Windshield wiper blade, particularly for motor vehicles, comprising an electrical connector for a heating element

Abstract

Title: Windshield wiper blade, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising an electrical connector for a heating element. Windshield wiper blade (4), particularly for a motor vehicle (2), comprising an elongated base body (15) and a wiper blade mounted on the base body (15), the base body (15) having at least one electric heating element extending along the longitudinal extension (6) of the base body (15) and at least one end cap (17) directly connected to the base body (15), wiper blade characterized in that the end cap (17) has an electrical connector (19) electrically connected to at least one electric heating element, and - the electrical connector (19) is made as the first part (20) of a removable electrical connection (21). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade, particularly for motor vehicles, comprising an electrical connector for a heating element. SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

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

[0002] According to document DE 10 2021 212 195 A1, a windshield wiper with a deflector blade and a wiping blade is known. The deflector blade has a cavity and orifices for the passage of a cleaning fluid sprayed onto the windshield during operation. 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 wiper systems having a wiper blade body. The wiper blade body has a wiping lip, an elastic rail, and a heating film that covers at least part of the wiper blade and has an electrical conductor. The wiper blade is mechanically and removably connected to the wiper arm via a wiper blade adapter. The heating film is electrically connected by pins that fit into a socket on the wiper blade adapter.

[0004] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of known solutions and relates to this purpose to a windshield wiper blade, in particular for a motor vehicle comprising an elongated base body and a wiping blade installed on the base body, the base body having at least one electric heating element extending along the longitudinal extension of the base body and at least one end cap connected directly to the base body, windshield wiper blade characterized in that the end cap has an electrical connector electrically connected to at least one electric heating element and the electrical connector is made as the first part of a removable electrical connection.

[0006] The windshield wiper blade according to the invention has the advantage of being better made and functioning than known windshield wiper blades. It also allows for simpler assembly of the wiping device.

[0007] Advantageously, the electrical connector is permanently connected to the electric heating element; the electric heating element can form an assembly with The end cap is connected, for example, to the vehicle with a cable. The cable can be pre-installed in the vehicle, which simplifies manufacturing.

[0008] Advantageously, the first part is socket-shaped, which simplifies the connection. For example, a plug can be attached to the cable, which is then inserted into the socket. The wiper can be assembled with the plug and, if necessary, the cable, and thus distributed, allowing for reliable assembly and connection.

[0009] Advantageously, another electrical connector is provided in the form of a second part of an electrical connection, and this other electrical connector is connected, or can be connected, or is integral to a flexible electrical cable. This allows for pre-assembly in which the cable is already equipped with the plug and, if necessary, at its other end, it can be prepared appropriately to allow reliable mounting on the vehicle.

[0010] The second part is advantageously made up as a plug, which simplifies assembly.

[0011] Advantageously, the mounting direction is predefined so that the wiper blade is installed on a wiper arm, with the end cap located at the end of the base body which, in its installed state, is close to the axis of rotation of the wiper arm. This results in a short, optimal cable. Furthermore, the cable segment exposed to environmental factors is as short as possible and is, for example, protected by the wiper arm cover. In addition, the connection is thus reliably protected.

[0012] Advantageously, the first part of the electrical connector is kept away from the glass during operation, away from the wiping lip of the base body. This prevents any contact with the water wiped from the glass, thus preventing water from entering the connection or reducing the sealing requirements.

[0013] Advantageously, the end cap has a fixing piece by which the end cap is mechanically connected to the base body and the first part of the electrical connector protrudes at least partially from the head side of the base body opposite the wiping lip of the base body, resulting in the above advantages.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature, the base body has spray channels which, in operation, allow a cleaning fluid to be sprayed onto the windshield. Such an embodiment may require heating. The wiper blade as defined above is particularly suitable for this application, and the combination offers specific advantages. For example, the connection at the end cap allows for considerable design freedom in connecting an electrical link that supplies the cleaning fluid to the wiper blade. The heating element of the wiper blade thus prevents the cleaning fluid from freezing. or allows it to thaw. At the same time, the supply of cleaning fluid can be done, for example, through the wiper blade adapter which connects the wiper blade to the wiper arm.

[0015] Depending on the embodiment, one may have one or more of the advantages mentioned above.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous manner, wiper blades are available with a spray function that sprays cleaning fluid from the wiper blade, and an improved option for heating the wiper blade. The electrical connection can be integrated into the wiper blade, thus eliminating the need for any additional components.

[0017] The electrical connection is made on the wiper blade to connect, for example, a cable, so that the wiper arm does not necessarily have an adaptation for an electrical connection. The end cap can advantageously be made to serve as the electrical connection.

