DE102005062462A1 - Windscreen wiper is fitted with spoiler on opposite side of mounting from wiper blade which has longitudinal cavity and is made from softer plastic than mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

The windscreen wiper is fitted with a spoiler (38) on the opposite side of the mounting (12) from the wiper blade (14). The spoiler has a longitudinal cavity (42) and is made from a softer plastic than the mounting.

Description

State of technology

The Invention is based on a wiper blade according to the preamble of the claim 1 off.

From the DE 198 01 058 A1 a wiper blade with a carrier made of plastic is known, which has two wiper strip towards two, extending in the longitudinal direction holding rails. These form between them an approximately rectangular cross-section space with a longitudinal gap. The gap takes on a back strip of a wiper strip with little play. The low clearance facilitates assembly and favors the Umlegeverhalten the wiper lip in the reversal of the wiper blade. In one embodiment, a spring rail is arranged as a support element in a central hollow profile above the support rails. In order to influence the spring properties of the spring rail as little as possible by the carrier, transverse slots are provided in the support rails and / or the hollow profile for the spring strip.

at another version instructs the wearer on each long side a longitudinal groove on, in each of which a spring rail is used as the support element. This problematic disc arrangements and high speeds a proper investment the wiper strip is secured to the disc, is with the carrier Spoiler connected in the form of a wind deflector. This is single-walled on the carrier standing or hanging formed. In one execution is the carrier Divided transversely in the middle, so that both parts of the ends over the Wiper strip or the spring rail can be pushed and be secured in the central region by a locking device. Depending on the embodiment is either on the carrier or attached to the spring rail, a connection element, with their Help the wiper blade to be hinged to a wiper arm can.

From the FR 2 868 376 A1 is a windshield wiper with a carrier made of plastic, which has two wiper strip towards two opposite support rails, which form a cross-sectionally approximately rectangular space with a longitudinal gap, which serves to receive a back strip of a wiper strip. The carrier, on the upper side of a spoiler is formed, has between the support rails on the one hand and the spoiler on the other hand, a central longitudinal channel for receiving a spring element serving as a support rail. In a central area, a window in the spoiler is provided for a connection element. The longitudinally divided connecting element comprises the carrier in the region of the spring rail with an inwardly open U-shaped profile. In the U-shaped profile transverse cutting are arranged, which penetrate during assembly through the wall of the carrier and engage in recesses or notches of the spring rail and fix the locking element to the longitudinal direction. According to another embodiment, the connection element also has centering cams in the area of the cutters, which engage in corresponding recesses of the carrier. Thus, the connection element and the spring rail are centered and secured relative to the carrier.

Furthermore, from the DE 101 20 467 A1 a wiper blade with a wiper strip known, the header has two lateral longitudinal grooves. These serve to receive two spring rails, which serve as support elements, and on which a spoiler is fastened with guide grooves. The spoiler has two longitudinal regions made of different materials, namely the longitudinal region, which performs the main tasks of the spoiler with the inflow surface, made of a softer material than the longitudinal region, which comprises the outer parts of the spring rails with the guide rails. In the middle area of the wiper blade, a window is cut by water jet cutting from the spoiler. This serves to receive a connection element for a wiper arm, which is attached to the spring rails. Since the Zweistoffspoiler has a constant profile over its entire length, it can be inexpensively manufactured by the so-called multi-material extrusion process. The same applies to another embodiment in which the wiper blade has a central hollow profile for a spring rail. The adjoining the hollow profile region of the wiper blade consists of a plastic that is harder than the adjoining Spoilerbereich or the area of the wiper strip.

Advantages of invention

To the invention, the spoiler on a longitudinal channel and is made of a made of softer plastic than the carrier. The wiper blade according to the invention has a compact, streamlined shape on, in which the wiper strip easily mounted and replaced can. Furthermore, the wiper strip has by their leadership with little play in the carrier a good Umlegeverhalten in the reversal of the wiper blade. simultaneously is due to the softer material of the spoiler over the Carrier the bending elasticity the wiper blade improves about the pivot axis of the wiper blade, so that the spring characteristics of acting as a support element spring rail not impaired become. As a material for the Spoiler is especially a thermoplastic elastomer, the known under the abbreviation TPE. Finally, can on the wiper blade according to the invention a connection element without welding are attached.

