Patent Description:
Such a vehicle windshield wiper assembly is known from document <CIT>, cf. its <FIG> and <FIG>. In the usual manner, in this assembly <NUM>, the base end <NUM> of a windshield wiper <NUM> is attached to a pivot shaft <NUM>. An oval rubber grommet <NUM> is set into a through-hole 16a of an inner vehicle panel <NUM> and provides a watertight seal, which prevents water from entering the car body. The grommet <NUM> has an inlet port 45a on one side and an outlet port 44a on the opposite side. The inlet port 45a is connected to an upper end <NUM> of a tank hose <NUM>, and the outlet port 44a is connected to a lower end <NUM> of a nozzle hose <NUM>. Thus, the grommet <NUM> also acts as a hose connector.

This known assembly <NUM> has the drawback that, when the windshield wiper <NUM> is rotated, the lower end <NUM> of the nozzle hose <NUM> is subjected to stress. Indeed, since the lower end <NUM> of the nozzle hose <NUM> is fixed to the grommet <NUM>, and the rest of the nozzle hose <NUM> is threaded through the windshield wiper <NUM>, the nozzle hose must constantly adapt to the reciprocating motion of the windshield wiper <NUM>. The nozzle hose <NUM> might have some slack, which allows it to adapt more easily, but this additional hose length must then be accommodated into an already crowded space.

In its <FIG>, document <CIT> discloses another known vehicle windshield wiper assembly <NUM>. The hose connector <NUM> of this assembly is integrally formed on a plate <NUM>. Hence, this solution has the same drawbacks as the solution of <CIT>.

The document <CIT> discloses a further vehicle windshield wiper assembly known in the art.

It is thus an object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle windshield wiper assembly with an improved fluid hose connection design. One aim in particular is to optimize the hose connections such that the length of the nozzle hose can be reduced and/or stress on the nozzle hose can be avoided.

According to the present disclosure, this object is achieved with a vehicle windshield wiper assembly as defined in claim <NUM>.

By having a hose connector whose fluid outlet portion follows the pivot shaft's reciprocating swivel motion, the lower end of the nozzle hose, by virtue of it being connected to the fluid outlet portion, can move together with the rest of the hose. Accordingly, the entire nozzle hose can follow the rotation of the windshield wiper.

In other words, thanks to the present disclosure, there is no longer any relative motion between parts of the nozzle hose and the windshield wiper. The lack of relative motion avoids stress on the nozzle hose. Also, there can be no friction between the nozzle hose and the windshield wiper. On top of that, the length of the nozzle hose can be reduced since the hose does not need to adapt to the wiper's movements.

The following features can be optionally implemented, separately or in combination:.

The present disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle windshield wiper assembly as defined above.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The present disclosure relates to vehicle windshield wiper systems. These systems are typically mounted at the back and/or the front of a vehicle, and are used to remove rain, dirt or the like from the vehicle's windows.

More particularly, the present disclosure is concerned with windshield wiper systems, which include a specific type of windshield washer system where the spray nozzle device for the spraying of washer fluid is located in the windshield wiper. In the following, this type of washer system will be referred to as "moving nozzle washer system".

In one implementation of a moving nozzle washer system, the one or more spray nozzles are arranged in the outer free end of the wiper arm. This configuration is commonly referred to as "wet arm". In another implementation, sold by the applicant under the tradename "AquaBlade®", the spray nozzles are formed in the wiper blade.

In moving nozzle washer systems, the washer fluid must be transported through the windshield wiper in order to reach the spray nozzles. The three embodiments described below illustrate how this washer fluid transport is implemented according to the present disclosure.

<FIG> show a first non-claimed embodiment <NUM> of a vehicle windshield wiper assembly according to the present disclosure.

The vehicle windshield wiper assembly <NUM> is a subunit of a complete windshield wiper system. The assembly <NUM> is adapted to be mounted through a vehicle cowl, a portion <NUM> of which is shown in <FIG>.

The assembly <NUM> comprises a windshield wiper <NUM>, a pivot shaft <NUM>, a shaft holder <NUM>, a washer fluid spraying device <NUM> and a drive linkage <NUM>.

The windshield wiper <NUM> has a wiper arm <NUM> and a wiper blade <NUM>. The wiper arm <NUM> has an outer end <NUM> and a base end <NUM>. The wiper blade <NUM> is attached to the outer end <NUM>, and the pivot shaft <NUM> is attached to the base end <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the pivot shaft <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis X-X. A lower part of the pivot shaft <NUM> is rotatably mounted in the shaft holder <NUM>. An upper part <NUM> of the pivot shaft protrudes upwards from the shaft holder <NUM>. The drive linkage <NUM> has a fastening end <NUM> and is fastened to the upper part <NUM> of the pivot shaft <NUM> via the fastening end <NUM>. The top <NUM> of the pivot shaft <NUM> supports the base end <NUM> of the wiper arm <NUM>.

