Windshield wiper

The instant disclosure provides a wiper, comprising a wiper connector, a flexible member, a reinforcing member, a rigid frame, a plurality of fastening members and a wiper blade. The flexible member includes a central loading portion and two distal loading portion extending symmetrically from two ends of the central loading portion, where the central loading portion has a zero curvature. The reinforcing member is sleevingly coupled to the flexible member. A front-facing side of the reinforcing member has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon. The rigid frame is arranged on the central loading portion to connect the wiper connector. The fastening member is engaged to the second loading portion. The wiper blade is inserted through the plurality of fastening members. Thus, a better conformity can be achieved between the windshield and the wiper through the wind pressure while driving to provide a better water removal effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant disclosure relates to a wiper; in particular, to a car-use windshield wiper.

2. Description of Related Art

Along with the increasing production of cars, the demands of car-use wipers have also increased dramatically. In order to ensure a safe ride, it has turned out to be a duty for car drivers to change their wipers regularly, and thereby, increasing the consumption of the wipers. Furthermore, the curvature of a windshield varies locationally. For instance, a conventional car-use wiper has multiple layers of metallic frames on the wiper blade, where the frames are pressed on the wiper blade to keep the wiper blade stably conform to the contour of the windshield during operation. However, as such type of conventional wiper has disadvantages such as having a more complex structure, a higher cost, a more difficult manufacturing process, and a heavier weight, thus has gradually been replaced by soft wipers.

On the other hand, although conventional soft wipers have a simpler structure and a lighter weight, such wipers only employs its soft frame to exert force on the windshield. As a result, the pressure gets smaller when it is closer to the edge of the soft frame. In other words, the lack of pressing force from the soft frame causes the water removal effect to be weaker along the edge of the wiper. Even worst, a portion of the wiper blade may not even be in firm contact with the windshield, and therefore fail to function properly as expected.

Furthermore, as the pressure from the soft frame is weaker, noise and unwanted rattling of the wiper may occur while the wiper is operating, and thereby shortening the service life of the wiper and bringing emotional disturbances to the driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a wiper, and through the different curvatures of the flexible member, the wiper can be conformed to the windshield of the car. During driving, the reinforcing member will redirect wind pressure to exert force on the wiper, such that a better conformity can be achieved between the wiper and the windshield.

The instant disclosure provides a wiper, comprising a wiper connector, a flexible member, a plurality of fastening members and a wiper blade. The flexible member includes a generally elongated central loading portion and two distal loading portions extending substantially symmetrically from two ends of the central loading portion, where the central loading portion has a zero curvature. The reinforcing member is inserted to the flexible member, and a front-facing surface of the reinforcing member has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon. The rigid frame is arranged on the central loading portion to connect the wiper connector. The fastening member is engaged to the second loading members. The wiper blade is inserted through the fastening member.

In other words, the instant disclosure provides a wiper, comprising a wiper connector; a flexible member including a generally elongated central loading portion and two distal loading portion extending substantially symmetrically from two ends of the central loading portion, where the central loading portion has a zero curvature; a reinforcing member sleevingly coupled to the flexible member, and where the reinforcing member has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed on a front-facing side thereof; a rigid frame arranged on the central loading portion to connect the wiper connector; at least one fastening member engaged to each of the distal loading portion; and a wiper blade fixed by the fastening member.

The instant disclosure further provides a wiper, comprising a wiper connector, a reinforcing member, a flexible member, a rigid frame, a plurality of fastening members, a plurality of pressing members and a wiper blade. The flexible member includes a generally elongated central loading portion and two distal loading portions extending substantially symmetrically from two ends of the first loading, where the central loading portion has a zero curvature. The reinforcing member is inserted to the flexible member, and the front-facing side of the reinforcing member has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon. The rigid frame is arranged on the central loading portion to connect the wiper connector. The fastening member is engaged to the flexible member. The pressing member includes a positioning portion, two hard arms and two coupling portions arranged on the distal ends of the hard arm. The positioning portion is engaged to the fastening member. The wiper blade is inserted through the coupling portions.

In other words, the instant disclosure further provides a wiper, comprising; a wiper connector; a flexible member including a generally elongated central loading portion and two distal loading portion extending substantially symmetrically from two ends of the first loading, where the central loading portion has a zero curvature; a reinforcing member sleevingly coupled to the flexible member, and where a front-facing side of the reinforcing member has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon; a rigid frame arranged on the central loading portion for connection to the wiper connector; at least one fastening member, where the fastening member is engaged to the flexible member; at least one pressing member including a positioning portion, two hard arms and two coupling portions arranged on the distal ends of the hard arm, where the positioning portion is engaged to the fastening member; and a wiper blade fixed by at least one of the coupling portions.

