FR3113266A1 - Wiper blade device with end caps and corresponding system - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE: Wiper blade device provided with end caps and corresponding system Wiper blade device comprising at least one cap (12a) for terminating the wiper blade, having a base body end cap assembly (14a) forming the outer surface of the wiper blade cap (12a), the base body corresponding in particular at least partially to a deflector geometry, device characterized in that the wiper blade cap d the wiper (12a) has at least one end cap insert (18a) which can be separated from the end cap base body (14a), and which to be connected to at least one elastic rail of the blade wiper blade has a resilient rail housing (20a). Figure 2

Description

Wiper blade device with end caps and corresponding system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising at least one cap for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body forming the outer surface of the end cap. wiper, the base body corresponding in particular, at least partially, to a deflector geometry.

STATE OF THE ART

We already know such a wiper blade device.

DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising at least one cap for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body forming the outer surface of the end cap. windscreen wiper, the base body corresponding in particular at least partially to a deflector geometry, device characterized in that the windscreen wiper blade cap comprises at least one end cap insert which can be separated from the end cap base, and which to be connected to at least one elastic rail of the wiper blade comprises an elastic rail housing.

The term "wiper blade device" preferably designates at least a part, preferably a subassembly of a wiper blade system, preferably a wiper blade, in particular a windscreen wiper blade. Preferably, the wiper blade device. Preferably, the wiper blade device comprises the windshield wiper assembly, in particular the windshield wiper assembly. Preferably, the wiper blade device is intended to be used on a vehicle. The wiper blade device, in particular as a wiper blade, makes it possible to clean a window, preferably a vehicle window. The wiper blade device is coupled to the wiper arm of the vehicle to clean a window.

The expression "intended for" means a means specially designed, made or equipped to perform a certain function. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function means that the object performs this specific function in at least one application and/or one operating state.

The expression "operating state" means a state in which the wiper blade device is ready to operate for a wiping operation and/or a wiping mode and/or is in a wiping mode wherein the wiper blade unit of the wiper blade device passes over the window pane advantageously pressing against the latter.

The wiper blade has a deflector unit. The wiper blade has a wiper blade unit. The wiper blade pivots around a pivot pin by being connected to the wiper arm. Preferably, the pivot axis is at least practically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wiper blade, in particular of the deflector unit, in particular of the wiper blade unit.

The expression "longitudinal axis" of an object corresponds to the axis parallel to the longest edge of the smallest parallelepiped which tightly surrounds the object. The expression "practically perpendicular" designates the orientation of a direction with respect to a reference direction, the direction and the reference direction making between them an angle of 90°, this angle being able to have only a maximum difference, in particular less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and in a particularly advantageous manner, less than 2°.

Preferably, the deflector unit consists of two deflector elements each having a concave outer surface to deflect the wind and in particular to use the force of the wind, to apply the wiper blade against the window. The concave outer surface preferably has a characteristic baffle geometry.

A wiper blade end cap is provided at the end of the wiper blade along the longitudinal axis thereof. The wiper blade assembly has at least two wiper blade end caps. These two caps have similar functions. Advantageously, the two wiper blade end caps are plane-symmetrical to terminate opposite ends of the wiper blade. Preferably, the base body of an end cap has a concave outer surface to use the force of the wind and press the wiper blade against the glass, in particular having a deflector geometry.

Preferably, the end cap base body is produced separately from the end cap insert. The end cap insert is intended to be mounted in the base body, in particular, in the cavity delimited by the end cap base body. The end cap insert has a resilient rail housing which, in operation, is on the opposite side of that of the concave outer surface of the adapter base body. Preferably, the end cap base body and the end cap insert are intended to be connected to each other.