To move the wiper <NUM> back and forth, the drive linkage <NUM> is operated by a drive motor (not shown), which results in a reciprocating pivoting motion of the pivot shaft <NUM> around its longitudinal axis X-X. The wiper <NUM> then pivots in unison with the pivot shaft <NUM> since it is fastened to the pivot shaft `s top <NUM>.

The washer fluid spraying device <NUM> is made of a plurality of components and extends from the outer end <NUM> of the wiper arm <NUM>, through the wiper arm <NUM>, to the base end <NUM> of the wiper arm <NUM>, and therefrom past the pivot shaft <NUM>.

The washer fluid spraying device <NUM> includes a spray nozzle device 106a, a nozzle hose 106b, a fluid supply hose 106c, and a hose connector 106d.

Here, the spray nozzle device is implemented as a single spray nozzle 106a, which is located in the outer end <NUM> of the wiper arm <NUM>. Accordingly, the vehicle windshield wiper assembly <NUM> of <FIG> is of the "wet arm" type.

The nozzle hose 106b runs through the wiper arm <NUM>. It is configured to deliver washer fluid from the hose connector 106d to the spray nozzle 106a. An outer end of the nozzle hose 106b is fluidly connected to the spray nozzle 106a. An opposite inner end 106e of the nozzle hose 106b is fluidly connected to the hose connector 106d.

The fluid supply hose 106c runs from the hose connector 106d below the cowl <NUM> and towards a washer fluid tank (not shown) inside the car body. The fluid supply hose 106c is fluidly connected, via the hose connector 106d, to the nozzle hose 106b and is configured to supply washer fluid to the nozzle hose 106b.

The hose connector 106d fluidly interconnects the two hoses 106b and 106c. In the present embodiment, it is made of a single piece.

The hose connector 106d may have a built-in fluid valve, such as a check valve. Such a valve may be used to keep the washer fluid inside the nozzle hose 106b. This is to reduce leakage after spraying, and to avoid leakage during servicing (e.g. when replacing the windshield wiper).

As apparent from <FIG>, the hose connector 106d is fitted onto the pivot shaft <NUM>. More precisely, the hose connector 106d has a central through-hole <NUM>, and the pivot shaft <NUM> penetrates the central through-hole <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the whole hose connector 106d is fixed to the pivot shaft <NUM> for rotation therewith. To that end, the hose connector 106d has a central fastening collar 106i (cf. <FIG>), through which the hose connector 106d is fastened to the pivot shaft <NUM>.

The hose connector 106d is shown on its own in <FIG>. As apparent therefrom, in the present embodiment, the hose connector has a circular ring shape. An annular ledge 106j surrounds the through-hole <NUM>. The ledge 106j defines a plane, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X of the pivot shaft <NUM>.

The hose connector 106d has a fluid inlet portion 106f and a fluid outlet portion <NUM>. The fluid inlet portion 106f is annular and corresponds to the inner side of the ledge 106j. The fluid outlet portion <NUM> is also annular and corresponds to the outer side of the ledge 106j.

The fluid inlet portion 106f has a fluid inlet <NUM>, which is connected to the fluid supply hose 106c. The fluid outlet portion <NUM> has a fluid outlet <NUM>, which is connected to the nozzle hose 106b. Here, the fluid inlet <NUM> and the fluid outlet <NUM> are implemented as a single tube <NUM>, which traverses the ledge 106j. The ends of the tube <NUM>, which then correspond, respectively, to the fluid inlet <NUM> and to the fluid outlet <NUM>, may be plug-shaped to facilitate the attachment of the hoses 106b, 106c.

The hose connector 106d also has an annular skirt 106n, which extends downwards from the ledge 106j, substantially at right angles thereto. The annular skirt 106n has an upper attachment end 106o, where it merges into the ledge 106j. The annular skirt 106n extends from its upper end 106o down to a lower free end 106p.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the annular skirt 106n surrounds the pivot shaft <NUM>. The free end 106p of the annular skirt 106n faces away from the windshield wiper <NUM>.

The annular skirt 106n may act as a barrier to the ingress of water into the car body.

A second embodiment <NUM> of a vehicle windshield wiper assembly according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to <FIG>.

As in the first embodiment <NUM>, the second embodiment <NUM> comprises a windshield wiper <NUM> with a wiper arm <NUM> and a wiper blade (not shown), a pivot shaft <NUM>, a shaft holder <NUM>, and a washer fluid spraying device <NUM> with a spray nozzle device (not shown), a nozzle hose 206b, a fluid supply hose 206c and a hose connector 206d.

