Wischerblatt

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper blade (1) for a windscreen wiper assembly (10), comprising a base body (2) extending along a longitudinal direction (25), a heating element (3) configured to heat the wiper blade (1), wherein the base body (2) has a mounting rail (4) with a mounting groove (5) in which the heating element (3) can be mounted, wherein the mounting groove (5) is open on one side in an opening direction (26) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (25), and wherein the mounting rail (4) has mounting arms (41) designed to hold the heating element (3) in the mounting groove (5).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade for a windshield wiper assembly, and to a windshield wiper assembly.

[0002] Windshield wiper assemblies with heating devices are known. Such heating devices can be used, for example, to heat wiper blades and fluid lines that carry windshield washer fluid to washer nozzles to prevent the fluid from freezing in the lines. Such devices often have a complex and space-consuming geometry and are complicated to install and manufacture. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The wiper blade according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is characterized by a compact, simple, and cost-effective construction, which can enable heating of the wiper blade with particularly few components. This is achieved by a wiper blade for a windshield wiper arrangement, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body extending along a longitudinal direction and a heating element configured to heat the wiper blade. The base body has a fastening rail having a fastening groove. The fastening groove is open in an opening direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The heating element can be fastened in the fastening groove. The fastening rail has fastening arms configured to hold the heating element in the fastening groove, in particular along the opening direction.

[0004] Preferably, the heating element is an electrical heating element which can generate heat in particular by means of a power supply with an electrical current.

[0005] In particular, the fastening rail extends along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the wiper blade. Alternatively, the fastening rail can preferably extend along the longitudinal direction over only 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 part of the length of the wiper blade.

[0007] In other words, a wiper blade is provided that has a mounting rail as an integral component in a base body. This mounting rail has a mounting groove in which the heating element can be mounted. The mounting rail is designed such that mounting arms of the mounting rail hold the heating element in place along the opening direction in which the mounting groove is open. The wiper blade offers the advantage of a particularly simple and cost-effective design. The separate components, base body and heating element, can be connected to one another without additional components. This allows the entire wiper blade to be manufactured with a particularly simple, cost-effective, and lightweight design.

[0008] The subclaims contain preferred 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-fitting contact with the fastening rail by means of the fastening arms. For example, the holding element can be clamped between the two opposing fastening arms by means of the clamping force. This enables a particularly simple and reliable fastening of the heating element, which allows for rattle-free installation and also, for example, enables the compensation of tolerances.

[0010] More preferably, the heating element comprises a carrier element and a heating wire. This means that the heating element is formed 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 the fastening arms. The heating wire can be designed to generate heat directly when supplied with an electrical current. For example, the heating wire can be embedded in the carrier element or, alternatively, attached to it. This makes it possible to provide a particularly simple, cost-effective and flexible design of the heating element. By means of the carrier element, the heating wire can be flexibly positioned and held, for example, for optimal efficiency.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the support element has a support groove in which the heating wire is secured. The heating wire is preferably clamped into the support groove by means of a clamping connection. This enables particularly simple and cost-effective manufacture and assembly of the heating element.

[0012] The support element preferably has, in particular, exactly two opposite support grooves which are open in opposite directions. The heating wire is arranged within the support grooves and runs around the circumference of the support element. The support element can preferably be designed essentially rod-shaped, wherein the support grooves are each open to the outside on opposite and mutually remote longitudinal sides. In particular, the heating wire can be wound, for example, exactly once around the outer circumference of the support element and arranged within the support grooves. This enables simple and reliable assembly and mounting of the heating wire, thereby enabling efficient heating, while the heating element can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively.

[0013] The heating element preferably has a flat bar-shaped geometry. In particular, the holding element has an oval cross-section, preferably in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. A flat bar-shaped geometry is considered to be, in particular, a geometry that extends elongated along 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. This allows heat to be introduced into the wiper blade over a large area despite the small dimensions in the thickness direction. Thus, particularly effective heating of the wiper blade can be achieved with a compact geometry.

[0014] More preferably, the heating element is formed at least partially from an electrically conductive material with an electrical resistance that has a positive temperature coefficient. In particular, the heating element is thus formed from a material that has a PTC effect (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient). This means that a heating element is provided that enables a heating function through a temperature increase resulting from a power supply to the heating element due to the PTC effect. Due to the predetermined temperature-dependent electrical resistance of the heating element, the current flow through the heating element leads to heat loss therein and thus to heating of the heating element. In particular, due to the positive temperature coefficient of the heating element, the electrical resistance of the heating element increases significantly with increasing temperature.Thanks to the PTC effect, the heating element offers self-regulation of the heating function, as the electrical resistance increases with increasing temperature until the current flow through the heating element can no longer overcome the electrical resistance, or until the current flow becomes very small. This means that the heating element inherently limits the maximum temperature to which it can be heated. This allows the heating function to be provided in a particularly simple and reliable manner.