Preferably, the end cap base body and the end cap insert are connected to each other in the operating position. The wiper blade end cap has at least two different, notably separate, components. In particular, at least one end cap base body and at least one end cap insert which have in particular either a covering function or a driving function with a connecting function for an elastic rail. The end cap insert is smaller than the end cap base body, especially considering the volumes of the smaller parallelepiped that tightly envelops the object. The end cap insert in the operating position bears against at least two, preferably at least three, spaced outer sides by surface contact against the inner side of the end cap base body. Preferably, the end cap insert in the operating position bears against two outer surfaces, in particular opposite ones, by surface contact against the inner side of the end cap base body.

The embodiment according to the invention of the wiper blade device advantageously allows component-based combinability for functions of a wiper blade end cap. In particular, this has the advantage of a liquid dispensing function. In particular, there is the advantageous attachment of the wiper blade end cap to a spring track. In particular, this allows the advantageous replacement of defective functional components of the wiper blade end cap. In particular, there will be an advantageous possibility of attachment, preferably possibility of alignment of the various components of the wiper blade end cap.

According to another feature, the end cap insert and the end cap base body are designed to be hooked to each other by a snap or hook connection. Preferably, the end cap insert comprises at least one hooking extension provided to hook into a hooking recess. Alternatively, the end cap base body has at least one attachment extension. The end cap base body has at least one hanging recess for receiving a hanging extension. The gripping recess may be in the form of a through hole, made in a channel connecting element of the end cap base body. Alternatively, the end cap insert has at least one hooking recess for receiving at least one hooking extension. Preferably, the attachment extension is a two-sided attachment hook. This results in an advantageous mounting of the end cap insert in the base body of the end cap.

According to another characteristic, the end cap comprises at least one channel made in one piece with the base body or with the end cap insert. The expression "in one piece" designates a connection at least by the material, for example, by a process of welding, gluing, overmolding and/or other technically interesting process to produce a component in a single element, such as, for example, manufacture by casting and/or by an injection process with one or more components or even from a single blank.

The wiper blade end cap has at least one, preferably at least two channels made in one piece in the end cap base body. The two channels can be connected by a channel connecting element, in particular in the form of a plate.

Alternatively, the wiper blade end cap has at least one, and preferably at least two, channels formed integrally in the end cap insert. The channel connection element can in particular be produced in one piece with the basic body of the end cap. Alternatively, the channel connecting element is made in one piece with the end cap insert. Preferably, at least one channel comprises at least one and preferably at least two liquid distribution orifices. Each channel has at least one and preferably at least two liquid distribution orifices. The liquid dispensing orifices can be oriented in different directions, spaced apart from each other on different channels. Advantageously, a supply of liquid arriving into the end cap of the windscreen wiper blade is carried out. The wiper blade end cap thus has the advantage of performing a fluid distribution function.

According to another characteristic, at least one end cap insert comprises at least two functional elements separable from each other. Preferably, the wiper blade end cap comprises at least three different components which are in particular separable from one another, in particular at least one end cap base body and at least at least one end cap insert formed by at least two functional elements and which develop in particular a covering function, a driving function and/or a connection function with at least one elastic rail.

Preferably, the end cap insert has two different functional elements. The end cap insert advantageously consists of at least two functional elements separable from each other. Functional elements are intended for common application in the end cap base body. In particular, exclusively, a first functional element is provided to be connected with at least one elastic rail. In particular and exclusively, another functional element is provided for a driving function and/or a liquid dispensing function. This has the advantage of a simple possibility of separate function repair of the wiper blade end cap in particular without having to replace the entire wiper blade end cap.

According to another feature, one of the functional elements has a resilient rail housing and at least another of the functional elements has a channel. Preferably, in particular exclusively, the first functional element comprises the elastic rail housing. In particular, exclusively, the other functional element has at least one and preferably at least two channels. Preferably, another functional element is provided to make a connection by plugging with the deflector unit or the wiper unit. A channel is provided for a plug-in connection to the liquid lines or the deflector unit.

