Wiper assembly with end caps and corresponding system

Abstract

TITLE: Wiper blade device with end caps and corresponding system. Wiper blade device comprising at least one end cap (12a) for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body (14a) forming the outer surface of the wiper blade cap (12a), the base body corresponding in particular at least partially to a deflector geometry, device characterized in that the wiper blade cap (12a) comprises at least one end cap insert (18a) which can be separated from the end cap base body (14a), and which, for connection to at least one elastic rail of the wiper blade, comprises an elastic rail housing (20a). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windscreen wiper blade device provided with end caps and corresponding system FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising at least one cap for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body forming the outer surface of the wiper blade cap, the base body corresponding in particular, at least partially, to a deflector geometry. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Such a windshield wiper blade device is already known.

[0003] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising at least one cap for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body forming the outer surface of the wiper blade cap, the base body corresponding in particular at least partially to a deflector geometry, device characterized in that the wiper blade cap comprises at least one end cap insert which can be detached from the end cap base body, and which in order to be connected to at least one elastic rail of the wiper blade comprises an elastic rail housing.

[0005] The term "windshield wiper blade device" preferably refers to at least a portion, preferably a subassembly of a wiper blade system, preferably a wiper blade, in particular a windshield wiper blade. Preferably, the wiper blade device. Preferably, the wiper blade device comprises the entire wiper, in particular the entire windshield wiper. Preferably, the wiper blade device is intended for use on a vehicle. The wiper blade device, in particular as a wiper blade, is used to clean a window, preferably a vehicle window. The wiper blade device is coupled to the wiper arm of the vehicle to clean a window.

[0006] The expression "intended for" means a means specially designed, made or equipped to perform a certain function. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function means that the object performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0007] The term "operating state" means a state in which the wiper blade device is ready to operate for a wiping operation and / or a wiping mode and / or is in wiping mode in which the wiper blade unit of the wiper blade device passes over the window, advantageously pressing against it.

[0008] The wiper blade comprises a deflector unit. The wiper blade comprises a wiper blade unit. The wiper blade pivots about a pivot axis while being connected to the wiper arm. Preferably, the pivot axis is at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wiper blade, in particular of the deflector unit, in particular of the wiper blade unit.

[0009] The expression "longitudinal axis" of an object corresponds to the axis parallel to the longest edge of the smallest parallelepiped which closely surrounds the object. The expression "practically perpendicular" designates the orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, the direction and the reference direction making an angle of 90° between them, this angle being able to have only a maximum deviation, in particular less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and in a particularly advantageous manner, less than 2°.

[0010] Preferably, the deflector unit consists of two deflector elements each having a concave outer surface for deflecting the wind and in particular for using the force of the wind to apply the wiper blade against the window. The concave outer surface preferably has a characteristic deflector geometry.

[0011] A wiper blade end cap is provided at the end of the wiper blade along the longitudinal axis thereof. The wiper blade device comprises at least two wiper blade end caps. These two caps have similar functions. Advantageously, the two wiper blade end caps are plane-symmetrical to terminate opposite ends of the wiper blade. Preferably, the base body of an end cap has a concave outer surface to utilize the force of the wind and press the wiper blade against the window, in particular having a deflector geometry.

[0012] Preferably, the end cap base body is produced separately from the end cap insert. The end cap insert is intended to be mounted in the base body, in particular, in the cavity delimited by the end cap base body. The end cap insert has a resilient rail receptacle which, in operation, is on the opposite side from that of the concave outer surface of the adapter base body. Preferably, the end cap base body and the end cap insert are intended to be connected to each other.

[0013] Preferably, the end cap base body and the end cap insert are connected to each other in the operating position. The wiper blade end cap comprises at least two different, in particular separate, components. In particular, at least one end cap base body and at least one end cap insert which have in particular either a covering function or a driving function with a connecting function for an elastic rail. The end cap insert is smaller than the end cap base body, in particular if the volumes of the smallest parallelepiped that closely encloses the object are taken. The end cap insert in the operating position bears against at least two, preferably at least three spaced-apart outer sides by surface contact against the inner side of the end cap base body.Preferably, the end cap insert in the operating position bears against two outer surfaces, in particular opposite ones, by surface contact against the inner side of the end cap base body.

