Wiper blade

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper blade (1) for a windscreen wiper system (10), comprising a main body (2) which extends in a longitudinal direction (25), a heating element (3) which is designed to heat the wiper blade (1), the main body (2) having a fastening rail (4) with a fastening groove (5) in which the heating element (3) can be fastened, the fastening groove (5) is open on one side in an opening direction (26) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (25), and wherein the fastening rail (4) has a fastening arm (41) which is designed to hold the heating element (3) in the fastening groove (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wiper blade for a windshield wiper system and a windshield wiper system. Background Art

[0002] Windshield wiper systems with heating devices are known. With the aid of such heating devices, for example, the wiper blades and the fluid lines that conduct windshield washer fluid to the washer nozzles can be heated in order to prevent the fluid in the lines from freezing. The known devices often have complex, space-consuming geometries and require complex assembly and production. Summary of the invention

[0003] In contrast, the wiper blade according to the invention having the features of claim 1 is distinguished by a compact, simple and cost-effective structure which allows the heating of the wiper blade to be achieved with particularly few components. This is achieved by a wiper blade for a windshield wiper system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body extending in a longitudinal direction and a heating element provided for heating the wiper blade. The base body has a fastening rail with a fastening groove. The fastening groove is designed to be open in an opening direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The heating element can be fastened in the fastening groove. The fastening rail has a fastening arm which is designed to hold the heating element in the fastening groove, in particular in the opening direction.

[0004] The heating element is preferably an electrical heating element which can generate heat in particular by supplying it with electric current.

[0005] In particular, the fastening rail extends along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the wiper blade. Alternatively, it is preferred that the fastening rail can extend along the longitudinal direction only over a portion of the length of the wiper blade.

[0006] In particular, the heating element extends over the entire length of the wiper blade or, alternatively, preferably over a portion of the length of the wiper blade.

[0007] In other words, a wiper blade is provided which has a fastening rail in a base body as an integral component. The fastening rail has a fastening groove in which the heating element can be fastened. The fastening rail is designed in such a way that the fastening arms of the fastening rail fix the heating element along the opening direction in which the fastening groove opens. The wiper blade offers the advantage of a particularly easy and cost-effective construction. The separate components, namely the base body and the heating element, can be connected to one another without the need for additional components. As a result, the entire wiper blade can be manufactured using a particularly easy, cost-effective and lightweight construction.

[0008] The dependent claims preferably contain developments of the invention.

[0009] Preferably, the fastening arms of the fastening rail are designed to exert a clamping force on the heating element when the heating element is fastened in the fastening groove. In other words, the holding element is in force-locking contact with the fastening rail by means of the fastening arms. The holding element can be clamped between two opposite fastening arms by means of the clamping force, for example. This makes it possible to fasten the heating element particularly easily and reliably, which allows a rattle-free assembly and, in addition, for example, allows tolerance compensation.

[0010] It is further preferred that the heating element comprises a carrier element and a heating wire. That is to say, the heating element is constructed in at least two parts. The carrier element is particularly designed to hold the heating wire in position. Preferably, the carrier element is held by means of a fastening arm. The heating wire can be designed to directly generate heat when supplied with current. The heating wire can be embedded in the carrier element or alternatively fastened to the carrier element, for example. This can provide a particularly easy, cost-effective and flexible structure of the heating element. With the help of the carrier element, for example, the heating wire can be flexibly positioned and held for optimal efficiency.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the carrier element has a carrier recess in which the heating wire is fastened. Preferably, the heating wire is clamped into the carrier recess by means of a clamping connection. This allows particularly easy and cost-effective production and assembly of the heating element.

[0012] The carrier element preferably has, in particular, exactly two opposite carrier grooves, which are designed to be open in oppositely arranged directions. The heating wire is arranged in the carrier groove and extends around the circumference of the carrier element. The carrier element can preferably be designed essentially in a rod-shaped manner, wherein the carrier grooves are each designed to be open to the outside at opposite longitudinal sides facing away from each other. In particular, the heating wire can be arranged in the carrier groove, for example, wound around the circumference of the carrier element in exactly one turn. Thus, easy and reliable assembly and retention of the heating wire can be achieved with easy and cost-effective producibility of the heating element, so that efficient heating can be achieved.

