Wiper blade device

The invention relates to a wiper blade device for a windshield wiper (12a), comprising a spoiler unit (14a; 14b; 14c), which has at least one soft spoiler component (16a; 16b; 16c) and at least one hard spoiler component (18a; 18b; 18c), wherein the hard spoiler component (16a; 16b; 16c) forms a receiving area (20a; 20b; 20c) for a spring rail, at least partially. The wiper blade device further comprises a spray unit (22a; 22b; 22c). According to the invention, the spray unit (22a; 22b; 22c) has at least one first duct element (24a; 24b; 24c), which is integrally molded, at least partially, to the hard spoiler component (18a; 18b; 18c).

BACKGROUND

A wiper blade device for a windshield wiper, comprising a spoiler unit, which has at least one soft spoiler component and at least one hard spoiler component, wherein the hard spoiler component forms a receiving area for a spring rail, at least partially, and comprising a spray unit, has already been proposed.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on a wiper blade device for a windshield wiper comprising a spoiler unit, which has at least one soft spoiler component and at least one hard spoiler component, wherein the hard spoiler component forms a receiving area for a spring rail, at least partially, and comprising a spray unit.

It is proposed that the spray unit has at least one first duct element which is integrally molded, at least partially, to the hard spoiler component.

The spoiler unit is preferably formed from at least two different materials, in particular from at least two different plastics materials. Preferably, the soft spoiler component of the spoiler unit is formed from a first material, in particular from a first plastics material. Preferably, the hard spoiler component of the spoiler unit is formed from a second material, in particular from a second plastics material. In particular, the second material is harder, in particular more torsionally stiff, than the first material. Preferably, the spoiler unit is produced in a coextrusion method in which, in particular, the first material and the second material are combined together. In particular, the soft spoiler component and the hard spoiler component are connected together by a material connection, in particular are formed in one piece. The soft spoiler component preferably forms a spoiler extension which is provided, in particular, as a result of driving wind, to generate a contact force which is oriented in the direction of a surface to be wiped, in particular a windshield. Preferably, the soft spoiler component may be formed asymmetrically, in particular viewed along a main direction of extent of the wiper blade device. A “main direction of extent” of an object is intended to be understood as a direction which runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest geometric cuboid which only just completely encloses the object. The soft spoiler component is preferably provided for generating a contact pressure from a driving wind. The receiving area for the spring rail is formed, in particular, as a recess in the hard spoiler component. Preferably, the receiving area has a polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross section. Preferably, the receiving area extends at least substantially along the entire extent of the wiper blade device along the main direction of extent of the wiper blade device. The receiving area is preferably provided for at least partially receiving a wiper strip. “Provided” is intended to be understood, in particular, as specifically designed and/or equipped. “An object being provided for a specific function” is intended to be understood, in particular, as the object fulfilling and/or performing this specific function in at least one use state and/or operating state.

The spray unit, in particular the first duct element of the spray unit, is preferably provided for dispensing and/or guiding a cleaning fluid, in particular a wiper fluid. Preferably, the spray unit has a plurality of first duct elements. The first duct elements are preferably arranged along the main direction of extent of the wiper blade device, in particular equidistant to one another. Preferably, the first duct elements are formed as tubular recesses. In particular, the first duct elements are partially arranged inside the hard spoiler component, preferably entirely inside the hard spoiler component. Preferably, at least dispensing openings of the first duct elements are arranged entirely inside the hard spoiler component.

Advantageously, a wiper blade device with particularly dimensionally stable first duct elements may be provided by the design of the wiper blade device according to the invention. Advantageously, the first duct elements may be configured to be at least substantially wear-resistant, in particular resistant to calcification. Advantageously, a low maintenance wiper blade device which permits a particularly accurate dispensing of a cleaning fluid may be provided.

Moreover, it is proposed that the at least partially integrally molded first duct element at least partially forms a spray nozzle element of the spray unit. Preferably, all of the at least partially integrally molded first duct elements at least partially form spray nozzle elements of the spray unit. Preferably, the first duct elements form spray nozzle elements in a region of the dispensing openings of the first duct elements. Preferably, the cleaning fluid is dispensed through the first duct elements forming the spray nozzle elements at an overpressure which is, in particular, greater than an atmospheric pressure of an environment surrounding the wiper blade device. In particular, the spray nozzle elements may be configured such that the cleaning fluid is atomized when dispensed from the spray nozzle elements. Advantageously, a targeted, and at the same time extensive, dispensing of cleaning fluid may be achieved.

