FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to wiper blade assembly and in particular, relates to wiper blade assembly including a plurality of supporting elements. BACKGROUND

Wiper blades are widely used in vehicles to provide a clear view to drivers while driving. For instance, the wiper blades are used to remove matter, such as water, snow, and dust from a front windscreen and a rear windscreen of a vehicle. Nowadays, there are various wiper blades having different designs, styles, and sizes available in the market. Generally, a wiper blade includes a blade made of rubber and a support for the blade. The support is typically made of a metal or a suitable plastic material. In another example, a wiper blade includes a wiper strip and a spring rail associated with the wiper strip. The wiper blades with such construction are also known as flat-style wiper blades having a single spring rail and therefore, having a similar radius across the entire length. However, owing to curved surface and hence, different radii of different portions of a windshield of the vehicle, a single-spring rail or a single beam structure design used in existing wiper blades is not able to exert uniform counter pressure at all points or portions of the windscreen, and is therefore inefficient. As a result, there may be non-uniformity with respect to effectiveness of wiping of the windshield. Further, wear and tear of the wiper blade may be non-uniform as well. Therefore, one portion of the wiper blade may be more worn and torn as compared to other portions. However, if wear and tear on any of the portions exceeds a certain threshold, the entire wiper blade has to be replaced even though other portions are fit to use. Therefore, an overall operational cost of the wiper blade is increased and the efficiency of the wiper blade is compromised. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the present disclosure. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the disclosure, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention or disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to a wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade assembly comprising a wiper rubber and a supporting structure adapted to support the wiper rubber over a surface of a windscreen. The supporting structure comprising a first part, a second part adapted to be coupled with the first part, and a joining component adapted to couple the first part with the second part such that an overall length and curvature of the wiper blade assembly is accomplished based on at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen. Each of the first part, the second part, and the joining component are individually separate but when joined together make up the complete supporting structure for wiper rubber.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wiper blade assembly comprises at least one holding element to hold the wiper rubber with the supporting structure, wherein the at least one holding element comprises at least one claw-like structure.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one claw-like structure is provided with two flexors that engage with a back part of the wiper rubber and hold together the wiper rubber.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the joining component comprises at least one bracket.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting structure is formed as a rail assembly and each of the first part and the second part being adapted to act as a first rail and a second rail, the rail assembly being provided with a groove running along a longitudinal axis.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the groove is adapted to accommodate a back portion of the wiper rubber to hold the wiper rubber with the rail assembly. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the joining component is adapted to couple the first part and the second part to have a predefined radius on top and bottom of a resulting joint. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the predefined radius is based on the at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen.

According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, a wiper blade assembly comprises: a wiper rubber, a supporting structure adapted to support the wiper rubber over a surface of a windscreen. The supporting structure comprises: a first part, a second part adapted to be coupled with the first part, a joining component adapted to couple the first part with the second part such that an overall length and curvature of the wiper blade assembly is accomplished based on at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen, wherein each of the first part, the second part, and the joining component are individually separate but when joined together make up the complete supporting structure for wiper rubber and at least one holding element to hold the wiper rubber with the supporting structure, wherein the at least one holding element comprises at least one claw-like structure.

According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, a wiper blade assembly comprises: a wiper rubber comprising a back portion, and a rail assembly adapted to support the wiper rubber over a surface of a windscreen. The rail assembly comprises: a first rail, a second rail adapted to be coupled with the first rail, wherein each of the first rail and the second rail of the rail assembly is provided with a groove running along a longitudinal axis, and the wiper rubber is accommodated and punched in the groove to hold the wiper rubber with the rail assembly, and a joining component adapted to couple the first part with the second part such that an overall length and curvature of the wiper blade assembly is accomplished based on at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen. Each of the first rail, the second rail, and the joining component are individually separate but when joined together make up the complete supporting structure for the wiper rubber.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the invention claimed herein, example descriptions and embodiments are rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only example embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2A illustrates a bottom view of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2B illustrates a side view of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2C illustrates a top view of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3A illustrates a schematic view of rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3B illustrates a bottom view of the rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3C illustrates a side view of the rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 3D illustrates a top view of the rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the wiper blade assembly is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit“1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit“2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure relates to a wiper blade assembly for wiping windscreens, particularly for wiping windscreens of a motor vehicle.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a wiper blade assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wiper blade assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a wiper rubber 110 and a supporting structure 120 adapted to support the wiper rubber 110 over a surface of a windscreen (not shown in figures). The wiper rubber 110 may include a wiper lip 130 adapted to maintain contact with the windscreen. The wiper rubber 110 may also include a central portion and a back portion (not shown in Figure), where the back portion may be adapted to engage with the supporting structure 120.

