Windscreen wiper device

The windshield wiper device with a flexible element in the inner circle area addresses inconsistent contact pressure issues, improving wiping effectiveness and preventing streaks by compensating for structural fluctuations.

DE102014215831B4Inactive Publication Date: 2025-01-23ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102014215831
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2014-08-11
Publication Date
2025-01-23
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Wiping devices for vehicles, particularly those with severe curvature changes, suffer from inconsistent contact pressure leading to streak formation and reduced wiping effectiveness due to fluctuations in the overarching structure, especially in the inner circle area of the windshield.

Method used

A windshield wiper device with a flexible element arranged in the inner circle area, allowing for adjustments in contact pressure distribution to compensate for fluctuations, ensuring uniform contact pressure and improved wiping efficacy.

Benefits of technology

The flexible element compensates for fluctuations in contact pressure, particularly in the inner circle area, enhancing wiping effectiveness and preventing streak formation, while being cost-effective and space-efficient.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300) for a vehicle or motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (2) with - an elongated upper part (10) which is designed to be at least partially bendable, - an elongated lower part (12) which is designed to be at least partially flexible, - several connecting elements (18) for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), wherein the connecting elements (18) are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), and wherein the connecting elements (18) are designed to allow movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part (12) relative to each other with a movement component along the longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), and - a flexible element (210, 310) arranged to provide a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), wherein the force provides at least part of a contact pressure of the wiper blade (2) on a disc (4) of the vehicle, wherein the wiper blade (2) has in its longitudinal extension (8) a first section (110) and a second section (120) adjoining the first section (110), wherein the first section (110) extends substantially from a pivot axis (130) of the windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300), and wherein the flexible element (210, 310) is arranged in the first section (110).
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Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a windshield wiper device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Windshield wiper devices typically have a wiper arm or wiper lever, with a wiper blade, to which a wiper lip is attached, moving across the windshield of a motor vehicle. The wiper arm is moved alternately between a first and a second pivoting position. For this purpose, the wiper arm is connected to a wiper motor via the drive shaft. Particularly on windshields with sharp changes in curvature, the wiper blade and wiper lip easily lose contact with the windshield. This can result in unwiped areas or streaks, especially on sharply curved windshields.

[0003] Furthermore, the wiper blade should exert a uniform and sufficient contact pressure (contact force) on the vehicle windshield along its length to ensure a good wiping effect and to reduce or prevent streaking. However, the contact pressure exerted on the windshield can vary, particularly over the length of the wiper blade, for example, due to fluctuations in the overarching structure (e.g., spring rail, lower arm of a fin-ray wiper), which can impair the wiping effect and lead to streaking.

[0004] When improving windshield wiper systems, there are numerous constraints that must be considered. These include the manufacturing effort and costs, material costs, and the properties of the windshield wiper system, particularly its functionality under diverse conditions and durability under a wide range of conditions. When it comes to vehicle wiper systems, it's important to consider that cost pressure is constantly increasing and that vehicles can be used in a wide range of climatic conditions, meaning that, for example, extreme temperatures may occur continuously and / or with significant fluctuations.

[0005] Further prior art is known from DE 10 2013 214 064 A1. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] It is the object of the present disclosure to provide a windshield wiper device with which at least one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages are reduced or substantially eliminated.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim.

[0008] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a windshield wiper device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade is specified. The wiper blade comprises an elongated upper part that is at least partially bendable, an elongated lower part that is at least partially bendable, a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the upper part and the lower part, wherein the connecting elements are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade, and wherein the connecting elements are designed to enable a movement of the upper part and the lower part relative to one another with a movement component along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade, and a flexible element that is configured to provide a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade.The force provides at least part of the contact pressure of the wiper blade on a windshield of the vehicle. The wiper blade has a first section in its longitudinal extension and a second section adjoining the first section, the first section extending substantially from a rotational axis of the windshield wiper device, and the flexible element is arranged in the first section. According to embodiments, the first section corresponds to an inner circle or inner circle region of the windshield wiper device.

