WIPE SHEET DEVICE

Description

State of the art

[0001] A wiper blade device with at least one wiper strip and at least one fluid dispensing unit, which has at least one first fluid outlet opening and at least one second fluid outlet opening, which are arranged on different sides of the wiper strip with respect to a wiping direction, has already been proposed. Prior art in this regard is known from DE 10 2005 030201 A1, FR 3 053945 A1, and FR 2 929 905 A1. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The invention is defined by the patent claims.

[0003] The invention is based on a wiper blade device with at least one wiper strip and with at least one fluid dispensing unit, which has at least one first fluid outlet opening and at least one second fluid outlet opening, which are arranged on different sides of the wiper strip with respect to a wiping direction.

[0004] It is proposed that the first fluid outlet opening is arranged along the wiper strip offset from the second fluid outlet opening.

[0005] In this context, a "wiper blade device" is understood to mean at least one part, in particular a subassembly, of a wiper blade, in particular a windshield wiper blade and advantageously a vehicle windshield wiper blade. In particular, the wiper blade device can also comprise the entire wiper blade, in particular the entire windshield wiper blade and advantageously the entire vehicle windshield wiper blade. It is conceivable that the wiper blade device is designed at least as part of a wiper blade with a flat-bar design and / or at least as part of a flat-bar wiper and / or as a wiper blade with a flat-bar design and / or as a flat-bar wiper. The wiper blade device is preferably intended for use on a vehicle, in particular on a motor vehicle. The wiper blade device is preferably intended for cleaning a surface, in particular a vehicle windshield, on a vehicle.In particular, the wiper blade device is coupled to a vehicle, in particular to a wiper arm of a windshield wiper, for cleaning a vehicle windshield. The windshield wiper is intended for cleaning a vehicle windshield, in particular a front and / or rear windshield of a vehicle. "Coupled" in this context is understood to mean, in particular, a positively and / or non-positively connected connection. In particular, the wiper blade device can be captively coupled to the wiper arm. "Captively coupled, attached, or connected" is understood to mean that two components are coupled, attached, or connected in such a way that the coupling or connection can be released, in particular exclusively, using at least one tool. "Provided" is understood to mean, in particular, specially configured, specially designed, and / or specially equipped.The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfils and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0006] A "wiper strip" is understood in particular to mean a unit made of an elastic material with a wiper lip, which is intended to be moved in contact over the surface to be cleaned, in particular a window surface, preferably a vehicle window, for cleaning the surface to be cleaned. The wiper strip is preferably made of a natural or synthetic elastomer, in particular rubber. In this context, a "wiper lip" is understood in particular to mean an elastic lip, which is intended to sweep over, wipe, and / or clean a window, in particular a vehicle window, with a wiping edge. In particular, the wiper strip can at least partially and preferably completely form at least one spring rail channel.In this context, a "spring rail channel" is understood to mean, in particular, a channel designed to at least partially accommodate the spring rail. The at least one spring rail channel allows the at least one wiper strip to be connected to the at least one spring rail. Advantageously, the wiper strip is connected to the spring rail in a form-fitting, particularly friction-fitting manner.

[0007] A "spring rail" is understood in particular to mean a macroscopic element that has at least one extension that, in a normal operating state, is elastically variable by at least 10%, in particular by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30%, and particularly advantageously by at least 50%, and that, in particular, generates a counterforce that depends on a change in the extension and is preferably proportional to the change, counteracting the change. Preferably, the at least one spring rail is formed at least partially from a metal or a metal alloy. Alternatively or additionally, the spring rail is formed at least partially from a plastic, a composite material, or another material deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. Preferably, the spring rail is formed at least partially from spring steel.Preferably, in an unloaded state, the spring rail essentially has the shape of a bent rod, and particularly advantageously, a flattened bent rod. Furthermore, the spring rail is advantageously formed in one piece. Alternatively, the spring rail can be formed in multiple parts. Particularly advantageously, a curvature of the spring rail along the spring rail in an unloaded state is greater than a curvature of a vehicle window surface of a motor vehicle, in particular a vehicle window, over which the spring rail is guided in at least one operating state. An "elastically changeable" object is to be understood in particular as an object that can be repeatedly deformed without causing mechanical damage or destruction to the object, and which, in particular, independently returns to a basic shape after deformation.The wiper blade device preferably comprises at least one spring rail, preferably exactly two spring rails. A "macroscopic element" is understood to mean, in particular, an element with an extension of at least 1 mm, in particular of at least 5 mm, and preferably of at least 10 mm.

