WO2008136579A1

WO2008136579A1 - Automobile wiper-blade

Info

Publication number: WO2008136579A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyung Jun Song; Sang Cheol Lee
Original assignee: Cap Corporation
Priority date: 2007-05-04
Filing date: 2008-03-21
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Also published as: KR100812773B1

Abstract

An automobile wiper assembly includes a blade, which receives a rail spring fitted into opposite edges thereof, a clamp coupled to the blade, and a slide cover surrounding the clamp. The blade includes an enlarged seating portion having a protrusion and a recess spaced apart from the protrusion. The clamp includes a fitting recess and a fitting protrusion in a contact face thereof, which contacts the seating portion, slide guide grooves longitudinally formed at opposite edges thereof, and an elastic member provided in at least one of the slide guide grooves. The slide cover surrounds a portion of the clamp opposite the contact face, and opposite lateral portions of the clamp, and has guide blocks, which are fitted into the slide guide grooves in the clamp so as to slide along the slide guide grooves.

Description

Description AUTOMOBILE WIPER-BLADE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device, which removes dirt or rainwater from a windscreen of an automobile through close contact therewith, and more particularly, to an automobile wiper assembly, which can improve ease of assembly and reduce manufacturing costs through a simple structural modification, and can also facilitate maintenance by enabling a clamp to be disassembled from a blade. Background Art

[2] In general, when a windscreen or a rear window of an automobile is covered with dust or foreign materials present in the air or is contaminated according to weather conditions, it is difficult for a driver to drive safely because the view is poor. In order to ensure the view of the driver, an automobile wiper assembly is provided to wipe dirt, rainwater or snow from the windscreen.

[3] The automobile wiper assembly generally consists of a wiper arm, a rubber blade and a clamp, which holds the wiper arm. The rubber blade attached to the terminal end of the wiper arm swings back and forth in close contact with the windshield, so that the edges of the blade clean the surface of the windshield, thereby removing rainwater or dirt therefrom.

[4] In the conventional wiper assembly, a slide cover surrounds the clamp in order to provide an aesthetic appearance and prevent contamination with foreign materials. The clamp is provided, at opposite edges, with rail grooves having a predetermined depth, and the slide cover has protrusions, which fit into the rail grooves, so that the slide cover slides along the rail grooves. That is, the slide cover can slide to open or close within the length of the rail grooves of the clamp. The clamp is also provided, at one end, with a guide block, which prevents the slide cover in the closed position from freely moving.

[5] The guide block has an inelastic structure that protrudes to a predetermined height inside the rail groove. This structure causes a considerable amount of pressure and frictional resistance in response to contact between a fitting protrusion of the slide cover and a corresponding protrusion, thereby making it impossible to expect good operating efficiency. Particularly, a user presses the slide cover with the hand when sliding the cover, thereby making the sliding less efficient. Furthermore, since there is no separate element for automatically regulating frictional resistance, a certain amount of abrasion takes place during friction, so that the wiper assembly malfunctions when used for a certain time period. Accordingly, there are urgent demands for im- provement.

[6] In the meantime, various clamp-coupling structures have also been proposed.

According to a well-known example, the clamp is pressed to be bent in the form of a claw, and is securely clamped to a rail spring, which is the framework of the blade, so that the clamp does not move at all.

[7] The clamp-coupling structure can securely prevent play thanks to the two legs of the clamp, which are bent by pressure, and are pressed and fixed to the rail spring, so that a fixing force can be securely maintained. However, pressing and fixing the clamp legs requires the use of a metal member, which is vulnerable to corrosion. The metal member increases the material cost, and rusts at an interfering portion thereof when used for a long time. When the blade is small and requires only a small amount of coupling force, this structure may unnecessarily involve an additional manufacturing process, thereby raising manufacturing costs and weakening price competitiveness. Moreover, it is impossible to disassemble the clamp from the blade even if it is required to do so. Accordingly, there is the need to solve these disadvantageous problems.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and therefore the present invention is directed to provide an automobile wiper assembly having an advanced coupling structure, which can securely maintain a suitable amount of coupling force between a blade and a clamp and also allow the blade and the clamp to be disassembled from each other, in order to facilitate maintenance and reduce manufacturing costs. Technical Solution

[9] According to an aspect of the present invention, the automobile wiper assembly includes a blade, which receives a rail spring fitted into opposite edges thereof, a clamp, which is coupled to a central portion of the blade and has a connector, and a slide cover, which surrounds the clamp. The blade includes an enlarged seating portion in the central portion thereof, the seating portion having a protrusion and a recess spaced apart from the protrusion. The clamp includes a fitting recess and a fitting protrusion in a contact face thereof, which contacts the seating portion, the fitting recess and the fitting protrusion being integrated with the clamp and having shapes conforming to those of the protrusion and the recess of the seating portion of the blade, slide guide grooves longitudinally formed at opposite edges thereof, and an elastic member provided in at least one of the slide guide grooves, the elastic member having a terminal end protruding outwards. The slide cover surrounds a portion of the clamp, opposite the contact face, and opposite lateral portions of the clamp, and has guide blocks, which are fitted into the slide guide grooves of the clamp so as to slide along the slide guide grooves.

