DE10335393A1 - Production process for vehicle wiper blades involves positioning base body in holding device keeping distance between support element sections and holding device - Google Patents

Abstract

The production process is for a wiper blade with at least one base body, comprising a wiper strip and a support element. The base body is positioned in a holding device so that the distance between at least some sections of the support element and the holding device is maintained. The wind deflector strip is grasped and at least one claw (46) formed on it is threaded onto the support element. The wind deflector strip is the placed over the sup[port element.

Description

In the case of wiper blades with a spring-band-like support element, this is to ensure as uniform a distribution as possible of the wiper blade contact pressure emanating from the wiper arm on the windshield over the entire wiper field covered by the wiper blade. By means of a corresponding shaping curvature of the unloaded support element - i.e. if the wiper blade only rests on the windshield with its two ends - the ends of the wiper strip which is fully attached to the windshield during operation of the wiper blade are loaded by the then tensioned support element to the windshield, even if the Change the radii of curvature of spherically curved vehicle windows at every wiper blade position. The curvature of the wiper blade must therefore be somewhat stronger than the greatest curvature measured on the windshield to be wiped in the wiping field, because during the wiping operation, the wiper strip or its wiping lip lying against the windshield must always press against the windshield with a certain force. The support element thus replaces the complex support bracket construction with two spring rails arranged in the wiper strip, as is practiced with conventional wiper blades ( DE-OS 15 05 257 ), because the support element not only distributes the contact pressure but also causes the necessary cross-stiffening of the rubber-elastic wiper strip. In the known wiper blade, the contact force exerted by a wiper arm on a main bracket and directed towards the window is transmitted to two claw brackets and distributed by these to the rubber-elastic wiper strip via four claws. The two spring rails of this wiper blade primarily ensure a transverse stiffening of the wiper strip between the claws when the wiper blade is moved across the window in a direction transverse to its longitudinal extent.

In a known wiper blade of this type ( DE-OS 10120467 ) the connection between the base strip and the wiper strip is realized by means of an appropriate extrusion process in combination with simultaneous vulcanization or gluing of these two strips, which can lead to tension in the wiper blade or on the wiper lip and thus to an unsatisfactory wiping result, particularly in the case of larger windscreen curvatures.

The invention is based on a wiper blade according to the preamble of claim 1. In a known wiper blade of this type ( DE 198 010 58 A1 ) the wiper strip is secured against wandering out of the holding means of the base strip by end walls of the covering corresponding to the base strip lying against its two front ends. The possibility of a longitudinal relative movement between the base strip and the wiper strip is not provided. Therefore, there are also tensions on the wiper strip if, during wiping work - in which the wiper strip is constantly trying to adapt to the changing radii of curvature of the pane - the ends of the wiper strip hit the end walls of the casing.

Advantages of invention

The wiper blade according to the invention with the characteristic Features of claim 1 are particularly characterized by a stress-free deformation and thus through a perfect adaptation to the constantly changing window curvature out what by the way the longitudinal relative movement between the base bar and the wiper bar. The one on the base bar form-fitting guided wiper strip is able to achieve a perfect wiping result because the form fit the relative movement between the wiper strip and the base bar is not affected.

This measure can be cost-effective that are implemented at one of these two with each other strips of the wiper blade to be connected to those of the other strip facing long side, in at least one row arranged claws, which in these assigned recesses formed on the other bar believe it.

To maintain the flexibility of the wiper blade, in a further development of the invention, each of the holding claws consists of a variety of spaced apart claws.

A particularly simple manufacture and assembly of the wiper blade results when the rows of retaining claws formed on the base strip and the recesses on the wiper strip are.

Because as a wiper strip side Holding means on the longitudinal cheeks of the wiper strip facing away from one another these open edge longitudinal grooves are arranged, into which the holding claws of the base strip are immersed, the wiper blade assembly is further simplified cost-effective Manufacture of the wiper strip.

To give the wiper blade a pleasing look give, the support element can be fully integrated into the base bar be by the channel-like longitudinal recess penetrates the base bar like a tunnel.

In the case of a wiper blade with the generic features of claim 7, which accordingly has, in addition to further features, a wind deflector arranged on the base strip, in a further embodiment of the invention the wind deflection strip is held in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction of the base strip. This enables a relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade between the wind deflector bar and the base bar, which contributes to a stress-free deformation of the wiper blade in accordance with the curvature of the window. Here, too, the positive connection ensures proper, trouble-free securing of the wind deflector strip on the base strip.