[0008] A "fluid dispensing unit" is understood, in particular, to be a unit that, in at least one operating state, forms at least one fluid channel and is designed to convey a cleaning fluid through the fluid channel. The fluid dispensing unit is designed, in particular, to dispense, in particular spray, the cleaning fluid onto the vehicle window, in particular through at least one fluid outlet opening, in particular through a plurality of, in particular first and / or second, fluid outlet openings, for cleaning the vehicle window. In this context, a "cleaning fluid" is understood, in particular, to mean a liquid suitable for washing and / or cleaning a vehicle window, such as, in particular, water, alcohols, or mixtures containing a water content, antifreeze content, and / or alcohol content.A "fluid channel" is to be understood in particular as a geometric element and / or a channel-like recess which is provided in at least one operating state for the passage of liquid, in particular cleaning fluid, and in particular has an at least substantially oval, polygonal and preferably circular cross-section.The phrase that the fluid dispensing unit is provided for "passing through a cleaning fluid" in at least one operating state is to be understood in particular to mean that the fluid dispensing unit is provided in the operating state to distribute the cleaning fluid within the entire fluid dispensing unit and in particular to transport it to a first end of the fluid dispensing unit, in particular to an outer end region of the wiper blade, and to a second end of the fluid dispensing unit opposite the first end, in particular to an inner end region of the wiper blade, wherein the cleaning fluid flows through the fluid dispensing unit, in particular at least one fluid channel of the fluid dispensing unit.In particular, at least one fluid dispensing element of the fluid dispensing unit, in particular a nozzle element of the fluid dispensing unit, can be assigned to each fluid outlet opening and can be arranged in the fluid outlet opening. In particular, the fluid outlet opening is intended to dispense the cleaning fluid, or to direct and / or spray it in a specific direction. In particular, the fluid outlet opening opens the fluid dispensing unit to an environment. In this context, a "nozzle element" and / or a "fluid dispensing element" is to be understood in particular as an element that is intended to dispense the cleaning fluid, or to spray it in a specific direction. The nozzle element and / or the fluid dispensing element can be made of a metal and / or, particularly advantageously, of a plastic.Preferably, the nozzle element and / or the fluid dispensing element is / are intended to be coupled to at least one fluid channel. In particular, the fluid dispensing unit can be formed at least partially in one piece with the wiper strip. The term "partially integral" for two units should be understood to mean, in particular, that the units have at least one, in particular at least two, advantageously at least three common elements that are components, in particular functionally important components, of both units.The term "integrally connected" should be understood in particular as meaning at least materially connected, for example by a welding process, an adhesive process, an injection molding process and / or another process that appears appropriate to the person skilled in the art, and / or advantageously formed in one piece, such as by production from a single casting and / or by production in a single-component or multi-component injection molding process and advantageously from a single blank.

