Wiper blade, especially for a motor vehicle, with an electrical connection for a heating element

Abstract

Wiper blade (4), in particular for a motor vehicle (2), comprising an elongated base body (15) and a wiper strip (16) arranged on the base body (15), wherein at least one electrical heating element (16) extending along a longitudinal extension (6) of the base body (15) is provided on the base body (15), and wherein at least one end cap (17) is provided, at least indirectly connected to the base body (15). It is proposed that an electrical connector (19) be provided on the end cap (17), which is electrically connected to the at least one electrical heating element (16), and that the electrical connector (19) be designed as a first part (20) of a detachable electrical plug connection (21).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle. Specifically, the invention relates to passenger cars (PCs) and trucks (Trucks).

[0002] DE 10 2021 212 195 A1 discloses a wiper blade with a wind deflector strip and a wiper bar. The wind deflector strip has a cavity and openings for the passage of a cleaning fluid that is to be sprayed onto the windshield during operation. The wiper bar is connected to the wind deflector strip via two spring rails.

[0003] DE 10 2009 032 375 A1 discloses a flat wiper blade for windshield wiper systems with a wiper blade body. The wiper blade body comprises a wiper lip, a spring rail, and a heating foil extending over at least part of the wiper blade, which has an electrical heating conductor. The wiper blade is detachably mechanically connected to a wiper arm via a wiper blade adapter. Electrical contact with the heating foil is established via connecting pins that extend into a connection socket provided in the wiper blade adapter. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The wiper blade according to the invention with the features of the main claim has the advantage of enabling an improved design and functionality. This allows for a simpler construction of a wiper device.

[0005] The measures listed in the subclaims also result in advantageous developments and improvements of the features specified in the main claim.

[0006] It is advantageous for the electrical connector to be permanently connected to the electrical heating element. The electrical heating element and the end cap can form an assembly that can then be connected to a motor vehicle, for example, via a cable. The cable can be pre-mounted on the motor vehicle, simplifying production.

[0007] It is advantageous that a socket is formed on the first part. This allows for easy contact. For example, a plug can be attached to the cable, which is then inserted into the socket. In this case, the wiper can be manufactured and sold with the plug and, if necessary, also the cable, thus enabling reliable assembly and ensuring reliable contact.

[0008] It is advantageous that a further electrical connector is provided, which is designed as a second part of a detachable electrical plug connection, and that the further electrical connector is detachably connected, detachably connected, or permanently connected to a flexible electrical cable. Pre-assembly is possible in this case, in which the cable is already equipped with the plug and, if necessary, with a suitable assembly at its further end, for example, to enable reliable installation on a motor vehicle.

[0009] The advantage is that the second part is designed as a plug, which allows for easy installation.

[0010] It is advantageous that a mounting direction is specified in which the wiper blade can be mounted on a wiper arm, and that the end cap is arranged at an end of the base body that, when mounted, is closer to a rotational axis of the wiper arm. This enables an optimally short cable design. Furthermore, the section of the cable exposed to the environment or environmental influences can be kept as short as possible and reliably protected against damage, for example, by a cover provided on the wiper arm. In addition, the plug connection can also be reliably protected.

[0011] It is advantageous that the first part of the electrical connector is spaced apart from a window swept by a wiper lip of the base body during operation. This prevents contact with the water wiped across the window. This prevents water from penetrating the connector and reduces the sealing requirement.

[0012] It is advantageous that the end cap has a fastening part to which the end cap is mechanically connected to the base body, and that the first part of the electrical connector protrudes at least partially beyond a head side of the base body facing away from a wiper lip of the base body. This enables the aforementioned advantages in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0013] It is advantageous if the base body has spray channels through which a cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto a windshield during operation. With such a design, a heater may be necessary. The proposed and, if appropriate, advantageously further developed wiper blade is particularly suitable for this application. This combination can result in particular advantages. For example, the contact on the end cap can additionally enable greater design freedom for connecting a hydraulic connection for supplying the cleaning fluid to the wiper blade. The heating element of the wiper blade can then prevent the cleaning fluid from freezing or enable it to thaw. At the same time, the cleaning fluid can be supplied, for example, at the wiper blade adapter, to which the wiper blade is connected to the wiper arm.

[0014] Depending on the design, one or more of the following features and advantages can be realized.

