Wiper blade profile and wiper system thus equipped, and method for managing it

Abstract

TITLE: Wiper blade profile and wiper system thus equipped and method for managing it. Wiping rubber profile for a wiper blade comprising a wiping lip (26) for contacting the surface to be cleaned (60), and having a first material, in particular an elastomer. In the area of ​​the wiping lip (26), a second fluorescent material, in particular an elastomer, is provided, and the cross-section of the elastomer wiping profile (20) is surrounded on all sides by a first material, and the first and second materials are co-extruded to form the wiping blade profile (20). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade profile and windshield wiper system equipped therewith and method of managing the same FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade profile as well as a windshield wiper system comprising such a profile and a method of operating the latter. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Windshield wiper blades are usually made of elastomers. The use of elastomers makes it possible, on the one hand, to adapt the wiper blades to the contour of the windshield of a motor vehicle and, on the other hand, to have sufficient elasticity under different temperature conditions.

[0003] However, such elastomers have a relatively high coefficient of friction on the surface to be cleaned, for example glass, so that frequently an application force multiplied by the horizontal movement of the wiper blade must be exerted. In addition, the wiping quality of the UV light acting on the wiper blade deteriorates due to the ultraviolet radiation to which the wiper blade is exposed or environmental influences and due to wear due to friction. As a result, the wiper blades must be replaced relatively frequently.

[0004] In order to have the appropriate time for replacing the wiper blades, it is known, for example, according to DE-T 699 22 410, to provide an aging indicator which is installed as an indicator on the wiper and contains a substance based on an Azo bond whose sensitivity to chemical and physical conditions as well as to mechanical stresses is comparable to the characteristics of the elastomers from which the wiper blades are made. Due to the variation in color of the aging indicator, it is recognized that the wiper blade must be replaced.

[0005] Display devices which, by changing color or other optical modifications, indicate that the wiper blade must be replaced, are for example described in documents DE-T 699 25 738 or US 5,349,718. The color variation comes for example from the influence of water or ultraviolet radiation.

[0006] A coating used to detect wear is known from US 2,971,209. The coating has a different color than the core of the wiper blade. As soon as the coating is removed by wear and the different colored core appears, this indicates that the wiper blade must be changed.

[0007] Furthermore, according to document DE 10 2009 026 441 Al, a broom is known windscreen wiper comprising a wiping blade having a rough surface on which a coating of a flexible material is applied. Furthermore, according to document 10 2010 032 868 A1, a windscreen wiper blade having a phosphorescent or reflective coating is known. Furthermore, according to document DE 10 2006 023 545 A1, a wiping lip is known whose core is surrounded by a material of another color which appears as soon as the surface of the wiping lip is removed by abrasion.

[0008] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention relates to a wiping rubber profile for a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiping lip for contacting the surface to be cleaned, and having a first material, in particular an elastomer. The profile being characterized in that it is provided at least in the area of ​​the wiping lip, a second fluorescent material, in particular an elastomer, and the section of the elastomer wiping profile is surrounded on all sides by a first material and the first and second materials are coextruded to produce the wiper blade profile.

[0010] The wiper blade profile according to the invention comprises a lip which serves to clean the surface and which is made of a different elastomeric material than the first. At least the wiper lip comprises a second material which is also elastomeric and which, with respect to the section of the wiper blade profile, is surrounded on all sides by the first material. Thus the first and second materials are coextruded to generate the wiper blade profile. The second material is fluorescent.

[0011] The particular advantage of this feature is that the wiper blade profile according to the invention, due to the first material, has a wiping image of sufficient quality at least in the area of ​​the wiper lip. Depending on the progress of the abrasion of the wiper lip, at an appropriate time, the second fluorescent material will be released. A suitable sensor makes it possible to detect the fluorescent characteristic of the second material thus released and thus to know the appropriate time for changing the wiper blade profile.

[0012] However, the condition is that the first and second materials are sufficiently connected to each other in operation so that the existence of the second material within the first material does not modify the mechanical properties of the wiping lip which would result in a deterioration of the wiping image obtained with the wiping blade profile. This advantageously results from the first and second materials being coextruded.

[0013] Advantageously, the second material contains fluorescent pigments. The advantage is that the mechanical properties of the second material, for example elastomer, are only slightly modified by the existence of the fluorescent pigments and thus the release of the second material in the wiping lip allows to maintain the basic cleaning properties of the second material and thus of the wiper blade profile. Nevertheless, there is a possibility of sufficient, reliable detection of the release of the second material inside the wiper blade profile.