[0009] The windshield wiper system with the additional flexible element reacts to tolerance changes by adjusting the force distribution (force adjustment). This occurs particularly in the inner circle area. This can reduce inner circle sensitivity. The windshield wiper system can compensate for fluctuations in contact pressure, particularly in the inner circle area of ​​the wiper blade. This improves the wiping effect and prevents streaking.

[0010] Preferred, optional embodiments and particular aspects of the disclosure will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the present description. Benefits of Revelation

[0011] The wiper blade should exert a uniform and sufficient contact pressure (contact force) on the vehicle windshield over its length to enable a good wiping effect and to reduce or prevent streaking. However, the contact pressure exerted on the windshield can vary, particularly over the length of the wiper blade, for example due to fluctuations in the overarching structure (e.g. spring rail, lower arm of a fin-ray wiper), which can impair the wiping effect and lead to streaking. This effect occurs in particular in the inner circle area of ​​the wiper blade, so that a noticeable deterioration in the wiping effect and streaking can occur in the inner circle area. The embodiments described here equalize or compensate for such fluctuations in the contact pressure, particularly in the inner circle area of ​​the wiper blade.In particular, the windshield wiper devices according to the embodiments described here have a reduced inner circuit sensitivity to fluctuations in the contact pressure.

[0012] According to the embodiments described here, wiper blades for windshield wiper devices, in particular wiper blades for fin-ray windshield wiper devices for vehicle windshields, can be manufactured in a particularly advantageous manner and / or for a variety of different applications. The present embodiments of the windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here enable uniform and sufficient contact pressure on the windshield and compensate for local fluctuations in the contact pressure, particularly in the inner circle of the wiper blade. This ensures particularly good and precise wiping of the windshield. Unwiped areas of the windshield and the formation of fog on the windshield can be largely avoided.

[0013] In the windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here, the first section extends substantially from a rotational axis of the windshield wiper device. In particular, the first section can extend directly from the rotational axis, or it can extend from a point located at a finite distance from the rotational axis.

[0014] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the first section extends up to a first radius relative to the axis of rotation of the windshield wiper device, wherein the second section extends from the first radius up to a second radius relative to the axis of rotation (e.g., the first radius is a finite value that is smaller than the value of the second radius) of the windshield wiper device, and wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius. For example, the second radius is at least twice the first radius, and in particular three times, four times, or five times. Thus, the first section in which the flexible element is located can be specified or defined as the inner circle of the wiper blade or windshield wiper device.

[0015] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the flexible element is a substantially U-shaped flexible element that connects the upper part and the lower part to each other. For example, the flexible element can be designed to be connected to a fastening element on the vehicle. In particular, the fastening element on the vehicle can provide the rotation axis for the windshield wiper device. Thus, the flexible element can be an integral part of the structure of the windshield wiper device, for example, the fin-ray wiper. Thus, the flexible element can be implemented simply, cost-effectively, and in a space-saving manner.

[0016] In some embodiments, the U-shaped flexible element has a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg is connected to the upper part and the second leg is connected to the lower part, and wherein the second leg has a recess configured to allow the vehicle's fastening element to pass through, and in particular to allow the vehicle's fastening element to pass through without contact. In particular, the fastening element on the vehicle can provide the rotation axis for the windshield wiper device. For example, the first leg can have a wiper blade-side fastening element configured to be connected to the vehicle's fastening element. Thus, the vehicle's fastening element is connected to the upper part, while not touching the lower part. Thus, the first leg can move relative to the second leg, i.e.in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle's window. In other words, the first leg and the second leg form a spring element that provides at least part of the contact pressure.

[0017] According to some other embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the flexible element is arranged on a side of the lower part facing the vehicle window. The flexible element can thus be arranged between the window and the lower part. In particular, the flexible element can be arranged between the lower part and a wiper blade attached to the lower part.