The second embodiment <NUM> has a hose connector 206d, which is different from the first embodiment's hose connector 106d. Otherwise, the second embodiment <NUM> is comparable to the first embodiment <NUM>. For similar features, reference is made to the corresponding description above. The following description will focus on the differing hose connector 206d.

As best apparent from <FIG>, the hose connector 206d is made of three separate parts, namely a lower fastening collar 206i, an upper fastening member 206q and a middle shielding cap 206r.

The lower fastening collar 206i has a triangular base <NUM> with a central through-hole <NUM>, and a fastening sleeve 206t protruding downwards from the base <NUM> (cf. The fastening sleeve 206t comprises a set of fastening legs 206u, which are distributed around the circumference of the through-hole <NUM>.

The triangular base <NUM> has three corners C1, C2 and C3, cf. Two of the three corners, namely C1 and C3, are pierced by a securing aperture 206v. The remaining corner C2 supports a fluid tube <NUM>, which traverses the base <NUM>. The lower end of the tube <NUM> is plug-shaped and forms a fluid inlet <NUM>. An upper end of the fluid tube <NUM> is formed as an insert 206w, cf.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening member 206q has a frustoconical shape, cf. It includes a support ring 206x and three fastening tongues 206y, which are supported by the support ring 206x and distributed along its circumference. Preferably, about half of the support ring's circumference is free of any fastening tongues. This is to provide mounting space for the nozzle hose 206b.

The intermediate shielding cap 206r has the general shape of a dome. It includes an annular skirt 206n with a lower free end 206p. It also has a central through-hole <NUM>, which accommodates the pivot shaft <NUM>. On the outer side of the shielding cap 206r, next to the through-hole <NUM>, there is a fluid outlet <NUM>. This fluid outlet is plug-shaped and receives the nozzle hose 206b. On the inner side of the shielding cap 206r, cf. <FIG>, there are two positioning studs 206z and a receiving hole 206α. The two positioning studs 206z and the receiving hole 206α together form the three corners of a triangle. The through-hole <NUM> is at the centre of this triangle. The two positioning studs 206z are inserted into the securing apertures 206v of the fastening collar 206i. The receiving hole 206α receives the tubular insert 206w of the fastening collar 206i.

As shown in <FIG>, the hose connector 206d is secured, on the one hand, to the pivot shaft <NUM> via the fastening collar 206i, and on the other hand, to the wiper arm <NUM> via the fastening member 206q.

More precisely, via the fastening legs 206u of its fastening sleeve 206t, the fastening collar 206i is snap-fitted on the pivot shaft <NUM>. The snap-fit preferably allows for an adjustment of the hose connector's position along the pivot shaft <NUM>.

The fastening member 206q is snap-fitted on the wiper arm <NUM> and on the shielding cap 206r via its fastening tongues 206y.

As in the first embodiment, in this second embodiment, the whole hose connector 206d is fixed to the pivot shaft <NUM> for rotation therewith. In other words, when the pivot shaft <NUM> pivots, all three parts 206i, 206r and 206q of the hose connector 206d move in unison with the pivot shaft <NUM>.

In order to simplify the mounting of the vehicle windshield wiper assembly <NUM> onto a motor vehicle, the assembly <NUM> may be provided as two individual combinable subassemblies 200A and 200B, which are shown in <FIG>, respectively. The lower subassembly 200A is mounted by positioning it below the motor vehicle's cowl <NUM> and then raising it until the pivot shaft <NUM> is in its final position where it protrudes above the cowl <NUM>. Once the lower subassembly 200A is in place, the upper subassembly 200B is then mounted by positioning it above the cowl <NUM> and lowering it onto the pivot shaft <NUM>. The lowering step is completed when the tubular insert 206w is securely fixed in the corresponding receiving hole 206α, the two positioning studs 206z are inserted in the corresponding securing apertures 206v, and the base end <NUM> of the wiper arm <NUM> sits on the top <NUM> of the pivot shaft <NUM>.

With this process, it is very easy to connect the nozzle hose 206b to the fluid supply hose 206c, and the wiper arm <NUM> to the pivot shaft <NUM>. Indeed, both connections are made simultaneously with a single movement.

Furthermore, the fastening member 206q acts as a spacer, which ensures that, after the mounting of the assembly <NUM>, the shielding cap 206r is at a well-defined longitudinal distance from the base end <NUM> and at the right longitudinal position above the cowl <NUM>, cf.

<FIG> illustrates that the cowl <NUM> may have a protruding annular flange <NUM>. In this case, the cap's annular skirt 206n surrounds the flange <NUM>. This configuration acts as a seal or barrier that prevents water from entering the car body.