It is further proposed that the first duct element has a main direction of extent at least substantially parallel to a vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit. In particular, all of the first duct elements have a main direction of extent at least substantially parallel to the vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit. The vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit runs, in particular, at least substantially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the receiving area for the spring rail. “Substantially parallel” is intended to be understood, in particular, as an orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in one plane, wherein the direction has a deviation relative to the reference direction, in particular, of less than 8°, advantageously of less than 5° and particularly advantageously of less than 2°. The expression “substantially perpendicular” is intended to define, in particular, an orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, wherein the direction and the reference direction, in particular viewed in one plane, enclose an angle of 90° and the angle has a maximum deviation, in particular, of less than 8°, advantageously of less than 5° and particularly advantageously of less than 2°. A “main extension plane” of an object is intended to be understood, in particular, as a plane which is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid which only just completely encloses the structural unit and, in particular, runs through the center point of the cuboid. Preferably, in a state of the wiper blade device mounted on a motor vehicle windshield, the main direction of extent of the first duct elements runs at least substantially perpendicular to a surface of the motor vehicle windshield. Advantageously, it is possible to achieve an at least substantially perpendicular dispensing of the cleaning fluid onto the motor vehicle windshield.

It is further proposed that the first duct element is arranged in a vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit so as to overlap at least partially with the receiving area of the spring rail. Preferably, all of the first duct elements are arranged in the vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit so as to overlap at least partially with the receiving area of the spring rail. In particular, the first duct elements have a main direction of extent in a vertical direction of extent of the receiving area. The vertical direction of extent of the receiving area runs, in particular, at least substantially parallel to the vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit. Preferably, the main direction of extent of the first duct elements runs at least substantially parallel to the vertical direction of extent of the receiving area. Advantageously, an accurate guidance of the cleaning fluid through the first duct elements may be achieved.

It is further proposed that the first duct element is arranged so as to be at least partially offset relative to the receiving area of the spring rail in a transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit. Preferably, all of the first duct elements are arranged so as to be at least partially offset relative to the receiving area of the spring rail in the transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit. The transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit runs, in particular, at least substantially perpendicular to the main direction of extent of the wiper blade device and, in particular, at least substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit. Preferably, in the transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit the first channel elements are at least partially separated from the receiving area by the hard spoiler component. In particular, in the transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit the first duct elements are entirely separated from the receiving area by the hard spoiler component. Alternatively, it is conceivable that in the transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit the first duct elements are at least partially separated by the soft spoiler component from the receiving area. Advantageously, a spatial separation may be achieved between the first duct elements and the receiving area. The first duct elements may be advantageously of robust configuration.

It is further proposed that the soft spoiler component at least partially forms at least one duct of the spray unit, said duct being directly connected to the first duct element. Preferably, the soft spoiler component at least partially forms at least one duct of the spray unit, said duct being directly connected to all of the first duct elements. Preferably, the duct runs at least substantially parallel to the main direction of extent of the wiper blade device. Preferably, the duct extends at least substantially along the entire extent of the spoiler unit along the main direction of extent of the wiper blade device. The duct is formed, in particular, as a preferably tubular recess in the soft spoiler component. The duct is preferably provided for guiding through the cleaning fluid. In particular, the cleaning fluid may be delivered, in particular pumped, for example from a reservoir unit of a motor vehicle or the like, through the duct. Preferably, the duct has specifically two end pieces. Preferably, the duct is sealed at a first end piece in an at least substantially fluid-tight manner. Preferably, the duct is connected at a second end piece to a supply element, such as for example a tube, a pipe or the like. In particular, the cleaning fluid is supplied, for example, from the reservoir unit to the duct by the supply element. Preferably, viewed in the vertical direction of extent of the spoiler unit, the duct is arranged above the first duct elements. Preferably, the cleaning fluid is forced out of the duct into the first duct elements and dispensed through the first duct elements at an overpressure, in particular in comparison with an atmospheric pressure of the environment surrounding the wiper blade device. Preferably, the first duct elements are arranged at least substantially along the entire channel, in particular equidistant to one another. Advantageously, an efficient supply of cleaning fluid to the first duct elements may be possible.

It is further proposed that the first duct element is defined by a wall of the receiving area of the spring rail, wherein the wall at least partially defines the receiving area on a side of the wall remote from the spray nozzle element. Preferably, all of the first duct elements are defined by the wall of the receiving area of the spring rail, wherein the wall at least partially defines the receiving area on the side of the wall remote from the spray nozzle elements. The wall defines the receiving area on the side of the wall remote from the spray nozzle elements, preferably in the transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit. In particular, the first duct elements may be at least partially integrally molded to the wall of the receiving area, preferably along the entire vertical extent of the first duct elements. The vertical extent of the first duct elements, in particular, is an extent of the first duct elements along the main direction of extent of the first duct elements. A wiper blade device which is advantageously slim and, in particular, aerodynamic may be provided along the transverse direction of extent of the spoiler unit.

