Windshield wiper heater, particularly for motor vehicles with a housing for the windshield wiper blade

Abstract

Title: Windshield wiper blade heater, particularly for a motor vehicle, with a housing for the wiper blade. Windshield wiper blade heater (1), particularly for a motor vehicle (2), characterized by: - ​​a housing (10) which, in the installed state, is against a window (3) of the vehicle (2), - the housing (10) has an elongated housing (11) which, in the installed state, serves to receive a wiper blade from the wiper arm when the wiper arm is in the stowed position (12), and - the housing is traversed by an air stream that flows onto the wiper blade received in the housing (11). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade heater, particularly for motor vehicles with a housing for the wiper blade. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade heater, particularly for a motor vehicle. The invention relates specifically to the field of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles or trucks. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Document DE 10 2009 032 375 A1 describes a flat wiper blade for a wiper installation comprising a wiper blade body. The wiper blade body has a wiping lip, an elastic rail, and a heating film that extends at least over a portion of the wiper blade and has a heating electrical conductor.

[0003] The wiper blade according to document DE 10 2009 032 375 Al has the disadvantage that, in operation, since it is powered by the usual vehicle voltage, a high current is required to heat the heating film. Because of this high current, complex designs are necessary for the safety of the electrical connections and also for insulation throughout the wiper blade's lifespan. Since the wiper arm is generally unchanged throughout the vehicle's life, the electrical connection to the wiper arm is particularly complicated. This is also necessary because the wiper arm and the wiper blade are, by definition, frequently exposed to moisture. Furthermore, the heating power of known heating films remains limited. In addition, the heating film is an extra component that increases the manufacturing cost of the wiper blade, which must be replaced regularly.

[0004] According to document DE 296 06 071 U1, an electrically heated windshield is known. This known windshield consists of two separate panes of glass connected to each other by an intermediate thermoplastic layer. In one-third of its length, namely in the area of ​​the wiper blade's rest position, each pane of the windshield has an electrically heated field. Within this heated field, there are resistive wires in the intermediate thermoplastic layer.

[0005] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of known solutions and, to this end, relates to a windshield wiper heater, particularly for a motor vehicle, characterized by a housing which, in the installed state, is against a window of the vehicle; the housing has an elongated recess which, in the installed state, serves to receive a wiper blade of the wiper arm when the wiper arm is in the storage position and, the housing is crossed by a vein of air arriving on the wiper blade received in the housing.

[0007] The wiper blade heater according to the invention has the advantage of allowing for improved design and operation. In particular, it enhances the effect of heat on the wiper blade and / or provides a wider range of applications.

[0008] The wiper blade, wiper arm, and vehicle window are not part of the wiper blade heater according to the invention. In particular, the wiper blade heater can be implemented and distributed independently of the wiper blade, wiper arm, and vehicle window. The vehicle window is preferably the windshield.

[0009] Advantageously, the housing fits into a recess in the glass. Preferably, there is a flat transition between the housing and the glass with large radii so that the windshield wiper can slide easily into the housing.

[0010] The housing of the unit has, in its extension, at least practically, a predefined profile. The housing is advantageously designed as a wiper blade housing. The housing allows the wiper blade to be received at least practically. The housing is also designed to receive at least partially other components, in particular the wiper arm.

[0011] Advantageously, the housing has a ramp at its location through which the wiper blade passes to exit the housing and reach the windshield when the wiper arm is in operation, leaving the storage position to move across the windshield. Correspondingly, the wiper blade is guided along the housing ramp.

[0012] Advantageously, the housing ramp has, according to the longitudinal extension of the housing, a sufficiently small curvature so that the wiper blade is guided along its longitudinal extension by pressing against the housing to enter or exit it, which improves the operation accordingly.

[0013] Advantageously, a filter is provided in the housing which, in the installed state, is located below the housing. The filter protects the internal volume of the housing below from possible dirt or the ingress of dirt.

[0014] Advantageously, the housing is designed to accommodate both a caliper-mounted wiper blade and a flat wiper blade. The application is independent of the shape or type of wiper blade. This results in a range of applications for various vehicles. In particular, the application is intended for all possible wiper blades for motor vehicles.

[0015] Advantageously, the housing has a funnel or hopper which widens from the air inlet of the housing to the housing, which allows advantageous guidance of the air stream, in particular the hot air stream on the wiper blade.

