Windshield wiper assembly with a deflector unit equipped with a heating element

Abstract

TITLE: Windshield wiper assembly with a deflector unit equipped with a heating element. Windshield wiper assembly (12) comprising a deflector unit (38) equipped with at least one deflector element (40). The deflector unit (38) includes a heating element (42) installed so as to lie practically flat against at least one deflector element (40). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper device with a deflector unit equipped with a heating element FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device comprising a deflector unit with at least one deflector element. STATE OF THE ART

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

[0003] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device comprising a deflector unit equipped with at least one deflector element, this device being characterized in that the deflector unit comprises at least one heating element installed so as to apply practically flat against at least one deflector element.

[0005] A "wiper assembly" in this context refers to at least a part, in particular a subset, of a wiper blade, especially a windshield wiper blade and advantageously a vehicle windshield wiper blade. In particular, the wiper assembly may also refer to the entire wiper blade. The wiper assembly is at least a part of a wiper blade of so-called flat beam construction and / or at least a part of a flat beam wiper.

[0006] Preferably, the wiper assembly is intended for a vehicle to clean a surface, in particular a vehicle window. Specifically, the wiper assembly is coupled to the vehicle, in particular to the vehicle's wiper arm, to clean the window.

[0007] The expression "designed for" means that it is a means specifically designed, installed, or equipped to perform a certain function. The fact that an object is designed for a specific function means that the object performs that function in a particular application and / or operating state. The expression "operating state" in this context refers to a state in which the windshield wiper device is ready to operate to wipe a vehicle window and make advantageous contact with the window.

[0008] In particular, the deflector unit, in particular with at least one deflector element, uses the airflow acting on the wiper device, in particular the circulating wind, to deflect it and / or to press the wiper blade against the surface to be wiped.

[0009] Preferably, the deflector element is partly made of rubber and / or at least semi-elastic material.

[0010] Preferably, the deflector element has a concave attack surface. The deflector unit, in its operating position, extends over a portion, preferably a large portion, of the wiper arm assembly. The deflector element in its operating position occupies, for example, at least 20%, advantageously more than 25%, and particularly advantageously at least more than 30%, preferably at least more than 35%, and particularly preferably more than 40% of the deflector unit's extension.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous way, the wiper device includes a fluidic unit for conducting a liquid, in particular cleaning water. Preferably, the fluidic unit has at least one channel. The channel is provided on the deflector element. The channel is at least partially formed by the deflector element, specifically delimited by the deflector element. It is also possible to consider manufacturing the channel differently from the deflector element, for example, in the form of a pipe, and to attach the channel to the deflector element in a removable manner. Furthermore, it is possible to consider that the main axis of extension of the liquid channel extends at least practically parallel to the main axis of extension of the heating element and / or the main axis of extension of the deflector element. In particular, the channel is made in one piece with the deflector element.

[0012] The expression "main extension axis" of a component is the axis parallel to the largest lateral surface of the smallest parallelepiped that closely encloses the component.

[0013] The deflector unit comprises a set of heating elements. Each heating element converts the energy it receives, in particular electrical energy, into heat. The heating element is in the form of an electrical resistor. The heating element is, for example, a heating wire and / or a heating film and / or a conductive heating ceramic and / or, in particular, a heating paste. In particular, the heating element is a flexible heating element that is preferably repeatedly deformable without being damaged mechanically and / or electrically.

[0014] The wiper device includes at least one elastic rail and a heating element is installed so that its main axis of extension is at least practically parallel to the main axis of extension of the elastic rail.

[0015] According to one feature, the wiper assembly comprises a set of heating elements, for example, two, three, or four heating elements. Advantageously, the heating element raises the wiper blade of the wiper assembly to a temperature that enables wiping, in particular a The temperature at which the flexibility of the wiping lip's rubber allows for wiping optimizes this operation. This makes it possible to clean the vehicle's windshield, particularly at outside temperatures below 0°C and / or below the freezing point of water, to accelerate and / or improve the cleaning process.

[0016] Preferably, the deflector unit, and in particular a deflector element, comprises at least one receiving area for a heating element. This heating element is applied practically flat within the receiving area. A receiving area can also be considered in the form of a bearing surface and / or a groove or similar shape, particularly if the deflector unit is manufactured with the heating unit in the same manufacturing step, especially if it is formed; the receiving area could be a spatial constraint for the heating element. The receiving area delimits the heating element on at least one side. It can also be considered that the receiving area of ​​the deflector element delimits, for example, the heating element on two or three sides.