[10] The clamp may have "C" shaped hanger members, which oppose each other and are formed in the contact face of the clamp, thereby enabling the rail spring on the opposite edges of the clamp to fit therein.

[11] The elastic member has elasticity due the cantilevered structure thereof, in which three edges thereof are cut. The elastic member protrudes from the slide guide groove, thereby stopping the movement of the slide cover, and can be pressed when desired, thereby allowing the movement of the slide cover.

[12] The terminologies or words used in the description and the claims of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited merely to common and dictionary meanings. On the contrary, they should be interpreted based on the meanings and concepts of the present invention in compliance with the scope of the present invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor(s) can appropriately define the terms in order to describe the present invention in the best way.

Advantageous Effects

[13] As set forth above, the automobile wiper assembly of the present invention has a simple structure, and thus can be easily assembled and maintained. In addition, the automobile wiper assembly can reduce manufacturing costs, be distributed at a suitable price, and increase price competitiveness. Since the clamp can be easily disassembled from the blade having the rail spring, the automobile wiper assembly can be more easily repaired, thereby improving consumer satisfaction.

Brief Description of the Drawings [14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a slide cover and a clamp, which are decoupled from each other, according to the present invention; [15] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the slide cover, which is coupled to the clamp, according to the present invention; [16] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the slide cover in an automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention; [17] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the clamp in the automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention; [18] FIG. 6 is an assembled view of the automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention; [19] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating the blade and the clamp, which are coupled to each other, in the automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention; [20] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the blade according to the present invention;

[21] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view illustrating the coupled state of FIG. 7; and

[22] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side elevation views illustrating the coupling and decoupling operation of the blade and the clamp according to the present invention.

[23] <Major Reference Numerals of the Drawings>

[24] 100: rail spring 110: clamp

[25] 130: blade 140: slide cover

[26] 200: elastic member

Mode for the Invention

[27] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[28] Hereinafter, an automobile wiper assembly of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[29] In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings. Descriptions of well- known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[30] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating some of the components of the wiper assembly of the present invention, including a clamp 110 and a slide cover 140, which are decoupled from each other. The clamp 110 has a connector 120, which connects the clamp 110 to an arm (not shown), and the slide cover 140 is slidably coupled to the clamp 110. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the slide cover 140 in the position at which the slide cover 140 and the clamp 110 of FIG. 1 are coupled to each other.

[31] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the slide cover 140, which is open on one side. The slide cover 140 is provided with guide blocks 141 on opposite walls in the open side. The guide blocks 141 are shaped to fit into slide guide grooves 111 of the clamp 110, so that the slide cover 140 can slide on the clamp 110.

[32] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the clamp 110 in the automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention. In the middle portion of respective slide guide grooves 111, there is provided an elastic member 200 having a fitting protrusion 112. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 200 has elasticity due to the cantilevered structure thereof, in which three edges are cut. The elastic member 200 protruding from the slide guide groove 111 can contact a corresponding one of the guide blocks 141 of the slide cover 140 to limit the movement thereof, as will be described later.

[33] FIG. 6 is an assembled view of the automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention, in which the clamp 110, the slide cover 140, the blade 130 and a rail spring 100 are coupled to each other.

[34] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating the clamp 110 and the blade 130, which are coupled to each other, in the automobile wiper assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the blade 130 according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a side elevation view illustrating the coupled state of the clamp 110 and the blade 130.

[35] Finally, FIGS. 10 and 11 are side elevation views illustrating the coupling and decoupling operation of the blade 110 and the clamp 130 according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 10 shows the coupled state of the clamp 110 and the blade 130, and FIG. 11 shows the clamp 110, which is assembled by moving from the position in FIG. 10 along the arrow.

[36] As shown in the drawings, the automobile wiper assembly of the present invention is a device that removes foreign material or rainwater from the window of an automobile through close contact therewith, and includes the blade 130, the clamp 110 and the slide cover 140. The blade 130 is made of rubber, and the strip-shaped elastic rail spring 100 is fitted to opposite edges of the blade 130. The clamp 110 is coupled to the central portion of the blade 130, and includes the connector 120, which connects the clamp 110 to an arm (not shown) mounted on an automobile. The slide cover 140 covers the top portion of the clamp 110, and is slidable in the longitudinal direction.

[37] The blade 130 is a rubber member having a predetermined length, and the edge thereof removes foreign materials or rainwater from the window, and moves in close contact with the window. The rail spring 100, fitted to the opposite edges of the blade 130, maintains the overall shape of the blade 130, and provides a suitable amount of elasticity to the blade 130.

[38] The coupling structure of the blade 130 and the rail spring 100 can be realized by known technology, which will not be described in more detail.

[39] The blade 130 has also has an enlarged seating portion 131, formed in the central portion of the blade 130 without an edge (hereinafter, referred to as an "upper face"). As shown in the drawings, the seating portion 131 has a protrusion 340 and a recess 330, which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

[40] The protrusion 340 and the recess 330 are fitted into a fitting recess 320 and a fitting protrusion 311 in the contact face of the clamp 110, which will be described later.