[0018] The end cap may have a male or female connector. The end cap is equipped with the heating element attached to the wiper blade. The heating element may be in the form of a heating film or a heating wire. The heating element may also be of another embodiment. Multiple heating elements may also be used.

[0019] The heating element is connected to the vehicle by a cable. The end cap serves as a mechanical end cap for mounting the wiper blade and also provides the electrical connection. This eliminates the need for other components that would be required in conventional designs for the electrical connection. Furthermore, the length of the electrical cable (connecting cable) is reduced. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a windshield wiper blade shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] Windshield of a motor vehicle equipped with a wiping device according to a schematic perspective representation for the description of an embodiment, the wiper blade of the wiping device being shown applied against the windshield,

[0022] [Fig.2] Detailed view of the wiper blade according to the embodiment, the wiper blade with the windshield wiper connected by a cable,

[0023] [Fig.3] detail of [Fig.2] whose wiper blade end cap is presented in schematic perspective,

[0024] [Fig.4] highly simplified profile diagram of a windshield wiper blade to describe a mode possible operating principle for spraying cleaning liquid onto a window combination with heating the cleaning fluid in the wiper blade cavity.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 2 equipped with a wiper device 3 in a schematic perspective view for the description of the exemplary embodiment; the wiper blade 4 of the wiper device 5 is shown applied against the window 1. The wiper blade 4 is attached to the wiper arm 5 of the wiper device 3. The wiper arm 5 is mounted appropriately. Alternatively, there may be several wiper arms 5, each equipped with a wiper blade 4. The wiper device 3 with the wiper blade 4 is particularly suitable for a window 1 in the form of a windshield. The wiper device 3 with the wiper blade 4 can also be fitted to a window 1 in the form of a rear window. The wiper blade 1 is particularly suitable for a motor vehicle 2. This refers, in particular, to motor vehicles or commercial vehicles, trucks, etc.

[0027] The wiper blade 1 has a longitudinal extension 6. During operation, the wiper blade 1 is driven by the wiper arm 5 in a pendulum motion to sweep across the window 1 of the motor vehicle 2; the pendulum motion corresponds to an imaginary pendulum axis. The first end 7, closest to the pendulum axis of the wiper blade 1, moves along an inner path 8. Correspondingly, the second end 9 of the wiper blade 1, furthest from the axis of the pendulum motion, is on the outer path 10. The inner path 8 and the outer path 10 are defined by circular or elliptical trajectories; the radius of the inner path 8 is smaller than that of the outer path 10.

[0028] The realization of this example is detailed below with reference to [Fig.2].

[0029] Figure 2 is a detailed view of the wiper blade 4 of the exemplary embodiment. The wiper blade 4 has an elongated basic body 15. The basic body 15 can also be in several parts. In addition, the wiper blade has a wiping blade 16 on the basic body 15. The basic body 15 of this exemplary embodiment includes an electric heating element 16a which extends along the longitudinal extension 6 of the basic body 15. The heating element 16a can also be installed appropriately outside or inside the basic body 15. According to one possible embodiment, the heating element 16 is installed between the basic body 15 and the wiping blade 16; The base body holds, under these conditions, the wiping blade 16. The electrical connector 19 of this example embodiment is connected rigidly to the electric heating element 16a.But, we can also have a removable connection, for example, a plug-in connection between an electrical connecting piece. 19 and the electric heating element 16a. According to an alternative embodiment, there are several heating elements 16a.

[0030] The end caps 17, 18 are connected at least indirectly to the base body 15. The end cap 17 is installed at the first end 7 and the end cap 18 is installed at the second end 9.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a detail of the wiper blade 4 of Figure 2; Figures 2 and 3 schematically show the end cap 17 of the wiper blade 4. In this embodiment, the end cap 17 has an electrical connector 19. The electrical connector 19 is electrically connected to the electric heating element 16a. The electrical connector 19 may also have electrical contacts 23, 24, for example, in the form of flat contacts, contact sockets, or contact pins.

[0032] The electrical connector 19 is the first part 20 of a removable electrical connection 21. The first part 20 comprises a socket 22, for example, made of plastic. Furthermore, another electrical connector 25 is provided, which constitutes the second part 26 of the electrical connection 21. This other electrical connector 25 is connected to a flexible electrical cable 27. The connection between the electrical connector 25 and the flexible electrical cable 27 may be removable or fixed. The first part 26 of this embodiment is in the form of a connector 28.