[0014] The embodiment according to the invention of the wiper blade device advantageously allows for a component-based combination possibility for functions of a wiper blade end cap. In particular, this has the advantage of a liquid dispensing function. In particular, there is the advantageous attachment of the wiper blade end cap to an elastic rail. In particular, this allows for the advantageous replacement of defective functional components of the wiper blade end cap. In particular, there will be an advantageous attachment possibility, preferably an alignment possibility, of the individual components of the wiper blade end cap.

[0015] According to another feature, the end cap insert and the end cap base body are provided to be hooked to each other by a clip-on or hooking connection. Preferably, the end cap insert has at least one hooking extension provided to hook into a hooking recess. Alternatively, the end cap base body has at least one hooking extension. The end cap base body has at least one hooking recess for receiving a hooking extension. The hooking recess may be in the form of a through-hole, formed in a channel connecting element of the end cap base body. Alternatively, the end cap insert has at least one hooking recess for receiving at least one hooking extension.Preferably, the hanging extension is a double-sided hanging hook. This achieves an advantageous mounting of the end cap insert in the base body of the end cap.

[0016] According to another feature, the end cap comprises at least one channel made in one piece with the base body or with the end cap insert. The term "in one piece" denotes a connection at least by the material, for example, by a welding, gluing, overmolding and / or other technically advantageous process for producing a component in a single element, such as, for example, manufacturing by casting and / or by an injection process with one or more components or even from a single blank.

[0017] The wiper blade end cap comprises at least one, preferably at least two channels formed in one piece in the base body of the end cap. The two channels can be connected by a channel connecting element, in particular in the form of a plate.

[0018] Alternatively, the wiper blade end cap comprises at least one, and preferably at least two channels, formed in one piece in the end cap insert. The channel connecting element may be formed in particular in one piece with the base body of the end cap. Alternatively, the channel connecting element is formed in one piece with the end cap insert. Preferably, at least one channel comprises at least one and preferably at least two liquid distribution orifices. Each channel comprises at least one and preferably at least two liquid distribution orifices. The liquid distribution orifices may be oriented in different directions, spaced apart from each other on different channels. Advantageously, a liquid supply is provided which reaches into the wiper blade end cap.The wiper blade end cap thus has the advantage of providing a liquid distribution function.

[0019] According to another feature, at least one end cap insert comprises at least two functional elements that can be separated from one another. Preferably, the wiper blade end cap comprises at least three different components that can be separated from one another, in particular at least one end cap base body and at least one end cap insert formed from at least two functional elements and that in particular perform a covering function, a driving function and / or a connection function with at least one elastic rail.

[0020] Preferably, the end cap insert has two different functional elements. The end cap insert advantageously consists of at least two functional elements separable from each other. The functional elements are provided for common application in the end cap base body. In particular, exclusively, a first functional element is provided to be connected with at least one elastic rail. In particular and exclusively, another functional element is provided for a driving function and / or a liquid distribution function. This provides the advantage of a simple possibility of repairing the separate function of the wiper blade end cap in particular without having to replace the entire wiper blade end cap.

[0021] According to another feature, one of the functional elements has an elastic rail housing and at least one other of the functional elements has a channel. Preferably, in particular exclusively, the first functional element comprises the elastic rail housing. In particular, exclusively, the other functional element has at least one and preferably at least two channels. Preferably, another functional element is provided for making a plug-in connection with the deflector unit or the windshield wiper unit. A channel is provided for making a plug-in connection with the liquid lines or the deflector unit.

[0022] According to another characteristic, at least two functional elements can be connected to each other by a clipping or hooking connection. Preferably, one of the functional elements comprises a hooking extension, in particular a hook. One of the functional elements preferably has a hooking recess for receiving the hooking extension, in particular of the other functional element. The hooking or clipping connection of the functional elements is removable. The functional elements in the operating position are connected by the hooking or clipping connection. Apart from the end cap base member, an advantageous connection of the functional elements can be achieved. In particular, there is an advantageous ease of assembly.