[0016] Advantageously, the air inlet is connected to a ventilation system, in particular to the ventilation of the vehicle's passenger compartment, so that the existing ventilation system is used to generate the air stream.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one heating element is provided in the housing to heat the air stream. The heating of the air stream is independent and is only provided in a time-delayed manner after the vehicle's air stream has been heated. An unheated air stream can also be used. In this case, additional heating of the air stream is generated by the ventilation system.

[0018] Advantageously, the heating element has at least one PTC element. Its design as a cold conductor means that even at low temperatures, particularly in winter, a significant heating current will be available.

[0019] Depending on the embodiment, one or more of the following characteristics and advantages are achieved.

[0020] The application is possible for various windshield wipers, each comprising a wiper arm and a wiper blade. Not only the wiper blade, in particular the wiper blade and / or the deflector and / or any other rubber or plastic component of the wiper blade, but also at least one other wiper component, including a tension spring and / or the wiper arm and / or the connection between the wiper blade and the wiper arm and / or the wiper adapter, will be heated or defrosted. Where applicable, this prevents torque problems when operating the wiper, especially at low temperatures.

[0021] The defrosting of the windshield wiper blade is improved, particularly in winter conditions. Electrical connections to the wiper arm and / or the wiper blade heating element are not required for defrosting.

[0022] The functionality, in particular, the wiping capacity or the cleaning capacity of the wiper blade will be improved.

[0023] If necessary, a cutout is made in the windshield, preferably at the wiper blade's storage position. The cutout receives the housing. The housing is at least partially made of plastic. After a wiping phase to clean the windshield, the wiper blade is guided into its storage position within the housing. The housing is open at the location of the storage compartment. Furthermore, the housing is hollow so that the stream of warm air can pass over the wiper blade.

[0024] When the vehicle is started, the heating phase is initiated automatically, with the wiper blade heater activated either automatically or upon user request. If applicable, a switch on the vehicle's dashboard is available to activate the wiper blade heater. The vehicle's ventilation system can then be activated to generate an airflow through the housing to the wiper blade compartment, with heating provided by a PTC element. The warm airflow passes through the housing's hopper or funnel to reach the wiper blade, thus defrosting it.

[0025] The housing is preferably open at the lower part of the air intake. The air stream is heated, preferably at the air intake, by a PTC element. The filter prevents dirt from entering and protects the housing, and in particular the PTC element located underneath, from dirt.

[0026] The wiper blade is heated only in the stowed position, but not during the wiping phase or during multiple wiping cycles to clean the windshield. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to a windshield wiper heater shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] Windshield wiper heater of a vehicle in schematic perspective view, the wiper blade of the wiper arm being in the stowed position in the wiper heater,

[0029] [Fig.2] wiper blade heater of the [Fig.1] without the wiper, and

[0030] [Fig.3] section of the wiper blade heater of [Fig.2] shown schematic with section line III.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Figure 1 shows a windshield wiper blade heater 1 of a vehicle 2 represented in schematic perspective. The motor vehicle is in particular a passenger car or a commercial vehicle. The windshield wiper blade heater 1 is particularly suitable for such vehicles 2.

[0033] The motor vehicle 2 has a window 3 and a dashboard 4 in the vehicle 2 behind the window 3. The vehicle 2 also has a windshield wiper 6 with a wiper arm 7 and a wiper blade 8. The wiper blade 8 is against the window 3 without it being necessary for it to be directly against the window.

[0034] The implementation of the wiper blade heater 1 will be described below, in more detail with reference to figures 2 and 3.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the wiper blade heater 1 according to Figure 1, without showing the wiper 6 in order to better represent the elements of the wiper blade heater of wiper. [Fig.3] shows a section of wiper blade heater 1 of [Fig.2] according to a schematic representation for a section line III.

[0036] The windshield wiper blade heater 1 has a housing 10. The housing 10 is fitted to the window 3 of the motor vehicle 2. The housing 10 is housed in a recess 15 made in the window 3. The housing 10 has an elongated recess 11 which serves as a wiper blade housing 11. The recess 11 receives the wiper blade 8 fitted to the wiper arm 7. When the wiper arm 7 is in its stowed position 12, the wiper blade 10 is in the recess 11. Thus, the wiper blade 8 is pressed against the window 3, but preferably without being in direct contact with the window 3.

