Wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windscreens

State of the art

In wiper blades of the kind specified in the preamble of claim 1 is the Supporting element of the entire wiping field swept by the wiper blade a possible uniform distribution of a connected to the wiper blade wiper ensure outgoing wiper blade contact pressure on the disc. By a corresponding curvature of the unstressed support element - that is, when the wiper blade is not applied to the disc - the ends of the wiping operation of the wiper blade fully applied to the wiper strip by the then tensioned supporting element loaded to the disk, even if the radii of curvature of spherically curved Change car slices with every wiper blade position. The curvature of the wiper blade must accordingly be somewhat greater than in the wiping field on the window to be wiped greatest curvature measured. The supporting element thereby replaces the expensive Support bracket construction with two disposed in the wiper strip spring rails as is practiced in conventional wiper blades (DE-OS 15 05 397).

The invention relates to a wiper blade according to the preamble of claim 1. In a known wiper blade of this type (DE-GM font 29611722.6), the two Spring rails by integrally disposed at both ends of cross-members connected. As these cross-members must be located in the plane of the spring rails between the mutually facing longitudinal edges opposite of the spring rails and the transverse webs enclosed slot be extended in one end portion thereof so, that proper installation of the wiper strip in the slot is possible. These however, mounting extension, the spring characteristics of the supporting element with respect change detrimental to the aspired wiping result. Also, the manual Threading the wiper strip this extension into the slot costly.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

In the wiper blade according to the invention with the characterizing features of Claim 1, it is possible the wiper strip from one end of the support member from between the two mutually facing longitudinal edges of the spring rail rectilinearly introduce, with their inner, free edge strips in the longitudinal grooves of the wiper strip immerse. This simple assembly movement can easily from one Assembly machines are running, thereby achieving a significant cost reduction becomes. The adverse mounting extension of the slot can be omitted because the bridge-like transverse webs, the linear mounting movement of the wiper strip of a Support member end of permit.

If the transverse webs are designed as separate components and the spring rails are firmly connected, there are advantages in the wiper blade manufacturing.

For the connection between the spring rails and the transverse webs, it is advantageous when the transverse webs are fastened to the upper band surfaces of the two spring rails.

A stable and durable connection between the spring rails and the transverse webs is achieved by welding of these individual components.

Thus, the wiper blade or its wiper strip during can wiping operation smoothly adapt to the curvature of the window, it has proved to be advantageous if the length of the spring rails is greater than the length of Wiper strip because then by appropriate refinements some advantageous Longitudinal movement of the wiper strip are opposite the support element ensures can.

Bracing for a stable supporting element is achieved if at least on each arranged a crosspiece end portion of the two matched spring rails is. Depending on the length of the wiper blade, it is however quite possible both Spring rails via a further bridge-like transverse webs together. at short wiper blades it has been found that the arrangement of a single crossbar to each end portion of the support element for obtaining a stable, torsion- wiper blade is sufficient.

Further stabilization of the support element is achieved when a in the central region the two arranged to each other belonging spring rails crosspiece as part of a formed connection device for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm is.

In development of the invention, at least one of the two at one of the End portions of the spring rails arranged crossbars one with its associated central section, giving it adjacent front side of the wiper strip partially covering attack on. This is to wander the wiper strip from the Supporting element prevents longitudinally of the wiper blade.

In the arrangement of a respective each provided with an abutment cross-members to the two supporting-element ends in a view to a good adaptation of the wiper strip the respective curvature of the window, the distance between the two stops larger than the length of the wiper strip.

To reduce the risk of injury when handling the wiper is at each the end sections of the two spring rails arranged crosspiece with a preferably made of plastic cap provided.

Further advantages during wiping operation of the wiper according to the invention result from the fact that the thickness of the two longitudinal grooves in the Wiper strip existing wall or web strip is smaller than the distance between the mutually adjacent longitudinal edges of the two matched spring rails. In Connection with the longitudinal play of the wiper strip in the support element thus results in a "Free floating" tension-free wiper strip extending through without affecting a clamp during wiper operation the disk continuously Profile can adapt.