[0023] According to another feature, at least two functional elements are connected respectively by an end cap base body. Preferably, each of the two functional elements is connected to a respective other functional element with the end cap base body, in particular by a detachable connection. The first functional element is provided at least for a plug-in connection with the end cap base body. The first functional element can, alternatively or additionally, be designed for a clip-on connection with the end cap base body. Preferably, the other functional element is provided for at least a plug-in connection with the end cap base body. The other functional element can be designed for a clip-on connection with the end cap base body.This allows the end cap base body to be advantageously secured.

[0024] According to another characteristic, the functional element which comprises at least one channel, is fixed between the functional element comprising the elastic rail housing and the base body of the end cap.

[0025] Preferably, the functional element which comprises at least one channel is connected by a plug-in connection to the wiper blade unit and / or to the deflector unit. Preferably, the functional element which comprises at least one channel is centered in the end cap base body, in particular, for operation. This provides the advantage of a stable orientation of the channels, in particular on the liquid dispensing orifices.

[0026] According to another feature, the end cap base body and the functional element which comprises the elastic rail housing respectively comprise at least one fastening spacer for fastening the functional element which has at least one channel. Preferably, the channel is tubular in shape. Preferably, the channel is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wiper blade. Preferably, the end cap base body is oriented towards the channel with at least one fastening spacer. Preferably, the fastening spacer (at least one fastening spacer) of the end cap base body is applied in the operating position against the liquid channel, in particular of which the functional element comprises the channel. The functional element comprising the elastic rail housing for each channel is constituted by at least one fastening rib.

[0027] Preferably, the fastening rib or spacer of the end cap base body, in the operating state, bears against a liquid channel, in particular the functional element provided with the liquid channel. Preferably, at least one fastening rib of the functional element is aligned with the fastening rib of the end cap base body. Preferably, at least one fastening rib of the functional element and at least one fastening rib of the end cap base body fix the functional element provided with the channel, in particular the channel on the respective opposite sides.

[0028] Preferably, at least one functional element comprising the channel is fixed between at least one fixing spacer of the functional element comprising the elastic rail housing and at least one fixing rib of the end cap base body. Preferably, the functional element provided with the elastic rail housing comprises, for each channel, two fixing spacers which fix the channel to different segments along the periphery. The advantage of a regular fixing of the functional element which comprises at least one liquid channel is achieved.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides a windshield wiper blade system with at least one wiper blade unit, at least one elastic rail, at least one unit of deflector and at least one wiper blade device. The wiper blade system is in particular implemented as a complete wiper blade. Preferably, the wiper blade system comprises at least one wiper blade adapter pivotally connected to the wiper arm by the wiper blade system in particular around a pivot axis connected to the wiper arm. The wiper blade offers the advantage of components being tuned to one another, in particular the cost. A wiper blade is obtained having components advantageously tuned to one another. In particular, the wiper blade can be pre-assembled, in particular the end cap base body can always remain connected to the wiper blade system. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of examples of wiper blade devices shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig.l] schematic representation of a windscreen wiper blade system according to the invention comprising a windscreen wiper blade device according to the invention connected to a windscreen wiper arm,

[0032] [Fig.2] schematic representation of the windscreen wiper blade device according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.3] schematic sectional view along section plane III-III of [Fig.l] of a variant of the windscreen wiper blade device according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.4] schematic sectional view along section plane III-III of [Fig.l] of a variant of the windscreen wiper blade device according to the invention.

[0035] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] [Fig.l] shows a wiper blade system 50a connected to a wiper arm 52a. The wiper blade system 50a is notably implemented as a wiper blade assembly.

[0037] The wiper arm 52a comprises an electrical line, in particular made in part by a cable. The electrical line is provided with a connector for connecting the heating elements of the wiper blade system 50a to an electrical interface. The wiper arm 52a comprises a liquid line, in particular made in part by a pipe. The liquid line has a connector for being coupled to liquid lines of the wiper blade system 50.