According to one Embodiment of the invention, the carrier and the spoiler as separate Items made. In this case, the carrier has a holding element, the with a retaining element on the spoiler positively and in the longitudinal direction interacts slidably. This lateral limbs of the Spoilers on side support rails of the carrier. The holding elements result in a dovetail-shaped guide, wherein retaining rails the holding elements on the carrier and a guide rail that Make holding element on the spoiler or vice versa. Due to the positive, longitudinally movable Connection between the carrier and the spoiler undergoes the flexibility of the flat beam Barely obstructed the spoiler.

To the Attaching a connection element to the wiper blade is the spoiler divided in the middle area and forms a window for recording of the connection element. This engages with claws or protrusions in Cutouts of the carrier a, wherein the claws comprise the spring rail or the spring rails. The recesses secure the connection element in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade while passing through the bent claws the connecting element in the direction of a vertical axis is secured. The position of the window and the connection element may vary depending on the application of the central location and shifted to the drive side or other end of the wiper blade be.

To another embodiment the invention, the connection element comprises a sheet metal claw and a cap with connection profiles for the spoiler, which through a connecting piece connected to each other. The cap clothes the window for the Connection element and forms a harmonious transition to the ends of the split spoiler. The intermediate piece has lateral guide rails, with which it is laterally on the carrier or abuts the spring rails. Furthermore, it has opposing inwardly facing cams that fit into recesses of the carrier. Consequently becomes the position in the longitudinal direction across from the carrier secured in the axial direction. In this case, two spring rails can be provided be that in lateral longitudinal grooves of the carrier are embedded or a spring rail, which in a central longitudinal channel of the carrier is housed. The claws are bent during assembly and pressed against the spring rails or the walls of the carrier that surround the spring rail.

Becomes dispensed with a cap, it may be enough that the claws of the connecting element have steps which engage in recesses of the carrier, wherein the parts of the claws adjoining the steps are the Spring rail or the spring rails include.

Becomes the carrier and the spoiler produced in a multi-material extrusion process, it is appropriate that a recess is cut out in the middle of the spoiler, on their long sides Remaining strips provided from the softer material of the spoiler are. Against this, a bottom of the connecting element by during assembly his claws pressed around the spring rails. Thus, will the connection element in the longitudinal direction force fit fixed.

Of the Carrier, the spoiler and the wiper strip are at the ends of the wiper blade expediently secured by end caps, with locking lugs in corresponding lateral Cutouts of the carrier or engage the spring rail.

drawing

Further Advantages are shown in the following description of the drawing. In the drawing are exemplary embodiments represented the invention. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The specialist will the features also expediently individually consider and summarize to meaningful further combinations.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of one end of a wiper blade according to the invention without an end cap,

2 a perspective view of a carrier of the wiper blade after 1 .

3 the wiper blade after 1 with an end cap,

4 an exploded perspective view of the central part of the wiper blade 1 .

5 a variant to 1 .

6 an exploded perspective view of the central part of the wiper blade 5 .

7 a cross section corresponding to the line VII-VII in 6 .

8th a variant to 1 .

9 a perspective view of a cap for the central region of the wiper blade after 8th .

10 a perspective view of Cover cap from below,

11 an exploded perspective view of the cap after 9 with a connection element,

12 a perspective view of the middle part of a wiper blade after 8th in the assembled state,

13 an exploded perspective view of a variant of 11 and

14 a perspective view of the middle part of a wiper blade after 13 in the assembled state.

description the embodiments

A wiper blade 10 owns a carrier 12 made of plastic, which at its lower, a vehicle window facing side with a wiper strip 14 is connected, while on its opposite side a spoiler 38 is attached. The wiper strip 14 has a wiper lip 20 which has a tipping foot with a head rail 16 connected is. This is in turn via a bridge with a back bar 18 connected in a holding element in the form of two mutually opposite support rails 36 on the carrier 12 is guided and held longitudinally displaceable. For this purpose, the support rails form 36 a cross-section approximately rectangular space with a longitudinal gap. The header 16 is trapped in the gap with little play.

