Wiper arm for a window wiper system, window wiper system and method for installing a window wiper system

• US 8,584,303 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2009
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Wolfgarten, Sven, Moser, Frank, Rapp, Harald, Burkard, Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, GARY K
• Application Number:
  US12/993,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20110078869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 152/502.3, 152/502.1, 152/503.51, 152/503.1, 403/122, 403/125, 403/135, 403/143, 294/28
• US Class Current: 15/250.23
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3409 the wiper arms consisting of two or more articulated elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49908 Joining by deforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32803 Separable socket sections

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper arm (1) for a window wiper system, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a wiper rod (2) and a control rod (5) which is movable relative to the wiper rod (2) and is coupled to the wiper rod (2), wherein the control rod (5) can be fixed by means of an articulated shell (21) on an articulated head (13) of a window wiper system. According to the invention, the articulated shell (21) is designed as an articulated shell component (14) which is separate from a fastening component (11) fixed to the control rod (5) and can be fixed to the fastening component (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a window wiper system and to an installation method.

Claims

1. A wiper arm for a window wiper system, with a wiper rod (2) and a control rod (5) which is movable relative to the wiper rod (2) and is coupled to the wiper rod (2), wherein the control rod (5) is fixed on a joint head (13) of a window wiper system by means of a joint socket (21), characterized in that the joint socket (21) includes a joint socket component (14) which is separate from a fastening component (11) fixed on the control rod (5), wherein the joint head includes a ball seated in a socket of the joint socket component to form a ball and socket joint, the joint socket component having an insertion opening centered on a first axis and the joint head extending into the socket through the insertion opening, wherein the fastening component (11) defines a receptacle in which the joint socket component is seated, wherein the fastening component has an entrance opening through which the first axis passes and through which the joint head extends, the entrance opening being smaller than the joint socket component such that the joint socket component cannot be inserted into the receptacle through the entrance opening, and wherein the fastening component has therein a second opening centered on a second axis transverse to the first axis, the second opening being sized to allow insertion of the joint socket component into the receptacle.

2. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the joint socket component (14) is connected in an interlocking manner to the fastening component (11).

3. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening component (11) engages behind the joint socket component (14) fixed on the fastening component (11).

4. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening component (11) secures the joint socket component (14) against being pulled off from the joint head (13), wherein the fastening component (11) closes the insertion opening (15) in the joint socket component (14), said insertion opening being designed for inserting the joint head (13) into the joint socket component (14).

5. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, for fixing on the fastening component (11), the joint socket component (14) is inserted into a the receptacle (12) of the fastening component (11), by said fastening component (11) preferably being pushed laterally onto the joint socket component (14).

6. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening component (11) is formed from metal.

7. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening component (11) is fixed by crimping on the control rod (5).

8. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control rod (5) and the fastening component (11) are painted in a combined painting step by dipping into a cathodic paint dipping bath.

9. A window wiper system with, exclusively, one wiper arm (1) as claimed in claim 1.

10. The window wiper system as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the joint head (13) of the window wiper system is fixed on bodywork of a vehicle.

11. A method for assembling a window wiper system, as claimed in claim 9, characterized by the following steps:

fixing the joint head (13) of the window wiper system on the joint socket component (14), and then fixing the joint socket component (14) on the fastening component (11) which has been fixed beforehand on the control rod (5), preferably by crimping.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the joint socket component (14) is fixed on the fastening component (11) in such a manner that the joint socket component (14) is secured against being pulled off from the joint head (13).

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the control rod (5) and the fastening component (11) are painted in a combined painting step prior to the fixing of the joint socket component (14).

14. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening component includes spaced, parallel shoulders defining the entrance opening, the shoulders engaging the joint socket component (14) to prevent the joint socket component from being pulled off the joint head along the first axis.

15. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 14, wherein the shoulders are spaced a distance smaller than the maximum diameter of the joint head.

16. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entrance opening extends parallel to the second axis.

17. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second opening is generally perpendicular to the entrance opening.

18. The wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening component (11) secures the joint socket component (14) against being pulled off the joint head (13), wherein the joint socket component is elastic for temporarily enlarging the insertion opening to permit insertion of the joint head, and wherein the fastening component (11) is rigid and prevents expansion of the joint socket component (14).

19. A method for assembling a window wiper system including the wiper arm of claim 1, the method comprising:

inserting the joint head (13) through the insertion opening into the socket of the joint socket component (14); and

thereafter inserting the joint socket component (14) through the second opening into the receptacle of the fastening component (11) with the joint head passing through the entrance opening as the joint socket component is inserted into the receptacle.