According to another characteristic, at least two functional elements can be connected to each other by a connection by clipping or hooking. Preferably, one of the functional elements comprises an attachment extension, in particular a hook. One of the functional elements preferably has a hooking recess to receive the hooking extension, in particular of the other functional element. The connection by hooking, or clipping of the functional elements is removable. The functional elements in the operating position are connected by the connection by hooking or clipping. Apart from the end cap base member, an advantageous connection of functional elements can be realized. In particular, there is an advantageous ease of assembly.

According to another feature, at least two functional elements are respectively connected by an end cap base body. Preferably, each of the two functional elements is connected to another respective functional element with the base body of the end cap, in particular by a removable connection. The first functional element is provided at least to form a plug-in connection with the basic body of the end cap. The first functional element can alternatively or additionally be designed for snap connection to the base body of the end cap. Preferably, the other functional element is provided to form at least one plug-in connection with the end cap base body. The other functional element can be designed for snap connection to the basic body of the end cap. This advantageously secures the end cap base body.

According to another characteristic, the functional element which comprises at least one channel, is fixed between the functional element comprising the elastic rail housing and the base body of the end cap.

Preferably, the functional element which comprises at least one channel is connected by a plug connection to the wiper blade unit and/or to the deflector unit. Preferably, the functional element which comprises at least one channel is centered in the end cap base body, in particular, for operation. There is thus the advantage of a stable orientation of the channels, in particular on the liquid distribution orifices.

According to another characteristic, the base body of the end cap and the functional element which comprises the elastic rail housing respectively comprise at least one fixing spacer for fixing the functional element which has at least one channel. Preferably, the channel is of tubular shape. Preferably, the channel is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wiper blade. Preferably, the end cap base body faces the channel with at least one fixing spacer. Preferably, the fixing spacer (at least one fixing spacer) of the end cap base body is applied in the operating position against the liquid channel, in particular the functional element of which comprises the channel. The functional element comprising the elastic rail housing for each channel consists of at least one fixing rib.

Preferably, the fixing rib or spacer of the end cap base body, in the operating state, bears against a liquid channel, in particular the functional element provided with the liquid channel. Preferably, at least one fixing rib of the functional element is aligned with the fixing rib of the end cap base body. Preferably, at least one fixing rib of the functional element and at least one fixing rib of the end cap base body fix the functional element provided with the channel, in particular the channel on the respective opposite sides.

Preferably, at least one functional element comprising the channel is fixed between at least one spacer for fixing the functional element comprising the housing of the elastic rail and at least one fixing rib of the end cap base body. Preferably, the function element provided with the elastic rail housing comprises, for each channel, two fixing spacers which fix the channel to different segments along the periphery. The advantage of a regular fixing of the functional element which comprises at least one liquid channel is realized.

Further, the invention provides a wiper blade system with at least one wiper blade unit, at least one spring rail, at least one deflector unit and at least one wiper blade device. ice. In particular, the wiper blade system is designed as an overall wiper blade. Preferably, the wiper blade system comprises at least one wiper blade adapter pivotally connected to the wiper arm by the wiper blade system in particular around a pivot axis connected to the wiper arm. The wiper blade offers the advantage of components tuned to each other, especially the cost. A wiper blade is obtained having components advantageously matched to one another. In particular, the wiper blade can be preassembled, in particular the end cap base body can always remain connected to the wiper blade system.

The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of examples of wiper blade devices shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

schematic representation of a wiper blade system according to the invention comprising a wiper blade device according to the invention connected to a wiper arm,

schematic representation of the wiper blade device according to the invention,

schematic sectional view according to section plan III-III of the of a variant of the wiper blade device according to the invention,

schematic sectional view according to section plan III-III of the of a variant of the wiper blade device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The shows a wiper blade system 50a connected to a wiper arm 52a. The wiper blade system 50a is in particular made as a wiper blade assembly.

