Wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper blade (10), in particular for a motor vehicle. The wiper blade comprises at least one support element (23) with at least one spring strip (16) and a wiper strip (12). According to the invention, a replaceable element (24) is provided, which comprises the wiper strip (12) and a stabilizing element (14), and the stabilizing element (14) is detachably fastened to the support element (23).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Wiper blade, especially for a

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The invention relates to a wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the class of the independent claim.

[0006] Numerous wiper blades for motor vehicles are already known that feature a carrier element with at least one spring rail and a wiper strip. Another common practice with such wiper blades is to replace the wiper strip. The problem with this is that when replacing the wiper strip, it is not properly seated in the wiper blade, resulting in unsatisfactory wiping results.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] Advantages of the invention

[0009] The wiper blade according to the invention with the features of the main claim has the advantage that a replacement element is provided which comprises the wiper strip and a stabilizing element, and the stabilizing element is detachably attached to the carrier element. This allows the wiper strip to be easily replaced without impairing the wiping performance.

[0010] The measures listed in the subclaims result in advantageous refinements and improvements of the features specified in the main claim. In a simple, cost-effective, and therefore advantageous embodiment, the stabilizing element has fastening means for attachment to the spring rail.

[0011] In a particularly simple, easy-to-handle and therefore advantageous embodiment, the fastening means is designed as a form-fitting connection, in particular a clip connection, preferably as a push-clip connection.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the carrier element has a heating device for heating the wiper blade, as this ensures optimal wiping results even at low temperatures.

[0013] A quick and easy change of the replacement part is advantageously achieved in that the carrier element, the stabilizing element and the wiper strip have a substantially equal length and the stabilizing element can be connected to the carrier element by a displacement along its longitudinal extent.

[0014] A particularly good wiping result is advantageously achieved in that the stabilizing element stabilizes the wiper strip in the longitudinal direction and is designed in particular as a separate part.

[0015] It is particularly simple, cost-effective, and therefore advantageous if the stabilizing element has retaining means into which the wiper strip can be inserted longitudinally. This facilitates assembly during production of the replacement part.

[0016] In a cost-effective and therefore advantageous embodiment, the stabilizing element overlaps the wiper strip, in particular in a clamp-like manner.

[0017] The high stability of the replacement part is advantageously achieved by the stabilizing element being made of a stronger material than the wiper strip. Easy and therefore advantageous replacement of the replacement part is made possible by the stabilizing element having a higher modulus of elasticity than the wiper strip.

[0018] Description of the drawings

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a wiper blade according to the invention in a schematic side view, Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial section through a wiper blade according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of parts of a wiper blade according to the invention and

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a wiper blade according to the invention in a schematic perspective view.

[0022] Description of the embodiment

[0023] Figure 1 shows a wiper blade 10 according to the invention in a schematic side view.

[0024] The wiper blade 10 according to the invention has a longitudinal extension L and comprises a wiper strip 12 and a stabilizing element 14. The stabilizing element 14 is fastened to a spring rail 16 of the wiper blade 10.

[0025] The spring rail 16 is made of a flat steel strip. However, in a variation of the invention, the spring rail 16 can also be made of a plastic.

[0026] The spring rail 16 is pre-bent such that the wiper strip 12 of the mounted wiper blade 10 rests on a curved windshield to be wiped essentially along its entire longitudinal extent L. A wind deflector strip 18 is provided above, i.e., on the side of the spring rail 16 facing away from the wiper strip 12 in cross-section. The wind deflector strip 18 is made of an elastomer.

[0027] A fastening element 22 is provided approximately centrally between the two ends 20 of the longitudinal extension L. This fastening element serves to attach the wiper blade 10 to a wiper arm of a motor vehicle. The fastening element 22 is formed in one piece from plastic and is molded directly onto the spring rail 16. In a variation of the invention, metal retaining elements are arranged on the spring rail 16, for example, welded or stamped. These retaining elements can additionally interact with another plastic part.

[0028] The spring rail 16 forms a support element 23 together with the fastening means 22 and the wind deflector strip 18.

