Windshield wiper blade, particularly for motor vehicles equipped with a hot air outlet

Abstract

Title: Windscreen wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle, equipped with a hot air outlet. Windscreen wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an elongated base body (6) and a wiper blade (7) mounted on the base body (6), the base body having a cavity (8) extending at least along the longitudinal extension of the base body (6), wiper blade characterized in that it comprises at least one hot air inlet (9) through which, during operation, hot air is conducted into at least one cavity (8), and between the base body (6) and the wiper blade (7) there is provided at least one hot air outlet (10, 11, 12, 13). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle equipped with a hot air outlet. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle, and in particular the invention falls within the field of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] According to document DE 10 2021 212 195 A1, a windshield wiper blade with a deflector blade and a wiping blade is known. The deflector blade (also simply called a deflector) has a cavity. The wiping blade is connected to the deflector blade by two elastic rails.

[0003] According to document DE 10 2009 032 375 A1, a flat wiper blade is known for a wiper assembly comprising a wiper blade body. The wiper blade body has a wiping lip, an elastic rail, and a heating film extending over at least a portion of the wiper blade and which has electrical heating.

[0004] The wiper blade according to document DE 10 2009 032 375 A1 has the disadvantage that, in operation, a high current is required to heat the heating film at the usual vehicle voltage. Because of this high current, complex designs are necessary to ensure electrical contact and insulation throughout the wiper blade's lifespan. Since the wiper arm is generally not replaced during the vehicle's lifetime, electrical contact at the wiper arm is particularly complex. This is also due to the fact that the wiper arm and the wiper blade are, by definition, frequently exposed to moisture. Furthermore, the heating power of the known heating film is limited. In addition, the heating film is an extra component that increases the manufacturing costs of the wiper blade, which would need to be replaced regularly.

[0005] Furthermore, heating films or wires are expensive and, in addition, must be installed in a separate manufacturing step on the flexible rails, which are generally bent by bonding. Under these conditions, it is no longer possible to perform certain important manufacturing steps for assembling the wiper blade, such as, for example, welding the adapter to the flexible rails. This complicates the manufacturing process of an electrically heated wiper blade.

[0006] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and, to this end, relates to a windshield wiper, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an elongated basic body and a wiping blade installed on the basic body, the basic body having a cavity extending at least along the longitudinal extension of the basic body, a windshield wiper characterized in that it comprises at least one hot air inlet through which, during operation, hot air is conducted into at least one cavity, and

[0008] between the base body and the wiping blade there is at least one hot air outlet.

[0009] The wiper blade according to the invention has the advantage of better design and operation, which allows for more advantageous manufacturing of the wiper blade and / or a better heating effect and / or a simpler wiper blade structure.

[0010] The wiper arm is not part of the wiper blade according to the invention. In particular, the wiper blade is made and operated independently of the wiper arm.

[0011] The elongated base body is open on one side so that the cavity is thus formed, at least partially, from the open side of the base body when the wiper blade is formed with its components. However, the cavity can also be formed, for example, as a tubular cavity in the base body such that the base body surrounds the cavity, except for at least one hot air outlet. Several cavities can also be provided.

[0012] Advantageously, the air outlet is designed so that, during operation, the hot air supplied to the cavity through the hot air inlet is guided by the hot air outlet onto the wiper blade. This allows for an effective heating effect on the wiper blade, in particular for defrosting the wiper blade.

[0013] Advantageously, at least one hot air outlet is formed in the form of at least segments of hot air gaps extending along the longitudinal axis. Thus, several hot air gaps in the form of segments along the longitudinal axis can be used. It is also possible to have several hot air gaps, transverse to the longitudinal direction, juxtaposed, that is to say, offset parallel to one another.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one hot air outlet extends at least practically along the entire longitudinal length of the base body. This ensures a consistent supply of hot air along the entire length of the wiping blade. Alternatively, several hot air outlets can be positioned transversely to the longitudinal direction, side by side, i.e., staggered parallel to each other.

[0015] Advantageously, the base body has an elongated opening on the side facing the wiping blade along its longitudinal extension. The wiping blade is provided in this opening such that at least one elastic rail is provided on the longitudinal opening, by which the wiping blade is attached to the base body. At least one hot air outlet is provided between the elastic rail and the base body and / or between the elastic rail and the wiping blade. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic rail is a metallic elastic rail. One or more lateral insertions of the wiping blade may be provided on one side of the base body and on the other side of the wiping blade, at least partially formed with sufficient clearance to allow one or more hot air outlets, thus simplifying manufacturing.