[0014] According to another advantageous characteristic, the second material is in the form of an inlay of rectangular section. The advantage of this embodiment is that at the time of the release of the inlay of the second material, the latter has a rectangular section which corresponds to a wiping edge similar to that of the initial wiper blade profile and which is produced on the surface with the first material, which makes it possible to continue sufficient wiping with the wiper blade profile. It is also then possible to choose as second material, a material having cleaning properties generating a noise and thus additionally signaling by the emission of a wiping noise the need to replace the wiper blade profile.

[0015] According to another advantageous characteristic, the invention relates to a windshield wiper system. This system comprises a wiping blade profile for cleaning a surface, a sensor and, where appropriate, a display device. The wiping blade profile, in turn, comprises a wiping lip which, in operation, is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The sensor is designed to have a radiation source and a fluorescence detector for detecting the fluorescent radiation. The sensor is such that the radiation emitted by the radiation source, when the fluorescent material is released from the rubber wiping lip, will be absorbed and the fluorescence thus emitted can be detected by the fluorescence detector of the sensor.

[0016] Particularly advantageously, the wiper system is such that only when the second fluorescent material of the wiper lip is released, the sensor emits radiation which will be received by the appropriate detector of the sensor. If the wiper lip has on its surface only a first non-fluorescent material so that even the emission of appropriate radiation by the radiation source of the sensor does not generate fluorescence which would be detected by the sensor and secondly, the fluorescent material when the wiper blade profile is in the rest position, relative to the section of the basic wiper lip, surrounded on all sides by the first material, will be in position so that with the abrasion of the wiper blade profile in operation, subsequently, the second material constituting the second fluorescence element will be released and will be detected by the sensor detecting the fluorescence.

[0017] This makes it possible, for example, to transmit by a transmission unit, a message indicating that, where appropriate, the aging state of the wiper blade profile has been reached and that replacement is required. Furthermore, it is advantageous if, to detect such a state, a sensor is used whose radiation source and detector radiation are provided in a single constructive unit inside a vehicle and this allows to eliminate the wiper blade equipped with an appropriate sensor. This simplifies the construction and the long-term reliability of such a wiper system is noticeable.

[0018] Particularly advantageously, the sensor of the windscreen wiper system is placed on the inner side of the vehicle windscreen. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to detect the possible fluorescence of the second material released from the wiper blade profile through the windscreen and, on the other hand, to protect the sensor itself against influences, weather and mechanical actions. In particular, it is advantageous for the sensor to be integrated into an already existing sensor of the vehicle and which itself is installed on the inner side of the vehicle windscreen because both sensors, i.e. their function and purpose, require a similar positioning on the inner side of the vehicle windscreen.

[0019] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor of the windscreen wiper system is at the same time the rain sensor of the vehicle for detecting the humidity of the windscreen. In this case, in addition to the radiation source and the fluorescence detector, an optical prism is provided for decoupling the radiation emitted by the radiation source, relative to the windscreen of the vehicle. The detector of the sensor can thus by the fluorescent radiation emitted by the wiper blade profile and on the other hand, by the radiation coupled into the windscreen to be detected and thus allow to conclude that the windscreen is wet. In the presence of humidity, a part of the radiation emitted by the radiation source and which is injected into the front window, will be decoupled by the humidity so that this attenuates the radiation detected by the radiation detector.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for managing a windshield wiper system of the type defined above. At least in an operating state of a wiper blade profile, for cleaning the windshield of a vehicle, at least from time to time, the radiation source of the sensor of the monitoring system emits radiation and if then fluorescence is detected, this results in an optical or acoustic indication on the display device of the vehicle.

[0021] The reason is that the wiper blade profile is designed so that fluorescence only appears for appropriate radiation of the sensor of the wiper system if the fluorescence pigments of the second material of the wiper lip of the wiper blade profile are released. This can be used to determine the degree of abrasion of the wiper blade profile and to display it by the display device. If the wiper blade profile itself is deactivated, the sensor itself will preferably be deactivated. When the wiper blade profile is in operation, in the active cleaning position, then at least occasionally, the radiation source of the sensor will be activated and the existence of any fluorescence resulting from the abrasion of the wiper blade profile can be detected.