[0018] For example, the flexible element can be formed by a cutout or perforation in the lower part. In particular, the flexible element can comprise a lip, which in some embodiments is formed by a substantially U-shaped cutout or a substantially U-shaped perforation in the lower part. Thus, the flexible element can be an integral part of the structure of the windshield wiper device, in particular of the lower part. Thus, the flexible element can be implemented simply, cost-effectively, and in a space-saving manner.

[0019] In some embodiments, the flexible element can be mounted or attached to the underside of the lower part facing the vehicle's windshield. The flexible element, such as the lip, can thus be a separate element. Short description of the drawings

[0020] Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a windscreen with a windscreen wiper device to explain the inner circle area, Fig. 2A-C are schematic representations of a windshield wiper device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a windshield wiper device according to further embodiments of the present disclosure, Fig. 4A is a schematic representation of a windshield wiper device with a wiper blade according to embodiments of the disclosure in a basic position, Fig. 4B is a schematic representation of the windshield wiper device according to embodiments of the disclosure according to Fig. 4A in a position applied to a disc, Fig. 5A is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the disclosure in the form of a wiper arm with integrated wiper blade in a basic position, and Fig. 5B a schematic representation of the wiper arm with integrated wiper blade according to Fig. 5A in a position applied to a disc. Embodiments of the disclosure

[0021] In the following, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a windscreen 4 with a windscreen wiper device 100 to explain an inner circle area 112.

[0023] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the wiper blade 2 comprises an elongated upper part 10, which is designed to be at least partially bendable, an elongated lower part 12, which is designed to be at least partially bendable, a plurality of connecting elements 18 for connecting the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, wherein the connecting elements 18 are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade 2, and wherein the connecting elements 18 are designed to enable a movement of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 relative to one another with a movement component along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade 2, and a flexible element (not shown) which is configured to provide a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade 2, wherein the force provides at least part of a contact pressure of the wiper blade 2 on the window 4 of the vehicle,wherein the wiper blade 2 has, in its longitudinal extension, a first section 110 and a second section 120 adjoining the first section 110, wherein the first section 110 extends substantially from a rotational axis 130 of the windscreen wiper device 100, and wherein the flexible element is arranged in the first section 110.

[0024] The windshield wiper device 100 is arranged on a window 4 of a vehicle, for example, on a rear window. The windshield wiper device 100, and in particular the wiper blade 2, is designed to wipe a region of the window 4. This region of the window 4 can also be referred to as the "wiping region." The wiping region comprises the inner circle region 112 and an outer circle region 122. According to embodiments, the wiper blade 2 comprises the first section 110, which is designed to wipe the inner circle region 112, and further comprises the second section 120, which is designed to wipe the outer circle region 122. In particular, the first section 110 corresponds to the inner circle or inner circle region 112 of the windshield wiper device 100.

[0025] The flexible element is arranged in the first section 110, i.e., in the inner circle region 112 of the wiper blade 2. The windshield wiper device 100 with the additional flexible element reacts to tolerance changes with changes in force distribution (force adjustment). This occurs particularly in the inner circle region 112. This allows for a reduction in inner circle sensitivity. The windshield wiper device 100 can compensate for fluctuations in the contact pressure, particularly in the inner circle region 112 of the wiper blade 2. Thus, the wiping effect can be improved and streaking prevented.

[0026] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the first section 110 extends up to a first radius relative to the rotational axis 130 of the windshield wiper device 100, wherein the second section 120 extends from the first radius up to a second radius relative to the rotational axis 130 of the windshield wiper device 100, and wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius. For example, the second radius is at least twice the first radius, and is in particular three times, four times, or five times the first radius. Thus, the first section 110, in which the flexible element is located, can determine or define the inner circle or inner circle region of the wiper blade 2 or the windshield wiper device 100.

[0027] Fig. 2A-C show schematic representations of a windshield wiper device 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the flexible element 210 is a substantially U-shaped flexible element that connects the upper part 10 and the lower part 12. Thus, the flexible element 210 can be an integral part of the structure of the windshield wiper device 200, for example, the fin-ray wiper. Thus, the flexible element 210 can be implemented simply, cost-effectively, and in a space-saving manner.