In an embodiment, the supporting structure 120 may include a first part 140 and a second part 140’ adapted to be coupled with the first part 140. The supporting structure 120 may further include a joining component 160 adapted to join or couple the first part 140 with the second part 140’ by using suitable fastening means, for example, welding. In an embodiment, the joining component 160 may include, but is not limited to, a bracket.

The joining component 160 may couple the first part 140 with the second part 140’ such that an overall length and curvature of the wiper blade assembly 100 is accomplished or obtained based on at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen. In an embodiment, each of the first part 140, the second part 140’, and the joining component 160 may be individually separate. Further, when joined together, the first part 140, the second part 140’, and the joining component 160 may form the supporting structure 120. In another embodiment, each of the first part 140, the second part 140’, and the joining component 160 may be individually separable and removable. The first part 140, the second part 140’, and the joining component 160 when joined together may form the supporting structure 120. The at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen may include the shape and curvature of the windscreen. In another embodiment, the joining component 160 may couple the first part 140 with the second part 140’ such that an overall length and curvature of the wiper blade assembly 100 is adjustable based on at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen.

The first part 140 further may include a proximal end 142 and a distal end 144. Similarly, the second part 140’ may also include a proximal end 142’ and a distal end 144’. The proximal end 142 and the proximal end 142’ of the first part 140 and the second part 140’ may couple to a first end 162 and a second end 164 of the joining component 160, respectively. Further, the joining component 160 may be adapted to couple the proximal end 142 of the first part 140 and the proximal end 142’ of the second part 140’ to have a predefined radius on top and bottom of a resulting joint. In an embodiment, the predefined radius may be based on the at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen. For example, the two predefined radii so formed on the top and the bottom of the resulting joint may be based on the shape of the windshield. In another embodiment, the predefined radius is adjustable on the basis of the at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen.

In an embodiment, the wiper blade assembly 100 may also include a housing (not shown) to accommodate various sub-components. Further, the wiper blade assembly 100 may couple to a wiper arm by using any of the existing connectors known in the art.

In an embodiment, the wiper blade assembly 100, 200a, 200b, 200c may include at least one holding element (shown in Figure 2) adapted to hold the wiper rubber 110; 210a, 210b with the supporting structure 120; 220a, 220b, 220c. The at least one holding element 266b, 266c may include at least one claw-like structure 250b, 250c. Figure 2 illustrates the wiper blade assembly 100; 200a, 200b, 200c having the at least one holding element, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 2A illustrates a bottom view of the wiper blade assembly 200a may have at least one holding element. Figure 2B illustrates a side view of the wiper blade assembly 200b may have at least one holding element 266b. Figure 2C illustrates a top view of the wiper blade assembly 200c may have at least one holding element 266c.

Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2A, Figure 2B, and Figure 2C, the wiper blade assembly 200a, 200b, 200c may include a first part 240a, 240b, 240c and a second part 240a’, 240b’, 240c’ that may be coupled by a joining component 260a, 260b, 260c. The first part 240a, 240b, 240c may further include a proximal end 242a, 242b, 242c and a distal end 244a, 244b, 244c. Similarly, the second part 240a’, 240b’, 240c’ may also include a proximal end 242a’, 242b’, 242c’ and a distal end 244a’, 244b’, 244c’. The proximal end 242a’, 242b’, 242c’ of the first part 240a, 240b, 240c and the proximal end 242a’, 242b’, 242c’ of the second part 240a’, 240b’, 240c’ may couple to a first end 262a, 262b, 262c and a second end 264a, 264b, 264c of the joining component 260a, 260b, 260c respectively. In an embodiment, each of the first part 240a, 240b, 240c and the second part 240a’,