[0013] The heating element preferably has a strip-like geometry. In particular, the holding element preferably has an elliptical cross section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. A strip-like geometry is considered in particular a geometry that extends in an elongated manner in the longitudinal direction and has a thickness and a width orthogonal thereto in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, wherein the width is a multiple of the thickness. As a result, heat can be introduced into the wiper blade over a large area with small dimensions in the thickness direction. The wiper blade can thus be heated particularly efficiently with a compact geometry.

[0014] It is further preferred that the heating element is at least partially composed of an electrically conductive material having a resistance having a positive temperature coefficient. In particular, the heating element is therefore formed of a material having a PTC effect (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient). That is, a heating element is provided, which can realize a heating function based on the PTC effect by a temperature increase caused by the supply of current to the heating element. Due to the predetermined temperature-dependent resistance of the heating element, the current passing through the heating element will cause heat loss in the heating element and thus cause the heating element to heat up. In particular, due to the positive temperature coefficient of the heating element, the resistance of the heating element will increase significantly when the temperature rises. Due to the PTC effect, the heating element provides self-regulation of the heating function, because the resistance increases so much due to the increased temperature until the current passing through the heating element can no longer overcome the resistance or until the current passing through is very small. That is, the heating element inherently provides a limit to the maximum temperature to which the heating element can be heated. Therefore, the heating function can be provided in a particularly easy and reliable manner.

[0015] The fastening arms are preferably designed to be elastically flexible, in particular so that the heating element can be removed from the fastening groove and inserted into the fastening groove in the direction of opening, in which the fastening arms are elastically deformed. In particular, when arranged in the fastening groove, an undercut is present with respect to the opening direction of the holding element and the fastening arms. In particular, the heating element is thus held by means of the fastening arms in a manner similar to a clamping connection. As a result, particularly easy assembly and disassembly can be achieved with secure holding.

[0016] Preferably, the base body is configured together with the fastening rail and the fastening arm as a single integral component. The base body can be configured, for example, as an injection-molded component. Thus, a particularly easy, cost-effective and lightweight design and production can be achieved.

[0017] It is further preferred that the base body has a support region with at least one support element in the opening direction adjacent to the fastening rail. The support element is preferably designed to reinforce and / or shape the wiper blade. In particular, the support element allows the wiper blade to be prestressed in such a way that it can follow the surface of a curved windshield. The support element is preferably designed as a flat strip which extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. Preferably, exactly two parallel support elements are provided.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the wiper blade further comprises a wiper lip, which extends in the longitudinal direction. The wiper lip is provided in particular for bearing on the windshield. The wiper lip is preferably made of an elastic material, for example of rubber.

[0019] Preferably, the wiper blade further comprises at least one fluid channel, which is formed in the base body for supplying a windshield cleaning device with fluid. In particular, the fluid channel extends in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the windshield cleaning device can include at least one cleaning nozzle at the wiper blade. In particular, the fluid channel is arranged adjacent to the fastening groove. Preferably, exactly two fluid channels can be provided, wherein the fastening groove is arranged between the two fluid channels.

[0020] The invention further relates to a windshield wiper system comprising a wiper arm and the described wiper blade. In this case, the wiper blade is fastened to the wiper arm, in particular by means of a connecting region arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction on the wiper blade.

[0021] Preferably, the windshield wiper system further comprises a windshield washer device having at least one washer nozzle arranged on the wiper blade. In particular, the washer nozzle is supplied with fluid via at least one fluid channel in the interior of the base body of the wiper blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention is described below based on the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, components with the same functions are represented by the same reference numerals. Herein, it is shown:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a windshield wiper system having a wiper blade according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0024] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Detailed cross-sectional view of the wiper blade,

[0025] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the details of the wiper blade,

[0026] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of additional details of the wiper blade, and

[0027] Figure 5 A detailed sectional view of a wiper blade according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a windshield wiper system 10 having a wiper blade 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 A sectional view of a wiper blade 1 is shown in FIG.

[0029] The windshield wiper system 10 comprises a wiper arm 14, to which the wiper blade 1 is movably fastened in a connecting region 104. In this case, the connecting region 104 is situated in a central region 15 of the wiper blade 1.

[0030] The wiper blade 1 comprises a main body 2 which extends along a longitudinal direction 25 .