A particularly advantageous development of the wiper blade is obtained when the on their The longitudinal extension of a constant cross-section having a wiper strip on the disc can be placed, strip-like wiper lip which through a mess oppositely arranged groove-like constrictions formed narrow web strip with a held on the support element and the cover strip is connected to each of the two mutually adjacent inner longitudinal edges of the spring rails in one of the two groove-like constrictions of the wiper strip is arranged. This reduces the Height of the wiper blade considerably. Because the width of Einschnürungsnut in a Sub-region is wider than the thickness of the spring rails, the wiper lip during the Wiping operation always tilt in the required towing situation.

It is particularly advantageous if the lateral boundary surfaces of the groove-like Constrictions of the web strip to the longitudinal sides of the wiper strip diverge. The can spring rails so with appropriate coordination the wiper strip at the lead web strip and the wiper lip simultaneously the necessary tilting movement in the Drag position allow.

A refinement of the invention provides that the lateral boundary face of groove-like constrictions seen in cross section has a convex curve. Thereby is a convenient and low-noise rolling this side wall at her allowing facing band surface of the respective spring rail.

This advantage can be even further improved when both lateral Boundary surfaces of the groove-like constrictions in cross-section seen a have convex curve.

To support an optimal contact of the wiper strip to be wiped on, preferably spherically curved plate, according to a refinement of the Invention the wiper lip shaped as closed longitudinal channel.

Thus, special measures for securing a connecting device for a spare the wiper blade moving wiper arm, projecting each of the two spring rail at least with an average margins from its groove-like constriction, so that the connecting device can be attached to the exposed edge strips.

Further advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are in the following description of illustrated in the accompanying drawing Embodiments indicated.

drawing

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side view of an inventive Wiper blade, Figure 2 is an expanded view of the wiper blade according to Figure 1 in drawn to scale in perspective, Figure 3 for a Wiper blade according to the invention belonging shortened illustrated supporting element in enlarged, stretched, perspective view, Figure 4, the sectional area of ​​a Section along the line IV-IV in Figure 2 in an enlarged view, Figure 5 is an in Figure 2 denoted by V detail in an enlarged view, Figure 6, the Sectional area of ​​a section of FIG 4 through another embodiment of the Wiper blade according to the invention, Figure 7 is a view corresponding to detail 5 of Wiper blade according to Figure 6, Figure 8, the sectional area of ​​a section according to the figures 4 and 6 through a further embodiment of the inventive wiper blade, Figure 9 a schematic representation of the sectional area of ​​a section along the line IX-IX in Figure 2 through an inventive wiper blade in enlarged representation said on the is mounted windshield to be wiped surface 10, the wiper blade according to FIG 9 during wiper operation in a wiping direction and 11, the wiper blade according to Figure 9 during wiper operation in the other wiping direction.