240b’, 240c’ of the wiper blade assembly 200a, 200b, 200c may include at least one holding element 266b, 266c. The at least one holding element 266b, 266c may include a plurality of claws 250b, 250c (not shown in Figure 2A). In an embodiment, holding elements 266b, 266c may be distributed uniformly and at a pre determined distance from each other on the first part 240a, 240b, 240c and the second part 240a’, 240b’, 240c’ of the wiper blade assembly 200a, 200b, 200c.

The at least one holding element 266b, 266c may hold the wiper rubber 2l0a, 210b with the supporting structure 220a, 220b, 220c by holding the back part of the wiper rubber 2l0a, 2l0b. In an embodiment, the holding element 266b, 266c may include at least one claw-like structure 250b, 250c to engage the back part of the wiper rubber 210a, 210b with the supporting structure 220a, 220b, 220c. The at least one claw-like structure 250b, 250c may comprise at least a pair of arms designed to engage with the back part of a wiper rubber 2l0a, 210b. In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one claw-like structure 250b, 250c may be embedded or integrally formed on each of the first part 240a, 240b, 240c and the second part 240a’, 240b’, 240c’ of the wiper blade assembly 200a, 200b, 200c. The at least one claw-like structure 250b, 250c may be provided with at least two flexors (not shown in the figures) that may engage with the back part of the wiper rubber 2l0a, 210b and hold the wiper rubber 2l0a, 210b together with the supporting structure 220a, 220b, 220c. The twin flexors, for example, may be made of stainless steel.

Referring back to Figure 1, in an embodiment, the supporting structure 120 may be formed as a rail assembly. Figure 3 illustrates the wiper blade assembly having the supporting structure as the rail assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 3A illustrates a schematic view of rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3B illustrates a bottom view of the rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3C illustrates a side view of the rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3D illustrates a top view of the rail assembly of the wiper blade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 1, Figure 3 A, Figure 3B, Figure 3C, Figure 3D, the supporting structure of the wiper blade assembly 100 may be formed as a rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d and each of the first part and the second part may be adapted to act as a first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d and a second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’. The rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d may be provided with a groove 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ running along a longitudinal axis and the groove 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’. The groove 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ may be adapted to accommodate a back portion of the wiper rubber 110 to hold the wiper rubber 110 with the rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d.

In an embodiment, each of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ and the joining component 360a, 360b, 360c, 360d are separate and the first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d, the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’, and the joining component 360a, 360b, 360c, and 360d may be joined together to form the supporting structure for the wiper rubber 110. The joining component (360a, 360b, 360c, and 360d) may be adapted to couple the first rail (340a, 340b, 340c, 340d) with the second rail (340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’) such that an overall length and curvature of the wiper blade assembly (100) is based on at least one dimensional characteristic of the windscreen. In another embodiment, each of the first rail (340a, 340b, 340c, 340d), the second rail (340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’), and the joining component (360a, 360b, 360c, and 360d) is individually separable.

In another embodiment, the first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ may be coupled using the joining component 360a, 360b, 360c, 360d to form the rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d. The rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d may be engaged with the back part of the wiper rubber 110 via the groove 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ running along the longitudinal axis.

In the present embodiment, the wiper blade assembly 100 may include a wiper rubber 110 having a back portion and a rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d adapted to support the wiper rubber 110 over a surface of a windscreen. The rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d may include at least two rails, for example, a first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d and a second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ adapted to be coupled with the first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d. The first rail 340a,

340b, 340c, 340d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ may be provided to engage with a wiper rubber 110 (as shown in above figures). The first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d may include a proximal end 342a, 342b, 342c, 342d and a distal end 344a, 344b, 344c, 344d. Similarly, the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ may also include a proximal end 342a’, 342b’, 342c’, 342d’ and a distal end 344a’, 344b’, 344c’, 344d’. The proximal end 342a, 342b, 342c, 342d of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d may be coupled to a first end 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d of the joining component 360a, 360b, 360c, 360d and the proximal end 342a’, 342b’, 342c’, 342d’ of the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ may be coupled to a second end 364a, 364b, 364c, 364d of the joining component 360a, 360b, 360c, 360d using suitable fastening means, for example, welding to define the rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d.