It is also proposed that the spray unit has at least one second duct element which is arranged on a side of the receiving area remote from the first duct element. Preferably the spray unit has a plurality of second duct elements which are arranged on the side of the receiving area remote from the first duct element. In particular, the second duct elements are formed in an at least substantially similar manner to the first duct elements. The second duct elements are preferably provided for dispensing the cleaning fluid. Preferably, the spray unit comprises a second duct which is arranged, in particular, on the side of the receiving area remote from the first duct elements. Preferably, the second duct is formed in an at least substantially similar manner to the duct which is connected to the first duct elements. In particular, the second duct is directly connected to the second duct elements. The second duct is preferably provided for guiding through the cleaning fluid. Preferably, the second duct elements and the second duct are arranged around the receiving area at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to the first duct elements and the duct which is connected to the first duct elements. Advantageously, cleaning fluid may be dispensed on two sides of the receiving area, in particular simultaneously. Advantageously, during an operation of the wiper blade device the cleaning fluid may be dispensed in both wiping directions spatially upstream of a wiper lip of a windshield wiper. Advantageously, a particularly thorough cleaning of a motor vehicle windshield may be achieved.

The invention is also based on a wiper blade comprising a wiper blade device according to the invention. Preferably, the wiper blade comprises further components which are required, in particular, for an operation of the wiper blade. In particular, the wiper blade comprises the spring rail which is, in particular, inserted into the receiving area. Preferably, the spring rail is formed at least partially from a spring steel. Preferably, in an unloaded state the spring rail has substantially the shape of a curved bar and particularly advantageously a flattened, curved bar. Particularly advantageously, in an unloaded state a curvature of the spring rail along a longitudinal extent is greater than a curvature of a vehicle surface of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle windshield, over which the spring rail is guided in at least one operating state. An “extent” of an element is intended to be understood, in particular, as a maximum spacing of two points of a perpendicular projection of the element onto a plane. In particular, the wiper blade comprises a wiper strip which is inserted, in particular, at least partially into the receiving area. A “wiper strip” is intended to be understood, in particular, as a unit made of a resilient material with a wiper lip which, for cleaning a surface to be cleaned, in particular a windshield surface, preferably a vehicle windshield, is provided to be moved in contact over the surface to be cleaned. Preferably, the wiper strip is produced from a natural or synthetic elastomer, in particular from rubber. Advantageously, a low maintenance wiper blade which permits a particularly accurate dispensing of a cleaning fluid may be provided.

The invention is further based on a windshield wiper comprising a wiper blade according to the invention. Preferably, the windshield wiper comprises further components which are required, in particular, for an operation of the windshield wiper. In particular, the windshield wiper comprises an adapter unit for mounting the wiper blade on a windshield wiper drive unit of a motor vehicle. Advantageously, a windshield wiper may be provided with an integrated cleaning fluid dispensing function.

The wiper blade device according to the invention, the wiper blade according to the invention, the spoiler unit according to the invention, the spray unit according to the invention and/or the windshield wiper according to the invention is/are not intended to be limited in this case to the above-described use and embodiment. In particular, the spoiler unit according to the invention, the spray unit according to the invention and/or the windshield wiper according to the invention may have a number of individual elements, components and units which is different from the number cited herein, in order to fulfill a mode of operation described herein. Additionally, in the case of the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values lying within the cited limits are also to be intended to be regarded as disclosed and able to be used as desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a windshield wiper12ain a perspective view. The windshield wiper12acomprises a wiper blade42a. The windshield wiper12acomprises an adapter unit44afor mounting the wiper blade42aon a windshield wiper drive unit of a motor vehicle. The wiper blade42ahas a wiper blade device10a. The wiper blade42ahas a spring rail, not shown further. The wiper blade42ahas a wiper strip46a. The spring rail and a part of the wiper strip46aare inserted into a receiving area20aof the wiper blade device10a, not shown further.