Description of Embodiments

A shown in the figures 1 and 2 the wiper blade 10 has a band-like elongated spring-elastic support element 12, on whose underside 13 of an elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip 14 is disposed parallel the longitudinal axis. At the top 11 as the spring bar to be referred to the support member 14 is in its central portion the wiper blade side portion 16 of a connecting device arranged with the aid of which Wiper blade 10 hinged to a in Figure 1 indicated in chained lines, driven Wiper arm 18 may be detachably connected. For this purpose, the wiper arm 18 is at its free end to the wiper arm part of the connecting device is provided. Of the Wiper arm 18 is in the direction of arrow 20 to the window to be wiped - for example, to the windshield of a motor vehicle - loaded, whose surface to be wiped is indicated in Figure 1 by a dashed line 22nd Since the line 22 the strongest is intended to represent curvature of the window surface can be clearly seen that the curvature of its two ends adjacent to the window, still unstressed wiper blade 10 more than the maximum curvature (Figure 1). Under the application force (Arrow 20) bears against the wiper blade 10 its wiper lip 24 over its entire length the disc surface to 22nd It builds up in made for example of metal, elastic supporting element 12 a voltage at which a proper Contact of the wiper strip 14 and the wiper lip 24 over its entire length provides on the disc as well as a uniform distribution of the contact pressure.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the wiper blade 10 from the figure 3 to 5 are explained in detail. It can be seen from Figure 4, that the support member 12 of the Wiper blade 10 at a distance 26 is before the window to be wiped 22nd It is the arrangement is such that its band surfaces 11 and 13 in a plane are which to be wiped substantially parallel to Disk surface 22 extends. The particularly advantageous construction of the supporting element 12 It can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4 It has two in a common -Plane band-like spring rails 28 and 30, which are aligned parallel to each other are. The facing inner longitudinal edges 32 befmden thereby in a Distance 34 from each other. At each of both ends of the spring rails 28, 30 are those connected by a bridge-like crosspiece 36 or 38 to one another; for example welded together. Here is each bridge-like crosspiece with its end 40 at the top 11 of the support element 12 and to the spring rails at 28, 30th Each of the two crossbars 36 and 28 has a middle section 42 which at a distance 44 from the upper band surface 11 of the Spring rails is and thus justified their bridge-like shape. Since the The longitudinal extension 46 of the central portions 42 is greater than the distance 34 between the facing inner longitudinal edges 32, the two spring rails extend 28 and 30 with inner edge strips 48 in the region of the central portions 42, whereby the Edge strip 48 at a distance 44 below the central portions 42 are arranged. Besides the already mentioned objects of the support element 12 with respect the contact force distribution is this also a correct, stress-free ensure guiding of the wiper strip 14 during wiper operation. This also a quiet wiping operation ensured.

The wiper strip 14 of this first embodiment has a cross-section of the reference Figure 4 is to be made clear. She has a head strip 50, with the actual wiping work acquiring wiper lip 24 over a narrow web strip 52 connected is. The arrangement of the web strip 52 allows tilting of the wiper lip 24 in a wiping work promoting drag position which will be explained later. The Head line 50 is at its opposite longitudinal sides with these Longitudinal sides open-edged longitudinal grooves 54 and 56 provided. The longitudinal grooves 54 and 56 serve to receive the inner edge strips 48 of the spring strips 28 and 30. The Depth of the longitudinal grooves 54 and 56 is selected so that a between the two longitudinal grooves Wall 58 remains. The header 50 thus has a base strip 60 and a cover strip 62, both of which are connected to each other through the wall 58th The thickness 64 of the wall 58 is smaller than the distance 34 between the inner longitudinal edges 32 of the spring rails 28, 30 and smaller than the distance between their inner edge strips 48th The width of the two longitudinal grooves 54 and 56 in the header 50 is to the thickness of Spring rails 28, 30 or their inner edge strips 48 matched that a stress-free mounting of the wiper strip is ensured on the supporting element 12, when the wiper strip according to Figure 4 with the support element 12 according to Figure 3 is assembled. Also, since the width 66 of the cover strip 62 is slightly smaller than the as bridge width to be designated longitudinal extension 46 of the central portion 42 and whose thickness is 67 less than the distance 44 between the central portion 42 and the Upper sides 11 of the spring rails 28, 30, the over their entire longitudinal extension a uniform cross-section having wiper strip 14 without difficulty in Longitudinally inserted in the supporting element 12 and so connected to this will.

