Wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A wiper blade (10) is proposed, in particular for a motor vehicle. The wiper blade comprises a holding rail (14) and a wiper strip (12). According to the invention, the wiper strip (12) is exchangeably clamped around the holding rail (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade of the type described in the independent claims and a wiper strip for the wiper blade. Background Technology

[0002] Some wiper blades are known to have retaining rails and wiper strips.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2008 002 447 A1 shows a wiper blade with a retaining rail into which the wiper strip is inserted. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The wiper blade according to the invention, having the features of the independent claim, has the advantage that the wiper strip is replaceably secured to the retaining rail. This improves wiping performance and enables easy and quick replacement of the wiper strip.

[0005] Furthermore, advantageous extensions and improvements to the features described in the independent claims can be generated by the measures enumerated in the dependent claims.

[0006] Excellent wiping results are advantageously achieved by having the wiper blades secured to the retaining rails on the sides, thus providing excellent support for the wiper blades.

[0007] Easy, inexpensive, and therefore advantageous, is the integrated construction of the wiper blade.

[0008] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the retaining rail has a wind deflector and the wiper blades are positioned to hold the wind deflector of the retaining rail from the side. This significantly improves wiping performance.

[0009] The retainability of the wiper blade is advantageously improved by providing an end cap at at least one end of the longitudinal extension of the retaining rail and having the wiper blade surround and hold the end cap.

[0010] The quick, easy and reliable clamping of the wiper blade is advantageously achieved by having an end cap with a locking element that prevents longitudinal movement of the wiper blade.

[0011] Furthermore, the wiping effect is advantageously improved by having at least two, preferably exactly two, spring rails, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and secured by two end caps at their distance from each other.

[0012] The particularly easy, simple, quick, and therefore advantageous replacement of the wiper blade is achieved by the following means: the wiper blade has a first locking structure, in particular a locking device, which works in conjunction with a second locking structure arranged on the retaining rail, in particular on the end cap.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous to provide a handle, especially a release button, by means of which the first locking structure can be released from the second locking structure.

[0014] The wiper blade according to any one of the preceding claims has the advantage that when the wiper blade wears down, only the worn part can be replaced, thus replacing the wiper blade without replacing the entire wiper blade. Attached Figure Description

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and explained in detail in the following description.

[0016] Figure 1 The wiper blade according to the invention is shown in top view. Figure 2 Shown in exploded view Figure 1 The wiper blade according to the present invention, Figure 3 Shown in perspective Figure 1 The condition of the wiper blade according to the present invention during the installation of the wiper strip, Figure 4 The spring rail and end cap of the wiper blade according to the invention are shown in perspective detail. Figure 5 The retaining rail of the wiper blade according to the invention in one variant is shown in detail, and the end cap is also shown. Figure 6 The end of the wiper blade according to the invention in another variation is shown in detail, and Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 The end of the wiper blade according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 A top view shows the wiper blade 10 according to the invention. The wiper blade 10 according to the invention includes a wiper strip 12 and a retaining rail 14.

[0018] A retaining spring 16 is arranged on the retaining rail 14 to secure the wiper blade 10 to the wiper arm of the vehicle. The retaining spring 16 is constructed of plastic, particularly as a plastic injection molded part. However, in a variation, it can also be constructed of metal, particularly as a sheet-bent part.

[0019] The wiper blade 10, and thus the wiper strip 12 and retaining rail 14, have a longitudinal extension L that extends from one end along the longitudinal direction to the other end along the longitudinal direction.

[0020] At one of the two ends of the longitudinal extension L of the wiper blade 10, a first end cap 18 is fixed to a retaining rail 14. At the other end of the longitudinal extension, a second end cap 20 is fixed to the retaining rail 14. The first end cap 18 and the second end cap 20 are constructed of plastic, particularly as plastic injection molded parts.

[0021] The wiper strip 12 surrounds the side and closely adheres to the retaining rail 14.

[0022] exist Figure 2 An exploded view of the wiper blade 10 according to the present invention is shown in the figure.

[0023] The wiper 12 includes a wiper lip 22, which is placed on the glass to be wiped to remove moisture. The wiper lip 22 has approximately the same length as the retaining rail 14 in terms of longitudinal extension.

[0024] The wiper lip 22 is fixed to, and particularly integrally constructed with, the retaining structure 24. The retaining structure 24 has, for example, a flat bottom 26 in cross-section, from which a clip-shaped retaining section 28 extends laterally, which, in the installed position, laterally engages the retaining rail 14. The retaining section 28 thus extends upward from the bottom 26. The wiper lip 22 is fixed approximately centrally along the transverse direction to the lower side of the bottom 26.