The wiper arm 52a comprises an electrical line in particular constituted in part by a cable. The electrical line is fitted with a connector to connect the heating elements of the 50a wiper blade system to an electrical interface. The wiper arm 52a includes a liquid line in particular made in part by a pipe. The fluid line has a fitting to couple to 50 wiper blade system fluid lines.

The 50a wiper blade system includes two elastic rails. The wiper blade system 50a includes a wiper blade unit 54a. The wiper blade system 50a comprises a deflector unit composed in particular of two deflector elements 56a, 56a'. The 50a wiper blade system has four heating elements.

The 50a wiper blade system includes a 58a wiper blade adapter. The wiper blade adapter 58a is provided to connect the wiper arm 52a to the wiper blade system 50a, in particular to the wiper blade by a mechanical connection, a fluidic connection and an electrical connection. The wiper blade adapter 58a connects the deflector unit fluid lines to the wiper arm fluid line 52a. The deflector unit fluid lines extend along the longitudinal axis 56a of the wiper blade assembly 50a across the entire deflector unit. The 50a wiper blade system includes a 10a wiper blade device. The wiper blade device 10a is provided at the ends of the wiper blade system 50a, along the longitudinal axis 60a of the wiper blade system 50a.

The wiper blade assembly 10a includes two end caps 12a, 12a'. The two end caps 12a, 12a' terminate the wiper blade, in particular the wiper blade system 50a.

The wiper blade end caps 12a, 12a' each have an end cap base body 14a, 14a' which forms the outer surface of the wiper blade cap 12a, 12a' ( to see ). The end cap base bodies 14a, 14a' have in particular a deflector geometry in part. The end cap base bodies 14a, 14a' are notably shaped to surround a respective deflector element 56a, 56a' at the end of the longitudinal axis 60a of the outer contour of the deflector element 56a, 56a' , in particular along a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60a.

The shows, for example, a wiper blade end cap 12a, including an end cap base body 14a for terminating or closing one side of the wiper blade system 50a. The other side of the wiper blade system 50a, is terminated by a wiper blade end cap 12a', corresponding in particular to the end cap base body 14a' in a perpendicular plane to the longitudinal axis 60a or to the longitudinal axis 16a of the wiper blade end cap 12a in plane symmetry. The description of wiper blade end cap 12a translates correspondingly to wiper blade end cap 12a'.

The wiper blade end cap 12a has an end cap insert 18a separable from the end cap base body 14a. The end cap insert 18a has a spring rail housing 20a for connecting to the spring rails of the wiper blade, including the wiper blade system 50a. The elastic rail housing 20a is provided on the side of the end cap 12a opposite the deflector side 22a when the end cap base body 14a is connected to the end cap insert 18a. The deflector side 22a is formed by a concave outer surface which deflects the wind by using the force of the wind in a targeted manner. The elastic rail housing 20a receives two elastic rails. The elastic rail housing 20a can, according to the same development, receive only one elastic rail.

The end cap base body 14a has an outer wall 26a which bounds the end cap cavity 28a. The end cap insert 18a, in the working state of the wiper blade device 30a, is completely seated in the cavity 28a of the end cap. Wiper blade end cap 12a includes two channels 30a, 30a'. The channels 30, 30a' are made in one piece with the end cap base body 14a. Channels 30a, 30a' are largely mounted in the end cap cavity 28a. The channels 30a, 30a' can protrude partly along the longitudinal axis 16a of the cavity 28a of the end cap in particular to allow a connection by plugging with the pipes in the deflector unit. The two channels 30a, 30a' are connected by a connecting element 32a in the form of a plate. The channel connecting element 32a is made in one piece with the base body 14a of the end cap.

The end cap insert 18a and the end cap base body 14a are connected to each other by a snap connection. The end cap insert 18a has a clip member 24a including two-sided snap hooks provided on the side of the end cap insert 18a opposite the resilient rail housing 20a . The end cap base body 14a has a hooking recess 48a which is in particular on the channel connecting element 32a.