The retaining rails 36 are on a lower side 26 a hollow profile 22 of the carrier 12 formed. At an upper side 24 of the hollow profile 22 are mirror images of the retaining rails 36 retaining rails 34 provided, between which a cross-sectionally T-shaped guide rail 44 the spoiler 38 guided and held longitudinally displaceable. On both sides of the retaining rails 34 owns the carrier 12 in lateral extension of the upper side 24 lateral support strips 28 on which the spoiler 38 with thighs 40 supported. At the ends of the support strips 28 are recesses 30 arranged. They are used to secure end caps 46 , which in the assembly with internal cam, not shown in the recesses 30 engage. The end caps 46 cover the front of the spoiler 38 with its longitudinal channel 42 and the front of the wearer 12 thus limiting the axial freedom of movement of the spoiler 38 , the wiper strip 14 and a spring rail 56 acting as a support element in the hollow section 22 of the carrier 12 is used.

In a middle area of the wiper blade 10 which also deviates more or less from the center to the drive-side end of the wiper blade 10 or offset to the other end, is the spoiler 38 Divided transversely to the longitudinal axis, with the two parts of the spoiler 38 a window 39 form, that for receiving a connection element 48 serves to the wiper blade 10 to articulate with a wiper arm, not shown. The connection element 48 essentially comprises a floor 50 on the claws 52 are formed. These form to the ground 50 towards a step 54 , During assembly, the connection element 48 from above onto the carrier 12 set, with the stages 54 in recesses 32 the support strips 28 intervention. This is the connection element 48 in the longitudinal direction relative to the carrier 12 fixed. Now the claws 52 around the hollow profile 22 with the spring rail 56 bent so that the connecting element 48 also in the direction of a vertical axis on the carrier 12 is fixed. The connection element 48 owns as well as the connection elements 68 and 108 to 6 and 11 Bearing elements for the connecting joint, which are not shown for clarity, but only in the connection element 116 to 13 are shown by way of example.

The wiper blade 10 in the execution after 5 owns a carrier 58 that with support rails 60 the back bar 18 the wiper strip 14 includes. In a hollow profile 59 of the carrier 58 is the spring rail 56 used. She stands with the wiper strip 14 a little way over the front of the wearer 58 before and has in this area lateral recesses 64 for fixing the end caps 46 , At the upper side of the hollow profile 59 is a spoiler 62 formed in a multi-material extrusion process. It is made of a softer plastic than the carrier 58 and forms with the surface of the carrier 58 a longitudinal channel 66 , In a middle area is in the spoiler 62 a recess 74 cut. This has residual stripes on its long sides 63 from the softer plastic material of the spoiler 62 , The recess 74 serves to accommodate a connection element 68 whose claws 72 around the hollow profile 59 with the spring rail 56 be bent and a floor 70 of the connection element 68 against the leftovers 63 to press. Thus, the connection element 68 by a frictional connection in a simple manner in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 58 fixed.

The wiper blade 10 in the execution after 8th owns a carrier 76 made of harder plastic. The carrier 76 has a back bar 78 up, over a jetty 80 with retaining rails 82 connected is. These are opposite each other and form a longitudinal gap and an approximately rectangular cross-section space for receiving the back strip 18 the wiper strip 14 , Between the back bar 78 of the carrier 76 on the one hand and the retaining rails 82 On the other hand are laterally open longitudinal grooves in the spring rails 84 turned are set. These are laterally a bit out of the grooves, so a spoiler 88 with longitudinal guides 90 on the protruding parts of the spring rails 84 pushed or clipped. The spoiler 88 , which is advantageously made of a softer plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, has a longitudinal channel 94 and a bulge 92 between the longitudinal guides 90 for the back bar 78 of the carrier 76 , The carrier 76 and the wiper strip 14 stand in the longitudinal direction a little way over the front of the spoiler 88 in front. In the above area wei sen the spring rails 84 recesses 86 on, for fixing the end caps 46 serve.

In a middle area is the spoiler 88 transverse to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 10 divided, with the two parts of the spoiler 88 a window 96 form ( 12 ), in which a connection element 108 is used. The connection element 108 is in two parts. It includes a cap 98 and a tin claw 109 , The cap 98 clothes the window 96 out by connecting profiles 100 harmonious to the front sides of the sections of the spoiler 88 connect. An intermediate piece 102 connects the connection profiles 100 , It is made by lateral guide rails 104 on the long sides of the spring rails 84 guided while inward-facing cams 106 in corresponding recesses 114 the back bar 78 of the carrier 76 intervention. Thus, the cap is 98 in the longitudinal direction relative to the carrier 76 fixed.