The form fit is advantageous Way achieved in that one of these two components holding claws serving as holding means, arranged in at least one longitudinal row are located in recesses formed on the other component believe it.

A particularly suitable for production embodiment of the wiper blade provides that the wind deflector strip is used as a positive connection with a longitudinal approach immersed in a longitudinal recess open to the top of the base bar, wherein located on the base bar, from the two longitudinal walls of the longitudinal recess gripping projections in longitudinal grooves that extend towards each other like claws, which on opposite longitudinal sides of the longitudinal approach are arranged.

In terms of the multi-layered, criteria to be considered when designing the wiper blade - such as Example the size of the contact pressure, the course of the disc curvature, the length the wiper strip, etc., it can be useful if the elasticity of the base strip of elasticity corresponds to the wiper strip and / or that the elasticity of the wind deflector strip of elasticity corresponds to the base bar.

To the sliding behavior between the base bar and to optimize the wiper strip and / or the wind deflector strip it may be advantageous if the base strip-side holding means are made of a harder one Material exist as the holding means cooperating with these the wiper strip and / or the wind deflector strip.

Further advantages and configurations the invention are in the following description based on in the associated Exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing specified.

Show in the drawing

1 a partial schematic representation of a side view of a first wiper blade, which according to a likewise in 1 partial representation of a second embodiment shown is drawn with a wind deflector strip,

2 the section of a section through the first embodiment of the wiper blade according to 1 along the line II-II, shown enlarged,

3 the section of a section through the other embodiment of the wiper blade according to 1 along the line III-III, shown enlarged,

4 the cut surface of a cut according to the representation 3 by a further embodiment of the wiper blade 1 .

5 a partial side view of the wiper blade according to 2 seen in the direction of arrow V, the wiper strip being drawn with dash-dotted lines.

description of the embodiments

An in 1 shown wiper blade 10 has a band-like elongated, resilient, single or multi-part support element 12 on ( 2 ), which in this embodiment has two spring rails arranged in a common plane 14 includes. The support element is in the unloaded state over the belt surfaces 15 the spring rails 14 curved in the longitudinal direction ( 1 ). On the window to be wiped 16 facing, convex upper or outer hinge side 15 or band surface of the support element 12 is in the middle section of a connection device, for example, lying flat against this 18 arranged with the help of the wiper blade 10 with a driven wiper arm guided on the body of a motor vehicle 20 can be releasably connected. On his the disc 16 facing the concave curved or inner side is the wiper blade with an elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip 22 provided that parallel to the supporting element 12 extends. At the free end of the wiper arm, counter-connection means, not shown, are provided, which are connected to the connection device 18 of the wiper blade 10 work together in the sense of a joint. The wiper arm 20 and with it the wiper blade 10 are in the direction of the arrow 24 to the window to be wiped, the surface to be wiped in 1 through the dash-dotted line 16 is indicated. Since the dash-dotted line is supposed to represent the strongest curvature of the pane surface, it is clearly evident that the curvature of the ends of the pane 10 ' on the disc 14 adjacent, still unloaded wiper blade 10 is stronger than the maximum disc curvature. It has - unloaded - a concave course with respect to the pane. Under the contact pressure (arrow 24 ) the wiper blade lies down 10 with its wiping lip 26 over its entire length on the disc surface 16 and changes to a working position approximating the stretched position. This builds in the band-like spring-elastic support element 12 a voltage, which is necessary for a correct installation of the wiper strip 22 or their wiper lip 26 over their entire length on the motor vehicle window 16 provides. Because the generally spherically curved pane does not represent a section of a spherical surface, the wiper blade must be 10 opposite the wiper arm 20 during its wiping movement transversely to the wiper blade extension, the respective position and the course of the window surface 16 can adjust. That is why it is a swinging movement (double arrow 28 in 1 ) around the joint axis 30 the connection connection enables an articulated connection between wiper 20 and wiper blade 10 necessary.

