Windshield wiper blade

Abstract

Title: Windshield wiper blade. Windshield wiper blade (10), particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one longitudinal extension carrier element (L) having at least one elastic rail (16), a wiping blade (12), and at least one end cap (24) that principally terminate the carrier element along its longitudinal extension (L). Windshield wiper blade characterized in that it comprises: an interchangeable element (25) comprising the wiping blade (12) and a stabilizing element (14) and at least one end cap (24), and an engagement hole for the at least step-by-step passage of the engagement element (25). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one longitudinal extension carrier element having at least one elastic rail, a wiping blade and at least one end cap which mainly terminate the carrier element along its longitudinal extension. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Numerous vehicle wiper blades are already known, comprising a carrier element with a flexible rail and a wiping blade. Wiper blades with replaceable wiping blades are also known. However, the difficulty lies in the fact that when replacing the wiping blade, it may not be installed correctly, resulting in only unsatisfactory performance.

[0003] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention aims to develop a windshield wiper blade for motor vehicles with an interchangeable wiping blade, and enabling the improvement of the windshield cleaning result.

[0005] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a windshield wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one longitudinal extension carrier element having at least one elastic rail, a wiping blade and at least one end cap which mainly terminate the carrier element along its longitudinal extension, windshield wiper blade characterized in that it comprises an interchangeable element comprising the wiping blade and a stabilizing element and at least one end cap, an engagement orifice for the passage at least step by step of the engagement element.

[0007] The wiper blade according to the invention has the advantage of providing an interchangeable element comprising the wiping blade and a stabilizing element, as well as an end cap with an engagement hole for the passage of the interchangeable element, at least in segments. This makes it possible to replace the wiper blade without the drawback of a poor result.

[0008] According to a particularly simple and easy-to-use feature, the stabilizing element includes fastening means for attaching it to the load-bearing element. This constitutes a particularly simple and thus advantageous solution if the element the fixing is achieved as a connection by shape, in particular as a connection by fitting.

[0009] In a particularly advantageous manner, the carrier element includes a heating device to heat the wiper blade so that even at low temperatures, the wiping result will be optimum.

[0010] According to another advantageous feature, the end cap is clipped onto the elastic rail, which constitutes a simple and economical and therefore advantageous solution.

[0011] The wiping result will be particularly good and advantageous if the stabilizing element stabilizes the wiping blade in its longitudinal direction and if it is made in particular as a separate part, connected securely to the wiping blade.

[0012] In a particularly simple and economical way, the end cap is made in one piece of plastic material.

[0013] The end cap advantageously includes a closing means for at least partially closing the engagement orifice, which constitutes an advantageous and economical embodiment.

[0014] It is also effective and advantageous for the end cap to include a distribution means, in particular a nozzle for distributing cleaning fluid or windshield washer fluid.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature, the invention relates to an interchangeable element for a wiper blade according to the invention because it is not necessary to replace the entire wiper blade when the wiping blade is worn. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] Schematic side view of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention,

[0018] [Fig.2] end cap installed for a wiper blade according to the invention during the assembly of an interchangeable element,

[0019] [Fig.3] exploded cross-sectional view of one end of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention.

[0020] DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Figure 1 shows a wiper blade 10 according to the invention in schematic side view. The wiper blade 10 has a longitudinal extension L and comprises a wiping blade 12 and a stabilizing element 14. The stabilizing element 14 is fixed to the elastic rail 16 of the wiper blade 10.

[0022] The elastic rail 16 is made from a flat steel strip. According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic rail 16 is made of plastic. The elastic rail 16 is in two parts to receive substantially in the middle two parallel spring elements, each consisting of a flat steel strip and between which there remains an interval A or a slot.

[0023] The elastic rail 16 in the relaxed state, i.e. without being subjected to the action of a force, is curved in the shape of a banana because the wiping blade 12 of the mounted wiper blade 10 rests practically over its entire longitudinal extension L on the curved window which must be wiped.

[0024] Above and in the middle of the wiping blade 12, in section on the side opposite the elastic rail 16, a deflector blade 18 is provided. The deflector blade 18 is here made of elastomer.

[0025] Between the two ends 20 of the longitudinal extension L, substantially in the middle, a fastening means 22 is provided for attaching the wiper blade 10 to the wiper arm of the vehicle. The fastening means 22 is made in one piece of plastic; it is injection-molded directly onto the elastic rail 16.