The first rail 340a, 340b, 340d may be provided with a groove 380a, 380b, 380d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’ may be provided with a groove 380a’, 380b’, 380d’. The groove 380a, 380b, 380d and the groove 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ may run along a longitudinal axis of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’ respectively. The groove 380a, 380b,

380d of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340d and the groove 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ of the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’ may adapt to accommodate a back portion of the wiper rubber 110, by punching the wiper rubber 110 in the groove 380a, 380b, 380d of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340d and the groove 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ of the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’, to hold the wiper rubber 110 with the rail assembly 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d. The groove 380a, 380b, 380d of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340d and the groove 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ of the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’ may be of same dimension and may of different dimension.

At least one of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’ may be provided with a slot 370a, 370b, and 370d at its distal end. In an embodiment, the slot 370a, 370b, and 370d may be in continuous connection with the groove 380a, 380b, 380d, and has a width more than the width of the groove 380a, 380b, 380d. Length of the grooves 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ may be roughly equal to the length of the back part of the wiper rubber. The back part of the wiper rubber 110 may be provided in the threaded form so that the back part of the wiper rubber 110 may be attached to the assembled structure of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d, second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340c’, 340d’ and the joining component 360a, 360b, 360c, and

360d via the slot 370a, 370b, and 370d. In an embodiment, each of the first rail 340a, 340b, 340d and the second rail 340a’, 340b’, 340d’ may have a plurality of grooves 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’. The plurality of grooves 380a, 380b, 380d, 380a’, 380b’, 380d’ may be uniform or non-uniform in nature and may be provided intermittently in a uniform or non-uniform manner. In another embodiment, the wiper blade assembly of the present disclosure may include the supporting structure and the rail assembly by making minor modifications to the wiper blade assembly, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The wiper blade assembly of the present invention is designed to match shape and radius of the windshield at different contour points between the windshield and the wiper blade in a better manner., that is, the two radii on top and bottom of the center joint can be defined differently if required, based on the shape of the windshield so that pressure on the surface of the windshield can be adjusted according to the requirement. Thereby the wiper blade assembly of the present invention enables the improved pressure distribution on the windshield and thus results in an improved wiping of the windshield.

The wiper blade assembly of the present invention overcomes the problems associated with the single rail structure design. The wiper blade assembly of the present invention is more efficient in applying or releasing pressure as required at different points of the surface of the windshield. The present invention ensures improved balanced pressure distribution and therefore, improved flip action for wiping rubber neck and wiper lip that is suspended from a steel strip structure. The present invention enables reduced friction between the wiper rubber and the surface of the windshield, and thus eliminates noise level during wiping motion and point of flip. Further, the present invention ensures that the first part and second part of the supporting structure maintains a connection with center joint more effectively than a single beam structure having one radius thereby achieving improved wipe quality while simultaneously maintaining the durability of the wiper blade.

The wiper blade assembly of the present disclosure ensures compact wiper blade assembly while simultaneously ensuring flexibility of implementation as well, as it provides multiple options, such as the rail assembly and the claw-like structure, for the customer to select based on the requirement of the customer. Thus, the wiper blade assembly of the present disclosure is cost- effective, efficient, compact, flexible in implementation, light-weight, and easily replaceable.

Further, the present wiper blade assembly is adjustable to different shapes and sizes of windscreens and therefore, is suitable for different windscreens of different shapes. Similarly, the customer can also uninstall the wiper blade assembly from one vehicle and put it on other vehicle, if required. The wiper blade assembly will adjust accordingly without any change in the effectiveness of operation of the wiper blade assembly. In case of malfunctioning of one or more components, the need of replacing the entire wiper blade assembly does not arise, as the present wiper blade assembly ensures easy replacement of the malfunctioned parts. As a result, the present wiper blade assembly is cost-effective as well.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.