[0029] In some embodiments, the U-shaped flexible element 210 has a first leg 212 and a second leg 214, wherein the first leg 212 is connected to the upper part 10 and the second leg 214 is connected to the lower part 12, and wherein the second leg 214 has a recess 216 that is configured to allow a fastening element 31 of the vehicle to pass through, and in particular to allow a contactless passage of the fastening element 31 of the vehicle. For example, the first leg 212 can have a wiper blade-side fastening element 218 that is configured to be connected to the fastening element 31 of the vehicle. The fastening element 31 of the vehicle is thus connected to the upper part 10 while not touching the lower part 12. This allows the first leg 212 to move relative to the second leg 214, iein a direction 219 substantially perpendicular to the window of the vehicle, as shown schematically in . Fig. 2C. In other words, the first leg 212 and the second leg 214 form a spring element that provides at least part of the contact pressure.

[0030] Fig. 3 show schematic representations of a windshield wiper device 300 according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] According to some other embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the flexible element is arranged on a side of the lower part 12 facing the vehicle window. The flexible element can thus be arranged between the window and the lower part 12. In particular, the flexible element can be arranged between the lower part 12 and a wiper blade (not shown) that is attached to the lower part 12.

[0032] For example, the flexible element can be formed by a cutout or perforation in the lower part 12. For example, the flexible element can include a lip 310, which in some embodiments is formed by a substantially U-shaped cutout 312 in the lower part 12. Thus, the flexible element can be an integral part of the structure of the windshield wiper device 300, and in particular of the lower part 12. Thus, the flexible element can be implemented simply, cost-effectively, and in a space-saving manner.

[0033] In other embodiments, the flexible element may be a separate element that may be arranged or mounted on the base 12, and in particular on the underside of the base 12.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the flexible element can be designed such that the lower part merges seamlessly into the flexible element along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. This allows a wiper lip, ie a continuous wiper lip, to be provided on the lower part and the flexible element. In cross section in Fig. Figure 3 shows an edge between the underside of the base and the underside of the flexible element. This is merely a schematic sketch, and the height of the edge is, for example, less than 0.5 mm or, for example, essentially 0 mm.

[0035] The following describes an exemplary windshield wiper device for which the wiper blade described herein can be used. However, the wiper blade described herein can also be used for other windshield wiper devices.

[0036] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show schematic representations of a wiper blade 2 in a basic position ( Fig. 4A) and in a position applied to the disc 4 ( Fig. 4B) according to embodiments of the windshield wiper device of the disclosure. The wiper blade 2 serves to wipe the windshield 4 of the vehicle, which is, for example, a motor vehicle, in particular a car. Typically, the wiper blade 2 is attached to a windshield wiper arm, which is driven by a motor for wiping. For this purpose, the wiper blade 2 has a holder 6 to which it can be attached to the windshield wiper arm. The wiper blade 2 is located in the Fig. 4A in a basic position in which it is at least partially lifted from the windshield 4. The wiper blade 2 has a longitudinal extension 8 and comprises the elongated upper part 10 and the likewise elongated lower part 12. The longitudinal extension of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 essentially correspond to the longitudinal extension 8 of the wiper blade 2.

[0037] Both the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are flexible beams or can be designed as flexible beams that are Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, for example, are each formed in one piece. This enables a particularly stable construction. It is also possible to design only one part of the upper part 10 and / or the lower part 12 to be bendable. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible to design the upper part 10 in two parts, with one end of each of the two parts of the two-part upper part 10 being fastened to the holder 6.

[0038] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with the other embodiments described here, a material is used for the upper part 10 and / or the lower part 12 which has a modulus of elasticity in a range between 0.005 kN / mm 2 and 0.5 kN / mm 2 , in particular 0.01 kN / mm 2 and 0.1 kN / mm 2 This enables suitable bending capability of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12. Together with a suitably designed cross-sectional area of ​​the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, this results in optimal bending rigidity. The upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are arranged so that they face each other. Both ends of the upper part 10 are firmly connected to one end of the lower part 12 at outer connection positions 14 and 16. Otherwise, the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are spaced apart from each other.