[0022] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor of the windscreen wiper system simultaneously detects the presence of moisture on the window to be cleaned. In this case, the windscreen wiper device with its wiper blade profile will be activated to clean the windscreen. At this time, it will be possible, at least from time to time, to check the abrasion condition of the wiper blade profile and, if necessary, request its replacement.

[0023] The wiper blade profile according to the invention or windshield wiper system equipped with this profile is advantageously applied to the cleaning of windshields of motor vehicles or rail vehicles as well as the cleaning of building windows. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of an example of a wiper blade profile, shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematic sectional view of a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiping blade profile, according to the invention in a first state,

[0026] [Fig.1a] enlarged detail of a windshield wiper system comprising the wiper blade of [Fig.1] and a sensor,

[0027] [Fig.2] schematic representation of a windscreen wiper blade equipped with a wiping blade profile according to the invention in a second state, and

[0028] [Fig.2a] Enlarged detail of the windscreen wiper system comprising a windscreen wiper blade according to [Fig.2] and in addition a sensor.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0030] [Fig. 1] shows a windscreen wiper blade comprising a wiper blade profile according to the invention for one embodiment thereof, in new condition. The windscreen wiper blade 10 comprises a support element 12 with elastic rails 14; the support element 12 with the elastic rails 14 participates in the mechanical stabilization of the wiper blade profile 20. The wiper blade profile 20 itself comprises a wiper head 22 which serves for the mechanical locking of the wiper blade profile 20 in the support element 12 as well as a wiper lip 26 flexibly connected to the wiper head 22 by the tilting spacer 24.

[0031] The wiping lip 26 in operation of the wiper blade 10 cleans the surface, for example that of the windshield of a vehicle. The wiping lip 26 is for example made of a first material for the tilting spacer 24 or the wiping head 22; this first material is for example an elastomer pigmented black with carbon black. The wiping lip 26 comprises on its side facing towards the surface to be cleaned, a second material for example in the form of an inlay 28 of rectangular section; the second material additionally comprises fluorescent pigments. The first material is, for example, an elastomer such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM), chloroprene (CR), natural rubber (NR), isobutylene-isoprene (IR), polybutadiene (BR), nitrile butadiene (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile butadiene (HNBR), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVM) or a vinyl-methyl silicone (VMQ).

[0032] The second material is for example also an elastomer, for example, corresponding to the elastomer constituting the first material but preferably however a silicone elastomer. In the state of the wiper blade 10 shown in the figure, which corresponds to the new state, the wiper blade profile 20 is coated on the surface only with a surface area made of a first material. The surface of the rubber profile 20 thus has no fluorescent properties when exposed to radiation.

[0033] [Fig.l] shows a corresponding wiper system which, in addition to the wiper blade 10, has a sensor 40 for detecting the radiation source 42, a radiation detector 44 and sensor electronics 46. The radiation source 42 is arranged so that the appropriate radiation 48, shown schematically in [Fig.la] and falling on the fluorescent pigments of the second material of the inlay 26, excites its pigments to emit fluorescence, for example with the aid of the radiation detector 44.

[0034] [Fig. 1a] relates to a windshield wiper blade 10 such that the surface does not reveal any surface area of ​​the wiper blade profile 20 which would be formed by the second inlay material 28. By illuminating the wiper blade profile 20 with the radiation source 42, no fluorescence is achieved and the radiation detector 44 will not detect any radiation. Thus, the sensor 40 is for example installed on the inner side of the surface 60 to be cleaned by the windshield wiper blade 10, for example, the windshield of a vehicle.

[0035] [Fig. 2] shows a wiper blade 10 in a second state according to the representation schematic representation. The same references refer to the same component as in the previous figures.

[0036] The wiper blade 10 in its second state corresponds, for example, to a state in which the abrasion of the region of the wiping lip 26 of the wiper blade profile 20 has seen its surface layer of the first material removed and thus releasing the incrustation 28 of the second material, according to a surface release which is thus accessible to detection by appropriate radiation. This state occurs, for example, when the wiping lip 26 has been subjected to a cleaning corresponding to the appearance of abrasive wear.