[0029] At each of the ends 20 with respect to the longitudinal extension L, an end cap 24 made of plastic is arranged, which essentially closes off the wiper blade 10 with respect to its longitudinal extension L.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic partial section through a wiper blade 10 according to the invention.

[0031] The wiper blade 10 comprises the wiper strip 12 and the stabilizing element 14, which is attached to the spring rail 16.

[0032] The spring rail 16 is equipped with a heating device. The heating device is applied to the spring rail 16 as a foil.

[0033] The stabilizing element 14 is made of plastic in one piece and is connected to the wiper strip 12.

[0034] The wiper strip 12 is gripped by the stabilizing element 14 in a clamp-like manner by retaining elements. The wiper strip 12 and the stabilizing element 14 together form a replacement part 24. The stabilizing element 14 has a higher modulus of elasticity than the wiper strip 12; thus, the stabilizing element 14 is stiffer than the wiper strip 12 and thus stabilizes it in the longitudinal direction L.

[0035] The wind deflector strip 18 is attached to the upper side of the spring rail 16 facing away from the replacement part 24

[0036] The wiper strip 12 itself comprises a wiper lip 26, which rests on the windshield during operation and wipes moisture and dirt from the windshield as it moves across it. Furthermore, the wiper strip 12 comprises a head portion 28 that serves to attach the wiper strip 12 to the stabilizing element 14.

[0037] The stabilizing element 14 engages around the head part 28 of the wiper strip 12 in a clamp-like manner.

[0038] The wiper lip 26 is connected to the head part 28 by means of a tilting web 30. The connection is designed such that the wiper lip 26 can be tilted relative to the head part 28 via the tilting web 30, so that during operation, the wiper lip 26 is dragged across the windshield during a movement transverse to the longitudinal direction L.

[0039] The wiper strip 12 is made of a relatively flexible material, typically an elastomer based on natural rubber or EPDM.

[0040] During assembly of the wiper blade 10, for example, the head part 28 is inserted into the stabilizing element 14 and then fixed to the stabilizing element 14. For example, the stabilizing element 14 can be squeezed at least in sections after the head part 28 has been inserted to fix the wiper strip 12. In a variation, a materially bonded connection, for example, welded or glued, can also be created at least in sections after insertion. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the spring rail 16 and the replacement part 24, comprising the wiper strip 12 and the stabilizing element 14, of a wiper blade 10 according to the invention. The fastening means 22 is not shown here for reasons of clarity.

[0041] The stabilizing element 14 has approximately the same length along the longitudinal extension L as the wiper strip 12 and the spring rail 16.

[0042] In a variation of the invention, however, the spring rail 16 can also be slightly longer than the stabilizing element 14.

[0043] The wiper strip 12 together with the stabilizing element 14 forms the replacement element 24.

[0044] The wiper strip 12 is fastened to the stabilizing element 14 by its head part 28, so that the replacement part 24 has a lower rigidity than the spring rail 16, but a higher rigidity than the wiper strip 12 without the stabilizing element 14.

[0045] The spring rail 16 has at least one opening as a first form-locking element 32, which interacts with locking lugs as a second form-locking element 34 of the stabilizing element 14 and thus forms a form-locking connection as a fastening means 36 between the stabilizing element 14 and the spring rail 16.

[0046] The stabilizing element 14 is provided on its underside, which in the mounted position faces the wiper strip 12, with fastening means which are designed, for example, as a clamp, adhesive layer or guide channel.

[0047] On its upper side, the stabilizing element 14 has the second positive-locking elements 34, which are designed as locking lugs. The locking lugs have a projection that interacts with the openings of the first positive-locking element 32 of the spring rail 16. The locking lugs are designed such that they point in different directions along the longitudinal extent L of the stabilizing element 14, thus creating a clip connection.

[0048] In a variation of the invention, however, the projections can also point in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal extension L, so that a push-clip connection is created.