[0039] The upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are connected to each other by connecting elements 18. Particularly in the basic position of the wiper blade 2, these elements run approximately transversely to the longitudinal extension 8 of the wiper blade 2. The connecting elements 18 are attached to mutually facing inner longitudinal sides of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 by means of pivot joints 20. The pivot joints 20 are hinges here. In particular, the pivot joints 20 can be designed as film hinges. This is particularly advantageous when the upper part 10, lower part 12, and / or connecting elements 18 are made of a plastic material or are coated with a suitable plastic material.

[0040] According to typical embodiments described here, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, a rotary joint is selected from the following group, which consists of: a hinge, a film hinge, a tapering of the material to produce lower rigidity along a torsion axis, a joint with a rotation axis, a means for connecting the upper part 10 to the connecting element 18 or for connecting the lower part 12 to the connecting element 18, which allows the displacement of the lower part 12 with respect to the upper part 10 along the longitudinal extension 8, etc.

[0041] Embodiments in which the joint is provided by a film hinge thus provide a very simple way to provide the joints for a fin-ray wiper. According to typical embodiments, the film hinges have high extensibility. This can be provided, for example, by a material selected from the group consisting of PP, PE, POM, and PA. Alternatively, the film hinges can be made of one or more materials from a group consisting of: TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), for example TPE-S, TPE-O, TPE-U, TPE-A, TPE-V, and TPE-E.

[0042] The connecting elements 18 are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade 2. The distances between any two adjacent connecting elements 18 are the same. However, they can also be selected differently. The distances are advantageously less than 50 mm, in particular less than 30 mm. This ensures particularly high flexibility of the windshield wiper device, in particular its lower part 12, and good adaptation to the curvature and changes in curvature of the windshield 4 to be wiped. Fig. 4A, a distance 22 is shown as representative of the distances between each two connecting elements 18. The connecting elements 18 are, particularly in the basic position of the wiper blade 2, attached to the lower part 12 such that their longitudinal axes extend at angles 26 to the lower part 12, which are between 65° and 115°, in particular between 75° and 105°. Particularly advantageously, the angles are between 80° and 100°. This advantageously ensures particularly good transmission of a force acting on the lower part 12 to the upper part 10. Furthermore, a particularly stable windshield wiper device can be achieved in this way. The same applies to the attachments of the connecting elements 18 to the upper part 10.

[0043] In the Fig. 4A shows a longitudinal axis 24 as an example of the longitudinal axes of the connecting elements 18 and an angle 26 as an example of the angles between the connecting elements 18 and the lower part 12. The distances between the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are primarily determined by the lengths of the connecting elements 18. The lengths of the connecting elements 18 increase, starting from the two outer connection positions 14, 16, up to approximately the points at which the holder 6 attached to the upper part 10 begins. As a result, the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 form Fig. 4A, a double wedge, with the tips of the two wedges pointing in opposite directions. The connecting elements 18 are designed to be buckling-resistant.

[0044] Fig. 4B shows a schematic representation of the wiper blade 2 according to Fig. 4A in a position resting against the windshield 4. Since the windshield 4 has a curvature, contact pressure forces act on the lower part 12 when the wiper blade 2 rests against the windshield 4. Since the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are flexible beams and the connecting elements 18 are rotatably mounted on the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are displaceable relative to one another. Due to the pressure forces acting on the lower part 12 from below, the wiper blade 2 bends in the direction from which the pressure forces originate and adheres precisely to the curvature of the windshield 4.

[0045] Due to the design of the embodiments described here, when a force is applied to the lower part 12 (through the disc 4), the lower part 12 bends in the direction from which the force is acting. This is achieved by the connection of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 at connecting positions 14 and / or 16, the shape, and the pivot joints at the connection between the connecting elements 18 and the upper or lower part.