The tin claw 109 is from the top of the assembled cap 98 set, being a floor 110 and the claws 112 between the protruding guide rails 104 the cap 98 are guided. The upper side of the floor 110 advantageously closes flush with the upper boundary of the guide rails 104 off, so that the metal claw 109 in the cap 98 is admitted. By bending the claws 112 around the intermediate piece 102 and the spring rails 84 becomes the connecting element 108 secured in the direction of the vertical axis. The tin claw 109 has bearing elements not shown in detail.

13 and 14 show a simplified variant of the embodiment according to 8th to 12 , This eliminates the cover cap 98 so that a connecting element 116 essentially a floor 118 with molded claws 120 includes. The claws 120 are over a step 122 with the ground 118 connected. Will the connection element 116 from above onto the carrier 76 set, grab the steps 122 in corresponding recesses 124 the back bar 78 a, whereby the fuse is ensured in the longitudinal direction. Now the claws 120 around the spring rails 84 bent, causing the connecting element 116 secured in the direction of the vertical axis. At the connection element 116 are as bearing elements two laterally molded side walls 126 shown, which is a bearing sleeve 128 wear. The bearing sleeve 128 can serve as a hub for a hinge pin of the wiper arm or as a hinge pin for a hub on the wiper arm. In principle, other bearing elements and arrangements are possible, as they are known in the art. The bearing elements 126 . 128 apply by way of example to all connection elements in the embodiments shown.

Claims (8)

Wiper blade ( 10 ) with a carrier ( 12 . 58 . 76 ) made of plastic, to a wiper strip ( 14 ) towards each other, in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade ( 10 ) extending retaining rails ( 36 . 60 . 82 ), which form a cross-section approximately rectangular space with a longitudinal gap and for receiving a back strip ( 18 ) of the wiper strip ( 14 ), wherein on the support ( 12 . 58 . 76 ) a spoiler ( 38 . 62 . 88 ) made of plastic and at least one spring rail ( 56 . 84 ) are provided and a connection element ( 48 ) in the middle region on the carrier ( 12 . 58 . 76 ) and / or on the spring rail ( 56 . 84 ), characterized in that the spoiler ( 38 . 62 . 88 ) preferably a longitudinal channel ( 42 . 66 . 94 ) and is made of a softer plastic than the carrier ( 14 . 58 . 76 ). Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spoiler ( 38 . 62 . 88 ) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier ( 12 ) a holding element ( 34 ), which with a holding element ( 44 ) on the spoiler ( 38 ) cooperates positively, longitudinally displaceable, wherein lateral legs ( 40 ) of the spoiler ( 38 ) on lateral support strips ( 28 ) of the carrier ( 12 ). Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spoiler ( 38 ) is divided in the middle area and a window ( 39 ) for receiving a connection element ( 48 . 108 . 116 ) formed with claws ( 52 . 120 ) or protrusions ( 106 ) in recesses ( 32 . 114 . 124 ) of the carrier ( 12 . 76 ), wherein the claws ( 52 . 120 ) the spring rail ( 56 . 84 ). Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element ( 108 ) a metal claw ( 109 ) and a cap ( 98 ) with connection profiles ( 100 ) for the spoiler ( 88 ), which by an intermediate piece ( 102 ), the lateral guide rails ( 104 ) and inward pointing No bridges ( 106 ) which in recesses ( 114 ) of the carrier ( 76 ), the sheet metal claw ( 109 ) with its bottom ( 110 ) in the intermediate piece ( 102 ) is partially embedded and with her claws ( 112 ) the intermediate piece ( 102 ) and the spring rails ( 84 ). Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the claws ( 52 . 120 ) of the connection element ( 48 . 116 ) Stages ( 54 . 122 ) in recesses ( 32 . 124 ) the carrier ( 12 . 76 ), which are connected to the steps ( 54 . 122 ) adjoining parts of the claws ( 52 . 120 ) the spring rail ( 56 . 84 ). Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier ( 58 ) and the spoiler ( 62 ) are produced in a multi-material extrusion process and the spoiler ( 62 ) in the middle area a recess ( 74 ), on the longitudinal sides of which residual strips ( 63 ) made of the material of the spoiler ( 62 ), against which a ground ( 70 ) of the connection element ( 68 ) by his claws ( 72 ) is pressed, the spring rail ( 5b ) embrace. Wiper blade ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier ( 12 . 58 . 76 ) or the spring rail ( 56 . 84 ) lateral recesses ( 64 . 86 ), in the locking lugs of end caps ( 46 ).