[0033] The mounting direction 30 is predefined according to which the wiper blade 4 is installed on the wiper arm 5. The mounting direction 30 predefines the installation of the end cap 17 at the end 7 of the base body 15 which corresponds to the installed state at the position close to the axis of rotation 31 of the wiper arm 5. The mounting direction 30 thus predefines the end cap 17 to the one associated with the inner trajectory 8.

[0034] During operation, the wiping lip 35 moves across the glass 1. The first part 20 of the electrical connector 19 is thus kept away from the glass 1. This prevents contact with aqueous liquids, in particular rainwater and cleaning fluids. This helps to better prevent water from entering the electrical connection 19.

[0035] The end cap 17 has a fixing piece 36. The end cap 17 is mechanically connected to the base body 15 by its fixing piece 36. The first part 20 of the electrical connection 19 protrudes from the head side 37 of the base body 15 opposite the wiping lip 35 of the base body 15.

[0036] Figure 4 shows, in a very simplified manner, the schematic profile of a wiper blade 4 for describing the possible operation of applying cleaning fluid 40 to the windshield 1 by spraying. This is combined with heating the cleaning fluid 40 in a cavity 41 of the wiper blade 4. base body 15 has spray channels 42 which allow, in operation, the spraying of cleaning liquid 40 onto the glass 1.

[0037] The cleaning fluid 40 arrives via a hose 43 at the wiper blade 4. The hose 43 is attached to the wiper arm 5. The wiper blade adapter 44 mechanically attaches the wiper blade 4 to the wiper arm 5. The hose 43 can be hydraulically connected to the wiper blade 4 via the wiper blade adapter 44. This allows for considerable design freedom because the electrical connection 19 of the heating element 16 is made at the end cap 17.

[0038] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0039] 1 Windscreen / windshield

[0040] 2 Motor vehicle

[0041] 3 Wiping device

[0042] 4 Windshield wiper blade

[0043] 5 Wiping device

[0044] 6 Longitudinal extension of the windshield wiper blade

[0045] 7 First end of the wiper blade

[0046] 8 Inner trajectory of the first end

[0047] 9 Second end of the wiper blade

[0048] 10 External trajectory of the second end

[0049] 15 Basic body

[0050] 16 Wiping blade

[0051] 16a Electric heating element

[0052] 17 End cap

[0053] 18 End cap

[0054] 19 Electrical connection

[0055] 20 First part of the electrical connection 19

[0056] 21 Electrical connector

[0057] 22 Socket of the first part 20

[0058] 23 Electrical contact

[0059] 24 Electrical contact

[0060] 25 Other electrical connector

[0061] 26 Second part of the electrical connection 21

[0062] 27 Flexible electrical cable

[0063] 28 Pin

[0064] 30 Assembly Direction

[0065] 35 Wiping lip

[0066] 36 End cap fixing piece 17

[0067] 37 Head side of the base body 15

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072] 40 Cleaning fluid 41 Wiper blade cavity 42 Spray channels 43 Hose 44 Wiper blade adapter

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper blade (4) in particular for a motor vehicle (2) comprising an elongated base body (15) and a wiper blade (16) installed on the base body (15), the base body (15) having at least one electrical heating element (16a) extending along the longitudinal extension (6) of the base body (15) and at least one end cap (17) connected directly to the base body (15), windscreen wiper blade characterized in that the end cap (17) has an electrical connector (19) electrically connected to at least one electrical heating element (16a), and - the electrical connector (19) is formed as a first part (20) of a removable electrical connection (21).

2. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connector (19) is securely connected to the electric heating element (16).

3. Windscreen wiper blade according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (20) is provided with a sleeve (22).

4. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a further electrical connector (25) in the form of a second part (26) of a removable electrical connection (21), and - the further electrical connector (25) is removably connected to a flexible electrical cable (27) or can be removably or integrally connected.

5. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second part (26) is in the form of a plug (28).

6. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a predefined mounting direction (30) in which the windscreen wiper blade (4) is installed on a windscreen wiper arm (5), and - the end cap (17) is mounted on one end (7) of the base body (15) so that in the installed state it is close to the axis of rotation (31) of the windscreen wiper arm (5).

7. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first part (20) of the electrical connector (19) is spaced apart in operation from the window (1) traversed by the wiping lip (35) of the base body (15).

8. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the end cap (17) has a fastening part (36) by which the end cap (17) is mechanically connected to the base body (15), and - the first part (20) of the electrical connector (19) protrudes at least partially from the head side (37) of the base body (15), opposite the wiping lip (35) of the base body (15).

9. Windscreen wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by spray channels (42) of the base body (15) which, in operation, allow a windscreen washer fluid to be sprayed onto a window (1).

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