Abstract:
The invention relates to a windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle, comprising an elongate flexible strip, wherein at least one end of the strip is covered by a cap with a built-in conduit provided with a nozzle offset on the side of the flexible strip relative to the longitudinal median plane of said flexible strip.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR2010/052483, filed Nov. 22, 2010, which claims priority to French application 0958272, filed on Nov. 23, 2009, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade that includes in at least one of its extremities a conduit equipped with a nozzle integrated in the cap of the windshield wiper blade. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typically, cleaning of the windshield or the rear window of a vehicle normally occurs by spraying washer fluid on the glass surface by means of nozzles installed on the hood of the vehicle or on the cowl grille of the vehicle. These nozzles, installed at a distance from the glass surface to be cleaned, require very delicate adjustment in order to obtain an effective spray. These so-called fluidic nozzles project washer fluid in the form of spray on most of the glass surface. This washing operation uses a significant fluid volume and masks during a few seconds the visibility of the driver. Consequently, this operation could turn out to be very dangerous because of the potential risks that it can imply. In addition, the jet projection varies depending on the speed of the vehicle, for instance, at high speed, the jet is projected only on the lower portion of the glass surface which results of course in insufficient cleaning of said glass surface. Furthermore, wash systems are typically designed for each type of vehicle, which entails significant development costs. 
     In all cases, the washer fluid is projected directly on the glass surface ahead of the wiper blade either in the form of spray, or in the form of projection, distributed in irregular and discontinuous patches. 
     In the state of technology, we know in particular document DE 1755762, describing a washer fluid projection device in connection with a windshield wiper mechanism. The mechanism comprises a mobile mounted windshield wiper blade, sweeping the glass surface, and comprising the traditional longitudinal support assembly and a wiper blade. 
     The projection device consists of an arm on which the wiper is mounted and is adapted to the wiper so that the washer fluid is projected in the form of a jet in front of the lip of the wiper blade relative to its sweeping movement. 
     Document FR291 671 6 describes an arrangement for a washer fluid projection device. The washer fluid projection nozzle is placed at the end and on the outside of the wiper blade, precisely in the axis of its median part in order to spray alternatively, during its sweeping movement, a fluid jet on the glass surface in front of the wiper lip. 
     Document EP 0860336 describes a wiper blade connected in traditional manner to a mobile sweeping arm to clean a glass surface. The wiper blade comprises a lip in its lower part and a means to mount to a frame in its upper part, and a channel extending longitudinally in the interior of the wiper blade, in order to carry washer fluid to an end piece in each of the extremities of the wiper blade. This end piece has a supply nipple for fluid introduced in the channel of the wiper blade. The supply nipple is positioned in the axis of the end piece comprising end pieces in the form of inverse V conduits, whereby the exit nozzles in the extremities of the wiper blade are directed facing each other, in order to deliver a jet in the form of spray at a variable distance from the wiper blade depending on the angle of the V, on the glass surface on both sides of the wiper blade, whereby the jets cross each other in the plane passing through the lengthwise middle of the wiper blade. 
     SUMMARY 
     The goal of the invention is to provide a windshield wiper blade and a washing and wiping device that eliminates these inconveniences in particular by eliminating tedious adjustments and by ensuring a marked visibility improvement for the driver during the washing and wiping operation of the glass surface. 
     To this end, the invention comprises positioning a nozzle at the exit of a conduit as close as possible to a lip of the wiper blade, by incorporating the conduit in the cap of a windshield wiper blade. Prior to its return, the lip of the windshield wiper blade forms a concavity over its whole length, and the cylindrical jet of washer fluid emitted by the nozzle is distributed uniformly in the concavity over the major portion of the wiper blade lip of the windshield wiper blade. After returning, the liquid distributed evenly between the lip of the windshield wiper blade and the glass surface allows for optimized wiping and cleaning without hindering the visibility of the driver. 
     For this purpose, an automotive vehicle windshield wiper blade of the invention comprises a flexible elongated wiper blade, wherein in that at least one extremity of the wiper blade is covered by a cap integrating a conduit provided with a nozzle, which is offset on the side of the lip of the flexible wiper blade relative to a median longitudinal plane of the flexible wiper blade. 
     In various implementations, the axis of the nozzle is arranged parallel to the lip of the wiper blade so that it directs the washer fluid to the lip of the wiper blade when the wiper blade is in a stop position, before returning for wiping of the glass surface, in order to send the washer fluid in the concavity of the lip of the wiper blade and evenly distributing it over its whole length. 