[0016] Advantageously, the wiper blade is attached to the base body via the elastic rail, so that during operation, the hot air is guided primarily through at least one hot air outlet between the elastic rail and the wiper blade. The hot air outlet can then be positioned as close as possible to the wiper blade, thereby improving heat exchange with the wiper blade, particularly for defrosting.

[0017] Advantageously, the elastic rail is inserted closely into the base body, which, from a construction standpoint, ensures a certain sealing which reduces at least considerably or completely the air outlet at that point.

[0018] Advantageously, another elastic rail is provided at the longitudinal opening, by which the wiping blade is fixed to the base body such that the wiping blade is located between the elastic rail and the other elastic rail, and at least one other hot air outlet is provided between the other elastic rail and the base body and / or between the other elastic rail and the wiping blade. Corresponding advantages are found in an embodiment with, in particular, two elastic rails.

[0019] Advantageously, the elastic blade is attached to the other elastic rail on the base body so that, during operation, the hot air reaches the other elastic rail primarily through at least one hot air outlet between the other elastic rail and the wiping blade. This results in corresponding advantages for an embodiment with, in particular, two elastic rails.

[0020] Advantageously, the other elastic rail is integrated closely into the base body, which translates into corresponding advantages for an embodiment with, in particular, two elastic rails.

[0021] According to another advantageous feature, a hot air pipe is connected to the hot air inlet and, in the installed state, this is connected at least indirectly to a hot air heater, in particular to the vehicle's hot air heater. automotive. This allows the use of hot air from the heating system, which considerably reduces the resources required in terms of additional components.

[0022] Advantageously, the basic body is in the form of a deflector. The cross-section of the deflector is advantageously used to create the cavity or hollow volume.

[0023] Advantageously, the wiping blade and the base body are separate components. The cavity for a possible embodiment is made on the open base body, and at the same time, a simple implementation of the hot air outlet(s) is provided, which simplifies the manufacture of the base body.

[0024] Advantageously, a cavity is provided that extends at least practically along the entire longitudinal length of the base body. This allows, where appropriate, the existing design of the wiper blade's base body to be retained or achieved with only minor modifications.

[0025] Advantageously, the first end of the base body has an end cap that closes the cavity at that first end and / or the second end of the base body has an end cap that closes the second end of the cavity. This provides an economical solution for closing the ends of a cavity.

[0026] Depending on the embodiment, it is advantageous to provide one or more of the following features.

[0027] A heated windshield wiper blade (wiper blade) is produced using hot air.

[0028] The functional element to be heated is, in general, the wiping blade which is particularly in the form of a wiping rubber, and it is generally a poor thermal conductor. In a typical design, the wiping blade is insufficiently heated by electrically heated elastic rails, while the base body (head) in contact with the elastic rail is hot. Thanks to the hot air flow of the solution described above, the wiping blade, especially the tilting spacer or the lip portion of the wiping blade, will be heated more effectively and, in particular, sufficiently, for example, in winter.

[0029] Thus, in winter conditions, the wiper functions well because the lip and the tilting spacer will no longer be blocked by ice or snow thanks to the better defrosting.

[0030] A flat wiper blade is heated, preferably, with the vehicle's interior hot air heater. For this purpose, a thin hose is passed through the wiper arm to reach the wiper blade. The hot air is preferably conducted through the wiper blade adapter, which is located in the middle of the base body cavity, specifically the deflector.

[0031] Advantageously, from a construction point of view, a flat wiper blade deflector can be used, which simplifies adaptation if the deflector already has a cavity that is hermetically sealed at the ends of the wiper blade by two end caps.

[0032] For example, with an adapter, the hot air supplying the cavity passes, preferably, through a hot air outlet in the form of an interval of elastic rails and then arrives at the wiping blade, in particular a rubber wiping blade.

[0033] Preferably, efficient heating of the tilting spacer and the wiping lip, which have important functions, will be achieved. This eliminates the need for the costly electric heating film or similar means, as well as contact means for insulation and connection.

[0034] For a feasible embodiment, the elastic rails are tightly clamped within the base body, particularly the deflector, so that, practically speaking, hot air can only pass between the respective elastic rail and the wiping blade to be heated. This improves heating, especially the defrosting of the wiping blade, which is important for its operation. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments of a windshield wiper blade according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] [Fig-1] wiper blade attached to a wiper arm in schematic view of Above, the layout of the hot air pipe is shown schematically and in a highly simplified manner,

[0037] [Fig.2] section of the windshield wiper blade of [Fig.1] according to a schematic view corresponding to a first embodiment, and

[0038] [Fig.3] section of the wiper blade of [Fig.1], in schematic view of a second embodiment.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Figure 1 shows a wiper blade 1 connected to a wiper arm 2 in a schematic top view to illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The wiper blade 1 is particularly suitable for a wiper arm 2 of a motor vehicle. Such vehicles include, in particular, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and trucks.