[0009] In this context, an "operating state" is understood in particular to mean a state in which the wiper device is ready for a wiping operation and / or a wiping operation and / or is in a wiping operation in which the wiper strip is guided, in particular, over a vehicle window and advantageously rests against the vehicle window. A "wiping direction" is understood in this context in particular to mean a direction in which the wiper strip is guided, in an operating state, over the vehicle window to be wiped. In particular, the wiping direction is directed tangentially to a circular arc-shaped path followed by an end of the wiper arm coupled to the wiper blade in at least one operating state, and / or parallel to at least one tangent of the circular arc-shaped path at a point on the circular arc-shaped path at which the coupled end of the wiper arm is located at a specific time.The fact that an opening along a reference object is offset from a further opening should be understood in particular to mean that during an imaginary movement along the reference object and / or along a longitudinal direction of the reference object, an imaginary straight line oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction intersects the openings at different times when viewed against a direction of a normal to a plane spanned by the straight line and by a further straight line running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the reference object. In particular, a connecting straight line which connects the opening and the further opening and in particular runs through the opening and the further opening, intersects the further straight line, which in particular lies in the same plane as the connecting straight line, at an angle other than 90°.In this context, a "longitudinal extension" should be understood as the greatest possible extension. A "longitudinal extension direction" should be understood as a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension. An "extension" of an element should be understood as the maximum distance between two points of a perpendicular projection of the element onto a plane.

[0010] The inventive design of the wiper blade device advantageously provides a wiper blade device with a first fluid outlet opening, which is arranged along the wiper strip offset from the second fluid outlet opening. In particular, an advantageous arrangement of the first fluid outlet opening and the second fluid outlet opening can be realized. In particular, an optimized cleaning effect can be achieved, advantageously preventing streaking during a cleaning process. In particular, the consumption of cleaning fluid can be reduced.

[0011] According to the invention, the fluid dispensing unit comprises a plurality of first fluid outlet openings and a plurality of second fluid outlet openings, which are arranged along the wiper strip offset from the first fluid outlet openings. In particular, the first fluid outlet openings and the second fluid outlet openings are arranged on both sides of the wiper strip, with the first fluid outlet openings and the second fluid outlet openings each being arranged on the right or left side of the wiper strip. In this context, "both sides of a wiper strip" is to be understood in particular as referring to two sides adjacent to the wiper strip, in particular of the wiper blade and / or the fluid dispensing unit, which are opposite one another or separated from the wiper strip. This enables, in particular, efficient and thorough cleaning of the vehicle windshield.In particular, this makes it possible to reduce the number of first and in particular second fluid outlet openings, which in particular makes it possible to reduce the consumption of the cleaning fluid. In particular, a connecting line which connects one of the first fluid outlet openings and one of the second fluid outlet openings to one another and in particular runs through one of the first fluid outlet openings and one of the second fluid outlet openings, intersects a straight line oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the reference object at an angle other than 90°. In particular, the first and second fluid outlet openings are alternately offset along the wiper strip. In particular, connecting lines between the offset fluid outlet openings which directly follow one another during the imaginary movement along the wiper strip result in a zigzag pattern.

[0012] According to the invention, the distance between immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings and between immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings along the wiper strip is at least partially inhomogeneous. This makes it possible to achieve cleaning, particularly of the vehicle windshield, that is adapted to the degree of soiling. In particular, the distance can be homogeneous in at least one section of the fluid dispensing unit, although the respective distance can vary, in particular, in different sections of the fluid dispensing unit.