     In other implementations, the axis of the nozzle is oriented in the direction of the lip of the wiper blade so that it directs the washer fluid to the lip of the wiper blade when the latter is in its stop position, before returning for wiping of the glass surface, which allows for optimizing the direction of the jet during the supply of washer fluid. 
     In yet other implementations, the cap comprises two dissymmetric legs, relative to the median plane of the lip of the wiper blade, so that the conduit can be incorporated in the longest leg. 
     In still other implementations, the conduit is arranged in the extended lower portion of the cap leg so that the exit orifice of the nozzle is positioned in the vicinity of the lip of the wiper blade and the offset conduit is more advantageously positioned on the edge of the wiper blade. 
     In still yet other implementations, the cap leg carrying the nozzle extends in the vicinity of the lip of the wiper blade, so that the nozzle can be placed and oriented in the most accurate manner relative to the lip of the wiper blade. 
     In other implementations, the connector is protruding so that it extends from the bottom of the cap for connection of the washer fluid supply, which facilitates the assembly of the canalization. 
     In yet other implementations, the connector is made in one piece with the cap, making it easier to fabricate. 
     In yet still other implementations, the nozzle is completely situated inside the conduit, which avoids untimely misadjustments due to shock or contact of the protruding nozzle. 
     In still further implementations, the conduit receiving the nozzle comprises a chamfer flared towards the exit and flush on the side of the leg so that the flow of washer fluid is improved. 
     In various other embodiments, the invention relates to a washing and wiping device comprising at least one windshield wiper blade for a glass surface. 
     In yet other embodiments, the invention comprises an automotive vehicle comprising at least one washing and wiping device for a glass surface. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics of the windshield wiper blade constructed according to the invention, will become clear through the following description of several implementation examples given as non limiting illustrations with reference to the attached drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washer and wiper assembly for a glass surface according to the invention, in an inactive position. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view along line A-A of  FIG. 4  of a windshield wiper blade equipped with a support and a nozzle according to the invention whereby the lip of the wiper blade is shown in a neutral position in the median longitudinal plane. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view along line A-A of  FIG. 4  of a windshield wiper blade resting on a glass surface according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an extremity of a windshield wiper blade equipped with a cap according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the extremity of the windshield wiper blade equipped with the cap according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a cross section along line B-B in  FIG. 2  of the extremity of the windshield wiper blade equipped with the cap showing the detail of a conduit equipped with a nozzle according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an assembly for washing and wiping a glass surface comprising a pair of windshield wiper blades according to the invention, in an inactive position. In this view the windshield wiper blades  1  are mounted in a traditional manner on the distal end of an arm  2  by means of an articulation arranged in the median part of the windshield wiper blade  1 . At the proximal end the arms  2  are mounted on a motorized means connected to the vehicle body  3  so that the wiper blades travel simultaneously over the zones to be wiped  4   a  and  4   b  on the glass surface such as for instance a windshield  5 . In  FIG. 1 , the windshield wiper blades  1  are shown in an inactive position, e.g., in a position parallel to each other and approximately parallel to the lower edge of the windshield  5 . The windshield wiper blades  1  shown in  FIG. 1  are called antagonists because they move in opposite directions relative to each other. The windshield wiper blades  1  can also move parallel relative to each other, or only one windshield wiper blade  1  can be arranged to wipe a zone of the windshield, or the rear window, or the headlights. All these wiping variants do not affect in any way the operating principle of the windshield wiper blade  1  according to the invention, which will be described below. The windshield wiper blades  1  shown in  FIG. 1  comprise at their lower extremities, in a suitable end piece  1   a , and positioned in parallel to the wiper blade  6  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the windshield wiper blade  1 , a conduit  23  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) equipped with a nozzle  24  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), placed on the side of the zone to be wiped so that a jet of washer fluid can be delivered to a lip  7  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the wiper blade  6  of the windshield wiper blade  1 . End piece  1   a  is also referred to herein as cap  19 . The nozzles  24  placed in the lower part of the windshield wiper blades  1  define, relative to the axis of rotation of the arm  2 , a small radius  10   a  and  10   b  when sweeping the zone to be wiped  4   a  and  4   b , while the upper extremity of the windshield wiper blades  1  define a large radius  11   a  and  11   b . The travel of the windshield wiper blades  1 , between positions  12   a  and  12   b , parallel to the internal edge of the windshield, and positions  13   a  and  13   b , approximately parallel to the lateral edge of the windshield, defines the zones to be wiped  4   a  and  4   b . A nozzle could also be mounted in the upper extremity of the windshield wiper blade  1 , facing the nozzle  24  located in the lower extremity, in other words located on the side of the zone to be wiped when the blade is at the end of travel, in other words, in its vertical position when the blade is approximately parallel to the lateral edge of the windshield  5 . 