[41] The fitting recess 320 and the fitting protrusion 311 are formed, as integral parts, in the contact face of the clamp 110, which contacts the seating portion 131 of the blade 130. The shapes of the fitting recess 320 and the fitting protrusion 311 conform to those of the protrusion 340 and the recess 330, so that the fitting recess 320 and the fitting protrusion 311 can be fit to the protrusion 340 and the recess 330. [42] In addition, the slide guide grooves 111 are formed in the opposite edges of the clamp 110 in the longitudinal direction thereof. In at least one of the slide guide grooves 111, there is provided the elastic member 200, from which the fitting protrusion 112 integrally protrudes.

[43] As shown in the drawings, the elastic member 200 has elasticity due to the can- tilevered structure thereof, in which the three edges are cut. The elastic member 200 protrudes from the slide guide groove 111 to stop the movement of the slide cover 140, and is selectively pressed to allow the movement of the slide cover 140.

[44] When the fitting protrusion 112 of the elastic member 200 catches one of the guide blocks 141 of the slide cover 140, the elastic member 200 elastically bends and is thus not worn by the friction between the fitting protrusion 112 and the guide block 141.

[45] In the contact face of the clamp 110 or the bottom in the drawings, which contacts the seating member 131, "C" shaped hanger members 300 are provided opposite each other, so the rail spring 100, provided at the opposite edges of the blade 130, can be fitted into the clamp 110. The coupling structure between the clamp 110 and the blade 130 using the hanger member 300 can be realized by well known technologies, and thus will not be described.

[46] The slide cover 140 is shaped to surround the clamp 110. Particularly, the slide cover

140 entirely surrounds a portion of the clamp 110, opposite the contact face, and opposite lateral portions of the clamp 110. The guide blocks 141 of the slide cover 140 protrude from positions corresponding to the slide guide grooves 111, so as to slide along the grooves 111.

[47] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slide cover 140 is moved along the arrow, thereby opening/closing the top portion of the clamp 110.

[48] Now, a description will be made of the operation of the automobile wiper assembly of the present invention, which is constructed as above.

[49] The rail spring 100, as a type of elastic leaf spring, is fitted into grooves (not shown), which are formed in opposite edges of the blade 130 along the length thereof. The rail spring 100, assembled to the opposite edges of the blade 130, is moved toward the hanger members 300 of the clamp 110 until the clamp 110 is located on the seating portion of the blade 130.

[50] When the clamp 110 is placed on the seating portion 131, the fitting structures on corresponding contact faces are coupled to each other. That is, the protrusion 340 of the seating portion 131 is fitted into the fitting recess 320 in the clamp 110, and the fitting protrusion 311 of the clamp 110 is fitted into the recess 330 of the seating portion 131.

[51] Then, the slide cover 140 is assembled outside the clamp 110. The slide cover 140 has elasticity since it is molded from synthetic resin. Thus, the slide cover can be forcibly fitted from above into the clamp 110. Here, the guide blocks 141 of the slide cover 140 are required to be fitted into the slide guide grooves 111 in the clamp 110. [52] Now, the operation of opening/closing the slide cover 140 in this position will be described. In response to the elastic member 200 protruding from the middle portion of the slide guide grooves 111, the slide cover 140 is moved to the position shown in FIG.

2, thereby concealing the connector 120 of the clamp 110. [53] When the slide cover 140 is moved along the arrow of FIG. 2, the slide cover 140 is displaced to the position shown in FIG. 3, thereby disclosing the connector 120 of the clamp 110. [54] When the elastic member 200 in the slide guide groove 111 is pressed, the slide cover 140 can be moved to the position shown in FIG. 3. [55] The present invention is not limited to the above illustrated embodiments and drawings. Rather, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] An automobile wiper assembly comprising a blade, which receives a rail spring fitted into opposite edges thereof, a clamp, which is coupled to a central portion of the blade and has a connector, and a slide cover, which surrounds the clamp, wherein the blade comprises an enlarged seating portion in the central portion thereof, the seating portion having a protrusion and a recess spaced apart from the protrusion; wherein the clamp comprises: a fitting recess and a fitting protrusion in a contact face thereof, which contacts the seating portion, the fitting recess and the fitting protrusion being integral with the clamp and having shapes conforming to those of the protrusion and the recess of the seating portion of the blade, slide guide grooves longitudinally formed in opposite edges thereof, and an elastic member provided in at least one of the slide guide grooves, the elastic member having a terminal end protruding outwards; and wherein the slide cover surrounds a portion of the clamp, opposite the contact face, and opposite lateral portions of the clamp, and has guide blocks, which are fitted into the slide guide grooves in the clamp so as to slide along the slide guide grooves.

[2] The automobile wiper assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp has "C" shaped hanger members, which are opposite each other and are formed in the contact face of the clamp, thereby enabling the rail spring on the opposite edges of the clamp to be fitted thereinto.

[3] The automobile wiper assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has elasticity due to a cantilevered structure thereof, in which three edges thereof are cut, thereby protruding from the slide guide groove to stop movement of the slide cover and being selectively pressed to allow movement of the slide cover.