[0013] According to the invention, it is proposed that the distance between immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings and between immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings increases or decreases towards an end region of the wiper strip, in particular when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the wiper strip. This makes it possible, in particular, to wetting a vehicle window surface with the cleaning fluid in a manner adapted to the level of soiling, which advantageously enables effective cleaning of the vehicle window surface. In particular, the wiper strip has an inner end region and an outer end region when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the wiper strip. In particular, the inner and outer end regions are each defined to at least a large extent by an end cap of the wiper blade device.In this context, an "end cap" is understood to mean, in particular, a component that is intended to be attached to one end of a spring rail. The end cap is particularly intended to provide an end closure for a wiper blade when installed. Preferably, the end cap is formed at least partially from a plastic. Preferably, the end cap encompasses at least part of the spring rail and / or the wiper strip in at least one installed state. The wiper device preferably comprises exactly two end caps, one for each end of the spring rail and / or the wiper strip.An "end region" of the spring rail and / or wiper strip is understood to mean, in particular, a region of the spring rail and / or wiper strip that, when projected onto a plane and viewed in a longitudinal direction of the spring rail and / or wiper strip, is located at least in one of two ends arranged at opposite ends of the spring rail and / or wiper strip. A "longitudinal direction" of an object is understood to mean, in particular, a direction that runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest geometric cuboid that just completely encloses the object. In this context, the expression "at least to a large extent" is understood to mean, in particular, at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95%.In an operating state, the wiper strip moves in a circular arc-shaped path across the vehicle windshield, with the inner end region describing a circular arc-shaped path with a first radius and the outer end region describing a circular arc-shaped path with a second radius. In particular, the first radius is smaller than the second radius. In particular, the distance toward an end region of the wiper strip can first increase and then decrease, at least in sections, and vice versa, whereby areas of the vehicle windshield surface particularly affected by soiling can be effectively cleaned, thereby advantageously increasing customer satisfaction.

[0014] Furthermore, it is proposed that the distance decreases towards an outer end region of the wiper strip. In particular, the distance decreases linearly towards the outer end region of the wiper strip, in particular due to a linear relationship between a radius and an arc length of a circular path which different regions of the wiper strip follow during a wiping movement. This allows, in particular, a homogeneous wetting of the vehicle window surface with the cleaning fluid to occur. In particular, a rate of a linear decrease in the distance towards an outer end region of the wiper strip can be adapted to requirements with regard to an area of ​​use and / or vehicle, for example a construction vehicle or a car, and / or with regard to climatic conditions.

[0015] In particular, the distance between immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings may be different from the distance between immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings.

[0016] It is also suggested that the distance should always be greater than 15 mm.

[0017] In particular, a "distance" is understood here as the shortest connecting distance between two fluid outlet openings, which runs within the fluid dispensing unit, in particular directly beneath a surface of the fluid dispensing unit in which the fluid outlet openings are arranged. This allows, in particular, economical use of the cleaning fluid during a wiping and / or cleaning process and / or effective cleaning of the vehicle windshield, which in particular can reduce running costs and, in particular, allows the cleaning fluid to be refilled at longer intervals.

[0018] A particularly high cleaning effect and / or reduced consumption of the cleaning fluid can be achieved if the first fluid outlet openings along the wiper strip are each arranged at least substantially centrally between two of the second fluid outlet openings. In particular, at least a majority of the first fluid outlet openings, together with two second fluid outlet openings closest to the respective first fluid outlet openings, represent corners of an isosceles, in particular equilateral, triangle. The phrase "at least a majority" in this context is to be understood in particular to mean more than 75%, preferably more than 85%, and particularly preferably more than 95%. In particular, two of the first fluid outlet openings and two of the second fluid outlet openings closest to the first fluid outlet openings each form a parallelogram to at least a large extent.The expression "at least to a large extent" should be understood to mean in particular at least 75%, advantageously at least 85%, particularly advantageously at least 95%.

[0019] According to the invention, it is proposed that a number of first fluid outlet openings be equal to a number of second fluid outlet openings. Alternatively, in particular, the number of first fluid outlet openings can differ by one from the number of second fluid outlet openings. This advantageously allows a uniform cleaning effect to be achieved, particularly on the different sides of the wiper strip with respect to the wiping direction. In particular, this allows for cost-effective production.

[0020] Furthermore, a wiper blade with at least one wiper blade device is proposed.

[0021] It is proposed that the cleaning fluid be applied offset to the two sides of the wiper strip. This advantageously allows for efficient, comfortable, and / or fluid-saving cleaning of the vehicle windshield. Drawings

[0022] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0023] They show: Fig. 1 shows a part of a vehicle window and a windscreen wiper arranged on the vehicle window with a wiper blade having a wiper blade device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the wiper blade connected to a wiper arm of the windscreen wiper with the wiper blade device according to the invention, and Fig. 3 shows a part of the wiper blade with the wiper blade device according to the invention with a fluid dispensing unit having first and second fluid outlet openings. Description of the embodiment

[0024] Figure 1 shows a portion of a vehicle window 30 of a vehicle and a windshield wiper 28 arranged on the vehicle window 30. The windshield wiper 28 is provided for cleaning the vehicle window 30. The vehicle window 30 is designed as a front and / or rear window.