[0038] The wiper blade system 50a comprises two elastic rails. The wiper blade system 50a comprises a wiper blade unit 54a. The wiper blade system 50a comprises a deflector unit composed in particular of two deflector elements 56a, 56a'. The wiper blade system 50a has four heating elements.

[0039] The wiper blade system 50a comprises a wiper blade adapter 58a. The wiper blade adapter 58a is provided for connecting the wiper arm 52a to the wiper blade system 50a, in particular to the wiper blade by a mechanical connection, a fluid connection and an electrical connection. The wiper blade adapter 58a connects the liquid lines of the deflector unit to the liquid line of the wiper arm 52a. The liquid lines of the deflector unit extend along the longitudinal axis 56a of the wiper blade system 50a over the entire deflector unit. The wiper blade system 50a comprises a wiper blade device 10a. The wiper blade device 10a is provided at the ends of the wiper blade system 50a, along the longitudinal axis 60a of the wiper blade system 50a.

[0040] The wiper blade device 10a comprises two end caps 12a, 12a'. The two end caps 12a, 12a' terminate the wiper blade, in particular the wiper blade system 50a.

[0041] The end caps 12a, 12a' of the wiper blade each have an end cap base body 14a, 14a' which forms the outer surface of the wiper blade cap 12a, 12a' (see [Fig. 2]). The end cap base bodies 14a, 14a' in particular have in part a deflector geometry. The end cap base bodies 14a, 14a' are in particular shaped to surround a respective deflector element 56a, 56a' at the end of the longitudinal axis 60a of the outer contour of the deflector element 56a, 56a', in particular in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60a.

[0042] [Fig. 2] shows, for example, a wiper blade end cap 12a, in particular an end cap base body 14a for terminating or closing one side of the wiper blade system 50a. The other side of the wiper blade system 50a is terminated by a wiper blade end cap 12a', corresponding in particular to the end cap base body 14a' in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60a or to the longitudinal axis 16a of the wiper blade end cap 12a according to a plane symmetry. The description of the wiper blade end cap 12a is correspondingly transposed to the wiper blade end cap 12a'.

[0043] The wiper blade end cap 12a has an end cap insert 18a separable from the base body 14a of the end cap. The end cap insert 18a has an elastic rail housing 20a for connection to the elastic rails of the wiper blade, in particular of the wiper blade system 50a. The elastic rail housing 20a is provided on the side of the cap end cap 12a opposite the deflector side 22a when the end cap base body 14a is connected to the end cap insert 18a. The deflector side 22a is formed by a concave outer surface which deflects the wind by using the wind force in a targeted manner. The elastic rail housing 20a accommodates two elastic rails. The elastic rail housing 20a can, according to the same development, accommodate only one elastic rail.

[0044] The end cap base body 14a has an outer wall 26a which delimits the end cap cavity 28a. The end cap insert 18a, in the operating state of the wiper blade device 30a, is completely housed in the end cap cavity 28a. The wiper blade end cap 12a comprises two channels 30a, 30a'. The channels 30, 30a' are formed in one piece with the end cap base body 14a. The channels 30a, 30a' are largely mounted in the end cap cavity 28a. The channels 30a, 30a' may partially protrude, in particular along the longitudinal axis 16a, from the cavity 28a of the end cap to enable a plug-in connection with the lines in the deflector unit. The two channels 30a, 30a' are connected by a plate-shaped connecting element 32a.The connecting element 32a of the channels is made in one piece with the base body 14a of the end cap.

[0045] The end cap insert 18a and the end cap base body 14a are connected to each other by a clip-on connection. The end cap insert 18a has a clip-on element 24a, in particular with two-sided clip-on hooks provided on the side of the end cap insert 18a opposite the elastic rail receptacle 20a. The end cap base body 14a has a hooking recess 48a, which is in particular on the channel connecting element 32a.

