DE10043426A1 - Windscreen wiper has rubber with longitudinal grooves along each side which is connected to wiper arm by flexible strips which fit into grooves and whose ends fit into plastic adapter on wiper arm which has catches snap fitting over strips - Google Patents

Abstract

The windscreen wiper has a rubber (13) with longitudinal grooves (19) along each side. It is connected to the wiper arm (3) by flexible strips (17) which fit into the grooves and whose ends fit into a plastic adapter (9) on the wiper arm. This has catches which snap fit over the strips.

Description

The invention relates to a wiper device, in particular for wiping vehicle windows, with a drivable Wiper arm, with a wiper blade arranged on the wiper arm, which is a squeegee with a wiper lip and two each other opposite longitudinal grooves, as well as a support element in the form of two in the longitudinal grooves, band-like includes elongated spring rails, and with a Adapter element for connecting the wiper blade to the Wiper arm, the adapter element having a back and on the Back arranged, right and left next to each other facing longitudinal sides of the spring rails Receiving sections includes the spring rails reach behind and receiving areas for the spring rails form. The invention also relates to a wiper blade also an adapter element of such a wiper device.

With such wiping devices this ensures Support element in the form of the two band-like, elongated spring rails optimal distribution of the wiper blade contact pressure emanating from the wiper arm wiping washer. The two spring rails are in the unloaded condition, so if the wiper blade is not on the Disc rests, pre-bent accordingly and have a defined curvature. The spring rails thus replace  an elaborate support bracket and claw bracket construction, such as they have become known, for example, from DE 15 05 357 A1 is.

DE 196 27 114 A1 describes a wiper device became known in the beginning. Such Wiper device has an adapter element made of sheet metal, the is so folded that it is to the right and left of the mutually facing long sides of the spring rails extending receiving sections that the Reach behind spring rails and a receiving area for form the spring rails. With such wiping devices has in particular the assembly of the adapter element on the Wiper blade turned out to be complex and problematic. The corresponding bends of the receiving sections are either before the assembly process, then the wiper blade in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade in the corresponding receiving areas of the receiving sections is to be introduced. By tilting the wiper blade in the Such areas of insertion are almost not possible. On the other hand, the corresponding is conceivable Bend the receiving sections directly on the wiper blade. For this, however, there are complex folding devices necessary.

The present invention is therefore based on the object based on providing a wiper device which the remedied disadvantages of the prior art.  

This task is the beginning of a wiper described type according to the invention solved in that the Adapter element is designed as a plastic part and that the adapter element and / or the receiving sections are elastic are deformable so that the each other opposite sides of the spring rails preferably from the The bottom of the adapter can be snapped into the receiving areas are. As a result, the assembly process of the wiper device considerably simplified. For the assembly process, none special machines or devices. by virtue of the choice of a suitable plastic for the adapter element corresponding snap properties can be guaranteed become.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the Invention extend the receiving sections over the entire length of the adapter element. This will be a secure holding of the spring rails with the between the two spring rails lying squeegee ensured.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the Recording sections only over sections of the Extend adapter element. Preferably here support sections are present between the receiving sections be, for example, the one acting on the wiper blade Can absorb lateral forces.

To insert the spring rails into the receiving areas To facilitate, can be provided according to the invention that  the receiving sections on the receiving area bevelled side on the underside of the adapter Have insertion surfaces. About such entry areas can the opposite sides of the spring rails in the recording areas slide.

To ensure a safe and defined snap process can guarantee, according to the invention, a defined one Deformation line can be provided, along which the Adapter element and / or the receiving sections at Deform the snap process elastically.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the Deformation line along the central longitudinal axis of the Adapter element. This will result in an even bend the adapter element when inserting the wiper blade into the Adapter element or the spring rails in the Recording areas guaranteed.

On the other hand, it is also conceivable for several to be defined Deformation lines are provided, in particular along the areas of the receiving sections facing the back run. This will bend the back during the snap process avoided. The elastic deformation takes place in the areas of the back facing the Receiving portions.

