CN108263344B

CN108263344B - Wiper blade, wiper and motor vehicle comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN108263344B
Application number: CN201611256109.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张松涛
Original assignee: Taizhou Valeo Wenling Automotive Systems Co Ltd
Current assignee: Taizhou Valeo Wenling Automotive Systems Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-30
Filing date: 2016-12-30
Publication date: 2021-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-30
Also published as: CN108263344A

Abstract

The invention discloses a wiper blade for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade body extending in a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, the wiper blade body comprising a base and a lip rubbing against a windscreen, the wiper blade body further comprising a flexible connection connected between the base and the lip, relative pivoting of the lip with respect to the base being provided by deformation of the flexible connection when the lip rubs against the windscreen, and the wiper blade further comprising a self-heating device arranged along the flexible connection between the base and the lip, and the self-heating device comprising a supersaturated solution and a trigger mechanism triggering an exotherm of the supersaturated solution.

Description

Wiper blade, wiper and motor vehicle comprising same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wiper blade for a wiper of a motor vehicle, a wiper comprising such a wiper blade, and a motor vehicle comprising such a wiper.

Background

Motor vehicles are often equipped with a wiping system for wiping and cleaning the windshield and preventing interference with the driver's view. These wiping systems comprise a wiper, which is usually driven by a wiper arm that performs an angular reciprocating movement. The wiper comprises a wiper blade which rubs against the windscreen and removes water or dust etc. out of the driver's view. The wiper blade generally includes a wiping rubber formed with a lip portion that contacts the windshield of the vehicle to perform wiping.

Although most of the commonly used wiping rubbers already exist with good hardness properties, the wiping quality is still degraded in the cold season when the elastomer gradually changes from a rubbery state to a glassy state. Frozen rubber suffers from insufficient flexibility, leading to deformation and frictional losses, and can cause damage to the windshield.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention solves the above mentioned problems by proposing a wiper blade with a self-heating device.

A wiper blade for a motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a wiper blade body extending in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, which wiper blade body comprises a base and a lip rubbing against the windscreen, characterized in that the wiper blade body further comprises a flexible connection connected between the base and the lip, relative pivoting of the lip with respect to the base being provided by deformation of the flexible connection when the lip rubs against the windscreen, and the wiper blade further comprises a self-heating device arranged along the flexible connection between the base and the lip, and the self-heating device comprises a supersaturated solution and a trigger mechanism triggering the evolution of heat from the supersaturated solution.

The wiper blade with self-heating device according to the invention is able to maintain the flexibility of the rubber and thus the wiping quality in cold seasons and is less prone to damage of the windscreen during wiping.

Preferably, the self-heating means comprise a channel integrally formed with said wiper blade body by extrusion.

Preferably, the self-heating device is a different component from the wiper blade body and is connected to the wiper blade body.

Preferably, self-heating devices are disposed on both sides of the flexible connection portion.

Preferably, the trigger mechanism is a metal device that deforms with the deformation of the flexible connection.

Preferably, the supersaturated solution is a sodium acetate solution. The sodium acetate solution has the advantages of easy obtaining and low cost.

Preferably, the wiper blade is provided with an auxiliary electrical heating device.

Preferably, the trigger mechanism is an auxiliary electrical heating device. Therefore, the trigger mechanism can trigger the supersaturated solution to perform exothermic reaction, and can be electrically heated, so that the crystallized supersaturated solution is promoted to return to a liquid state as soon as possible, and the wiper blade body is electrically heated.

Preferably, the wiper blade is a flat wiper blade.

The invention also proposes a wiper comprising a wiper blade as described above.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and for those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without inventive efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a wiper blade with a self-heating device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a wiper blade having a self-heating device according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate perspective views of embodiments of self-heating devices;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a wiper blade with a self-heating device according to the invention rubbing against a windshield, showing the extrusion in a state of extrusion deformation;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a wiper blade according to the invention with a self-heating device;

6A-6B are different embodiments of wiper blades with self-heating devices according to the present invention;

fig. 7 is an example of a flat blade provided with an auxiliary electric heating device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. The components of embodiments of the present invention generally described and illustrated in the figures herein may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.

Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, presented in conjunction with the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a wiper blade 1 for motor vehicles according to the invention with a self-heating device 20, in a schematic sectional view and in a perspective view, respectively. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the wiper blade 1 may comprise a wiper blade body 10, said wiper blade body 10 may comprise a base 11 and a lip 12 which rubs against the windshield E (fig. 4). Further, the wiper blade body 10 has a flexible connecting portion 13, and the flexible connecting portion 13 is connected between the base 11 and the lip 12. During operation of the wiper, lip (12) can pivot relative to base 11 (as shown in fig. 4) by deformation of flexible connection 13 when lip 12 rubs against windshield E.

Further, the wiper blade 1 may further comprise a self-heating device 20. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, self-heating device 20 may be disposed along flexible coupling 13 between base 11 and lip 12. Reference is now made to fig. 3A and 3B, which schematically illustrate perspective views of one embodiment of the self-heating device 20. In this embodiment, the self-heating device 20 may comprise a channel 21, which channel 21 is closed at both ends, for example by means of heat fusion, and in which channel 21 a supersaturated solution 22 is filled, schematically shown in the form of dots. Here, the supersaturated solution 22 may be a sodium acetate solution. In other embodiments, the supersaturated solution may also be a calcium nitrate solution, a sodium sulfate solution, a sodium borate solution, a sodium thiosulfate solution, a sucrose solution, or the like. The supersaturated solution may fill a portion of the internal volume of the channel 21, for example to 50-95% of the volume, preferably to 90% of the volume, to prevent expansion of the channel 21 when the supersaturated solution 22 crystallizes.

The self-heating device 20 may extend along the entire length of the wiper blade body 10.

Preferably, self-heating devices 20 may be disposed on both sides of the flexible connection 13.

Referring also to fig. 3A and 3B, self-heating device 20 may include a trigger mechanism 23 that triggers the release of heat from supersaturated solution 22. The trigger mechanism 23 may be a metal device that deforms in response to the deformation of the flexible connecting portion 13. The metal device may be made of copper or iron. During operation of the wiper, the self-heating device 20 arranged between the base 11 and the lip 12 along the flexible deformation 13 is compressed, thereby deforming the trigger mechanism 23. For example, the metal means for triggering the exotherm of the supersaturated solution 22 may be a wire, which may have a substantially straight form, inserted in the channel 21 and thereby immersed in the supersaturated solution 22. During operation of the wiper, when the channel 21 is squeezed due to deformation of the flexible connection 13, the wire arranged inside it is twisted, causing a slight vibration, so that the supersaturated solution 22, for example a sodium acetate solution, crystallizes and the supersaturated solution gradually becomes solid. The reaction is an exothermic reaction and the heat released can heat the wiper blade body 10, for example, the lip 12 of the wiper blade body 10, such as to 50 ℃, to reduce wiping noise.

In addition, solar energy absorbed by the windshield or air at a higher temperature dissolves solids obtained by crystallization of the above supersaturated solution and increases the solubility of the solute so that the solution is supersaturated again, whereby the supersaturated solution can be reused.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, self-heating device 20 may be disposed along flexible coupling 13 on the face of base 11 facing lip 12 without contacting lip 12. Fig. 6A and 6B show a modified embodiment in which the self-heating device 20 is provided at a different position. In a variant embodiment shown in fig. 6A, self-heating means 20 may be provided along flexible connection 13 on the face of lip 12 facing towards base 11. In a variant embodiment shown in fig. 6B, self-heating device 20 may be disposed along flexible coupling 13 and may not be in contact with base 11 and lip 12. Although the drawings of the present invention show self-heating device 20 disposed at only a few locations as described above, self-heating device 20 may be disposed anywhere along flexible coupling 13 between base 11 and lip 12, so long as self-heating device 20 includes a triggering means that is capable of deforming as flexible coupling 13 deforms to trigger the release of heat from the supersaturated solution.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a wiper blade according to the invention with a self-heating device. The wiper blade body 10 of the wiper blade 1 shown in fig. 5 has a shape different from those shown in fig. 1 to 3B. Fig. 5 shows schematically in dashed lines the different positions where the self-heating means 20 can be arranged. In particular, the wiper blade 1 shown in fig. 5 is a flat blade.