[0026] In various embodiments, the elastic rail 16 includes metal retaining means, for example, attached by welding or pre-pressing. Additionally, these retaining means can cooperate with another plastic part. Similarly, the retaining means 22 can be welded to the elastic rail 16 as a plastic part or be attached in another way by a form-fitting or force-fitting connection.

[0027] The elastic rail 16 together with the fixing means 22 and the deflecting strip 18 constitutes a load-bearing element 23 ([Fig.3]).

[0028] The carrier element 23 has at least one channel. This channel serves to transport cleaning fluid or windshield washer fluid within the carrier element 23. The channel, which is not shown here for reasons of simplification, is in the deflector blade; and in particular is made in one piece with the deflector blade 18.

[0029] The end 20 along the longitudinal extension L is each time equipped with an end cap 24 made of plastic material which practically terminates the wiper blade 10 in its longitudinal extension L.

[0030] At least one of the end caps 24 has a nozzle as a distribution means for distributing cleaning fluid to clean the glass with the channel. The channel thus extends as a guide channel from the deflector blade 18 to the end cap 24.

[0031] Figure 2 shows the end 20 of a windshield wiper blade 10 according to the invention during the assembly of an interchangeable element 25.

[0032] The wiper blade 10 includes the wiping blade 12 and the stabilizing element 14 attached to the elastic rail 16.

[0033] The elastic rail 16 is equipped with a heating system. This heating system is applied here in the form of a film on the elastic rail 16. According to a variant of the invention, the heating device can also, in addition or alternatively, be provided in the deflector strip 18 and / or in the fastening means 22.

[0034] The stabilizing element 14 is made in one piece of plastic material; it is securely connected to the wiping blade 12. This connection can be made, for example, by ultrasonic welding, gluing or by a connection by force or by shape.

[0035] The wiping blade 12 is here surrounded by clamp-shaped retaining elements of the stabilizing element 14 to achieve a connection by shape.

[0036] The wiping blade 12 and the stabilizing element 14 are separate parts which are rigidly connected to each other and thus together form an interchangeable element 25. The stabilizing element 14 has a modulus of elasticity E greater than that of the wiping blade 12. The stabilizing element 14 is therefore more rigid than the wiping blade 12 and thus stabilizes the latter in the longitudinal direction L.

[0037] The top of the elastic rail 16, opposite the interchangeable element 25, carries the deflector blade 18. The wiping blade 12 itself comprises a lip 22 which, during operation, applies itself to the glass to be wiped and, during movement, it travels across the glass to scrape off moisture or dirt. The wiping blade 12 has a head 28 for attaching the wiping blade 12 to the stabilizing element 14.

[0038] The wiping lip 26 is connected by a tilting spacer 30 to the head 28. The connection is such that the wiping lip 26 can tilt relative to the head 28 by the tilting spacer 30 so that in operation, during movement in the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction L, the wiping lip 26 is pulled on the window to be wiped.

[0039] The wiping blade 12 is made of a relatively flexible material, characteristically of a natural rubber-based elastomer (EPDM).

[0040] When mounting the wiper blade 10, the head 28 is engaged, for example, in the stabilizing element 14 and then fixed to the stabilizing element 14 to obtain the interchangeable element 25.

[0041] The stabilizing element 14 can, for example, be wedged or crushed after the engagement of the head 28, at least in segments to fix the wiping blade 12. According to one embodiment, after engagement, a connection is made by the material, for example, by welding or gluing.

[0042] The interchangeable element 25 slides into the carrier element 23 and engages with it. The carrier element 23 has, for this purpose, a fastening means 36. In the present example, this is formed by the distance or gap in the two-part elastic rail 16 which receives a T-shaped retaining segment 37 of the element stabilization means 14. The fastening means 36 include, for this purpose, an engagement aid. This is, for example, an enlargement of the gap A in the elastic rail 16, formed in particular by the inclination in the region of the end 20, which allows the T-shaped retaining segment 37 of the interchangeable element 25 to be easily slid into the elastic rail 16. In an alternative embodiment, a guide means may also be provided in the end cap 24 which guides the fastening means 37 and the interchangeable element 25 into the correct position on the carrier element 23, for example, in the direction of the gap A.

[0043] The end cap 24 has an engagement hole 40 corresponding to the fastening means 36. In the present example, the engagement hole 40 is aligned along the longitudinal extension L to the interval A of the elastic rail 16 so that when the interchangeable element 25 is engaged, the end cap 24 can remain on the carrier element 23 and does not have to be disassembled.