[0046] In the illustration according to Fig. 4B, there is a small gap between the wiper blade 2 and the windscreen 4, which here only serves to illustrate the windscreen 4 and the wiper blade 2 and which in reality is largely not present when the wiper blade 2 is placed against the windscreen 4. Furthermore, a wiper lip is typically located on the underside of the lower part 12 facing away from the upper part 10, which rests on the windscreen 4 for wiping. For reasons of clarity, the wiper lip is shown in the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B not shown.

[0047] A windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here utilizes the effect of the tail fins of certain fish, which, when subjected to lateral pressure, do not deflect in the direction of pressure, but rather curve in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction from which the pressure is coming. This principle is also referred to as the fin ray principle. As a result, a windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here has the advantage of improved adaptation to a motor vehicle windshield. In a conventional windshield wiper blade, its upper section is usually rigid, i.e., it is not designed to be flexible.

[0048] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show the wiper blade 2 with the longitudinal extension 8, which extends essentially between the connection positions 14 and 16. Such an arrangement is often used for windscreen wipers. Alternatively, however, a windscreen wiper device can also have only one connection position, which is analogous to the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B corresponds to a halving of the windscreen wiper device, and wherein, for example, a rotation axis is provided at a position of the holder 6. Such an arrangement is often used for rear window wipers. This is exemplified, among other things, in the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B. Optional configurations and details, as described in the individual embodiments, can generally be used for both variants of a windshield wiper device arrangement.

[0049] Fig. 5A shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the windshield wiper device according to the disclosure in the basic position. The windshield wiper device here is a wiper arm with an integrated wiper blade 2, which is attached to a fastening part 30. The fastening part 30 can, for example, be the fastening part 218 of the embodiment of the Fig. 2A-C. The fastening part 30 is connected to a wiper motor 32, which drives the fastening part 30 to wipe the windshield 4. The wiper blade 2 is wedge-shaped, with one end of the upper part 10 being firmly connected to one end of the lower part 12 at an outer connection position 34. The other end of the upper part 10 and / or the lower part 12 are fastened to the fastening part 30. Regarding the basic structure and in particular the fastenings of the connecting elements 18, the windshield wiper device according to Fig. 5A in principle the one according to Fig. 4A.

[0050] Fig. 5B shows a schematic representation of the wiper blade 2 with integrated wiper arm according to Fig. 5A in a position resting against the window 4. Here, too, compressive forces act from below in the direction of the window 4 on the lower part 12 of the wiper blade 2, so that the lower part 12 and the upper part 10 bend in the direction of the window 4.

[0051] Both in Fig. 4A as well as Fig.5A, the wiper blade 2 is shown in its position not resting against the windshield 4, such that the lower part 12 is substantially straight. According to yet further embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments, the lower part 12 is convex in the unloaded state, i.e., with a curvature that protrudes away from the upper part 10 in a central region. The windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here can typically, upon contact with a windshield 4, assume the corresponding concave shape of the lower part 12, starting from the convex shape of the lower part 12, which adapts to the windshield 4.

[0052] According to a further preferred embodiment, the plurality of connecting elements 18 can be connected to the upper part 10 at a plurality of upper connection positions and to the lower part 12 at a plurality of corresponding lower connection positions, wherein, during the movement of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 relative to one another, the distance between an upper connection position and a corresponding lower connection position is substantially constant, in particular constant with a deviation of ±1 mm. This makes it possible to provide a force transmission between the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, which enables a windshield wiper device that operates according to the Finray principle.

[0053] The connecting elements 18 are attached to mutually facing inner longitudinal sides of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 by means of pivot joints 20. Typically, the pivot joints 20 are hinges. In particular, the pivot joints 20 can be designed as film hinges. This is particularly advantageous when the upper part 10, the lower part 12, and / or the connecting elements 18 are made of a plastic material or are coated with a suitable plastic material.