[0025] The cross-section of the wiper strip 12 is the same throughout its entire length, thus enabling the wiper strip to be manufactured by extrusion.

[0026] The retaining rail 14 includes two spring rails 30 that extend substantially along the entire length of the retaining rail 14. The spring rails 30 are constructed of flat, flexible strip steel and are so convexly pre-bent that the wiper blade 10 is positioned on the glass substantially along its entire length when pressed against the curved glass to be wiped.

[0027] A first end cap 18 and a second end cap 20 are arranged at the end of the longitudinal extension L of the retaining rail 14. The first end cap 18 and the second end cap 20 are fixed, in particular, clamped to at least one of the spring rails 30.

[0028] In addition, the retaining rail 14 has a wind deflector 32.

[0029] The wind deflector 32 is also made of plastic, especially as a plastic extrusion or injection molded part.

[0030] The wind deflector 32 is fixed to at least one of the spring rails 30. Here, the wind deflector 32 is fixed in such a way that each of the two spring rails 30 is inserted into a cutout on the side of the wind deflector 32.

[0031] A retaining spring 16 is arranged approximately in the longitudinal extension L of the retaining rail 12. The retaining spring 16 is thus fixed, for example, by welding to the spring rail 30 or by force-locking / form-locking connection.

[0032] exist Figure 3 A perspective view shows Figure 1 The situation of the wiper blade 10 according to the present invention during the installation of the wiper strip 12.

[0033] For installation, the wiper blade 12 is inserted into the retaining rail 14 along the longitudinal direction L. Retaining section 28 ( Figure 2 It is closely attached to the retaining rail 14 with wind deflector 32 along its entire lateral direction.

[0034] exist Figure 4 The diagram shows the spring rail 30 and the first end cap 18 of the wiper blade 10 according to the invention. The spring rail 30 has two narrow protrusions 34 at its ends, which are narrower than the spring rail 30 itself. More precisely, each of the two spring rails 30 has a narrow protrusion 34. The protrusions 34 are inserted into the pouch-like portion 36 of the first end cap 18 in the installed position and hold the end cap in its position. The protrusions 34 can also be constructed slightly narrower at their free ends to facilitate insertion into the pouch-like portion 36. The width of the first end cap 18 is chosen such that it approximately corresponds to the width of the spring rail 30 in the installed state. This width is derived from the width of the individual spring rails 30 and the spacing A, with which the spring rails should be arranged. This spacing is approximately 1 to 3 mm, preferably approximately 2 mm, and is predetermined by a spacing retainer 39, which is constructed as a vertical spacer and has the width of spacing A.

[0035] Furthermore, the spring rail 30 has a first locking device 38, particularly an opening, which works in conjunction with a second locking device 40, particularly a resilient locking lug, arranged on the first end cap 18. The second end cap 20 is also correspondingly secured.

[0036] exist Figure 5 In the image, the upper part shows the retaining rail 14 of the wiper blade 10 according to the invention in a variant, and the lower part shows the end with a first end cap 18 and the end with a second end cap 20.

[0037] The retaining rail 14 includes a retaining spring 16, a wind deflector 32, a first end cap 18, a second end cap 20, and a spring rail 30. The spring rail 30 extends laterally from the wind deflector 32, the first end cap 18, and the second end cap 20.

[0038] In addition, the first end cap 18, as part of the retaining rail 14, has a first locking structure 42, which works in conjunction with a second locking structure 44 arranged on the wiper strip 12.

[0039] In addition, the first end cap 18 extends approximately beyond the spring rail 30 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0040] The first locking structure 42 is configured as a triangular locking lug, which is arranged in the section extending beyond the spring rail 30. The second locking structure 44 is arranged as a gap in the clip-shaped retaining section 28 of the wiper blade 12. Therefore, the gap is arranged at a position relative to the longitudinal extension L, in which the wiper blade 12 is correctly positioned relative to the retaining rail 14 when the first locking structure 42 and the second locking structure 44 are locked together.

[0041] The first locking structure 42 is generally arranged above an imaginary plane supported by the spring rail 30.

[0042] Because the first locking structure 42 is arranged in the area extending beyond the spring rail 30 along the longitudinal direction L, the retaining section 28 of the wiper blade 12 can be pushed onto the spring rail 30. During operation, when the retaining rail 14 presses the wiper blade 12 toward the glass, the first locking structure 44 is also pressed into the second locking structure 44, which further improves the fixation of the wiper blade 12 on the retaining rail 14.

[0043] A locking section 46 is provided on the second end cap 20. The locking section extends as a side tab toward the holding section 28 of the wiper strip 12, and the wiper strip 12 is thereby locked along the longitudinal direction L on the side opposite to the first locking structure 42.