In the operating position of the wiper blade system 50a, in particular in the connected state of the end cap base body 14a, the end cap insert 18a is applied against three of the spaced sides of the body end cap base 14a. In particular, the end cap insert 18a, in the operating position of the wiper blade system 50a, is connected to the elastic rails of the wiper blade system 50a. In particular, the end cap base body 14a in the operating position of the wiper blade system 50a is hooked to the end cap insert 18a. In particular, the end cap base body 14a, in the operating position, is connected via the channels 30a, 30a' to the deflector unit, in particular to the liquid lines of the deflector unit. The end cap insert 18a in the operating position is plane symmetric with respect to a plane along the longitudinal axis 16a of the wiper blade end cap 12a.

The channels 30a, 30a' respectively have two liquid dispensing members 34a, 34a' respectively having a liquid dispensing port 36a, 36a' for dispensing a liquid.

Figures 3 and 4 each show another embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions and the drawings are mainly limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments and preferably, for the components bearing the same reference reference will be made in principle to the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular to Figures 1 and 2. To distinguish the exemplary embodiments, the suffix a of the references in figures 1 and 2 is replaced by the suffix b in figures 3 and 4.

The shows a variant of wiper blade device 10b. The wiper blade device 10b comprises a wiper blade end cap 12b, in particular in two parts. The wiper blade end cap 12b includes an end cap base body 14b. The wiper blade end cap 12b includes an end cap insert 18b. End cap insert 18b includes resilient rail housing 20b.

The end cap base body 14b is made in one piece with two channels 30b, 30b' of the wiper blade end cap 12b. Channels 30b, 30b' are made free from the channel connecting element, in the form of a plate connecting channels 30b, 30b'. Channels 30b, 30b' do not include fluidic channel connecting elements, in particular in the form of a plate provided between two channels 30b, 30b' and which would connect channels 30b, 30b'.

The end cap insert 18b is glued to the end cap base body 14b. In particular, the end cap base body 14b does not have a hooking element or a recess for a hooking element. In particular, the end cap insert 18b has no hooking element or hooking recess.

The end cap insert 18b comprises two fixing spacers 38b, 38b′, 40b, 40b′ to achieve the fixing, in particular the support of each time one of the channels 30b, 30b′.

The shows a variant of the 10cv wiper blade device. The wiper blade device 10c notably comprises a wiper blade end cap 12b in three parts. The wiper blade end cap 12c includes an end cap base body 14c. The wiper blade end cap 12c includes an end cap insert 18c. The end cap insert 18c is made in two parts. The end cap insert 18c has two functional elements 42c, 44c which separate from each other.

One of the functional elements 42c includes a resilient rail housing 20c. The other functional element 44c comprises two channels 46c, 46c'. One of the functional elements 42c, 44c performs a driving function and a liquid dispensing function. One of the functional elements 42c, 44c performs a function of connecting the elastic rails.

The end cap insert 18c including the two functional elements 42c, 44c, in the operating state of the wiper blade device 10 is completely in an end cap cavity 28c.

The functional element 44c which comprises the channels 46c, 46c' is fixed between the functional element 44c which comprises the elastic rail housing 20c and the end cap base body 14c in particular in the working state of the device of wiper blade 10c.

The functional element 44c which includes the channels 46c, 46c' has a channel connector 32c rigidly connecting the channels 46c, 46c'. Channels 46c, 46c' respectively have a liquid dispensing orifice 36c, 36c'.

The two functional elements 42c, 44c are respectively connected to the end cap base body 14c in particular by a plug connection and/or an adhesive connection. In operation of the wiper blade device 10c, the two functional elements 42c, 44c are respectively connected to the end cap base body 14c, in particular by a bonding by gluing.