     In order to integrate harmoniously the conduit  23  equipped with the nozzle  24  in the windshield wiper blade  1  of an automotive vehicle, the conduit  23  equipped with the nozzle  24  is incorporated in a cap  19 . In this way, in an operating phase, the windshield wiper blade  1  comprising a flexible, elongated, wiper blade  6 , is resting perpendicularly on the glass surface to be swept, e.g., the surface of the windshield  5  or a rear window of a vehicle. End cap  19  incorporates the conduit  23  equipped with the nozzle  24 , which is offset at a certain distance relative to longitudinal median axis of the wiper blade  6 . The offset distance is such that the washer fluid is projected on the majority of the length of lip  7  of wiper blade  6  of windshield wiper blade  1 . In other words, the position of the conduit  23  equipped with its nozzle  24  is rigorously located relative to the lip  7  of the wiper blade  6  so that, in the inactive position on a glass surface, the concavity of the lip  7  is facing the nozzle  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is cross sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 4  of the windshield wiper blade  1  equipped with a support and a nozzle according to the invention, showing the lip  7  of the wiper blade  6  in a neutral position in the median longitudinal plane. 
     The windshield wiper blade  1  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , comprises essentially the flexible, elongated, wiper blade  6 , made of rubber or similar material suitable to be used for cleaning the glass surface against which rests lip  7  of wiper blade  6 , e.g., the surface of the front windshield  5  or the rear window of an automotive vehicle. 
     This glass surface visible in  FIG. 1  usually has a more or less pronounced curvature, according to the surface traveled by the windshield wiper blade  1  during its displacements while in contact with the glass surface, against which the windshield wiper blade  1 , according to the invention, complies perfectly. In the inactive position, lip  7  of wiper blade  6  resting horizontally, in longitudinal direction, on windshield  5 , which is mounted in the car body in an inclined position, forms an upward oriented concavity over its length, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this configuration, a heel  7   a  of the lip  7  comes in contact with a shoulder  9   a  of a base  9  of wiper blade  6 . The windshield wiper blade  1  commonly consists of the wiper blade  6  comprising in its lower end the lip  7  articulated around a hinge  8  and in its upper end a frame  18  supporting wiper blade  6 , reinforced by a rib  15  disposed within the polymer frame  18 . Wiper blade  6  has in its upper part a tendon  16  which is inserted in a mortise  17  formed in the lower part of frame  18 . This frame  18  has a wall which becomes progressively thinner in a vertical plane to form a deflector  18   a . Frame  18  comprises connection means (not shown) articulated to arm  2 . In order to improve the overall appearance of the windshield wiper blade  1 , embellishing caps  19  are mounted on each of the extremities of the windshield wiper blade. Caps  19  cover the extremities of frame  18  and partially wiper blade  6  in order to reinforce the perceived quality. The axis of conduit  23  is positioned parallel to the axis of wiper blade  6 , at a distance from it, so that it is facing the concavity of lip  7  of wiper blade  6  when the wiper blade is in inactive position (visible on  FIG. 3 ). The caps  19  have the general form of the profile of frame  18  on which they fit in each extremity. In particular, their lower parts consist of two C shaped legs  30  and  31  facing each other and used to guide and to enclose the sliding part of frame  18 . Protuberances  32  and  33  are arranged in the hollows of the C&#39;s to exercise clamping pressure on the flanks  35  and  36  of frame  18  during the sliding assembly of caps  19 . Leg  30  is extended by a lower part  30   a  and incorporates, with precise orientation and in suitable manner for the position of lip  7  of wiper blade  6 , a conduit and nozzle assembly  34 . This assembly  34  allows for the delivery of a washer fluid jet on lip  7  of wiper blade  6  of the windshield wiper blade  1 . Because of the precise guiding of the cap  19  when it is assembled on the windshield wiper blade  1 , the conduit and nozzle assembly  34  is positioned in offset manner and very precisely relative to lip  7  of wiper blade  6 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the windshield wiper blade  1  with wiper blade  6 , in a neutral position, in other words in a position whereby the windshield wiper blade  1  is not resting against the glass surface of the windshield  5  or when it is not mounted on the arm  2  and is not subject to any stress or load, in particular lip  7  of wiper blade  6  is positioned in the median longitudinal plane of said wiper blade  6 , symbolized by axis  37 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the