In the following, reference should now be made to the special configuration of the wiper blade according to the invention using a 2 illustrated first embodiment of the wiper blade are discussed in more detail. When considering the 1 it should be noted that the one with the connection device 18 provided section of the wiper blade arranged on the left 10 shows a first embodiment of the wiper blade, while the section shown on the right represents a second wiper blade embodiment in which the wiper blade 110 additionally with a wind deflector bar 140 is provided. This is to be understood in such a way that each of the two partially illustrated embodiments stands for a complete wiper blade. As from the in 2 shown cross-sectional area of the wiper blade 10 is visible, this points next to the wiper strip 22 a base bar 36 whose length corresponds essentially to the wiper strip. The base bar 36 is of a channel-like longitudinal recess 38 penetrated like a tunnel, which is used to hold the support element 12 serves. The support element integrated into the base strip in this way therefore no longer requires an optical surface treatment, and special measures on the support element which are directed toward protection against injury can also be dispensed with. In this embodiment, the support element comprises 12 two spring rails arranged in a common plane 14 which are essentially parallel to each other in the longitudinal recess 38 are accommodated. Suitable measures, such as spacers or guide ribs in the longitudinal recess 38 can be used for reliable positioning of the spring rails 14 care in the longitudinal recess. In certain applications, however, it may also be expedient to arrange the two spring rails divergently with respect to one another in order to meet certain specification criteria. Since the base strip is made of a material that is elastic within certain limits, the base strip follows that of the support element 12 given curvature. Around the wiper strip 22 with the base bar 36 The base strip is to be connected in a reliable manner on its surface 16 facing lower groin area 40 with two claws each forming a row 42 respectively 44 provided which have a substantially L-shaped cross section. One L-leg of the claws 42 is fixed - preferably in one piece - with the last area 40 connected. The arrangement of the claws is such that the two claw legs 46 to extend towards each other. The rows of retaining claws 42 and 44 are located at a distance from each other and extend in the longitudinal direction of the base bar 36 , Their claw legs, which extend towards each other, also end 46 so that there is a longitudinal gap between the ends of the legs 48 remains. The wiper strip 22 has a header 50 on the over a tipping bar 52 the wiper lip 26 connected is. On their two long sides facing away from each other 54 has the header 50 one recess each in the form of a longitudinal groove 56 , The arrangement of the two longitudinal grooves lying in a common plane 56 in the area of the header 50 is hit so that the wiper strip 22 between the rows of claws 42 and 44 can be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. The claw legs grasp 46 of the rows of retaining claws in the longitudinal grooves facing them and forming the retaining means on the wiper strip side 56 in the header 50 , The depth of the longitudinal grooves 56 is matched so that the wiper strip 22 cannot be affected by tension. Rather, the interacting areas of the base bar 36 including rows of retaining claws 42 . 44 and the header 50 with their longitudinal grooves 56 the wiper strip 22 matched to one another so that there is a low-play, interference-free relative movement between the wiper strip 22 and base bar 36 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 10 is ensured. The arrangement and design of the rows of retaining claws 42 . 44 as well as that of the longitudinal grooves 56 in the header 50 the wiper strip 22 ensure a reliable form fit between these two components when the wiper blade 10 is moved transversely to its longitudinal extent over the window to be wiped.

So that the base bar 36 is not impermissibly stiffened by the arrangement of the rows of retaining claws, it has proven to be expedient to the rows of retaining claws 42 . 44 to separate, so that each row of retaining claws consists of a plurality of individual claws arranged one behind the other at a distance from one another. This arrangement is out 5 apparent where the single claws with the reference number 45 have been provided. Next shows 5 that between the adjacent single claws 45 a row a distance 47 remains.

At the in 3 The illustrated second embodiment of a wiper blade according to the invention is the base bar 36 on their from the wiper strip 22 opposite top with a wind deflector 140 Mistake. The wind deflector bar 140 is in the embodiment in one piece with the base bar 136 connected. Further in the embodiment according to 3 the support element 112 formed by a single spring rail, which in the longitudinal recess 138 the base bar 136 is housed. The wind deflector bar 140 has a grooved inflow surface 142 on, which faces the main direction of flow of the prevailing wind on the windshield during operation of the wiper blade. Such a wind deflector bar should decisively improve the application behavior of the wiper blade, particularly at high driving speeds. The designs on the wiper strip 22 and on the lower groin area 40 the base bar 136 for the arrangement of the wiper strip 22 on the base bar 136 correspond to the already based on the 2 described embodiment. A positive connection also results here between the base strip and the wiper strip, which allows a relative movement between these two strips belonging to the wiper blade. The resulting advantage can be seen in a tension-free but reliable guiding of the wiper strip on the base strip. If the cross-sections of the base strip and the wind deflector strip remain the same over the entire length of the wiper blade, the entire component can be extruded inexpensively. If necessary, so-called multi-component extrusion can also be used because different requirements are placed on the individual partial strips of the wiper blade.