A third non-claimed embodiment <NUM> of a vehicle windshield wiper assembly according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a partial view of the assembly <NUM>, wherein the windshield wiper is omitted. The main difference of this third assembly <NUM> compared to the first and second assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> lies in the setup of the hose connector. The following description will thus focus on this aspect. For similar features, reference is made to the previous explanations above.

Different views of the hose connector 306d of the third embodiment <NUM> are provided in <FIG>. The hose connector 306d is made of two individual parts 306f and <NUM>, which correspond to the fluid inlet portion and to the fluid outlet portion, respectively.

The fluid inlet portion 306f is configured to be fixed e.g. to the shaft holder <NUM>, the cowl <NUM> or the car body such that it remains stationary when the windshield wiper is operated. In contrast thereto, the fluid outlet portion <NUM> is fixed to the pivot shaft <NUM> for rotation therewith. To allow for the ensuing relative movement between the two portions, the fluid outlet portion <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the fluid inlet portion 306f such that the fluid outlet portion <NUM> can rotate with respect to the fluid inlet portion 306f.

As apparent from <FIG>, the interface F between the two annular portions 306f and <NUM> comprises a sliding contact bearing B. The contact bearing B comprises a guide groove B2 and a corresponding slide ring B1, which is slidingly received in the guide groove B2. In the shown embodiment, the slide ring B1 is part of the fluid outlet portion <NUM>, and the guide groove B2 is part of the fluid inlet portion 306f, but this could of course be interchanged.

The hose connector 306d contains a fluid chamber K, which is located at the interface F between the fluid inlet portion 306f and the fluid outlet portion <NUM>. In the present example, the fluid chamber K is toroidal-shaped. An upper part K1 of the fluid chamber K is formed in the fluid outlet portion <NUM>. A lower part K2 of the fluid chamber K is formed in the fluid inlet portion 306f.

Washer fluid transiting through the hose connecter 306d enters via the inlet <NUM>, travels through the fluid chamber K and leaves via the outlet <NUM>.

Thanks to the presence of the fluid chamber K, during operation, the washer fluid can flow from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM> even though the outlet <NUM> pivots back and forth relative to the inlet <NUM>.

In all three embodiments <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the hose connector 106d, 206d, 306d is designed such that its fluid outlet <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> moves in unison with the pivot shaft <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> when the latter is rotated. Accordingly, the inner end of the nozzle hose 106b, 206b, 306b, which is attached to the fluid outlet, pivots in the same way as the rest of the nozzle hose. This means that there is no relative movement between different sections of the nozzle hose when the windshield wiper is operated. Thus, during operation, there is no stress on the nozzle hose. Furthermore, the nozzle hose can closely follow the outline of the wiper arm since it does not need any extra length to compensate for the pivoting action.

In the third embodiment, the fluid inlet <NUM> remains stationary during operation of the windshield wiper. Hence, there is no relative movement between different sections of the fluid supply hose 306c. This avoids stress on the fluid supply hose 306c. Furthermore, the fluid supply hose 306c can remain short since it does not need any extra length to compensate for the pivoting action.

Claim 1:
A vehicle windshield wiper assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a. a windshield wiper (<NUM><NUM>) having a wiper arm (<NUM>) and a wiper blade (<NUM>) attached to an outer end (<NUM>) of the wiper arm;
b. a pivot shaft (<NUM>) for pivoting the windshield wiper (<NUM><NUM>), which is attached to a base end (<NUM>) of the wiper arm; and
c. a washer fluid spraying device (<NUM>) including:
i. a spray nozzle device (106a) for the spraying of washer fluid, which is located in the windshield wiper (<NUM>);
ii. a nozzle hose (106b), which is fluidly connected to the spray nozzle device (106a) and is configured for the delivery of washer fluid to the spray nozzle device (106a);
iii. a fluid supply hose (106c), which is fluidly connected to the nozzle hose (106b) and is configured for the supply of washer fluid to the nozzle hose (106b); and
iv. a hose connector (<NUM>06d), which fluidly interconnects the fluid supply hose (106c) and the nozzle hose (106b), and which is fitted onto the pivot shaft (<NUM>), the hose connector (206d) having:
- a central fastening collar (<NUM>06i) through which the hose connector is fastened to the pivot shaft (<NUM>)
- a fluid inlet portion (206f) with a fluid inlet (<NUM><NUM>) connected to the fluid supply hose (106c); and
- a fluid outlet portion (<NUM>) with a fluid outlet (<NUM><NUM>) connected to the nozzle hose (106b),
wherein at least the hose connector's fluid outlet portion (<NUM>) is fixed to the pivot shaft (<NUM>) for rotation therewith, characterized in that the fastening collar (206i) is snap-fitted on the pivot shaft, the snap-fit preferably allowing an adjustment of the hose connector's position along the pivot shaft.