[0054] According to typical embodiments described here, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, a rotary joint is selected from the following group, which consists of: a hinge, a film hinge, a tapering of the material to produce lower rigidity along a torsion axis, a joint with a rotation axis, a means for connecting the upper part 10 to the connecting element 18 or for connecting the lower part 12 to the connecting element 18, which allows the displacement of the lower part 12 with respect to the upper part 10 along the longitudinal extension 8, etc.

[0055] The connecting elements 18 are connected to the upper part 10 at a respective upper connection position and to the lower part 12 at a respective lower connection position. For example, a pivot joint is provided at each of the connection positions. Upon movement of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 relative to one another, the distance between an upper connection position and a lower connection position on the same connecting element 18 essentially does not change, i.e., the distance is constant with deviations of, for example, ±1 mm, in particular ±0.3 mm.

[0056] Furthermore, the wiper blade 2 has a head end. The fastening part 30, i.e., a wiper-blade-side fastening part 30, is provided at the head end. Along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade 2, the distance between the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 decreases starting from the head end, at least in regions of the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2 or in a predominant part of the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2. Starting from the head end, the height of the wiper blade 2 tapers in a wedge shape in regions or decreases in regions of the longitudinal extent. For example, according to embodiments, for a plurality of the connecting elements 18, the length of the connecting elements 18 can be provided such that the connecting elements 18 provided at the head end are longer than those on the opposite side of the wiper blade 2 along the longitudinal extent 8. The wiper lip can be provided on the underside of the lower part 12.For this purpose, for example, there may be an anchoring to the underside of the finray structure.

Claims

[1] Windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300) for a vehicle, or a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (2) with - an elongated upper part (10) which is at least partially flexible, - an elongated lower part (12) which is at least partially flexible, - a plurality of connecting elements (18) for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), wherein the connecting elements (18) are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extension (8) of the wiper blade (2), and wherein the connecting elements (18) are designed to enable a movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part (12) relative to one another with a movement component along the longitudinal extension (8) of the wiper blade (2), and - a flexible element (210, 310) configured to provide a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), wherein the force provides at least part of a contact pressure of the wiper blade (2) on a window (4) of the vehicle, wherein the wiper blade (2) has, in its longitudinal extension (8), a first section (110) and a second section (120) adjoining the first section (110), wherein the first section (110) extends substantially from a rotational axis (130) of the windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300), and wherein the flexible element (210, 310) is arranged in the first section (110). [2] Windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (110) corresponds to an inner circle (112) of the windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300). [3] Windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (110) extends to a first radius with respect to the rotational axis (130) of the windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300), wherein the second portion (120) extends from the first radius to a second radius with respect to the rotational axis (130) of the windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300), and wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius. [4] Windscreen wiper device (100, 200, 300) according to claim 3, wherein the second radius is at least twice the first radius, or three times, four times, or five times. [5] Windscreen wiper device (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible element (210) is a substantially U-shaped flexible element connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12) to each other. [6] Windscreen wiper device (200) according to claim 5, wherein the U-shaped flexible element (210) has a first leg (212) and a second leg (214), wherein the first leg (212) is connected to the upper part (10) and the second leg (214) is connected to the lower part (12), and wherein the second leg (214) has a recess (216) which is designed to allow a passage of a fastening element (31) of the vehicle, or to allow a contactless passage of the fastening element (31) of the vehicle. [7] Windscreen wiper device (200) according to claim 6, wherein the first leg (212) has a wiper blade-side fastening element (218) which is adapted to be connected to the fastening element (31) of the vehicle. [8] Windscreen wiper device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible element (310) is arranged on a side of the lower part (12) facing the windscreen (4) of the vehicle. [9] Windscreen wiper device (300) according to claim 8, wherein the flexible element (310) comprises a lip. [10] Windscreen wiper device (300) according to claim 9, wherein the lip is formed by a substantially U-shaped cutout (312) in the lower part (12).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Windscreen wiper device for a vehicle

    DE102013214064A1