[0031] Furthermore, the wiper blade 1 comprises a wiper lip 7 which is preferably designed as a rubber lip and which is provided for wiping a windshield of a vehicle, for example a passenger car.

[0032] The windshield wiper system 1 further comprises a windshield washer device 11, by means of which a windshield washer fluid can be applied to the windshield of the vehicle. For example, water can be applied to the windshield of the vehicle as windshield washer fluid.

[0033] The windshield washer device 11 can include a plurality of nozzles 11a, which are designed to apply windshield washer fluid, for example in the form of a spray, to the windshield. The nozzles 11a can be integrated into the wiper blade 1 and arranged distributed along the length of the wiper blade 1. In addition, the nozzles 11a are preferably oriented in such a way that they can apply windshield washer fluid to the windshield on the respective sides of the wiper blade 1. As a result, in each of the two directions in which the wiper blade 1 can move, windshield washer fluid is applied to the windshield in front of the wiper lip 7, thereby making it possible to achieve efficient cleaning of the windshield.

[0034] The windshield washer fluid can be supplied to the nozzle 11a via a fluid line which, for example, extends along the wiper arm 14. The fluid line can be in fluid connection with a fluid channel 8 which is formed in the base body 2 of the wiper blade 1 (see Figure 2 ). The windshield cleaning liquid can be delivered to the nozzle 11 a through the fluid channel 8 .

[0035] The wiper blade 1 further comprises a support region 6 with two support elements 61 which are provided for the purpose of stiffening and shaping the wiper blade 1 (see Figure 2 ). The support element 61 can be pre-deformed or pre-stressed in an arcuate manner, for example, in order to bring about a shaping of the wiper blade 1 which is adapted to a curved windshield, for example.

[0036] The support element 61 is configured as a flat bar with a rectangular cross section (see Figure 2 ) and extend parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal direction 25.

[0037] The support element 61 consists of metal, preferably steel.

[0038] The support element 61 is integrated into the main body 2 of the wiper blade 1 . In particular, the support element 61 is held in a recess 62 of the main body 2 .

[0039] The wiper lip 7 can, for example, be designed and arranged in such a way that the sealing lip 7 is held by the support elements 61 and between the support elements 61 .

[0040] The wiper blade 1 further comprises a heating element 3 which is designed to heat the wiper blade 1. Ice formation can be prevented or eliminated by means of heating. In addition, freezing of the windshield washer fluid in the fluid channel 8 can be prevented by heating. Furthermore, the wiper lip 7 can be heated thereby, thereby enabling particularly good wiping efficiency, particularly reduced noise generation during wiping, and optimal cleaning efficiency.

[0041] For holding and positioning the heating element 3, the wiper blade 1 comprises a fastening rail 4 which is formed in the base body 2. The fastening rail 4 has a fastening groove 5, in which the heating element 3 is fastened.

[0042] Figure 2 A cross section of a wiper blade 1 is shown, in which the geometry of the base body 2 with the fastening rail 4 and the fastening groove 5 is shown. The base body 2 preferably has an in particular substantially uniform cross section along its entire length. That is to say, the fastening rail 4 together with the fastening groove 5 extends in particular along the entire length of the base body 2.

[0043] The fastening groove 5 is open on one side in an opening direction 26 which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 25 and points in the direction of the support element 61 and the wiper lip 7 . The fastening groove 5 is closed on the side facing away from the wiper lip 7 .

[0044] In this case, the fastening rail 4 has a fastening arm 41 on each side of the fastening groove 5. The two fastening arms 41 extend in particular also over the entire length of the base body 2. The fastening arms 41 hold the heating element 3 in the fastening groove 5.

[0045] The fastening arms 41 are designed, in particular, to project into the fastening groove 5 in an opposite manner along a transverse direction 27 that is orthogonal to the opening direction 26 .

[0046] In this case, the fastening arms 41 are designed to be elastically deformable and are designed together with the heating element 3 in such a way that a clamping force 49 is exerted on the heating element 3 , in particular in the transverse direction 27 , in order to hold it.

[0047] In the first exemplary embodiment, the heating element 3 is constructed in two parts and comprises a carrier element 31 and a heating wire 32 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). The carrier element 31 has here a substantially flat strip-shaped geometry, wherein a carrier recess 31 a which is open to the outside is respectively formed on opposite sides in the transverse direction 27 .