The two functional elements 42c, 44c can be connected to each other by a snap connection. The functional element 42c which comprises the elastic rail housing 20c has a hooking element 24c, in particular a two-sided hook provided on the side of the functional element 42c opposite the elastic rail housing 20c.

The functional element 44c which comprises the channels 46c, 46c' has a recess for hooking or clipping 48c which is in particular provided on the channel connection element 32c of the functional element 44c comprising in particular the channels 46c, 46c '.

The end cap base body 14c has two fixing struts 64c, 64c' for fixing the functional element 44c which comprises at least one channel 46c, 46c'. The two fixing spacers 64c, 64c' in the operating position apply against the channels 46c, 46c'. The functional element 42c comprising the elastic rail housing 20c has four fixing spacers 62c, 62c', 62c'', 62c''' for fixing the functional element 44c comprising at least one channel 46c, 46c'. The four fixing spacers 62c, 62c', 62c'', 62c''' are applied against the channels 46c, 46c', in the operating position.

NOMENCLATURE OF THE MAIN ELEMENTS

(This nomenclature is limited to numerical references without accessory elements and suffixes)

12 Wiper blade end cap

14 End cap base body

18 End cap insert

22 Deflector side

24 Hanging element

28 End Cap Cavity

30 Channel

32 Channel connector

34 Liquid distribution element

36 Liquid dispensing port

38 Fixing spacer

40 Fixing spacer

42 Functional element

44 Functional element

46 Channel

48 Hooking recess

50 Wiper blade system

52 Wiper arm

54 Wiper blade unit

56 Deflector element

58 Wiper blade adapter

60 Longitudinal axis of the wiper blade system

62 Fixing spacer

64 Fixing spacer

Claims (10)

Wiper blade device comprising at least one cap (12a, 12a', 12b, 12c) for terminating the wiper blade, having an end cap base body (14a, 14a', 14b , 14c) forming the outer surface of the wiper blade cap (12a, 12a', 12b, 12c), the base body corresponding in particular at least partially to a deflector geometry,
device characterized in that
the wiper blade cap (12a, 12a', 12b, 12c) has at least one end cap insert (18a, 18b, 18c) which can be separated from the end cap base body ( 14a, 14a', 14b, 14c), and which comprises an elastic rail housing (20a, 20b, 20c) to be connected to at least one elastic rail of the wiper blade. Wiper blade device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the end cap insert (18a, 18a') and the end cap base body (14a, 14a') are intended to be connected to each other by a snap connection. Wiper blade device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the wiper blade end cap (12a, 12a', 12b) has at least one channel (30a, 30a', 30b, 30b') made in one piece with the wiper cap base body end cap insert (14a, 14a', 14b) or with the end cap insert (18a, 18a', 18b). Wiper blade device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least one end cap insert (18c, 18c') has at least two functional elements (42c, 44c) separable from each other. Wiper blade device according to claim 4,
characterized in that
one of the functional elements (42c, 44c) comprises the elastic rail housing (20c) and at least one other functional element (42c, 44c) and has at least one channel (46c, 46c'). Wiper blade device according to claim 4,
characterized in that
at least two functional elements (42c, 44c) are connected to each other by a snap connection. Wiper blade device according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the two functional elements (42c, 44c) are respectively connected to the end cap base body (14c). Wiper blade device according to claim 5,
characterized in that
the functional element (42c, 44c) comprising at least one channel (46c, 46c') is fixed between the functional element (42c) having the elastic rail housing (20c) and the end cap base body (14c). Wiper blade device according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the end cap base body (14c) and the functional element (42c) having the elastic rail housing (20c), respectively have at least one fixing spacer (62c, 62c', 62c'', 62c''', 64c, 64c') for fixing the functional element (44c) comprising at least one channel (46c, 46c'). Wiper blade system comprising at least one wiper blade unit (54a, 54b, 54c) having at least one resilient rail with at least one deflector unit and at least one wiper blade device -glass (10a, 10b, 10c) according to one of claims 1 to 9.