[0015] The fastening arms are preferably designed to be elastically flexible, in particular such that the heating element can be removed from the fastening groove essentially along the opening direction and inserted into the fastening groove by elastically deforming the fastening arms. In particular, when arranged in the fastening groove, an undercut is thus present with respect to the opening direction of the holding element and fastening arms. In particular, the heating element is held by means of the fastening arms in a similar way to a clip connection. This allows for particularly simple assembly and disassembly while providing a reliable mount.

[0016] Preferably, the base body, together with the mounting rail and the mounting arms, is formed as a single, one-piece component. For example, the base body can be formed as an injection-molded component. This allows for a particularly simple, cost-effective, and lightweight design and manufacture.

[0017] Further preferably, the base body has a spine region with at least one spine element adjacent to the fastening rail along the opening direction. The spine element is preferably configured to stiffen and / or shape the wiper blade. In particular, the spine element allows pre-tensioning of the wiper blade in such a way as to be able to follow the surface of a curved windshield. The spine element is preferably designed as a flat bar that extends along the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. Preferably, exactly two parallel spine elements are provided.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the wiper blade further comprises a wiper lip extending along the longitudinal direction. The wiper lip is particularly intended to rest on a windshield. The wiper lip is preferably made of an elastic material, for example, rubber.

[0019] The wiper blade preferably further comprises at least one fluid channel formed within the base body for supplying fluid to a windshield washer device. In particular, the fluid channel extends along the longitudinal direction. The windshield washer device can preferably comprise at least one washer nozzle on the wiper blade. In particular, the fluid channel is arranged adjacent to the fastening groove. Preferably, exactly two fluid channels can be provided, with the fastening groove being arranged between the two fluid channels.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention leads to a windshield wiper assembly comprising a wiper arm and the described wiper blade. The wiper blade is attached to the wiper arm, in particular by means of a connecting region arranged centrally along the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade.

[0021] The windshield wiper assembly preferably 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 inside the base body of the wiper blade. Short description of the drawings

[0022] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, functionally identical components are identified by the same reference numerals. Here: Fig. 1 a simplified perspective view of a windshield wiper arrangement with a wiper blade according to a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a detailed sectional view of the wiper blade of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a detail of the wiper blade of the Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a perspective view of another detail of the wiper blade of the Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 a detailed sectional view of a wiper blade according to a second embodiment of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a windshield wiper assembly 10 with a wiper blade 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. A sectional view of the wiper blade 1 is shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0024] The windshield wiper assembly 10 comprises a wiper arm 14, to which the wiper blade 1 is movably attached at a connecting region 104. The connecting region 104 is located at a central region 15 of the wiper blade 1.

[0025] The wiper blade 1 comprises a base body 2 which extends along a longitudinal direction 25.

[0026] In addition, the wiper blade 1 comprises a wiper lip 7, which is preferably designed as a rubber lip and which is intended for wiping a windshield of a vehicle, for example a car.

[0027] The windshield wiper assembly 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 as the windshield washer fluid to the windshield of the vehicle.

[0028] The windshield washer device 11 can comprise a plurality of nozzles 11a configured to apply the windshield washer fluid to the windshield, for example, in the form of a spray. The nozzles 11a can be integrated into the wiper blade 1 and arranged distributed along the length of the wiper blade 1. Furthermore, the nozzles 11a are preferably aligned such that they can apply the windshield washer fluid to the windshield on one side of the wiper blade 1. As a result, windshield washer fluid is applied to the windshield in front of the wiper lip 7 in both directions in which the wiper blade 1 can move, enabling efficient cleaning of the windshield.

[0029] The windshield washer fluid can be supplied to the nozzles 11a via a fluid line that extends, for example, along the wiper arm 14. The fluid line can be in fluid communication with a fluid channel 8 formed in the base body 2 of the wiper blade 1 (see Fig. 2). The windshield washer fluid can be passed to the nozzles 11a via the fluid channel 8.

[0030] The wiper blade 1 also comprises a backbone area 6 with two backbone elements 61, which are provided for stiffening and shaping the wiper blade 1 (see Fig. 2). For example, the backbone elements 61 can be pre-shaped or pre-tensioned in an arcuate manner in order to achieve a shape of the wiper blade 1 adapted, for example, to a curved windshield.

[0031] The backbone elements 61 are designed as flat bars with a rectangular cross-section (compare Fig. 2) and extend parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal direction 25

[0032] The backbone elements 61 are made of metal, preferably steel.

[0033] The backbone elements 61 are integrated into the base body 2 of the wiper blade 1. In particular, the backbone elements 61 are held in grooves 62 of the base body 2.

[0034] The wiper lip 7 can, for example, be designed and arranged such that the sealing lip 7 is held by the backbone elements 61 and between the backbone elements 61.

[0035] Furthermore, the wiper blade 1 comprises a heating element 3, which is configured to heat the wiper blade 1. This heating can prevent or defrost ice buildup. Furthermore, the heating can prevent the windshield washer fluid from freezing in the fluid channel 8. Furthermore, the wiper lip 7 can be heated, thereby achieving particularly good wiping performance, in particular reduced noise during wiping and optimal cleaning performance.

[0036] To hold and position the heating element 3, the wiper blade 1 comprises a mounting rail 4 formed in the base body 2. The mounting rail 4 has a mounting groove 5 in which the heating element 3 is attached.