[0037] The instant at which the second material of the inlay 28 is accessible on the surface will for example be chosen so that at this moment the replacement of the wiper blade profile 20 or of the entire wiper blade 10 is necessary. If, in this state, the sensor 40 or its radiation source 42 directs appropriate radiation onto the wiping lip 26 of the wiper blade profile 20, fluorescence will appear due to the fluorescent particles of the second material. In this case, the radiation detector 44 detects the appearance of fluorescence and this will be processed by the electronics 46 of the sensor. Then, for example, with a display device not shown, an indication is displayed for the user of the vehicle indicating that it is necessary to replace the wiper blade 10 or the wiper blade profile 20.

[0038] The sensor 40 can be placed in a constructive unit with a suitable rain sensor, installed in the vehicle in the region of the vehicle windshield. Alternatively, the sensor 40 can also be operated in addition to the rain sensor. The radiation source 42 is for example chosen appropriately to achieve a corresponding fluorescence under the effect of the radiation applied to the fluorescent pigments of the second material but also the decoupling of the radiation in the surface 60 to be cleaned, or from the vehicle windshield.

[0039] Furthermore, the radiation detector 44 is designed so that, on the one hand, it can detect the appearance of fluorescence and that, on the other hand, a part of the induced radiation, emitted by the radiation source 42, is also decoupled by the humidity of the windshield and which cannot be decoupled. Thus the sensor 40 for the detection of possible fluorescence based on the release of fluorescent pigments from the second material can also be used to signal the wear of the corresponding windshield wiper blade 10 and, on the other hand, make it possible to detect the humidity on the windshield and thus initiate the start-up of the windshield wiper blade 10.

[0040] By a suitable method of operating the wiper blade 10 or a wiping device thus equipped, firstly, with the radiation source 42 of the sensor 40, a corresponding radiation is produced which is applied to the wiper blade profile 20 of the wiper blade 10 and which can be examined by the radiation detector 44 of the sensor 40 to check for the occurrence of fluorescence. In the absence of this feedback, there is no indication from the sensor, for example, indicates to the driver of the vehicle. If fluorescence is detected, this will be emitted by a suitable emission device emitting an acoustic or optical indication to request, if necessary, the replacement of the wiper blade 10 or the wiper blade profile 20.

[0041] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0042] 10 Windshield wiper blade

[0043]

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055] 12 Support element 14 Elastic rail 20 Wiper blade profile 22 Wiper head 24 Tilting spacer 26 Wiper lip 28 Inlay of a second material 40 Sensor 42 Radiation source 44 Radiation detector 46 Sensor electronics 48 Symbolically represented radiation 60 Window surface / windshield surface

Claims

Claims

1. Wiper rubber profile for a windscreen wiper blade having a wiping lip (26) for contacting the surface (60) to be cleaned, and having a first material, in particular elastomer, profile characterized in that a second fluorescent material, in particular elastomer, is provided at least in the area of the wiping lip (26), and the section of the elastomer wiping profile (20) is surrounded on all sides by a first material, and the first and second materials are coextruded to produce the wiper blade profile (20).

2. A wiper blade profile (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second material contains fluorescent pigments.

3. A wiper blade profile (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second material is in the form of an inlay (28) of rectangular section.

4. Windscreen wiper system comprising a wiper blade (10) with a wiping lip (26) coming into contact with the surface (60) to be cleaned, this lip being made of a first material, with a sensor (40) provided with a radiation source (42) and a detector (44) for detecting fluorescent radiation, windscreen wiper system characterized in that the wiping lip (26) comprises a second fluorescent material, the sensor (4) being designed so that the radiation (48) emitted by the radiation source (42) of the sensor (40) upon release of the second material from the elastomeric wiping lip (20) produces fluorescent radiation detected by the detector (44) of the sensor (40).

5. Windshield wiper system according to claim 4, characterized in that the sensor (40) is positioned on the inner side of the windshield of a motor vehicle.

6. Windscreen wiper system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the sensor (40) is integrated in a vehicle rain sensor au- car.

7. Windscreen wiper system according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the sensor (40) is designed as a rain sensor of a motor vehicle.

8. Method for controlling a windscreen wiper system according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that during an operating state of a wiper blade profile (20) for cleaning the surface (60) of a motor vehicle, a sensor (40) emits radiation with a radiation source (42) and upon detection of a fluorescence which occurs by a detector (44) of the sensor (40), there is the emission of an acoustic or optical indication by the transmission unit of the vehicle.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor (40) additionally detects the surface humidity of a surface (60) to be cleaned of the vehicle.

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