In one embodiment, the channel 21 of the self-heating device 20 may be integrally formed with the wiper blade body 10 by extrusion.

In another embodiment, the self-heating device 20 may be a different component from the wiper blade body 10 and connected to the wiper blade body 10, for example by gluing.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3B, the trigger mechanism 23 for triggering the exotherm of supersaturated solution 22 may be a wavy wire, which after insertion into channel 21 may be more sensitive to deformation of flexible joint 13 to promote easier crystallization of the supersaturated solution. For example, in one aspect, the undulations provide elasticity to the wire such that smooth insertion is facilitated by the elongated deformation along its length as the undulating wire is inserted into the channel 21, and the peaks and valleys of the undulating wire may contact or abut the inner wall of the channel 21 after insertion into the channel 21. In another case, the wavy wire may have only a slightly wavy shape, without abutting against the inner wall of the channel 21.

In another embodiment, not shown, the triggering mechanism for triggering the release of heat from the supersaturated solution 22 may be a wire formed by twisting together a plurality of wires, for example, two, three, or even more wires. The wire thus formed may be more sensitive to deformation of the flexible joint 13 after insertion into the channel 21 to promote easier crystallization of the supersaturated solution 22.

In yet another embodiment, not shown, the trigger mechanism for triggering the exotherm of supersaturated solution 22 may be a wire mesh.

Furthermore, the wiper blade 1 may be further provided with an auxiliary electric heating device. Fig. 7 shows an example of a flat blade provided with an auxiliary electric heating device. As shown in fig. 7, an auxiliary electric heating device 30, such as a heating film, is provided on the base 11 of the wiper blade body 10. In this case, the auxiliary electric heating device 30 is a separate component from the self-heating device 20. In another possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 6A, the triggering mechanism 23 for triggering the exotherm of supersaturated solution 22, e.g. a metal device as described previously, may be the auxiliary electrical heating means, i.e. the triggering mechanism 23 immersed in supersaturated solution 22 may itself be connected to a power source. Thus, the trigger mechanism 23 can trigger the supersaturated solution 22 to perform an exothermic reaction, and can be electrically heated to promote the crystallized supersaturated solution 22 to return to a liquid state as soon as possible, while electrically heating the wiper blade body 10.

The invention also relates to a wiper for a motor vehicle, comprising the aforementioned wiper blade.

Although the wiper blade and the wiper including the wiper blade according to the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above specifically described structure is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wiper blade (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade body (10) extending in a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, the wiper blade body comprising a base (11) and a lip (12) rubbing against a windscreen (E),

characterized in that the wiper blade body (10) further comprises a flexible connection (13) connected between the base (11) and the lip (12), the relative pivoting of the lip (12) with respect to the base (11) being provided by the deformation of the flexible connection (13) when the lip (12) rubs against a windscreen (E), and in that the wiper blade (1) further comprises a self-heating device (20), the self-heating device (20) being arranged along the flexible connection (13) between the base (11) and the lip (12), and the heating of the self-heating device being brought about by the deformation of a trigger mechanism in the self-heating device.

2. The wiper blade according to claim 1 wherein the self-heating means comprises a supersaturated solution and a trigger mechanism to trigger the supersaturated solution to exotherm.

3. Wiper blade according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the self-heating device (20) comprises a channel (21) which is integrally formed with the wiper blade body (10) by extrusion.

4. Wiper blade according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the self-heating device (20) is a different component from the wiper blade body (10) and is connected to the wiper blade body (10).

5. Wiper blade according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that self-heating means (20) are arranged on both sides of the flexible connection (13).

6. A wiper blade according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the trigger mechanism is a metal device that deforms with the deformation of the flexible connection.

7. A wiper blade according to claim 2, wherein the supersaturated solution is a sodium acetate solution.

8. Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the wiper blade is provided with an auxiliary electrical heating device.

9. The wiper blade as defined in claim 8 wherein said triggering mechanism is said auxiliary electrical heating device.

10. Wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the wiper blade is a flat wiper blade.

11. A wiper for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a wiper according to claim 11.