[0015] Particularly advantageously, wiper blades can be equipped with a spray function, in which a cleaning fluid is sprayed from the wiper blade, and an improved heating option for the wiper blade can be achieved. An electrical connection can be integrated into the wiper blade, thus eliminating the need for additional components.

[0016] The electrical connection can be implemented on the wiper blade, for example, to connect a cable there, so that no adjustment to the wiper arm is necessarily required for an electrical connection. An end cap can advantageously be designed to implement the electrical connection.

[0017] The end cap can also have a female or male connector. The end cap can be equipped with a heating element for the wiper blade attached to it. The heating element can be designed as a heating foil or heating wire. The heating element can also be designed in another way. Furthermore, multiple heating elements can also be provided.

[0018] The heating element can thus be connected to a motor vehicle via a cable. The end cap can serve as a mechanical end cap during assembly of the wiper blade and also provide the electrical connection function. This eliminates the need for additional components that would be required for electrical contact in a conventional design. Furthermore, the length of an electrical cable (connection cable) can be reduced. Short description of the drawings

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding elements are provided with identical reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 a window of a motor vehicle with a wiper device in a schematic, spatial representation to explain an embodiment, wherein a wiper blade of the wiper device is arranged on the window; Fig. 2 a partial view of the wiper blade according to the embodiment, wherein the wiper blade is contacted via a cable; Fig. 3 a detail of the Fig. 2, wherein an end cap of the wiper blade is shown in a schematic, spatial representation; and Fig. 4 a highly simplified, schematic profile of a wiper blade to explain a possible mode of operation for spraying a cleaning fluid onto a windscreen in combination with heating of the cleaning fluid in a cavity of the wiper blade. Embodiments of the invention

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a window 1 of a motor vehicle 2 with a wiper device 3 in a schematic, spatial representation to explain an exemplary embodiment, wherein a wiper blade 4 of the wiper device 5 is arranged on the window 1. The wiper blade 4 is fastened to a wiper arm 5 of the wiper device 3. The wiper arm 5 is mounted in a suitable manner. In this case, several wiper arms 5, each with a wiper blade 4, can be provided. The wiper device 3 with the wiper blade 4 is particularly suitable for a window 1 designed as a windshield. The wiper device 3 with the wiper blade 4 can, however, also be provided, for example, on a window 1 designed as a rear window. The wiper blade 1 is particularly suitable for a motor vehicle 2. Such a motor vehicle can in particular be designed as a car or truck.

[0021] The wiper blade 1 has a longitudinal extension 6. During operation, the wiper blade 1 is moved by the wiper arm 5 in a pendulum motion across the windshield 1 of the motor vehicle 2, with the pendulum motion creating an imaginary pendulum axis. At the first end 7 of the wiper blade 1, which is closer to this pendulum axis, this end 7 moves along an inner path 8. Accordingly, the second end 9 of the wiper blade 1, which is further away from the pendulum axis, moves along an outer path 10. The inner path 8 and the outer path 10 are circular or elliptical paths, with the radius of the inner path 8 being smaller than the radius of the outer path 10.

[0022] The design of the embodiment is also described below with reference to Fig. 2 further described.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a partial view of the wiper blade 4 according to the exemplary embodiment. The wiper blade 4 has an elongated base body 15. The base body 15 can also be formed from several parts. Furthermore, the wiper blade has a wiper strip 16 arranged on the base body 15. In this exemplary embodiment, an electrical heating element 16 extending along the longitudinal extent 6 of the base body 15 is provided on the base body 15. The heating element 16 can be arranged in a suitable manner, for example outside or inside the base body 15. For example, in one possible embodiment, the heating element 16 can be arranged between the base body 15 and the wiper strip 16, with the base body holding the wiper strip 16. The electrical connecting piece 19 is firmly connected to the electrical heating element 16 in this exemplary embodiment.However, a detachable connection, for example a plug connection, can also be provided between the electrical connector 19 and the electrical heating element 16. In a different embodiment, several heating elements 16 can also be provided.

[0024] Furthermore, end caps 17, 18 are provided, at least indirectly connected to the base body 15. The end cap 17 is arranged at the first end 7. The end cap 18 is arranged at the second end 9.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a detail of the Fig. 2 shown wiper blade 4, wherein in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the end cap 17 of the wiper blade 4 is shown in a schematic representation. In this exemplary embodiment, an electrical connector 19 is provided on the end cap 17. The electrical connector 19 is electrically connected to the electrical heating element 16. Electrical contacts 23, 24 can be provided on the electrical connector 19, which can be designed, for example, as flat contacts, contact sleeves, or contact pins.