[0044] exist Figure 6 The image shows the end of the wiper blade 10 according to the invention in another variation. The wiper blade 12 includes a wiper lip 22, a retaining structure 24, and a second locking structure 44. The second locking structure 44 is configured to receive a pouch-like portion.

[0045] The second locking structure 44 is consistent with the first locking structure 42 arranged on the first end cap 18.

[0046] The first locking structure 42 is configured as a shaped shoulder that extends along the longitudinal extension of the first end cap 18. The shape of the shaped shoulder is chosen such that it conforms to the second locking structure 44, which is configured as a receiving pouch, or in other words, the shaped shoulder matches the shape of the receiving pouch so that the shaped shoulder can be inserted into the receiving pouch.

[0047] For final fixation, the first locking structure 42 and the second locking structure 44 have a locking connection.

[0048] Therefore, the first locking structure 42 has a locking tab that is inserted into an opening 46 in the second locking structure 44. The opening 46 is shaped such that it corresponds to a handle 48, in particular a release button, arranged on the locking tab of the first locking structure 42.

[0049] The locking tab, which is part of the first locking structure 42, extends inward from the outer end of the first end cap 18, so that when the wiper blade 12 is pulled outward, the locking tab will press against the handle 48 without damaging it.

[0050] To install the wiper blade 12, it is inserted into the retaining rail 14 until the first locking structure 42 is inserted into the receiving pocket of the second locking structure 44 and locked there. To loosen the connection and thus replace the wiper blade 12, the handle 48 must be operated, thereby allowing the wiper blade 12 to be pulled out from the second locking structure 44 by decoupling the first locking structure 42.

[0051] exist Figure 7 The diagram shows, in an exploded view, the second locking structure 44 and the end of the wiper strip 12 in one possible embodiment.

[0052] The second locking structure 44 is configured as a separate component, which is force-locked and / or material-locked to the retaining structure 24. The retaining structure 34 includes a bottom 26 and a clip-shaped retaining section 28 that extends upward from the bottom on the side. On the lower side of the bottom 26, a wiper lip 22 is also arranged as in the previous embodiment.

[0053] The second locking structure 44 is inserted into the retaining structure 24 and is constructed in a pocket shape. An opening 46 is arranged on the upper side of the second locking structure 44, which is then closed by a handle 48 after installation. Figure 6 (Pass through)

[0054] As explained above, the wiper strip 12 can be constructed integrally from plastic, especially as an injection-molded part.

[0055] In one variation, the retaining structure 24 and the wiper lip 22 can preferably be integrally constructed from plastic using a multi-component extrusion method, such that the retaining structure 24 is made of a plastic that is harder than the wiper lip 22.

[0056] The second locking structure 44 can be integrally constructed with the wiper strip, especially when the wiper strip 12 is manufactured by injection molding.

[0057] In one variant, the second locking structure 44 is constructed as a separate plastic injection molded part and is force-lockingly and / or material-lockingly fixed to the retaining structure 24.

[0058] In another variation of the invention, the retaining structure 24 (i.e., the bottom 26 and / or the retaining section 28) can be constructed so flexibly that the wiper strip 12 can be fixed to the retaining rail 14 in the transverse direction instead of in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] The retaining section 28 here is either only in close contact with the section of the spring rail 30 or also in close contact with the lower section of the windshield strip 32 and / or the end caps 18, 20.

Claims

1. A wiper blade (10) particularly for motor vehicles, comprising a retaining rail (14) and a wiper strip (12), characterized in that, The wiper blade (12) can be replaced by the retaining rail (14).

2. The wiper blade (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wiper blade (12) surrounds the retaining rail (14) on the side.

3. The wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The wiper blade (12) is integrally constructed.

4. The wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining rail (14) has a wind deflector (32) and the wiper (12) surrounds the wind deflector (32) of the retaining rail (14) on the side.

5. The wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A first end cap (18) is provided at at least one end of the longitudinal extension (L) of the retaining rail (14), and the wiper strip (12) surrounds the first end cap (18).

6. The wiper blade (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first end cap (18) has a first locking structure (42) that prevents longitudinal movement of the wiper blade (12).

7. The wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining rail (14) has at least two, preferably exactly two, spring rails (30), which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and secured by two end caps (18, 20) at a distance (A) relative to each other.

8. The wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining rail (14) has a first locking structure (42), which is arranged in particular at the first end cap (18) and works in conjunction with a second locking structure (44) arranged on the wiper strip (12), in particular a locking device.

9. The wiper blade (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The handle (48), especially the release button, allows the first locking structure (42) to be released from the second locking structure (44) by means of the handle.

10. A wiper blade (12) for use with a wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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