[0017] The expression "at least practically" means in the present context that the deviation from a predetermined value is in particular less than 25%, preferably less than 10% and in a particularly preferential manner less than 5% of the predetermined value.

[0018] The embodiment of the wiper blade device according to the invention provides particularly advantageous manufacturing properties for the wiper blade device. In particular, it allows for advantageously efficient manufacturing, notably reduced manufacturing time and / or advantageous manufacturing cost, especially if, during the manufacture of the wiper blade device, the wiper blade adapter is welded to an elastic rail of the wiper blade device, thus avoiding damage to the heating element. Furthermore, it is possible to retain at least the existing manufacturing step and / or the assembly step and / or, in a particularly advantageous manner, an existing manufacturing process without requiring significant modifications, and preferably without any modifications.Thus, the implementation of the windshield wiper device according to the invention allows one to benefit from the particularly advantageous properties of manufacturing efficiency.

[0019] According to another feature, the heating element has, along the longitudinal axis of the deflector unit, a greater extent than that unit. In particular, the total length along the longitudinal axis of the heating element in the installed state is greater than the total length along the longitudinal axis of all parts of the deflector unit. It can be envisaged that at least one heating element has a length greater than that of the deflector unit, along the longitudinal axis of the deflector unit, for example, by at least 5%, and advantageously by at least 10%, in a particularly advantageous manner, of at least 15% and preferably of at least 20%, and in a particularly preferential manner, of at least 25%. This allows for a particularly simple implementation. Moreover, the advantageous properties will benefit the heating system.

[0020] According to another feature, the deflector unit comprises at least two deflector elements, and at least one heating element is applied practically flat against the two deflector elements. In particular, the heating element is applied continuously flat along the two deflector elements. Alternatively, at least two deflector elements may be made, at least practically and advantageously, completely identical. Alternatively, the two deflector elements may have a difference in longitudinal extent and / or profile geometry. Preferably, the two deflector elements have identical profile geometry. This results in advantageous wind deflection properties. Furthermore, such an embodiment allows for economical manufacturing.In particular, since the heating element is applied flat over at least two deflector elements, another heating element is avoided, thus improving the efficiency of the wiper system.

[0021] According to another feature, the two deflector elements are spaced apart. For example, the two deflector elements in the installed state have a gap of at least 20 mm, advantageously at least 25 mm, particularly advantageously at least 30 mm, preferably at least 40 mm, and particularly preferably at least 50 mm. A wiper assembly comprising a wiper blade adapter between the two deflector elements could also be considered.The term "wiper blade adapter" in this context refers to an adapter having a contact area with a wiper blade component to which it is permanently connected. This adapter is designed to form a coupling zone for the wiper blade component, enabling coupling and / or contact with another component, such as a wiper arm adapter, on a surface to be cleaned, such as a vehicle window. The wiper blade adapter and the wiper arm adapter are connected within the wiper assembly, preferably to a vehicle, specifically to a vehicle wiper arm. This results in particularly advantageous manufacturing properties. In particular, such an embodiment allows the wiper blade adapter to be mounted between the two deflector elements.This design results in a heating element, preferably flexible, freely applied to the gap between the two deflector elements.

[0022] According to another feature, the heating element is connected to at least two deflector elements in a plane of heating elements. The fact that at least one The first element being "connected" to at least one other element means that the first element is advantageously connected to the other element by a forceful connection and / or at least one connection by form. This connection is made, for example, by riveting and / or clipping and / or a groove and groove connection and / or a bonded connection and / or a clipped connection and / or a push-fit connection and / or any other suitable connection and / or a material connection with the other element; this can be achieved by a welding, bonding, injection molding and / or extrusion process, in particular a co-extrusion process and / or any other technically advantageous process. The term "heating element plane" in this context refers to a plane that largely encompasses the heating element in its installed state, and in particular the segments of the heating element that lie flat against the two deflector elements.This design allows for particularly simple manufacturing, notably by enabling the heating element to be connected to the two deflector elements in a single assembly step, resulting in a particularly advantageous efficiency. Alternatively, the heating element can be connected to at least two deflector elements in a similar assembly step, which also results in a particularly advantageous efficiency.