[0046] In the operating position of the wiper blade system 50a, in particular in the connected state of the end cap base body 14a, the end cap insert 18a is applied against three of the spaced-apart sides of the end cap base body 14a. In particular, the end cap insert 18a, in the operating position of the wiper blade system 50a, is connected to the elastic rails of the wiper blade system 50a. In particular, the end cap base body 14a in the operating position of the wiper blade system 50a is hooked onto the end cap insert 18a. In particular, the end cap base body 14a, in the operating position, is connected by the channels 30a, 30a' to the deflector unit, in particular to the liquid lines of the deflector unit. The end cap insert 18a in the operating position is plane symmetrical with respect to a plane along the longitudinal axis 16a of the wiper blade end cap 12a.

[0047] The channels 30a, 30a' respectively have two liquid distribution elements 34a, 34a' respectively having a liquid distribution orifice 36a, 36a' for distributing a liquid.

[0048] Figures 3 and 4 each show another embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions and the drawings are mainly limited to the differences between the embodiments and, preferably, for components bearing the same reference, reference will in principle be made to the drawings and / or the description of the other embodiments, in particular to Figures 1 and 2. To distinguish the embodiments, the suffix a of the references Figures 1 and 2 is replaced by the suffix b in Figures 3 and 4.

[0049] [Fig. 3] shows a variant of a wiper blade device 10b. The wiper blade device 10b comprises a wiper blade end cap 12b, in particular in two parts. The wiper blade end cap 12b comprises an end cap base body 14b. The wiper blade end cap 12b comprises an end cap insert 18b. The end cap insert 18b comprises an elastic rail housing 20b.

[0050] The end cap base body 14b is formed in one piece with two channels 30b, 30b' of the wiper blade end cap 12b. The channels 30b, 30b' are formed free from the channel connecting element, in the form of a plate connecting the channels 30b, 30b'. The channels 30b, 30b' do not have any fluid channel connecting elements, in particular in the form of a plate provided between two channels 30b, 30b' and which would connect the channels 30b, 30b'.

[0051] The end cap insert 18b is connected by adhesive bonding to the end cap base body 14b. In particular, the end cap base body 14b does not have a hooking element or a recess for a hooking element. In particular, the end cap insert 18b does not have a hooking element or a hooking recess.

[0052] The end cap insert 18b comprises two fixing spacers 38b, 38b', 40b, 40b' to achieve the fixing, in particular the support of each time one of the channels 30b, 30b'.

[0053] [Fig.4] shows a variant of the wiper blade device 10cv. The wiper blade device 10c comprises, in particular, a three-part wiper blade end cap 12b. The wiper blade end cap 12c comprises an end cap base body 14c. The wiper blade end cap 12c comprises an end cap insert 18c. The end cap insert 18c is made in two parts. The end cap insert 18c has two functional elements 42c, 44c which separate from each other.

[0054] One of the functional elements 42c comprises an elastic rail housing 20c. The other functional element 44c comprises two channels 46c, 46c'. One of the functional elements 42c, 44c provides a driving function and a liquid distribution function. One of the functional elements 42c, 44c provides a function of connecting the elastic rails.

[0055] The end cap insert 18c, in particular the two functional elements 42c, 44c, in the operating state of the wiper blade device 10 is completely located in an end cap cavity 28c.

[0056] The functional element 44c which comprises the channels 46c, 46c' is fixed between the functional element 44c which comprises the elastic rail housing 20c and the end cap base body 14c in particular in the operating state of the wiper blade device 10c.

[0057] The functional element 44c which comprises the channels 46c, 46c' has a channel connector 32c rigidly connecting the channels 46c, 46c'. The channels 46c, 46c' respectively have a liquid distribution orifice 36c, 36c'.

[0058] The two functional elements 42c, 44c are respectively connected to the end cap base body 14c in particular by a plug-in connection and / or an adhesive connection. In operation of the wiper blade device 10c, the two functional elements 42c, 44c are respectively connected to the end cap base body 14c, in particular by an adhesive connection.