FIG. 2shows the wiper blade device10afor the windshield wiper12ain a schematic sectional view. A cutting plane, which is shown, is located perpendicular to a main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a(seeFIG. 1). The wiper blade device10acomprises a spoiler unit14a. The spoiler unit14ahas a soft spoiler component16aand a hard spoiler component18a. The soft spoiler component16a, viewed along a vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14a, is arranged above the hard spoiler component18a. The soft spoiler component16aand the hard spoiler component18aare produced from different plastics materials. The different plastics materials are combined together in a coextrusion method. The soft spoiler component16aand the hard spoiler component18aare configured in one piece. The hard spoiler component18apartially forms the receiving area20afor the spring rail. The receiving area20ais formed as a recess in the hard spoiler component18a. The receiving area20ahas a rectangular cross section. The receiving area20aextends along the entire main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The soft spoiler component16aforms a spoiler extension. The soft spoiler component16ais formed asymmetrically when viewed along the main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The soft spoiler component16ais provided for generating a contact pressure from a driving wind.

The wiper blade device10ahas a spray unit22a. The spray unit22acomprises a first duct element24a. The first duct element24ais integrally molded to the hard spoiler component18a. The first duct element24ais entirely integrally molded to the hard spoiler component18a. The spray unit22ahas a plurality of first duct elements24a. The first duct elements24aare arranged along the main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The first duct elements24aare arranged equidistant to one another along the main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The first duct element24ais formed as a pipe-shaped recess. The first duct element24ais formed as a pipe-shaped recess inside the hard spoiler component18a. The first duct element24ais provided for dispensing and/or guiding a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid is formed as a wiper fluid. The first duct element24ais formed partially as a spray nozzle element26aof the spray unit22a. The first duct element24ais formed on a dispensing opening of the first duct element24aas a spray nozzle element26a. The dispensing of cleaning fluid through the spray nozzle element26ais carried out at an overpressure. The overpressure is greater than an atmospheric pressure of an environment surrounding the wiper blade device10a.

The first duct element24ahas a main direction of extent substantially parallel to the vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14a. The main direction of extent of the first duct element24a, in a state of the windshield wiper12amounted on a motor vehicle windshield, runs substantially perpendicular to a surface of the motor vehicle windshield. The first duct element24ais arranged in the vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14aso as to overlap with the receiving area20aof the spring rail. The first duct element24ais arranged in the vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14aso as to overlap entirely with the receiving area20aof the spring rail. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the first duct element24ais arranged in the vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14aso as to overlap partially with the receiving area20aof the spring rail. The main direction of extent of the first duct element24aruns substantially parallel to a vertical direction of extent of the receiving area20a. The vertical direction of extent of the receiving area20aruns substantially parallel to the vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14a.

The first duct element24ais arranged so as to be offset relative to the receiving area20aof the spring rail in a transverse direction of extent30aof the spoiler unit14a. The first duct element24ais arranged so as to be entirely offset relative to the receiving area20aof the spring rail in the transverse direction of extent30aof the spoiler unit14a. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the first duct element24ais arranged so as to be partially offset relative to the receiving area20aof the spring rail in the transverse direction of extent30aof the spoiler unit14a. The first duct element24ais entirely separated by the hard spoiler component18afrom the receiving area20ain the transverse direction of extent30aof the spoiler unit14a.

The soft spoiler component16aforms a duct32aof the spray unit22a. The soft spoiler component16aentirely forms the duct32aof the spray unit22a. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the soft spoiler component16apartially forms the duct32aof the spray unit22a. The duct32ais directly connected to the first duct element24a. The duct32aruns substantially parallel to the main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The duct32aextends substantially along the entire extent of the spoiler unit14aalong the main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The duct32ais formed as a recess in the soft spoiler component16a. The duct32ais formed as a tubular recess in the soft spoiler component16a. The duct32ais provided for guiding through the cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid may be delivered through the duct32a. The cleaning fluid is supplied to the duct32athrough a supply element, not shown further. The duct32ais arranged above the first duct element24a, when viewed along the vertical direction of extent28aof the spoiler unit14a. The cleaning fluid is forced out of the duct32ainto the first duct element24aand dispensed through the first duct element24aat an overpressure, in comparison with an atmospheric pressure of the environment surrounding the wiper blade device10a. The plurality of first duct elements24aare arranged equidistant to one another substantially along the entire duct32a.

The first duct element24ais defined by a wall34aof the receiving area20aof the spring rail. The wall34apartially defines the receiving area20aon a side36aof the wall34aremote from the spray nozzle element26a. The wall34adefines the receiving area20aon the side36aof the wall34aremote from the spray nozzle element26a, along the transverse direction of extent30aof the spoiler unit14a.