The instant disclosure has the following advantages:

The flexible member has different curvatures thereon such that a better conformity can be achieved between the wiper and the windshield for better removal effect of rain water. Furthermore, the central loading portion of the flexible member has a zero curvature, and thereby the rigid frame can be engaged tightly to the central loading portion. Thus, the force exerted by the wiper arm can be applied to the wiper through the wiper connector with little or no resistance, and thereby inefficiency of the wiper due to gaps formed during assembling can be reduced. The instant disclosure has a rotatable engaging mechanism and a plurality of mountable engaging mechanism formed between the wiper blade and the flexible member, such that a convenient and stable assembly can be provided. Furthermore, cases where pursuing an easy dismantling method in conventional assembly, such that too much rotatable engaging mechanisms are used which result in easy detach of the wiper blade can be avoided. The wiper of the instant disclosure has a new form of reinforcing member to enable better conformity between the wiper and the windshield through the external wind pressure during driving, and thereby improving the water removal effect.

In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict the scope of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The instant disclosure provides a windshield wiper. The windshield wiper is conformed to the windshield of a car through the force applied by a wiper arm. Furthermore, the wiper is capable of removing the rain water on the windshield through the repeated movement driven by the wiper arm.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 2, the wiper of the instant disclosure includes a wiper connector1, a reinforcing member2, a rigid frame3, a flexible member4, a plurality of fastening member5and a wiper blade6. The flexible member4has multiple curvatures formed thereon. To provide further explanations, the flexible member4is made up of a generally elongated central loading portion41and a second loading portion42, where the central loading portion41, having a zero curvature, is arranged in the center of the flexible member4, and the second loading portion42extends substantially symmetrically from two ends of the central loading portion41. Furthermore, the curvature of the second loading portion42is greater than that of the central loading portion41.

The central loading portion41has a rigid frame3engaged thereon, where the rigid frame3has a plurality of folded portions31extending downwardly and inwardly for engagement to the central loading portion41. For the instant embodiment, the rigid frame3is preferably made of a hard material, however, this is not restricted thereto, and the rigid frame3is able to assemble the wiper connector1thereto. The wiper connector1has an engaging portion11which extends downwardly therefrom, where the engaging portion11is mounted to engage within the rigid frame3. As the connective surface between the wiper connector1and the rigid frame3is a planar surface, the inaccuracy can be minimized during assembly such that the force can be applied evenly on the wiper.

Please refer toFIGS. 1,3and4. Each of the second loading portion42has two long fastening holes421, where two fastening members5are provided to insert into the fastening hole421to engage onto the flexible member4. The fastening member5is integrally formed as a single unit, where the fastening member5has a long plate51. The long plate51extends upwardly and has a long plate52connected thereto. The two sides of the long plate51extend downwardly to form a side plate53respectively. Each side plate53has a hook portion54formed on the distal end thereof which bends inwardly. The fastening member5is inserted through the fastening hole421of the second loading portion42from the bottom direction. The fastening member5is rotated for the two ends of the long plate52to abut against the top surface of the second loading portion42, and the long plate51to abut against the bottom surface of the second loading portion42, such that the fastening member5can be engaged to the flexible member4in a rotatable manner. Furthermore, the wiper blade6is fixed by the two side plate53and the two hook portion54which bend inwardly. Once again, the rigid frame3of the instant disclosure is preferably made of a hard material, however, this is not restricted thereto.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 5, the other distal end of the second loading portion42, away from the central loading portion41, has two engaging holes422for an engaging member7to fix thereto. The engaging member7includes two first hooks71which extend upwardly and two second hooks72which extend downwardly. The engaging member7inserts through the two engaging holes422from the bottom to top direction such that the first hooks71are mounted to the two engaging holes422, and the wiper blade6is fixed by the two second hooks72.

Referring again toFIGS. 1,2and4. The wiper blade6is inserted through the plurality of fastening members5and the engaging member7to fix to the lower portion of the flexible member4. The top portion of the flexible member4has a reinforcing member2sleevingly coupled thereto. To provide further explanations, the reinforcing member2covers the top portion and a partial of the lower portion of the flexible member4. The reinforcing member2has an opening portion21formed on the center thereof such that the covered rigid frame3can be exposed therefrom to assemble with the wiper connector1.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 6, whereFIG. 6shows a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing member2. The reinforcing member2is made up mainly of a first wall22and a second wall23which extends forwardly. The first wall22and second wall23has an acute angle formed therebetween, and the width of the second wall23is apparently greater than that of the first wall22. The outer surfaces of the first wall22and the second wall23define a front-facing side of the reinforcing member2(here “front-facing” refers to “forward-facing,” i.e., facing toward the front of the vehicle). The wiper is applied on cars, and while the car is driving, the wind pressure will be redirected on a front-facing side (the arrow refers to the wind direction) of the reinforcing member2, such that the reinforcing member2can redirect the wind pressure to depress the wiper so as to enable better conformity between the wiper and the windshield. The front-facing side has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon. For the instant disclosure, the second wall23has two wind-deflecting ribs231protrudingly formed thereon. The wind-deflecting ribs231protrude from the two sides of the reinforcing member2into the distal ends of the second wall23. The wind-deflecting ribs231can redirect the wind pressure on the surface of the second wall23, and by redirecting the wind pressure, the reinforcing member2can provide a higher pressing force to the soft wiper blade, thereby enabling better conformity of the soft wiper blade to the contour of the windshield. The reinforcing member2of the instant disclosure has a hardness degree roughly 40% greater than that of the wiper blade6, however this is not restricted thereto.