Another special feature of the wiper blade according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5 There is shown that the arranged at one end of the supporting element transverse web 70 to his the wiper blade end-facing side in its middle portion with a with its related to him adjacent end face 72 at least partially covering Stop 74 is provided. The stop 74 is formed by a bent, tab-like extension of the central portion 42 is formed. If each of the two Wiper blade ends or each of the two supporting element ends with a is transverse web 70 provided in accordance with Figure 5, it should be ensured that the distance between the facing inner walls 75 of the stop tab 74 is slightly larger the Length 76 of the wiper strip 14 (Figure 2). This can for example also be achieved be that the length 78 of the support element 12 is slightly greater than the length 76 the wiper strip 14. The two-sided arrangement of the stops 74 thus forms a effective hedging against creeping out of the wiper strip 14 in the longitudinal direction its support member 12 during wiper operation. Of course, in a such a case, the bend at least one of the two stop tabs 74 after the introduction of the wiper strip 14 made in the support element 12th

The arranged in the central section of the wiper blade 10 part 16 of the connecting device for the wiper arm surrounds the respective outer, from the longitudinal grooves 54 and 56 projecting outer edge strips 80 of the spring rails 28, 30 respectively of the Support member 12. The connection between the part 16 and the supporting element 12 can positive and / or non-positively. When can a corresponding length of the wiper blade be it is expedient if the two end-mounted transverse webs 36 and 38 further corresponding transverse webs are arranged. To avoid Injuries when handling the wiper blade, in particular by the end user is on the two spring rails 28, 30 and the end-side transverse webs 36, 38 is a preferably made of plastic cap 82, preferably arranged snapped, preferably snapped (Figures 1 and 2).

Further embodiments of the wiper blade according to the invention are shown in Figures 6 shown from the eighth

The supporting elements of these embodiments are fully compliant with the already -described support elements 12 of Figures 3 to 5, so that it in these figures Reference numbers used can be transferred directly. The configuration of the Wiper strip 100 in this embodiment, but differs fundamentally from Construction of the wiper strip 14 in the embodiment already described. As in particular, Figure 6 shows, the wiper strip 100 has only one wiper lip 101 is connected via a web strip 102 integrally formed with a cover strip 104th The at already described embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 present thus base strip 60 is omitted. The inner edge strips 48 of the spring rails 28 and 30 are in groove-like constrictions 106 of the wiper strip 100, which in the formation of narrow web strip 102 are necessary. Thus, the formed on the cover strip 104 lateral boundary surface 108 of the constriction 106 of the upper band surface 11 of the Supporting member 12 faces. The other lateral boundary surface 110 of the groove-like Constriction 106 is thus directly the lower band surface 13 of the supporting element 12 opposite to. It is thus seen that each of the two inner longitudinal edges 32 of the two spring rails 28, 30 respectively of the support element 12 in one of the two groove-like constrictions 106 of the wiper strip 100 is located. Next is seen in particular from Figure 6 that the two lateral boundary surfaces 110 of the constrictions 106 are spherically formed and arranged so that the width dimension the groove-like constrictions 106 is wider at least on an outer portion than the thickness of the spring rails 28, 30. Thereby, it is possible that the wiper lip 101 can tilt during wiper operation in the desired, advantageous drag position. Also in this embodiment of the wiper blade according to the invention, the width 112 the web strip 102 facing such to the distance 34 between the mutually inner longitudinal edges 32 of the spring rails 28, 30 adjusted such that between the Web strip and the spring rails, an air gap remains. Next is also the thickness 114 of the cover strip 104 slightly less than the distance 44 between the central portion 42 of the crosspiece 36 and the inner edge of strips 48. Also, the width 116 of the Cover strip 104 is slightly less than the longitudinal extent 46 of the central portion 42 of the bridge-like transverse webs 36. As a result, it is possible to the entire over its length a uniform cross-section having wiping strip 100 without barriers in their introduce longitudinal extent into the support member 112 so that the position shown in Figure 6 Mounting position is obtained. Also in this embodiment, the plane in which the supporting element 12 extends a distance 26 from the surface 22 of the to be wiped 22nd

As described already with reference to FIG 5, in this embodiment of the inventive wiper blade each of the two bridge-like transverse webs 70 at its seen in the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade outer ends with a bent its stop 74 is provided so that after insertion of the wiper strip 14 in the Supporting member 12 and the Abkröpfen the stop valves 74 a reliable Longitudinal securing the wiper strip 100 is secured in the supporting element 12th It is clear that facing in this embodiment, the distance between the mutually Inner walls 75 of the stop tab 74 must be somewhat greater than the length of 76 Wiper strip.