[0025] The windshield wiper 28 has a wiper blade 24 with a wiper blade device 10 according to the invention. The wiper blade device 10 is intended for use on a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0026] The wiper blade 24 is designed to wipe across the vehicle window 30 to clean the vehicle window 30. The wiper blade 24 is designed to wipe away dirt located on the vehicle window 30 and / or a cleaning fluid 26 dispensed onto the vehicle window 30 by the fluid dispensing unit 14.

[0027] The cleaning fluid 26 is in the form of a liquid. The cleaning fluid 26 can be in the form of water, alcohol, or mixtures containing a water component, an antifreeze component, and / or an alcohol component, for example.

[0028] The wiper blade device 10 has a wiper strip 12. The wiper strip 12 has a wiper lip 48 (see Figure 3 ). The wiper strip 12 is made of an elastic material. The wiper strip 12 is made of rubber. The wiper lip 48 is made of an elastic material. The wiper lip 48 is made of rubber. The wiper lip 48 is intended to wipe the vehicle window 30 to clean the vehicle window 30. The wiper lip 48 comes into direct contact with the vehicle window 30 during the wiping movement. The wiper strip 12 forms two spring rail channels. The wiper blade device 10 has two spring rails. The spring rail channels are intended to accommodate the spring rails.

[0029] The windshield wiper 28 has a wiper arm 20. The wiper blade device 10 is connected to the wiper arm 20 (see Figure 1 and 2). The wiper arm 20 is connected to a drive shaft 46 of a wiper drive of the windshield wiper 28. The drive shaft 46 drives the wiper arm 20 in a movement relative to the vehicle window 30. The drive shaft 46 drives the wiper arm 20 in a wiping direction 22 relative to the vehicle window 30. The drive shaft 46 drives the wiper blade 24 by means of the wiper arm 20 in a wiping movement relative to the vehicle window 30.

[0030] In one operating state, the wiper arm 20 moves the wiper blade 24 connected to the wiper arm 20 on a circular arc-shaped path across the vehicle window 30 during the wiping movement. An inner end region 34 of the wiper blade 24 describes a circular arc-shaped path with a first radius 42 during the wiping movement. An outer end region 36 of the wiper blade 24 describes a circular arc-shaped path with a second radius 44 during the wiping movement. The first radius 42 is smaller than the second radius 44 (cf. Figure 1).

[0031] The wiper blade device 10 has a fluid dispensing unit 14 (cf. Figure 3 ). The fluid dispensing unit 14 is integrally connected to the wiper strip 12.

[0032] The fluid dispensing unit 14 is provided to dispense and / or spray a cleaning fluid 26 onto the vehicle window 30 for cleaning the vehicle window 30 (cf. Figure 2 ). The cleaning fluid 26 is designed as a wiping water.

[0033] The fluid dispensing unit 14 has a plurality of first fluid outlet openings 16. The fluid dispensing unit 14 has a plurality of second fluid outlet openings 18. The first fluid outlet openings 16 and the second fluid outlet openings 18 are provided for dispensing the cleaning fluid 26. The first fluid outlet openings 16 and / or the second fluid outlet openings 18 open the fluid dispensing unit 14 to the environment.

[0034] The first fluid outlet openings 16 and the second fluid outlet openings 18 are identical to one another. The first fluid outlet openings 16 and the second fluid outlet openings 18 are distributed over the entire longitudinal extent of the wiper strip 12.