Please refer toFIG. 1. For the instant disclosure, the flexible member4and the wiper blade6are assembled through the fastening member5. The fastening member5can be engaged to the flexible member4in a rotatable manner, while the wiper blade6and the fastening member5can be mutually mounted to each other. In other words, the flexible member4and the wiper blade6can be assembled through a rotatable manner and also multiple mounting means, such that the two components can be dismantled quickly, however, do not detach easily.

Please refer toFIGS. 7 and 8. The wiper of the instant disclosure includes a wiper connector1, a reinforcing member2, a rigid frame3, a flexible member4, a plurality of fastening member5a, a plurality of pressing members8and a wiper blade6. The differences of the instant embodiment from the prior embodiment, is that the instant embodiment has a fastening member5aappearing in different forms and the pressing member8is arranged below the fastening member5a.

Please refer toFIGS. 9 and 10. The fastening member5ais integrally formed as a single unit. The fastening member5ahas a long plate51a, where the center of the long plate51ahas a buffer trough formed thereon. The two sides of the long plate51aextend upwardly to form a side plate53arespectively. Each of the distal ends of the two side plate53ahas a pair of hook portions54abending inwardly formed therein, the long plate51aextends downwardly and is connected to a long plate52a. The fastening member5ais engaged to the second loading portion42of the flexible member4from the bottom to top direction. To provide further explanations, please refer toFIG. 8, the second loading member has an indentation423formed on the engaging position for the fastening member5ato engage thereto.

The long plate52acan engage to the pressing member8, at the bottom thereof, in a rotatable manner. The pressing member8includes a positioning portion81, two hard arms82and two coupling portions83. The positioning portion81is arranged on the center of the pressing member8, where the positioning portion81includes a long positioning hole811for the long plate52aof the fastening member5ato insert therethrough. The two sides of the long plate52aabut against the lower surface of the positioning portion81, and the long plate51aabut against the upper surface of the positioning portion81, such that the pressing member8and the fastening member5acan be engaged in a rotatable manner. The two hard arms82extend in a slant manner from the two distal ends of the positioning portion81. The distal ends of the two hard arms82are connected respectively to a coupling portion83, where the coupling portion83is substantially a C shape for the wiper blade6to be fixed therein.

Please refer toFIG. 7. The flexible member4and the wiper blade6of the instant embodiment are assembled through the fastening member5aand the pressing member8. The fastening member5aand the flexible member4are mutually engaged, however not in a rotatable manner, while the pressing member8and the wiper blade6are mutually inserted with each other. The fastening member5aand the pressing member8are engaged in a rotatable manner such that the two components can be dismantled quickly, however do not detach easily.

Please refer toFIGS. 6 and 11, the instant embodiment further includes a reinforcing member2, where the reinforcing member2is made up mainly of a first wall22and a second wall23which extend forwardly. The first wall22and the second wall23have an acute angle formed therebetween, and the width of the second wall23is apparently greater than that of the first wall22. The outer surfaces of the first wall22and the second wall23form a front-facing side of the reinforcing member2. When the car is driving, the wind pressure will be redirected onto a front-facing side (the arrow refers to the direction of the wind) of the reinforcing member2, such that the reinforcing member2can redirect the wind pressure to depress the wiper so as to enable better conformity of the wiper to the windshield. The front-facing side has at least one wind-deflecting rib formed thereon. For the instant disclosure, the second wall23has a plurality of wind-deflecting ribs231aprotrudingly formed thereon. The wind-deflecting ribs231acan redirect the wind pressure on the surface of the second wall23, and by redirecting the wind pressure, the reinforcing member2can provide a higher pressuring force.

Please refer toFIG. 12, the wiper of the instant embodiment includes a wiper connector1, a reinforcing member2and a rigid frame3. The middle section of the reinforcing member2has at least one latch211connected between the two side walls of the reinforcing member2. The latch211is arranged between the upper trough12of the wiper connector1and the lower trough32of the rigid frame3, such that the middle section of the reinforcing member2is tightly engaged to the wiper.

The instant disclosure has the following advantages:

The flexible member has different curvatures formed thereon such that the wiper and the windshield can achieve a higher conformity for better removal of the rain water. Furthermore, the central loading portion of the flexible member has a zero curvature, and thereby the rigid frame can be engaged tightly to the first loading member. Thus, the force exerted by the wiper arm can be applied to the wiper through the wiper connector with little or no resistance, and thereby reducing the inefficiency of the wiper due to gaps formed during assembling. The instant disclosure has a rotatable engaging mechanism and a plurality of mountable engaging mechanisms formed between the wiper blade and the flexible member, such that a convenient and stable assembly can be provided. Furthermore, cases where pursuing an easy dismantling method in conventional assembly, such that too much rotatable engaging mechanisms are used which result in easy detach of the wiper blade can be avoided. The wiper of the instant disclosure has a new form of reinforcing member to achieve a better conformity between the wiper to the windshield through the external wind pressure during driving, and thereby improving the water removal effect.