In the further, based on 4 to be explained embodiment of the wiper blade according to the invention it is noticeable that it consists of three different individual strips. First of all, it has a rubber-elastic wiper strip 22 , which is already based on the 2 explained way with a base bar 236 connected is. The base bar 236 has on its lower groin area 40 also the already mentioned claw training 42 to 48 that interact with the longitudinal grooves 56 in the wiper strip 22 the desired form-fitting, reliable connection of the base bar 236 guaranteed with the wiper strip, the positive connection thus formed between these two parts a relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 210 between the base strip and the wiper strip. Deviating from that based on the 3 embodiment described since then is in the embodiment according to 4 a wind deflector formed as a prefabricated component 240 used. This wind deflector 240 also has an inflow surface 242 which in the contour of the base bar 236 transforms. The base bar 236 is also in this embodiment with a channel-like longitudinal recess completely closed in cross section 38 provided, in which the formed as a one-piece spring rail band-like elongated, spring-elastic support element 212 is housed. Also the arrangement of the wiper strip 22 on the base bar 236 corresponds to that based on 2 Already described arrangement and design, so that here too the wiper strip 22 is positively but movably connected to the base strip in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. Around the wind deflector bar 240 reliable with the base bar 236 the wind deflector has to connect 240 a longitudinal approach 260 on the base bar 236 facing wall surface 262 , The longitudinal approach 260 dips into one of the top of the base bar 236 open, groove-like longitudinal recess 264 on. To secure the wind deflector strip 240 on the base bar 236 engage the two facing longitudinal groove walls 266 protrusions arranged in rows and extending towards one another in the manner of a claw 268 longitudinal grooves assigned in them 270 , which on the long sides facing away from each other 272 of the longitudinal approach 260 are arranged. This results in holding claws which serve as holding means and are arranged in longitudinal rows 268 which in recesses formed on the other component 270 believe it. The resulting form fit between the wind deflector strip 240 and base bar 236 ensures a reliable connection between these two strips, but the possibility of a relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade between the two strips is ensured. Such a relative movement enables a tension-free adaptation of the wiper strip with its wiper lip to the constantly changing radii of curvature of the window to be wiped. By arranging the longitudinal approach 260 of the base strip into transverse slits that split up into short sections - analogous to that using 5 described embodiment - an undesirable stiffening of the base bar can be avoided by the longitudinal approach. That from three individually prefabricated individual strips 22 . 236 . 240 comprehensive wiper strip 210 can be adapted in an excellent way to the requirements, because each individual strip can be made of a material that takes these requirements into account. Here too, as with the other designs of the wiper blade according to the invention, the individual strips can have a constant cross section over their entire length, which in addition to the production of these strips in injection molds also opens up the possibility of extrusion production.

Deviating from the exemplary embodiments described, it is entirely conceivable to accommodate the resilient support element in a channel-like longitudinal recess which is located in the wind deflector strip. In the embodiment according to 4 The longitudinal approach is particularly suitable for this 260 which can be provided with such a receiving channel without difficulty - after appropriate dimensional coordination. Of course, it is also conceivable to place the longitudinal recess in the border area between the wind deflector strip and the base strip in such a way that the longitudinal recess is divided longitudinally and is therefore arranged proportionally in the two strips. Of course, one of the two strips can also only take on the function of a cover if the required depth of the recess is formed in the other strip.

Depending on the requirements placed on the wiper blade, which can change from case to case depending on the design criteria, it may be advantageous if the elasticity of the base strip corresponds to the elasticity of the wiper strip and / or if the elasticity of the wind deflector strip corresponds to the elasticity of the base strip equivalent. Further advantages in the selection of the interacting sliding partners base strip and wiper strip or base strip and wind deflector strip can result if the holding means on the base strip side are made of a harder material than the holding means which cooperate with them Wiper strip and / or the wind deflector strip.