[0023] According to another feature, the heating element is at least largely located in the plane of the heating element and has a median zone in which the heating element is at least partially offset from the plane. Preferably, the median zone, considered in the longitudinal direction, is located between two deflecting elements. This embodiment allows for a particularly simple assembly. In particular, the heating element can pass freely through the median zone to cover the gap between the two deflecting elements. Thus, the heating element is located in a plane, in the median zone, which is offset from the plane of the heating element, notably being parallel to that plane.In particular, the median zone has an extension along the longitudinal direction of the heating element that is, for example, at least 10 mm, advantageously at least 20 mm, and particularly advantageously at least 30 mm, exceptionally advantageously 40 mm, and preferably at least 50 mm. The median zone also has an extension along the longitudinal direction of the heating element that is, for example, less than 100 mm, preferably less than 90 mm, particularly less than 80 mm, preferably less than 70 mm, and particularly preferentially less than 60 mm. The median zone has an extension along the longitudinal direction of the heating element that is at least practically the same as the comparable extension of the wiper blade adapter.

[0024] According to another feature, the deflector unit has an interface element by which the heating element is connected, at least largely, outside the largest plane of the heating element, in particular by an electrical connection. The largest part of the plane of the heating element is the plane in which the large portion of the heating element lies, which is notably flat by being connected to at least one deflector element. This means that the interface element is connected to the heating element in a plane that is not contained within the largest plane of the heating element. The interface element is connected to the heating element completely outside the largest plane of the heating element.This preferably refers to an interface element for an electrical interface element, for example, an electrical connector with a power supply line, in particular the interface element is intended for the power supply and / or control of a heating element. Such an embodiment has an advantageous connection, in particular an electrical connection that allows the wiper blade adapter and / or the wiper arm adapter to be pivoted relative to the wiper blade adapter. An electrical connection to the end caps of the wiper blade assembly can also be envisaged using the interface element; the interface element is, for example, connected practically midway in the area of ​​a wiper blade adapter of the wiper blade assembly or, for example, laterally in the area of ​​an end cap of the wiper blade assembly.

[0025] According to another feature, the deflector unit includes a housing for an elastic rail, and at least one heating element is connected in parallel to the elastic rail plane of the housing to the deflector unit. This ensures a high degree of stability. Furthermore, at least one elastic rail housing, and advantageously at least one elastic rail, are preferably heated evenly. In particular, at cold temperatures, especially in winter, this guarantees good wiping performance. Specifically, the spring housing receives at least one elastic rail from the wiper blade. The elastic rail housing is, for example, a channel and / or a groove or a similar means for receiving at least part of an elastic rail. Preferably, the elastic rail housing surrounds the elastic rail over at least a significant portion of its main length.Preferably, the wiping blade has two elastic rail housings in the form of lateral recesses which each partially receive at least one elastic rail.

[0026] Alternatively or in addition, the wiping blade includes a flexible rail housing in the form of a flexible rail channel that fully receives at least one flexible rail. A flexible rail housing connects the deflector unit to at least one flexible rail. The dimensions of the flexible rail housing are adapted to the shape and size of at least one flexible rail. Advantageously, the wiping blade is connected by a The connection by form, in particular a connection by force to the elastic rail. The term "elastic rail" in this context refers to a macroscopic element whose extension, in a normal operating state and / or in the mounted state, can vary by at least 10%, in particular by at least 20%, preferably by at least 40%, and, particularly advantageously, by at least 50%, through an elastic variation; in particular, the variation in extension depends on and preferably generates an opposing force proportional to the variation and acting against the variation. Preferably, the elastic rail is at least partly made of metal. Alternatively, or in addition, the elastic rail is at least partly made of plastic, a composite material, or any other technically advantageous material. Preferably, the elastic rail is at least partly made of spring steel.The elastic rail, in its stressed state, essentially has the shape of a curved rod, and, particularly advantageously, its shape is that of a flattened, curved rod. The elastic rail can be in one or more parts.

[0027] According to another feature, the deflector unit has a windward side for deflecting the wind in a directed manner and at least one heating element on the side not facing the wind, in particular, the inner side, with a deflector unit. In particular, the heating element is connected on the side of the deflector unit opposite the windward side. In particular, a heating element is provided between the windward side of the deflector unit and the wiper blade of the wiper assembly, which makes it possible to obtain particularly advantageous properties for heating the entire wiper assembly.

[0028] The economic efficiency and / or properties will be particularly advantageous for the freedom of assembly with a wiper blade having an elastic rail and the wiper blade device.

