper Blade length.

The third benefit is the Windscreen Pivot Axis System can be easily customised and can be adapted to different windscreen, having different shapes, traditional systems on the other hand do sometimes need a windscreen designed considering the Wiper System used and so accommodate the Wper System kinematic.

In the embodiments as described above, the wiper arm 104 is a mono wiper arm, however the control mechanism 100 of this invention would work just as well for a wiper arrangement which uses two wiper arms, as is more common for some types of vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a windscreen wiper comprising a mechanism as described above, connected to a wiper arm, with a wiper blade held in position by the wiper arm.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that the claims are not limited to the specific examples described above. Details have not been explained in any greater extent than that considered necessary, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to distract from the teachings of the present invention. The word 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps then those listed in a claim.

Furthermore, the terms 'a' or 'an,' as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as 'at least one' in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles a' or an' limits any particular claim to embodiments of the invention containing only one such element. The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as 'first' and second' are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.

The connections as discussed herein may be any type of mechanical connections. The sizes and locations of particular components need not be exactly as shown, as the drawings and description enable a skilled person to replicate the concepts described herein.

Any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively 'associated such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be 'associated with' each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediary components. Likewise, two components so associated can also be viewed as being 'operably connected', or 'operably coupled' to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in accordance with the invention. In the claims, the term 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps.

Thus, an improved solution is described for a control mechanism for a wiper arm, to allow a wiper blade to clean a vehicle screen. The inventor of the present invention has recognised and appreciated a number of problems with existing designs, which have been substantially alleviated with the concepts described herein.

Claims

Claims 1. A mechanism for moving a wiper arm across a vehicle screen, comprising: a moveable wiper arm bracket with a pivot axis, for connection to the wiper arm, so movement of the wiper arm about the pivot axis, across the vehicle screen can be controlled; a transmission assembly connecting the wiper arm bracket to a spindle assembly, wherein the spindle assembly has a spindle pivot axis and is connected to a motor; wherein, in operation of the mechanism, the motor causes the spindle assembly to rotate about the spindle pivot axis, to transmit motion to the transmission assembly so that the transmission assembly moves the wiper arm bracket about the pivot axis of the wiper arm bracket, as to cause the wiper arm to move rotationally over the vehicle screen.
2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmission assembly is a belt assembly.
3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein the belt assembly comprises: a belt, a belt tensioner, a wiper arm pulley and a wiper mechanism pulley, wherein the belt is secured at either end around the wiper arm pulley and the wiper mechanism pulley, with the belt tensioner located between the wiper arm pulley and the wiper mechanism pulley.
4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein the belt comprises a continuous rubber belt.
5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmission assembly is at least one of: chain-gear assembly, a linkage assembly, a gear-to-gear assembly.
6. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spindle assembly comprises a spindle, operative to rotate the wiper pulley mechanism, and a linkage mechanism connecting the spindle to the motor, to transmit motion from the motor to the wiper pulley mechanism, and thus cause the belt to move around the wiper mechanism pulley and the wiper arm pulley to rotate the wiper arm bracket around the wiper arm pivot axis to cause rotational movement of the wiper arm bracket.
7. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the windscreen wiper will move between 110°-200° as it moves across the windscreen,
8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 6 wherein the windscreen wiper will move between 140°-160° as it moves across the windscreen.
9. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more of the components of the mechanism are made of metal, carbon fibre or hard plastic.
10. A mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein the metal is stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, or some combination of these.
11. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mechanism is encased in a mechanism cover.
12. A mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein the mechanism cover is metal, carbon fibre or plastic.
13. A windscreen wiper comprising a mechanism of any preceding claim, connected to a wiper arm, with a wiper blade held in position by the wiper arm.
14. A vehicle further comprising at least one windscreen wiper as claimed in claim 12.