[0044] Figure 3 is an exploded section view of a wiper blade according to the invention. The interchangeable element 25 comprises the wiping blade 12 and the stabilizing element 14 of the wiper blade 10 according to the invention. The fastening means 25 is not shown here to avoid complicating the drawing.

[0045] The stabilizing element 14 has substantially the same length, along the longitudinal extension L, as the wiping blade 12 and the elastic rail 16. According to a variant of the invention, the elastic rail 16 is however slightly longer than the stabilizing element 14.

[0046] The wiping blade 12 is fixed by its head 28 to the stabilizing element 14 so that the interchangeable element 25 is less rigid than the elastic rail 16 while being more rigid than the wiping blade 12 without its stabilizing element 14.

[0047] The interchangeable element 25 is made in at least two parts, namely a wiping blade 12 and a stabilizing element 14. The elastic rail 16 has the distance or gap A; the stabilizing element 14 has the retaining segment 37 which is attached by means of a fastener 36 which forms the connection between the stabilizing element 14 and the elastic rail 16. The lower side of the stabilizing element 14 which, in the installed state, is turned towards the wiping blade 12 has fastening elements, for example, in the form of clips, a layer of glue or a guide channel for attaching the wiping blade 12.

[0048] The top of the stabilizing element 14 is provided with the T-shaped retaining segment 37. The perpendicular foot segment of the T-shaped retaining element 37 has a cross-section sufficiently large at least less than the gap A. The horizontal cross-section of the T-shaped retaining segment 37 has a cross-section much larger than the gap A.

[0049] The stabilizing element 14 has the same cross-section along its entire length. Alternatively, connecting elements with a specific shape can also be used to lock the interchangeable element 25 in its longitudinal direction.

[0050] The end cap 24 has an engagement hole 40. The engagement hole 40 is rectangular and is provided in the longitudinal extension L in the outer wall of the end cap 24. The engagement hole 40 is shaped to fit the retaining segment 37, which is rectangular in this case. According to one embodiment of the invention, the engagement hole 40 is oval or circular.

[0051] The engagement orifice 40 may also include a closing means, for example, a closing cap or a drawer so as to close the engagement orifice 40 after the interchangeable element 25 has been put in place. This closing means also serves to lock the interchangeable element 25, for example, to prevent the interchangeable element 25 from sliding out of the carrier element 23.

[0052] The closing means can also be implemented as a latching mechanism with latching prongs. Similarly, the closing means can consist of a spring-loaded push-button. To open, the force exerted by the spring must be overcome, for example, by means of an elastic tab applying pressure to the drawer. This allows the drawer and the engaged element 25 to be opened manually. After the interchangeable element 25 is engaged, the engagement opening 40 closes automatically due to the spring force exerted on the closing drawer.

[0053] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0054] 10 Windshield wiper blade

[0055] 12 Windshield wiper blade

[0056] 14 Stabilizing element

[0057] 16 Elastic rail

[0058] 18 Deflector rod

[0059] 20 End

[0060] 22 Means of attachment

[0061] 23 Support element

[0062] 24 End cap

[0063] 25 Interchangeable element

[0064] 26 Wiping lip

[0065] 28 Head

[0066] 30 Tilting spacer

[0067] 36 Means of attachment

[0068] 37 Maintenance segment

[0069] 40 Opening of commitment

[0070] At Interval

[0071] L Longitudinal direction

Claims

Demands

1. Windscreen wiper blade (10) particularly for a motor vehicle comprising at least one longitudinal direction carrier element (23) (L) having at least one elastic rail (16), a wiper blade (12) and at least one end cap (24) which principally terminate the carrier element (23) in its longitudinal direction (L), an interchangeable element (25) comprising the wiper blade (12) and a stabilizing element (14) and at least one end cap (24), an engagement orifice (40) for the at least step-by-step passage of the interchangeable element (25), characterized in that the carrier element (23) comprises a heating device for heating the windscreen wiper blade (10), the stabilizing element (14) stabilizes the wiper blade (12) in the longitudinal direction (L) and this element is particularly made as a separate element integrally connected to the wiper blade (12).

2. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stabilizing element (40) includes fastening means (36) for fastening to the carrier element (23).

3. Wiper blade (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening means (36) are made as a connection by shape in particular as a connection by fitting.

4. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one end cap (24) is clipped onto the elastic rail (16).

5. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cap (24) is made in one piece of plastic material.

6. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cap (24) has a closure means for at least partially closing the engagement orifice (40).

7. Wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cap (24) includes a distribution means, in particular a nozzle for supplying cleaning fluid.

8. Interchangeable element (25) for a wiper blade (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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