[0037] The housing 11 of the casing 10 is large enough to accommodate both a wiper blade 8 with a bracket and also a flat wiper blade 8. The range of applications is therefore very wide.

[0038] The housing 10 has a ramp 16 on the housing 11 over which the wiper blade 8 passes from the housing 11 to reach the window 3 when the wiper arm 7 operates in a direction 13 from the storage position 12 on the window 3. Correspondingly, the wiper blade 8 is guided to pass from the window 3 over the ramp 16 and arrive in the housing 11 when the wiper arm 7 is actuated against the direction 13 to arrive in the storage position 12.

[0039] The ramp 16 of the housing has a slight curvature along the longitudinal extension 17 of the storage 11. Thus, the wiper blade, when the wiper arm 7 is activated, is guided along its longitudinal extension 17 by pressing against the housing 11 to enter the housing 11 or exit the housing 11.

[0040] The wiper blade heater 1 further has a filter 18 in the housing 10. The filter 18 is located under the recess 11 of the housing 10. In addition, the housing 10 has a hopper or funnel 20. Under the hopper 20 there is an air inlet 21 on the housing 10. The hopper 20 is designed so that the air inlet 21 of the housing 10 widens towards the recess 11 of the housing 10.

[0041] The air inlet 21 is connected to a ventilation 25 implemented as a ventilation of the passenger compartment 25 of the vehicle 2. The ventilation generates, in operation, an air stream 24 in the housing 10. The air stream 24 through the housing 10, in particular the hopper or funnel 20, is guided onto the wiper blade 8 in the housing 11.

[0042] In addition, a heating element 26 is provided in the housing 10 to heat the air stream 24. The heating element 26 has a PTC element 27. The heating element 26 and the ventilation 25 of this embodiment are operated by a switch 28.

[0043] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0044] 1 Windshield wiper blade heater

[0045] 2 Motor vehicle

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[0047]

[0048]

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[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

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[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064] 3 Window 4 Instrument panel 5 Vehicle interior 6 Windshield wiper 7 Wiper arm 8 Wiper blade 10 Housing 11 Wiper housing 12 Storage position 13 Direction of exit from storage position 16 Ramp 17 Longitudinal extension 18 Filter under housing 20 Hopper / funnel 21 Air intake 24 Air duct 25 Interior ventilation 26 Heating element 27 PTC element

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper blade heater (1), in particular for a motor vehicle (2), characterized by - a housing (10) which, in the installed state, is against a window (3) of the vehicle (2), - the housing (10) has an elongated housing (11) which, in the installed state, serves to receive a windscreen wiper blade (8) of the windscreen wiper arm (7) when the windscreen wiper arm (7) is in the storage position (12), and - the housing is traversed by an air stream (24) arriving at the windscreen wiper blade (8) received in the housing (11).

2. Wiper blade heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (10) is designed to be installed in a recess (15) of the window (3).

3. A wiper blade heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (10) has a ramp (16) at the housing (11) through which the wiper blade (8) arrives in the housing (11) of the window (13) when the wiper arm (10) is moved in operation from the storage position (12) onto the window (3).

4. Wiper blade heater according to claim 3, characterized in that the ramp (16) of the housing (11) has, along the longitudinal extension (17) of the housing (11), a curvature so that the wiper blade (10) can enter or exit the housing (11) by pressing mainly along its longitudinal extension (17) against the housing (11).

5. Wiper blade heater according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a filter (18) in the housing (10) which, in the installed state, is below the housing (11) of the housing (10).

6. Wiper blade heater according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (11) of the casing (10) is designed so that it can accommodate both a caliper wiper blade (8) and also a flat wiper blade (8).

7. A wiper blade heater according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing (10) has a funnel shape (20) which widens from an air inlet (21) of the housing (10) to the housing (11) of the housing (10).

8. Windscreen wiper blade heater according to claim 7, characterized in that the air inlet (21) can be connected to a ventilation (25), in particular to the ventilation of the passenger compartment (25) of the vehicle (2).

9. Wiper blade heater according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by at least one heating element (26) in the housing (10) for heating the air stream (24).

10. Wiper blade heater according to claim 9, characterized in that the heating element (26) comprises at least one PTC element (27).

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