[0048] The heating wire 32 is here fastened in the carrier recess 31a, in particular by means of a clamping connection. In detail, the heating wire 32 is wound exactly once around the circumference of the carrier element 31 in the transverse plane in which the transverse direction 27 lies. In the middle region 15, the two ends of the heating wire 32 are connected here to the plug 16 (see Figure 4 ).

[0049] The plug 16 can be electrically connected to a power supply 114 via an electric line 115 extending along the wiper arm 14 and supplied with current from the power supply 114 to allow heating of the wiper blade 1. The power supply 114 can be arranged, for example, outside the wiper arm 14 and the wiper blade 1, for example on a vehicle.

[0050] The wiper blade 1 is distinguished by a particularly advantageous structure which allows efficient heating by means of the heating element 3. The base body 2 is designed as a single, one-piece component with the fastening rail 4 having the fastening groove 5 and the fastening arm 31. In this way, a reliable and precise fastening and positioning of the heating element 3 can be provided for optimal function, wherein at the same time a particularly simple and cost-effective structure of the wiper blade 1 can be achieved with a small number of components. In this way, a particularly space-saving geometry of the wiper blade 1 can also be achieved.

[0051] Figure 5 A detailed sectional view of a wiper blade 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The second exemplary embodiment corresponds substantially to Figures 1 to 4 The first embodiment of the present invention differs in that the heating element 3 is designed in an alternative manner. Figure 2 In the second embodiment, the heating element 3 is constructed as a single integral component, which has a flat strip-like geometry. In detail, the heating element 3 has an elliptical cross section in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 25. The heating element 3 here consists of an electrically conductive material with an electrical resistance, which has a positive temperature coefficient. In other words, the heating element 3 is composed of a material with a PTC effect (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient). When current is supplied via the power supply line 33, the PTC effect thus causes heating of the heating element 3 and thus heats the wiper blade 1. In this second embodiment, the integral heating element 3 is clamped directly between the fastening arms 41.

Claims

1. A wiper blade for a windshield wiper system (10), the wiper blade comprising: a base body (2) extending along a longitudinal direction (25), a heating element (3) which is designed to heat the wiper blade (1), wherein the base body (2) has a fastening rail (4) with a fastening groove (5) in which the heating element (3) can be fastened, - wherein the fastening groove (5) is open on one side along an opening direction (26) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (25), and - wherein the fastening rail (4) has a fastening arm (41) which is designed to hold the heating element (3) in the fastening groove (5).

2. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening arms (41) of the fastening rail (4) are designed to exert a clamping force (49) on the heating element (3) when fastened in the fastening groove (5).

3. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein: The heating element (3) comprises a carrier element (31) and a heating wire (32).

4. The wiper blade according to claim 3, wherein: The carrier element (31) has a carrier recess (31a) in which the heating wire (32) is fastened, in particular by means of a clamping connection.

5. The wiper blade according to claim 4, wherein: The carrier element (31) has carrier recesses (31a) which are opposite and open in opposite directions, and the heating wire (32) extends around the circumference of the carrier element (31) in the carrier recesses (31a).

6. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: The heating element (3) has a flat strip-like geometry, in particular with an oval cross section.

7. The wiper blade according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The heating element (3) is at least partially made of an electrically conductive material having an electrical resistance with a positive temperature coefficient.

8. The wiper blade according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fastening arms (41) are designed to be elastically flexible so that the heating element (3) can be removed from the fastening groove (5) and inserted into the fastening groove (5) along the opening direction (26) by elastic deformation of the fastening arms (41).

9. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein: The base body (2) together with the fastening rail (4) and the fastening arm (41) is constructed as a single integral component.

10. The wiper blade according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The base body (2) has, along the opening direction (26) adjacent to the fastening rail (4), a support region (6) with at least one support element (61).

11. The wiper blade as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wiper lip (7) which extends along the longitudinal direction (26).

12. The wiper blade as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid channel (8) in the main body (2) for supplying a windshield washer device (11) with fluid.

13. A windshield wiper system comprising a wiper arm (14) and a wiper blade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The wiper blade (1) is fastened to the wiper arm (14).

14. The windshield wiper system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a windshield washer device (11) having at least one washer nozzle (11a) which is arranged on the wiper blade (1).

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