[0026] The electrical connector 19 is designed as the first part 20 of a detachable electrical plug connection 21. A socket 22, which can be made of plastic, for example, is formed on the first part 20. Furthermore, a further electrical connector 25 is provided, which is designed as the second part 26 of the detachable electrical plug connection 21. The further electrical connector 25 is connected to a flexible electrical cable 27. The connection between the electrical connector 25 and the flexible electrical cable 27 can be detachable or fixed. The second part 26 is designed as a plug 28 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Preferably, an assembly direction 30 is specified in which the wiper blade 4 is mounted on the wiper arm 5. The assembly direction 30 specifies that the end cap 17 is arranged at the end 7 of the base body 15 that, in the assembled state, is located closer to a rotation axis 31 of the wiper arm 5. The assembly direction 30 thus specifies that the end cap 17 is the end cap 17 that is arranged on the inner track 8.

[0028] During operation, the wiper lip 35 sweeps across the windshield 1. The first part 20 of the electrical connector 19 is spaced apart from the windshield 1. This reduces contact with aqueous liquids, particularly rainwater and cleaning fluids. This provides an improved way to prevent water from impairing the electrical connection 19.

[0029] The end cap 17 has a fastening part 36. The end cap 17 is mechanically connected to the base body 15 at its fastening part 36. The first part 20 of the electrical connector 19 protrudes beyond a head side 37 of the base body 15, facing away from a wiper lip 35 of the base body 15.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a highly simplified, schematic profile of a wiper blade 4 to explain a possible mode of operation for spraying a cleaning fluid 40 onto a window 1 in combination with heating of the cleaning fluid 40 in a cavity 41 of the wiper blade 4. The base body 15 has spray channels 41 through which the cleaning fluid 40 can be sprayed onto the window 1 during operation.

[0031] The cleaning fluid 40 can be fed to the wiper blade 4 via a hose 43. The hose 43 can be attached to the wiper arm 5. The wiper blade 4 is mechanically attached to the wiper arm 5 via a wiper blade adapter 44. The hose 43 can be hydraulically connected to the wiper blade 4 via the wiper blade adapter 44. This allows for considerable design freedom, since the electrical connection 19 for the heating element 16 is implemented on the end cap 17.

[0032] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 212 195 A1

[0002] DE 10 2009 032 375 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Wiper blade (4), in particular for a motor vehicle (2), with an elongated base body (15) and a wiper strip (16) arranged on the base body (15), wherein at least one electrical heating element (16) extending along a longitudinal extent (6) of the base body (15) is provided on the base body (15) and wherein at least one end cap (17) is provided which is at least indirectly connected to the base body (15), characterized by that an electrical connecting piece (19) is provided on the end cap (17), which is electrically connected to the at least one electrical heating element (16), and that the electrical connecting piece (19) is designed as a first part (20) of a detachable electrical plug connection (21). [2] Wiper blade according to claim 1, characterized by that the electrical connector (19) is firmly connected to the electrical heating element (16). [3] Wiper blade according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat a bushing (22) is formed on the first part (20). [4] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a further electrical connecting piece (25) is provided, which is designed as a second part (26) of a detachable electrical plug connection (21), and that the further electrical connecting piece (25) is detachably connectable, detachably connected or firmly connected to a flexible electrical cable (27). [5] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the second part (26) is designed as a plug (28). [6] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a mounting direction (30) is predetermined in which the wiper blade (4) can be mounted on a wiper arm (5), and that the end cap (17) is arranged at an end (7) of the base body (15) which, in the mounted state, is located closer to a rotation axis (31) of the wiper arm (5). [7] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the first part (20) of the electrical connecting piece (19) is spaced apart during operation from a disc (1) swept over by a wiper lip (35) of the base body (15). [8] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the end cap (17) has a fastening part (36) to which the end cap (17) is mechanically connected to the base body (15), and that the first part (20) of the electrical connecting piece (19) projects at least partially over a head side (37) of the base body (15) facing away from a wiping lip (35) of the base body (15). [9] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the base body (15) has spray channels (42) through which a cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto a pane (1) during operation.

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