Another embodiment of the wiper blade according to the invention is based on the figure are explained. 8 The embodiment of Figure 8 corresponds in its the construction of the basic structure described with reference to FIG 6 Embodiment. Notwithstanding the embodiment shown in Figure 6, however, are at this embodiment, not only the lateral boundary surfaces 110 but also the other, formed on the cover strip 104 lateral boundary surfaces 108 of the groove-like constrictions 106 of crowned. Next differs the Embodiment according to Figure 8 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 or by one arranged in the wiper lip 101, through fully enclosed Longitudinal channel 118. The arrangement of the longitudinal channel 118 in the wiper lip can for themselves alone or in conjunction with other grooves of a soft, low-noise Umlegeverhalten the wiping lip during wiper operation care. Also, the Arrangement is not necessarily linked to the convex form of Boundary surfaces 108, 110 is required.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the width of the support member 12 via the entire length equal. It is however also conceivable that the support element tapered toward the end portions of the wiper blade out. Thus, the part 16 on the can be fixed wiper blade it is sufficient if each spring rail 28, at least 30 projects with an average outer edge strips 80 from its groove-like constriction, so that the part 16 of the connecting device are attached to this edge strip 80 can. It is further conceivable that, instead of a support element 12 according to FIG 3, the two Spring rails are designed as separate components and in the groove-like constrictions the wiper strip can be arranged. Ensuring in particular the Distance measure 34 can then taken over by another, not shown components will.

Figures 9 to 11 show principle-sectional area representations of the wiper blade according to Figures 6 and 7, cut along the line IX-IX in Figure 2 wherein the in Figure 9 Wiper blade 10 with its wiper lip 101 to be wiped only the Disk surface 22 is placed. The wiper strip 100 is provided with play between the inner longitudinal edges 32 of the two spring rails 28, held 30 (see FIG. 3 also figures and 4). Since the length 76 of the wiper strip 100 is also slightly less than the length 78 of the Support member 12 or is less than the dimension between the mutually facing Inside walls 75 of the stops 74 results at the two ends of the supporting element 12, a so-called "free-floating", stress-free but reliable mounting of Wiper strip 100 in support element 12th

Now, if during wiper operation, the wiper blade 10 when loaded by the Contact pressure (arrow 20 in FIG. 1) in the direction of arrow 122 in FIG. 10 via the disk 22 moves, tilts the wiper lip 101 in the web strip 102 in an advantageous Drag position wherein the support element 12 of the disc is slightly closer (arrow 123). The Tilting movement is limited by the fact that the one lateral boundary surface 110 of a groove-like constriction 106 at the bottom 13 of a spring rail 30 supported. When the wiper blade 10 has reached its reverse position and by the Wiper arm 18 in the opposite direction (arrow 124 in Fig. 11) is moved, tilts the Wiper lip 101 on an apparent from Figure 9 intermediate position to its other Drag position (Fig. 11) wherein the wiper lip 101 with the lateral Limiting surface 110 of the other groove-like constriction 106 at the underside 13 the other spring rail 28 is supported.

When the tow layers of the wiper lip 101 near their reversal points - because of generally spherical curvature of the windshield 22 - the disc approximates roll the convex annular boundary surfaces 110 silent on the undersides 13 of the spring rails 28, 30 from. Accordingly can - if necessary - the other convex boundary surfaces 108 of the groove-like constrictions 106 at the tops of 11 of the spring rails 28 and 30 roll.