[0029] The invention also relates to a method of mounting a windshield wiper device with a deflector unit having at least one deflector element.

[0030] According to one feature, the deflector unit comprises at least one heating element applied practically flat against the deflector element in at least one assembly step. This allows for a particularly simple and efficient implementation of the wiper assembly. Furthermore, it prevents any damage to the heating element during assembly. Alternatively, the deflector unit can be constructed having at least one deflector element and at least one heating element produced by separate manufacturing steps, with at least one heating element applied, practically flat against the deflector element of the deflector unit, during a subsequent assembly step. Alternatively, the deflector unit could also be constructed with at least one deflector element and at least the heating element in a common manufacturing step such as, for example, co-extrusion; this is done in particular by having at least one heating element applied during the common manufacturing step, in particular, during co-extrusion for a practically flat application against the deflector element of the deflector unit. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples of windshield wiper devices shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] wiper blade equipped with a wiper blade device in the installed on the vehicle,

[0033] [Fig.2] Cross-sectional view of a portion of the wiper assembly equipped with a deflector unit,

[0034] [Fig.3] another step of cutting a part of the wiper blade device with two elastic rails,

[0035] [Fig.4] part of the wiper blade assembly equipped with a heating element represented by a perspective view,

[0036] [Fig.5] part of the wiper assembly equipped with an interface element shown in perspective,

[0037] [Fig.6] Flowchart of a method for assembling the wiper blade device.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS

[0039] Figure 1 shows a windshield wiper 10 fitted to a motor vehicle 11. The vehicle has a window 22, in particular a windshield equipped with the windshield wiper 10 for cleaning. However, the windshield wiper 10 can also be used to clean another window of the vehicle 11.

[0040] The windshield wiper 10 includes a wiper blade device 12 equipped with a wiper blade 14 which, in the example shown, has a wiper blade adapter 16 and a wiper arm 18; This includes a wiper arm adapter 20. The wiper blade assembly 12 is pivotally mounted, in particular, by the wiper arm 18 at the outer edge of the window 22. The wiper arm 18 is permanently mounted on the vehicle 11. The wiper blade 14, in particular the wiping blade 24 of the wiper blade 14, has a contact area with the window 22. The wiper blade 14 is designed to be connected to the wiper arm 18 and / or to the adapter 20 of the wiper arm 18. The wiper arm adapter 20 has a contact area with the wiper arm 18 by being connected to the wiper arm 18. Preferably, the wiper arm adapter glass 22 is intended to have a wiper arm coupling area 18 for coupling and / or contacting with the wiper blade adapter 16.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a portion of the wiper assembly 12 in a cross-sectional view. The wiper assembly 12 comprises a deflector unit 38. The deflector unit 38 has a wind-exposed side 32 designed to deflect the wind in a directed manner. The deflector unit 38 in the embodiment shown comprises two deflector elements 40. The two deflector elements 40 are installed, spaced apart from each other in the mounted state (see further Figures 4 and 5).

[0042] The deflector unit 38 includes a heating element 42. The heating element 42 is applied flat against the two deflector elements 40. The heating element 42 has, on the side opposite the windward side 32, which is in particular the inner side 34, a flat mounting against the deflector element 40. The heating element 42 is provided on the surface of the deflector element 40. The heating element 42 is connected to the deflector unit 38 on the side not exposed to the wind 32, which is in particular the inner side 34. In the mounted state of the wiper assembly 12, the heating element 42 is located in the non-visible area of ​​the deflector unit 38.

[0043] The heating element 42 is a flexible heating element. The heating element 42 is designed, for example, to be able to flex without being damaged during a wiping operation. The heating element 32 is a thin film that can be glued. The heating element 42 in the example shown is provided on the side of the deflector element 40 opposite the windward side 32; the deflector element is, in particular, glued to the inner side 34. The section shown illustrates the heating element 42 glued in the middle on the inner side 34; it is also possible for the heating element 42 to be glued laterally to the arm of the deflector element 40 provided on the inner side 34.

[0044] The deflector unit 38 includes a housing for elastic rails 28 (see [Fig. 3]). The wiper blade assembly 12 has two elastic rails 36. The elastic rail housing 28 is designed to receive the elastic rail 36 of the wiper blade 18. The elastic rail housing 28 is located along a plane of the elastic rail 30 of the elastic rail housing 28. The heating element 42 is parallel to the plane 30 of the elastic rail receptacle 28. The heating element 42 is parallel to the plane of the elastic rail 30 of the housing 28, being connected to the deflector unit 38. In its installed state, the heating element 42 heats the deflector element 40 and / or the wiper blade 24 and / or the elastic rail 36 and / or protects them from freezing.