The flexibility of the individual wiper blade part strips (Base strip, wiper strip, wind deflector strip) must of course be so be agreed that the target force distribution sought from case to case is not negatively influenced by the support element. On the other hand, it is but quite possible through the selection of suitable materials and / or targeted ones Changes in cross section the contact force distribution on one or more of these partial bars to provide targeted support.

All embodiments have in common that for wiper blades the type in question, the wiper strip and possibly also the wind deflector in the longitudinal direction the base bar movably held on the base bar are.

Another advantage is that all partial strips of the wiper blades are extruded inexpensively can. This closes however, it does not mean that at least one of these strips is manufactured in an injection mold can be.

It goes without saying that each according to the invention with interconnected partial strips - base strip and wiper strip and, if necessary, base bar and wind deflector bar - by the Measures known to a person skilled in the art, for example by the arrangement of appropriately positioned Sling means of a partial bar with counter-sling means the other sub-strip cooperate, are secured to each other in the longitudinal direction. However, it must be ensured that the positioning of this The sling and counter sling means the necessary longitudinal relative movement between the base bar and wiper strip not inadmissible concentrated.

Claims (12)

Wiper blade ( 10 ) for cleaning windows, in particular of motor vehicles, with a band-like, elongated, spring-elastic support element curved over its band surfaces ( 12 ), which in at least one channel-like longitudinal recess ( 38 ) a base strip made of a rubber-elastic material ( 36 ) is housed, with its concavely curved underside one on the disc ( 16 ) wiper strip that can be put on ( 22 ) is connected, characterized in that the wiper strip ( 22 ) in the longitudinal direction of the base bar ( 36 ) is movable and held in a form-fitting manner in the transverse direction. Wiper blade according to claim 1, characterized in that on one of these two strips to be connected ( 22 and 36 ) of the wiper blade ( 10 ) on the other bar ( 36 and 22 ) facing claws arranged in at least one row in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade ( 42 . 44 ) are located in these assigned recesses formed on the other bar ( 56 ) grasp. Wiper blade according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the rows of retaining claws ( 42 . 44 ) from a variety of by far ( 47 ) arranged individual claws ( 45 ) consists. Wiper blade according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding claws on the base strip ( 36 ) and the recesses ( 56 ) on the wiper strip ( 22 ) are trained. Wiper blade according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the holding means on the wiper strip side on the longitudinal cheeks of the wiper strip facing away from one another to these longitudinal grooves which are open at the edge ( 56 ) are arranged, in which the holding claws ( 42 . 44 ) the base bar ( 36 ) immerse. Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the channel-like longitudinal recess ( 38 ) the base bar ( 36 ) penetrates like a tunnel. Wiper blade for cleaning windows, in particular of motor vehicles, with an elongated base strip which forms the wiper blade body and is made of a rubber-elastic material ( 236 ), on one ledge wall one on the pane ( 16 ) wiper strip that can be put on ( 22 ) is arranged and on the other, opposite this upper ledge wall a prefabricated wind deflector ledge ( 240 ) is held and at least approximately in the transition area from the base strip to the wind deflector strip in at least one channel-like longitudinal recess ( 38 ) a spring-elastic support element curved in the longitudinal direction over its band surfaces ( 212 ) with its concave curvature of the wiper strip ( 22 ) is facing, characterized in that the wind deflector strip ( 240 ) in the longitudinal direction of the base bar ( 236 ) is movable and held in a form-fitting manner in the transverse direction. Wiper blade according to claim 7, characterized in that on one of these two components serving as holding means, arranged in at least one longitudinal row holding claws ( 268 ) are located in recesses formed on the other component ( 270 ) grasp. Wiper blade according to claim 8, characterized in that the wind deflector strip ( 240 ) with a longitudinal approach ( 260 ) to the top of the base bar ( 236 ) open longitudinal recess ( 264 ) and that is located on the base bar, from the two longitudinal walls ( 266 ) of the longitudinal recess from claw-like projections ( 268 ) in longitudinal grooves ( 270 ) which grip on the long sides facing away from each other ( 272 ) of the longitudinal approach ( 260 ) are arranged. Wiper blade according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that that the elasticity the baseline of elasticity corresponds to the wiper strip. Wiper blade according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that that the elasticity the wind deflector corresponds to the elasticity of the base strip. Wiper blade according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the holding means on the base strip side consist of a hard material than the holding means of the wiper strip which cooperate with these 22 ) and / or the wind deflector strip ( 240 ).