[0037] Fig. Figure 2 shows the cross-section of wiper blade 1, illustrating the geometry of base body 2 with fastening rail 4 and fastening groove 5. Preferably, base body 2 has the same cross-section along its entire length, in particular substantially. This means that, in particular, the fastening rail 4 with the fastening groove 5 extends along the entire length of base body 2.

[0038] The fastening groove 5 is open on one side in an opening direction 26 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 25, which points in the direction of the backbone elements 61 and the wiper lip 7. On the side facing away from the wiper lip 7, the fastening groove 5 is closed.

[0039] The mounting rail 4 has a mounting arm 41 on each side of the mounting groove 5. The two mounting arms 41 also extend, in particular, over the entire length of the base body 2. The mounting arms 41 hold the heating element 3 in the mounting groove 5.

[0040] The fastening arms 41 are designed to protrude into the fastening groove 5 in particular along a transverse direction 27 which is orthogonal to the opening direction 26.

[0041] The fastening arms 41 are designed to be elastically deformable and, together with the heating element 3, are designed to exert a clamping force 49, in particular along the transverse direction 27, on the heating element 3 in order to hold it.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the heating element 3 is formed in two parts and comprises a carrier element 31 and a heating wire 32 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). The support element 31 has a substantially flat bar-shaped geometry, with an outwardly open support groove 31a being formed on each of the opposite sides in the transverse direction 27.

[0043] The heating wire 32 is secured in the support grooves 31a, in particular by means of a clamping connection. In detail, the heating wire 32 is wound exactly once around the outer circumference of the support element 31 in a transverse plane in which the transverse direction 27 lies. At the central region 15, the two ends of the heating wire 32 are connected to a plug 16 (see Fig. 4).

[0044] The plug 16 can be electrically connected to a power supply device 114 via an electrical line 115 running along the wiper arm 14, and can be supplied with an electrical current by the power supply device 114 to allow heating of the wiper blade 1. The power supply device 114 can be arranged, for example, externally of the wiper arm 14 and wiper blade 1, for example, on the vehicle.

[0045] The wiper blade 1 is characterized by a particularly advantageous design, which allows for efficient heating by means of the heating element 3. The base body 2, together with the mounting rail 4 with the mounting groove 5, and the mounting arms 31, is formed as a single, one-piece component. This allows for reliable and precise mounting and positioning of the heating element 3 for optimal function, while simultaneously enabling a particularly simple and cost-effective design of the wiper blade 1 with few components. Furthermore, a particularly space-saving geometry of the wiper blade 1 is also possible.

[0046] Fig. Figure 5 shows a detailed sectional view of a wiper blade 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment essentially corresponds to the first embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 4, with the difference of an alternative design of the heating element 3. In the second embodiment of the Fig. 2, the heating element 3 is designed as a single, one-piece component having a flat bar-shaped geometry. In detail, the heating element 3 has an oval cross-sectional area in the cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 25. The heating element 3 is made of an electrically conductive material with an electrical resistance that has a positive temperature coefficient. In other words, the heating element 3 is made of a material that has a PTC effect (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient). When powered via supply wires 33, the PTC effect thus heats the heating element 3 and thus heats the wiper blade 1. In the second exemplary embodiment, the one-piece heating element 3 is clamped directly between the fastening arms 41.

Claims

[1] Wiper blade for a windscreen wiper assembly (10), comprising: - a base body (2) extending along a longitudinal direction (25), - a heating element (3) which is arranged 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 in an opening direction (26) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (25), and - wherein the fastening rail (4) has fastening arms (41) which are designed to hold the heating element (3) in the fastening groove (5). [2] 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] Wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element (3) comprises a carrier element (31) and a heating wire (32). [4] Wiper blade according to claim 3, wherein the carrier element (31) has a carrier groove (31a) in which the heating wire (32) is fastened, in particular by means of a clamping connection. [5] Wiper blade according to claim 4, wherein the carrier element (31) has opposing carrier grooves (31a) open in opposite directions, and wherein the heating wire (32) extends around the circumference of the carrier element (31) within the carrier grooves (31a). [6] Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the heating element (3) has a flat bar-shaped geometry, in particular with an oval cross-section. [7] Wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element (3) is formed at least partially from an electrically conductive material with an electrical resistance having a positive temperature coefficient. [8] Wiper blade according to 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] Wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) with the fastening rail (4) and the fastening arms (41) is formed as a single, one-piece component. [10] Wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) has a backbone region (6) with at least one backbone element (61) along the opening direction (26) adjacent to the fastening rail (4). [11] Wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wiper lip (7) which extends along the longitudinal direction (26). [12] Wiper blade according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one fluid channel (8) in the base body (2) for supplying fluid to a windscreen washer device (11). [13] Windscreen wiper arrangement comprising a wiper arm (14) and a wiper blade (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiper blade (1) is attached to the wiper arm (14). [14] Windscreen wiper arrangement according to claim 13, further comprising a windscreen washer device (11) having at least one washer nozzle (11a) arranged on the wiper blade (1).

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