[0041] The wiper blade 1 has a longitudinal extension 3. In operation, the wiper blade 1 is driven by the wiper arm 2 in a pendulum motion on the vehicle's windshield; this pendulum motion occurs along the imaginary pendulum axis. The first end of the wiper blade 1, the closest of the axis of the pendulum motion, moves along an internal trajectory 4. Correspondingly, the second end 17 of the wiper blade 1, the one furthest from the axis, moves along an external trajectory 5. The internal trajectory 4 and the external trajectory 5 are circular or elliptical trajectories; the radius of the internal trajectory 4 is less than that of the external trajectory 5.

[0042] The wiper blade has a basic body 6, elongated and a wiping blade 7 installed on the basic body 6. The basic body 6 of this embodiment is in the form of a deflector.

[0043] A possible embodiment of the wiper blade will be described below with reference to [Fig.2].

[0044] Figure 2 is a section of the wiper blade 1 of Figure 1 shown schematically for a first possible embodiment. The basic body 6 has a cavity 8. The cavity 8 extends along the longitudinal extension 3 of the basic body 6. In this embodiment, there is precisely a cavity 8 that extends at least primarily over the entire longitudinal extension 3 of the basic body 6.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base body has a hot air inlet 9 through which hot air enters the cavity 8 during operation. In addition, in this embodiment, there are several hot air outlets 10, 11, 12, 13 between the base body 6 and the wiping blade 7.

[0046] The first end 15 of the base body 6 has an end cap 16 which closes the first end 15 of the cavity 8. Correspondingly, the second end 17 of the base body 16 has an end cap 18 which closes the cavity 8 at the second end 17. The hot air, conducted through the hot air inlet 9 into the cavity 8, thus arrives at least practically at the hot air outlets 10, 11, 12, 13 of the cavity 8 as is shown in a highly simplified way by arrows or flow lines.

[0047] In this embodiment, the hot air outlets 10, 11, 12, 13 are arranged so that the hot air exits the cavity 8 through the hot air outlets 10, 11, 12, 13, being guided each time towards the wiping blade 7. The hot air outlets 10, 11, 12, 13 of this embodiment form hot air slots 10, 11, 12, 13 parallel to each other at least practically along the entire longitudinal extension 3 of the base body 6. According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of these hot air slots 10, 11, 12, 13 may only occupy segments along the longitudinal extension 3. Alternatively, several short hot air slots may be present along the entire longitudinal extension, joining one another. In addition, the hot air slot 10, 11, 12, 13 which extends over the entire longitudinal extension 3 can be interrupted at certain places.

[0048] The base body has a longitudinal opening 21 along the longitudinal extension 3 on the side 20 facing the wiping blade 7. The wiping blade 7 is provided on the side 20, i.e. on the longitudinal opening 21.

[0049] The wiping blade 7 has two longitudinal sides 22, 23. The base body 6 has housings 24, 25 facing respectively towards the long sides 22, 23 of the wiping blade 7; these housings preferably extend over the entire longitudinal extension 3. In addition, the wiping blade has housings 26, 27 on these long sides 22, 23 which preferably extend over the entire longitudinal extension 3.

[0050] In this embodiment, elastic rails 28, 29 are provided. The wiper blade 7 is fixed by its two longitudinal sides 22, 23 to the base body 6 by means of the elastic rails 28, 29. Bosses, in particular small bosses or ribs, can be provided on the housings 24, 25, 26, 27 so that, in the storage position of the wiper arm, the elastic rails 28, 29 are held as centered as possible in the housings 24, 25, 26, 27 so that hot air can pass and exit between the housings 24, 25, 26, 27 and the elastic rails 28, 29.

[0051] Thus, the elastic rail 28 of the embodiment of [Fig.2] leaves enough play at the level of the two housings 24, 26 so that the hot air can exit through the two housings 24, 26. In this way, the hot air outlets 10, 11 are formed in this example.

[0052] Furthermore, in the embodiment of [Fig.2], the elastic rail 29 is engaged in the two housings 25, 27 with sufficient clearance so that the hot air can exit through the two housings 25, 27. The hot air outlets 12, 13 are thus formed in this embodiment.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a section of the wiper blade 1 of Fig. 1 according to a schematic representation corresponding to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the elastic rails 28, 29 are tightly engaged in the base body 6. Thus, the recesses 24, 25 of the elastic rails in the base body 6 are narrow, which forms sealing joints between the recesses 24, 25 and the elastic rails; these joints are practically airtight.

