Windshield wiper device

• US 8,181,305 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Boos, Tino
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, GARY K
• Application Number:
  US11/915,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,122 Days
• Field of Search: 152/503, 152/503.1, 152/502.7, 152/501.4, 403/2, 403/DIG.3, 384/276, 384/281, 384/624
• US Class Current: 15/250.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0488 Wiper arrangement for crash protection or impact absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3493 Means for mounting the wiper shaft in the wiper bearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/03 Load-responsive release

Abstract

The invention relates to a windshield wiper device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wiper shaft (10). Prior art windshield wiper devices having predetermined breaking points exist in order to meet the high demands of pedestrian impact protection. However, the risk of these predetermined breaking points rupturing during the operation of the wiper exists in this type of windshield wiper device. In addition it cannot be guaranteed that the predetermined breaking point ruptures in the event of a pedestrian impact. Therefore, in the inventive windshield wiper device, the at least one wiper shaft (10) can be displaced under the action of a force.

Claims

1. Windshield wiper device, comprising at least one wiper shaft (10), characterized in that the wiper shaft (10) is inserted into a sleeve (11), the wiper shaft (10) and the sleeve (11) being displaceable along an axis relative to a molded tube (12) under the action of a force and lockable by a locking device (22, 30, 40, 51, 60), the locking device (22, 30, 40, 51, 60) having an indentation in the sleeve (11) in which a locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) engages, and in that the locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) is pressed with a spring element (24, 41, 50, 62) into the indentation, the locking element and the spring element being separate from the molded tube, the molded tube defining a radial bore substantially perpendicular to the axis and at least partially receiving both the locking element and the spring element.

2. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one wiper shaft (10) is lockable in the axial direction.

3. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (31, 52) includes one of a sphere, an ellipsoid and a wedge.

4. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (24, 41, 50, 62) includes one of a spiral spring, a rubber molded part, and a cantilever beam spring.

5. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (62) and the locking element (61) are formed as a single piece.

6. Windshield wiper device according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring element (62) and the locking element (61) are punched bent parts.

7. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (22, 30, 40, 51, 60) is provided in a region of one of a holding eye (13) and a crimp pin (14) attached to the molded tube (12).

8. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve (11) is secured against rotation around its own axis.

9. Windshield wiper device according to claim 8, characterized in that the sleeve (11) has at least one longitudinal wedge (15).

10. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the sleeve (11) and the molded tube (12) is manufactured of a diecast material.

11. Windshield wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) is pressed into the indentation radially by the spring element (24, 41, 50, 62).

12. Windshield wiper device, comprising at least one wiper shaft (10), characterized in that the wiper shaft (10) is inserted into a sleeve (11), the wiper shaft (10) and the sleeve (11) being axially displaceable relative to a molded tube (12) under the action of a force and lockable by a locking device (22, 30, 40, 51, 60), the locking device (22, 30, 40, 51, 60) having an indentation in the sleeve (11) in which a locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) engages, and in that the locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) has an end surface engageable with a surface of the indentation, at least one of the end surface of the locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) and the surface of the indentation being constructed to cause the locking element to move radially out of the indentation under the action of a force on the wiper shaft (10) to allow axial displacement of the wiper shaft (10), a holding eye (13) and a crimp pin (14) being fixed to the molded tube (12) and axially displaceable with the molded tube (12) relative to the wiper shaft (10) and the sleeve (11).

13. Windshield wiper device according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking element (23, 31, 52, 61) is pressed with a spring element (24, 41, 50, 62) into the indentation.

14. Windshield wiper device according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking element (31, 52) includes one of a sphere, an ellipsoid and a wedge providing the end surface.

15. Windshield wiper device according to claim 14, characterized in that the spring element (24, 41, 50, 62) includes one of a spiral spring, a rubber molded part, and a cantilever beam spring.

16. Windshield wiper device according to claim 13, characterized in that the spring element (62) and the locking element (61) are formed as a single piece.

17. Windshield wiper device according to claim 16, characterized in that the spring element (62) and the locking element (61) are punched bent parts.

18. Windshield wiper device according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking device (22, 30, 40, 51, 60) is provided in a region of one of the holding eye (13) and the crimp pin (14).

19. Windshield wiper device according to claim 12, characterized in that the sleeve (11) is secured against rotation around its own axis.

20. Windshield wiper device according to claim 19, characterized in that the sleeve (11) has at least one longitudinal wedge (15).