The spray unit22ahas a second duct element38a. The second duct element38ais arranged on a side40aof the receiving area20aremote from the first duct element24a. The spray unit22ahas a plurality of second duct elements38a. The second duct elements38aare arranged along the entire main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The second duct elements38aare arranged equidistant to one another along the main direction of extent48aof the wiper blade device10a. The second duct element38ais formed in a substantially similar manner to the first duct element24a. The second duct element38ais provided for dispensing the cleaning fluid. The spray unit22acomprises a second duct50a. The second duct50ais arranged on the side40aof the receiving area20aremote from the first duct element24a. The second duct50ais formed in a substantially similar manner to the duct32awhich is connected to the first duct element24a. The second duct50ais directly connected to the second duct element38a. The second duct50ais provided for guiding through the cleaning fluid. The second duct element38aand the second duct50aare arranged around the receiving area20asubstantially mirror-symmetrically to the first duct element24aand the duct32awhich is connected to the first duct element24a.

Two further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The following descriptions and the drawings are substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein relative to components denoted the same, in particular with reference to components with the same reference numerals, in principle reference may also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular ofFIGS. 1 and 2. In order to differentiate between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a is added to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment inFIGS. 1 and 2. In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 3 and 4the letter a is replaced by the letters b and c.

FIG. 3shows a part of an alternative wiper blade device10ain a schematic sectional view. The wiper blade device10bcomprises a spoiler unit14b. The spoiler unit14bhas a soft spoiler component16band a hard spoiler component18b. The hard spoiler component18bpartially forms a receiving area20bfor a spring rail. The wiper blade device10bcomprises a spray unit22b. The spray unit22bhas a first duct element24b. The first duct element24bis partially integrally molded to the hard spoiler component18b. The first duct element24bis partially integrally molded to the soft spoiler component16b. The partially integrally molded first duct element24bpartially forms a spray nozzle element26bof the spray unit22b. The first duct element24bforms a spray nozzle element26bof the spray unit22bin a portion of the first duct element24bin which the first duct element24bis integrally molded to the hard spoiler component18b. The first duct element24bis arranged so as to be offset relative to the receiving area20aof the spring rail in a transverse direction of extent30bof the spoiler unit14b. The first duct element24bis partially separated by the soft spoiler component16bfrom the receiving area20bin the transverse direction of extent30bof the spoiler unit14b. The first duct element24bis partially separated by the hard spoiler component18bfrom the receiving area20bin the transverse direction of extent30bof the spoiler unit14b.

The spray unit22bhas a second duct element38b. The second duct element38bis formed in a substantially similar manner to the first duct element24b. The second duct element38bis arranged on a side40bof the receiving area20bremote from the first duct element24b. The spray unit22bhas a second duct50b. The second duct50bis formed in a substantially similar manner to the duct32bwhich is connected to the first duct element24b. The second duct50bis arranged on the side40bof the receiving area20bremote from the first duct element24b. The side40bof the receiving area20bremote from the first duct element24bis not shown further.

FIG. 4shows a part of a further alternative wiper blade device10cin a schematic sectional view. The wiper blade device10ccomprises a spoiler unit14c. The spoiler unit14chas a soft spoiler component16cand a hard spoiler component18c. The hard spoiler component18cpartially forms a receiving area20cfor a spring rail. The wiper blade device10ccomprises a spray unit22c. The spray unit22chas a first duct element24c. The first duct element24cis partially integrally molded to the hard spoiler component18c. The first duct element24cis partially integrally molded over half of the periphery to the hard spoiler component18c. The first duct element24cis partially integrally molded to the soft spoiler component16c. The partially integrally molded first duct element24cpartially forms a spray nozzle element26cof the spray unit22c. The first duct element24cforms a spray nozzle element26cof the spray unit22cin a portion of the first duct element24cin which the first duct element24cis fully integrally molded to the hard spoiler component18c. The first duct element24cis defined by a wall34cof the receiving area20cof the spring rail. The wall34cpartially defines the receiving area20con a side36cof the wall34cremote from the spray nozzle element26c. The wall34cdefines the receiving area20con the side36cof the wall34cremote from the spray nozzle element26calong the transverse direction of extent30cof the spoiler unit14c.

The spray unit22chas a second duct element38c. The second duct element38cis formed in a substantially similar manner to the first duct element24c. The second duct element38cis arranged on a side40cof the receiving area20cremote from the first duct element24c. The spray unit22chas a second duct50c. The second duct50cis formed in a substantially similar manner to the duct32cwhich is connected to the first duct element24c. The second duct50cis arranged on the side40cof the receiving area20cremote from the first duct element24c. The side40cof the receiver area20cremote from the first duct element24cis not shown further.