windshield wiper blade  1  according to the invention shown in inactive position when positioned on glass surface of the windshield  5 . This glass surface of the windshield  5  usually has a more or less pronounced curvature, according to the surface traveled by the windshield wiper blade  1  during its displacements while in contact with the glass surface, against which the windshield wiper blade  1  according to the invention perfectly complies. As described above, in the inactive position, lip  7  of wiper blade  6  resting horizontally in longitudinal direction against windshield  5 , which is mounted in the car body in inclined position, forms an upward oriented concavity over its length. In this configuration, heel  7   a  of lip  7  comes in contact with shoulder  9   a  of base  9  of wiper blade  6 . The windshield wiper blade  1  commonly consists of the wiper blade  6  comprising in its lower part the lip  7  articulated around the hinge  8  and in its upper part the frame  18  supporting the wiper blade  6 , which is reinforced by the rib  15  disposed in the polymer frame  18 . When the wiping movement is reversed, lip  7  of wiper blade  6  rotates around hinge  8 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the wiper blade  6  is in its stop and rest position prior to returning. As soon as the wiping starts, lip  7  of wiper blade  6  will rotate and heel  7   b  of lip  7 , will come in contact with shoulder  9   b  of base  9  of wiper blade  6 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the extremity of a windshield wiper blade  1  equipped with the cap  19  according to the invention.  FIG. 4  shows the sliding part of the windshield wiper blade  1 , comprising frame  18  and its deflector  18   a  and wiper blade  6  with lip  7 . Cap  19  covers the extremity of frame  18  and also includes the beginning of a deflector  19   a , which connects by a harmonious curvature with its extremity closed by a bottom  19   b . Leg  31  of cap  19  encloses frame  18 , while the other leg  30  also encloses the frame  18  but is prolonged in its lower part to receive the conduit  23  and nozzle  24  of assembly  34 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a canalization  27  which brings the washer fluid to the nozzle  24 . This arrangement integrating the conduit and nozzle assembly  34  in cap  19  allows for the elimination of tedious adjustments and for the removal of cap  19  from an old used windshield wiper blade  1  and reinstallation on a new windshield wiper blade  1  during the replacement of the used windshield wiper blade  1 . It is evident from the  FIG. 4  that this operation is very easy to perform, since the wiper blade  6  is easily viewed through an opening visible in the extremity of cap  19 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the extremity of the windshield wiper blade  1  equipped with the cap  19  according to the invention. This view shows how parts are assembled on the extremity of a windshield wiper blade  1 , comprising respectively the frame  18 , and functionally protruding from the frame, the rib  15  reinforcing wiper blade  6 . Cap  19  is covering the extremity of the assembly including the frame  18 , the rib  15  and the wiper blade  6 . For this purpose, the extremity of wiper blade  6  serves as a guiding means in order to engage cap  19  by simple sliding, as described previously. Lastly, the canalization  27  is connected to conduit  23  via a connector  28 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top cross sectional view along line B-B of  FIG. 2  of the extremity of the windshield wiper blade  1  equipped with a cap  19 , showing the detail of the conduit  23 , equipped with the nozzle  24  according to the invention, disposed within leg  30  of cap  19 . In this view, it is shown that conduit  23  and nozzle  24 , with spherical form, are perfectly integrated within leg  30  of cap  19 , while a chamfer  29  is uniquely provided at the exit of nozzle  24 . No other element or supplementary part is protruding from the extremity of leg  30  such that the fluid jet is undistributed towards wiper blade  6 . At the other extremity of leg  30 , protruding connector  28  allows for connecting the canalization  27 , transferring the washer fluid towards the nozzle  24 , via the conduit  23 . 
     Although the cap  19  is shown throughout the various Figures as being mounted in the lower extremity of the frame  18  of the windshield wiper blade  1 , it is envisioned that this concept can likewise be applied to the cap covering the upper extremity of frame  18  of windshield wiper blade  1 , of course taking into account the effects of symmetry. 
     The windshield wiper blade  1  according to the invention brings together in a single concept the washing and wiping functions, while preserving a noteworthy perceived quality. This concept allows for washing and wiping the windshield  5  at discretion and efficiently while improving the visibility of the driver. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described and shown in detail herein.