[0054] The housings 26, 27 of the elastic rails 28, 29 on the wiping blade are made as in the embodiment of [Fig.2].

[0055] Thus, the fixing of the wiping blade 7 with the elastic rails 28, 29 on the base body 6 is such that in operation, the hot air passes through the elastic rails 28, 29 first mainly through the hot air outlets 11, 12 between the elastic rails 28, 29 and the wiping blade 7 as is represented in a highly simplified way by arrows and flow line drawings.

[0056] When the wiper blade 1 is installed on the wiper arm 2 of the vehicle, hot air can enter the cavity 8 through a hot air hose 30, the hose being connected at the hot air inlet 9. The hot air pipe 20 is appropriately connected to the hot air heater 31 of the vehicle.

[0057] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0058] 1 Windshield wiper blade

[0059] 2 Windshield wiper arms

[0060] 3 Longitudinal extension of the windshield wiper blade

[0061] 4 Inner trajectory

[0062] 5 Outer trajectory

[0063] 6 Elongated basic body

[0064] 7 Wiping blade

[0065] 8 Cavity of the base body

[0066] 10, 11, 12, 13 Hot air vents

[0067] 15 First end of the base body 6

[0068] 16 End cap

[0069] 17 Second end of the base body 6

[0070] 18 End cap

[0071] 22, 23 Longitudinal sides of the wiping blade 7

[0072] 24, 25 Housings on the long sides of the base body 6

[0073] 26, 27 Long side housings 22, 23

[0074] 28 Elastic rail

[0075] 29 Elastic rail

[0076] 31 Vehicle hot air heating

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle, having an elongated base body (6) and a wiping blade (7) installed on the base body (6), the base body (6) having a cavity (8) extending at least along the longitudinal extension (3) of the base body (6), the windscreen wiper blade being characterized in that it comprises at least one hot air inlet (9) through which, during operation, hot air is conducted into at least one cavity (8), and between the base body (6) and the wiping blade (7) there is provided at least one hot air outlet (10, 11, 12, 13).

2. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the hot air outlet (10, 11, 12, 13) is designed so that in operation, the hot air arriving through the hot air inlet (9) in the cavity (8) is guided by the hot air outlet (10, 11, 12, 13) onto the wiper blade (7).

3. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a) at least one hot air outlet (10, 11, 12, 13) is designed at least partly in segments along the longitudinal extension (3) of the hot air gap (10, 11, 12, 13), and / or b) at least one hot air outlet (10, 11, 12, 13) extends at least substantially over the entire longitudinal extension (3) of the base body (6).

4. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base body (6) has a longitudinal opening (21) on the side (20) facing the wiper blade (7), along the longitudinal extension (3), at which the wiper blade (7) is provided, such that at least one elastic rail (28) provided at the longitudinal opening (21) is fixed with the wiper blade (7) to the base body (6), and at least one hot air outlet (10, 11) is provided between the elastic rail (28) and the base body (6) and / or between the elastic rail (28) and the wiper blade (7).

5. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 9, characterized in that the attachment of the wiper blade (7) is carried out with the elastic rail (28) to the base body (6) in such a way that in operation the hot air is guided onto the elastic rail (28) at least mainly through at least one hot air outlet (11) between the elastic rail (28) and the wiper blade (7).

6. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the elastic rail (28) is tightly clamped in the base body (6).

7. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a further elastic rail (29) is provided at the longitudinal opening (21), which is fixed with the wiper blade (7) to the base body (6), - the wiper blade (7) is installed between the elastic rail (28) and the further elastic rail (29), and - at least one further hot air outlet (12, 13) is provided between the further elastic rail (29) and the base body (6) and / or between the further elastic rail (29) and the wiper blade (7).

8. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 7, characterized in that the attachment of the wiper blade (7) to the base body (6) is carried out with the further elastic rail (29) in such a way that in operation, hot air is guided onto the further elastic rail (29) at least mainly through at least one hot air outlet (12) between the further elastic rail (29) and the wiper blade (7).

9. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the further elastic rail (29) is tightly clamped in the base body (6).

10. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a) a hot air pipe (30) is provided which is connected to the hot air inlet (9) and which, in the installed state, is connected at least indirectly to a hot air heater (31), in particular the hot air heater (31) of the motor vehicle, and / or b) the base body (6) is designed as a deflector, and / or c) the wiper blade (7) and the base body (6) are separate components from each other, and / or d) a cavity (8) is provided which extends at least practically over the entire longitudinal extension (3) of the base body (6), and / or e) an end cap (16) is provided at a first end (15) of the base body (6) which closes the cavity (8) at the first end (15) and in that the second end (17) of the base body (6) has an end cap (18) which closes the cavity (8) at the second end (17).

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