[0035] It is conceivable that a nozzle element of the fluid dispensing unit 14 is arranged in each of the first fluid outlet openings 16 and / or the second fluid outlet openings 18. The nozzle element can be made of a metal and / or a plastic.

[0036] A number of the first fluid outlet openings 16 is equal to a number of the second fluid outlet openings 18.

[0037] The first fluid outlet openings 16 and the second fluid outlet openings 18 are arranged on different sides of the wiper strip 12 with respect to the wiping direction 22. The first fluid outlet openings 16 are arranged on a line parallel to a longitudinal direction 40 of the wiper strip 12. The second fluid outlet openings 18 are arranged on a line parallel to the longitudinal direction 40 of the wiper strip 12.

[0038] The first fluid outlet openings 16 are arranged along the wiper strip 12 offset from the second fluid outlet openings 18. The first fluid outlet openings 16 are arranged along the wiper strip 12 centrally between two of the second fluid outlet openings 18 (see Figure 3). Each of the first fluid outlet openings 16 forms corners of an isosceles triangle with two second fluid outlet openings 18 closest to the first fluid outlet opening 16. Each of the second fluid outlet openings 18 forms corners of an isosceles triangle with two first fluid outlet openings 16 closest to the second fluid outlet opening 18.

[0039] A distance 38 between the immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings 16 is constant over the entire extent of the wiper strip 12. The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings 18 is constant over the entire extent of the wiper strip 12.

[0040] According to the invention, the distance 38 between the immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings 16 along the wiper strip 12 is inhomogeneous. The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings 16 decreases toward an upper end region of the wiper strip 12.

[0041] The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings 16 can decrease in the direction of the outer end region 36 of the wiper strip 12.

[0042] According to the invention, the distance 38 between the immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings 18 along the wiper strip 12 is inhomogeneous.

[0043] The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings 18 increases or decreases in the direction of an end region of the wiper strip 12.

[0044] The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings 18 can decrease in the direction of the outer end region 36 of the wiper strip 12.

[0045] The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent first fluid outlet openings 16 is always greater than 15 mm. The distance 38 between the immediately adjacent second fluid outlet openings 18 is always greater than 15 mm.

[0046] A method (not claimed) for applying the cleaning fluid 26 to the vehicle window 30 by means of the wiper blade device 10 comprises a method step 32. In method step 32, the cleaning fluid 26 is applied to both sides of the wiper strip 12. In method step 32, the cleaning fluid 26 is applied offset to the two sides of the wiper strip 12.

Claims

1. Wiper-blade device (10) having at least one wiper strip (12) and having at least one fluid-dispensing unit (14), which has at least one first fluid-outlet opening (16) and at least one second fluid-outlet opening (18), which are arranged on different sides of the wiper strip (12) in relation to a wiping direction (22), wherein the first fluid-outlet opening (16) is arranged offset from the second fluid-outlet opening (18) along the wiper strip (12) and the fluid-dispensing unit (14) has a multiplicity of first fluid-outlet openings (16) and a multiplicity of second fluid-outlet openings (18), which are arranged offset from the first fluid outlet openings (16) along the wiper strip (12), characterized in that a distance (38) between directly adjacent first fluid-outlet openings (16) and between directly adjacent second fluid-outlet openings (18) along the wiper strip (12) is inhomogeneous, wherein the distance (38) between directly adjacent first fluid-outlet openings (16) and between directly adjacent second fluid-outlet openings (18) increases or decreases in the direction of an end region of the wiper strip (12), wherein a number of first fluid-outlet openings (16) is equal to a number of second fluid-outlet openings (18).

2. Wiper-blade device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distance (38) decreases in the direction of an outer end region (36) of the wiper strip (12).

3. Wiper-blade device (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (38) is always greater than 15 mm.

4. Wiper-blade device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fluid-outlet openings (16) are arranged in each case at least substantially centrally between two of the second fluid-outlet openings (18) along the wiper strip (12).

5. Wiper blade (24) having at least one wiper-blade device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.