[0045] Along the longitudinal axis 44 of the deflector unit 38, the heating element 42 has a greater extension than the deflector unit 38; the total length of the heating element 42 along the longitudinal axis 44 of the deflector unit 38 is greater than the total length of all parts of the deflector unit 38, especially for a shorter total length.

[0046] The heating element 32 extends largely in a plane of heating element 46. The heating element 42 extends in most of the largest plane of heating element 46. The heating element 42 is connected to the two deflector elements 40 in the plane 46 of the heating element.

[0047] The heating element has a median zone 48. In the median zone 48, the heating element 42 is offset from the plane 46 of the heating element. The heating element 42 is in the median zone 48 outside the plane 46. The heating element 42 is offset in the median plane 48 towards the windward side 32 and in a direction opposite to the inner direction 34 outside the plane of the heating element 46. When mounted on the vehicle 11, the heating element 42 is curved in the median zone 48 of the window 22 of the vehicle 11, in the opposite direction to that of the heating element 46.

[0048] The deflector unit 38 includes an interface element 26 (see further [Fig. 5]). In the example shown, the interface element 26 is in the form of a connector. The interface element 26 is intended at least to provide the power supply to the heating element 42. For this purpose, the deflector unit 38 includes, in particular, the heating element 42 on one side of the central area 48 of the heating element 42 with electrical contact points. The contact points are intended to be electrically connected to the interface element 26 in the form of a connector. The interface element 26 with the heating element 42 is partially outside the largest plane of the heating element 46 in the example shown, with two electrical lines providing electrical contact with the contact points.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a process without the assembly of the wiper blade device 12. The process 100 of the example embodiment presented has at least one assembly step 102 as well as another assembly step 104.

[0050] In the first assembly step 102, the wiper blade device 12 is supplied with the deflector unit 38 comprising two deflector elements 40. In the assembly step 104, the heating element 42 of the deflector unit 38 is applied against at least one deflector element 40 by a flat application.

[0051] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0052] 10 Windshield wiper

[0053] 11 Vehicle

[0054] 12 wiper blade device

[0055] 14 Windshield wiper blade

[0056] 16 Wiper blade adapter

[0057] 18 Windshield wiper arm

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064]

[0065]

[0066] 20 Wiper arm adapter 22 Windscreen 24 Wiper blade 28 Elastic rail housing 30 Elastic rail plane 32 Windward side 38 Deflector unit 40 Deflector element 42 Heating element

Claims

Demands

1. Wiper device (12) comprising a deflector unit (38) having at least one deflector element (40), comprising at least one heating element (42) installed so as to apply practically flat against at least one deflector element (40), and the heating element (42) has, along the longitudinal axis (44) of the deflector unit (38), a greater extension than the deflector unit (38); characterized in that the heating element (42) extends largely in a heating element plane (46) and in a median area (48) in which the heating element (42) is partially offset from the heating element plane (46).

2. Wiper device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflector unit (38) comprises at least two deflector elements (40) and at least one heating element (42) is applied practically flat against the two deflector elements (40).

3. Wiper blade device (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the two deflector elements (40) are separated from each other.

4. Wiper blade device (12) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the heating element (42) is connected in a heating element plane (46) to the two deflector elements (40).

5. Wiper blade device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector unit (38) comprises an interface element (26) connected to the heating element (42) at least partially outside a large heating element plane (46).

6. A windshield wiper device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector unit (38) comprises a housing for an elastic rail (28) and at least one heating element (42) is connected parallel to the elastic rail plan (30) of the elastic rail housing (28) to the deflector unit (38).

7. Wiper device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector unit (38) has a deflector side (32) for deflecting the wind and at least one heating element (42) on the side opposite the windward side (32), in particular the inner side (34) connected to the deflector unit (38).

8. Wiper blade (14) comprising an elastic rail (36) and a wiper blade device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Method (100) of mounting a wiper device (12), in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 6, with a deflector unit (38) having at least one deflector element (40), method characterized in that the deflector unit (38) comprises at least one heating element (42) applied practically flat in an assembly step (104) against at least one deflector element (40).

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