[0049] The stabilizing element 14 or the replacement part 24 is then designed such that it can be plugged onto the spring rail 16, with the second form-locking elements 34 engaging in the openings as first form-locking elements 32. By displacing the replacement element 24 along the longitudinal extent L, the projections of the second form-locking elements 34 hook onto the spring rail 16. The displacement here is only a few millimeters, in particular less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.

[0050] Additionally, blocking elements can also be provided to prevent the replacement part 24 from shifting backward. The blocking elements are preferably elastic to enable easy replacement of the replacement part 24.

[0051] Figure 4 shows a wiper blade 10 according to the invention in the assembled state. The wind deflector strip 18 (Figure 1) has been omitted in this illustration.

[0052] The fastening element 22 is arranged approximately centrally with respect to the longitudinal extension L. The fastening element 22 is permanently attached to the spring rail 16.

[0053] The wiper strip 12 is firmly connected, in particular by a material bond, to the stabilizing element 14, forming the replacement element 24. The firm connection between the wiper strip 12 and the stabilizing element 14 can be formed, for example, as an adhesive connection or a welded connection, in particular by ultrasonic welding. In one variation, however, a force-locking connection between the wiper strip 12 and the stabilizing element 14 can also be provided. A form-locking, in particular a non-detachable form-locking, connection is also provided. In this context, non-detachable should be understood in particular to mean a form-locking connection that cannot be released without deformation of at least one of the components, in particular the wiper strip 12 and / or the stabilizing element 14.

[0054] The stabilizing element 14 of the replacement part 24 has the second form-locking elements 34 designed as locking lugs, which pass through the openings of the spring rail 16, which form the first form-locking elements 32.

[0055] For retention, the locking lugs, as second form-locking elements 34, have projections that point in different directions. Here, the projections each point toward the fastening element 22. Thus, the projections to the left of the fastening element 22 point to the right, and the projections to the right of the fastening part 22 point to the left. In a variation of the invention, for example, the projections of adjacent locking lugs can also point in opposite directions.

[0056] In a further variation, only one of the locking lugs can be designed to block longitudinal displacement along the longitudinal extent L, thus forming a blocking element. The locking lugs then all protrude in one direction, so that the replacement element 24 is placed onto the spring rail, so that the second form-locking elements 34 penetrate the openings of the first form-locking elements 32 and then, by displacement along the longitudinal extent, hook the projections with the first form-locking elements 32. For example, one of the locking lugs can be designed as a second form-locking element 34 without a projection, so that it can penetrate the openings even when the other locking lugs are hooked.

[0057] In a further variation of the invention, other fastening means 36 between the replacement element 24 and the spring rail 16 are also possible and in accordance with the invention. For example, a magnetic connection, an adhesive connection, or a force-fit connection between the replacement element 24 and the spring rail 16 can be provided as the fastening means 36.

Claims

Claims 1 . Wiper blade (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, at least comprising a carrier element (23) with at least one spring rail (16) and a wiper strip (12), characterized in that a replacement element (24) is provided which comprises the wiper strip (12) and a stabilizing element (14) and the stabilizing element (14) is detachably fastened to the carrier element (23).

2. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stabilizing element (14) has fastening means (36) for fastening to the spring rail (16).

3. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening means (36) is designed as a form-fitting connection, in particular a clip connection, preferably as a push-clip connection.

4. Wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (23) has a heating device for heating the wiper blade (10).

5. Wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (23), the stabilizing element (14) and the wiper strip (12) have a substantially equal length and the stabilizing element (14) can be connected to the carrier element (23) by a displacement along its longitudinal extent (L).

6. Wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element (14) the wiper strip (12) is stabilized in the longitudinal direction (L) and is designed in particular as a separate part which is firmly connected to the wiper strip (12).

7. Wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element (14) has clamp-like holding means into which the wiper strip (12) can be inserted in the longitudinal direction (L).

8. Wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element (14) is made of a more pressure-resistant material than the wiper strip (12).

9. Wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element (14) has a higher modulus of elasticity than the wiper strip (12).

10. Replacement element (24) for a wiper blade (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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