[0059] The two functional elements 42c, 44c can be connected to each other by a clip-on connection. The functional element 42c which comprises the elastic rail housing 20c has a hooking element 24c, in particular a two-sided hook provided on the side of the functional element 42c opposite the elastic rail housing 20c.

[0060] The functional element 44c which comprises the channels 46c, 46c' has a hooking or clipping recess 48c which is provided in particular on the channel connection element 32c of the functional element 44c comprising in particular the channels 46c, 46c'.

[0061] The end cap base body 14c has two fastening spacers 64c, 64c' for fastening the functional element 44c which comprises at least one channel 46c, 46c'. The two fastening spacers 64c, 64c' in the operating position, bear against the channels 46c, 46c'. The functional element 42c comprising the elastic rail housing 20c has four fastening spacers 62c, 62c', 62c”, 62c'” for fastening the functional element 44c comprising at least one channel 46c, 46c'. The four fixing spacers 62c, 62c', 62c”, 62c'” are applied against the channels 46c, 46c', in the operating position.

[0062] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0063] (This nomenclature is limited to numerical references without accessory elements and suffixes)

[0064] 12 Wiper blade end cap

[0065] 14 Base body of the end cap

[0066] 18 End Cap Insert

[0067] 22 Deflector side

[0068] 24 Hanging element

[0069] 28 End cap cavity

[0070] 30 Channel

[0071] 32 Channel connecting element

[0072] 34 Liquid distribution element

[0073] 36 Liquid dispensing orifice

[0074] 38 Fixing spacer

[0075] 40 Fixing spacer

[0076] 42 Functional element

[0077] 44 Functional element

[0078] 46 Channel

[0079] 48 Hanging recess

[0080] 50 Windshield wiper blade system

[0081] 52 Windshield wiper arm

[0082] 54 Wiper blade unit

[0083] 56 Deflector element

[0084] 58 Wiper blade adapter

[0085] 60 Longitudinal axis of the wiper blade system

[0086] 62 Fixing spacer

[0087] 64 Fixing spacer

Claims

Claims

1. A wiper blade device having at least one cap (12a, 12a', 12b, 12c) for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body (14a, 14a', 14b, 14c) forming the outer surface of the cap (12a, 12a', 12b, 12c), the base body corresponding in particular at least partially to a deflector geometry, and the cap (12a, 12a', 12b, 12c) having at least one end cap insert (18a, 18b, 18c) separable from the end cap base body (14a, 14a', 14b, 14c), and having a spring rail receptacle (20a, 20b, 20c) for connection to the spring rail of the wiper blade wiper blade, characterized in that - at least one end cap insert (18c, 18c') comprises at least two functional elements (42c, 44c) separable from each other, - one of the functional elements (42c, 44c) comprises the housing of elastic rails (20c) and at least one other functional element (42c, 44c) has a channel (46c,46c') and the functional element (42c, 44c) which comprises the channel (46c, 46c') is fixed between the functional element (42c) comprising the elastic rail housing (20c) and the end cap base body (14c).,

2. Wiper blade device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end cap insert (18a, 18a') and the end cap base body (14a, 14a') are connected to each other by a clip-on connection.

3. Wiper blade device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wiper blade end cap (12a, 12a', 12b) has at least one channel (30a, 30a', 30b, 30b') in one piece with the base body (14a, 14a', 14b) or with the end cap insert (18a, 18a', 18b).

4. Windscreen wiper blade device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least two functional elements (42c, 44c) are connected to each other by a clip-on connection.

5. A wiper blade device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two functional elements (42c, 44c) are respectively connected to the end cap base body (14c).

6. Windscreen wiper blade device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end cap base body (14c) and the functional element (42c) having the elastic rail housing (20c), respectively have at least one fixing spacer (62c, 62c', 62c”, 62c'”, 64c, 64c') for fixing the functional element (44c) comprising at least one channel (46c, 46c').

7. A wiper blade system comprising at least one wiper blade unit (54a, 54b, 54c) having at least one elastic rail with at least one deflector unit and at least one wiper blade device (10a, 10b, 10c) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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