A defined deformation along a given one Achieving deformation line can advantageously  be provided that the adapter element in the area of Deformation lines has material recesses.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the Wiper arm for connection to the adapter element Fork-like adapter element encompassing Connection section on the one in the assembled state elastic deformation of the adapter element or Preventing receiving sections. This is an expansion or bending the adapter element or Recording sections prevented, so that the wiper blade from solved the adapter element during wiper operation can be.

To a relative movement of the adapter element and Spring rails with the squeegee towards the Exclude wiper blade longitudinal direction, show at one another embodiment of the invention on the spring rails the longitudinally extending, each other cutouts on the opposite sides, which with the Adapter element or with sections of the adapter element complete form-fitting.

Advantageously, can also be provided according to the invention be that between the two spring rails on the There is a fixing element supporting the adapter element, that the spring rails are positive and / or non-positive fixed. Such a fixing element can primarily serve to make a relative movement between the  Adapter element and the spring rails in Exclude wiper blade longitudinal direction.

It has proven particularly advantageous here that the spring rails for the positive reception of the Fixing element formations that the Correspond to the surface contour of the fixing element. at Introducing the fixing element into such formations the spring rails are fixed in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade.

According to the invention it can be provided that the Fixing element on a crossbar of the adapter element supported. Such a crossbar can, for example, two right and left next to the wiper blade mutually facing sides of the spring rails extending Connect the cheeks of the adapter element together.

To enable easy mounting of the fixing element, can also be provided that the fixing element the adapter element or is molded onto the web and in an existing cavity below the fixing element in the adapter element between the two spring rails can be pressed. The fixing element is in this way the adapter element or molded onto the web that a slight pressure is sufficient to get it into the existing cavity to press. By pressing on the fixing element shears this from the adapter element or the web. Due to the The fixing element can be molded on before the assembly process do not get lost. To ensure safe insertion of the  Fixing element between the two spring rails ensure, it can be provided that the squeegee in the corresponding area must be removed beforehand.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is Fixing element is a fixing pin that has a circular shape Has cross section.

The task mentioned at the beginning is also achieved by a wiper blade as well as by an adapter element one in the previous described wiping device solved.

Further advantageous refinements and details of Invention can be found in the following description, in of the invention with reference to that shown in the drawing Exemplary embodiments are described and explained in more detail.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a wiper device according to the invention in a perspective top view;

FIG. 2 shows an adapter member including the spring rails and wiping rubber of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3, the adapter element according to FIG 2 in a perspective view from below.

Fig. 4, the adapter element according to Fig 3 in bottom view.

Fig. 5 is an adapter member including the spring rails and wiping rubber of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is the adapter element of Fig 5 in a perspective view obliquely from below.

FIG. 7 the adapter element according to FIG. 5 in a bottom view;

Fig. 8, the adapter element to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 spring rails for an adapter element acc. Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter element of Fig. 8 together with the wiper blade rubber, and two spring rails in a perspective view.

In FIG. 1, a wiper device 1 is shown, having a drivable wiper arm 3 having a wiper blade 3 arranged on the wiper blade 5. The free end 7 of the wiper arm 3 can be driven to wipe a window, not shown, about an axis, which is also not shown. The wiper device 1 also has an adapter element 9 , which connects the wiper blade 5 to the wiper arm 3 so that it can pivot at least to a limited extent. The adapter element 9 is made of plastic.

In Fig. 1, only one half of the wiper blade 5 is shown as the second half of the wiper blade 5 is completely covered by the wiper blade 3.

The connecting section 11 facing the wiper blade 5 is fork-shaped and engages around the adapter element 9 laterally.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, as well as from the other figures, the wiper blade 5 comprises a wiper rubber 13 with a wiper lip 15 facing the window to be wiped, as well as two elongated spring rails 17 in the form of a band. The spring rails 17 form the support element of the wiper blade 5 and lie in two opposing longitudinal grooves 19 of the wiper rubber 13 . In the unloaded state, that is, when the wiper blade 5 is not in contact with the window to be wiped, the spring rails 17 have a defined curvature due to their pre-bending.

109 Fig. 2 shows an adapter element of a first embodiment of the invention with the retained thereon spring rails 17 and with the spring arranged between the two rails 17 squeegee. 13 The adapter element 109 has a back 21 , the circumferential edge 23 of which, in the assembled state, as can be seen in FIG. 1, connects flush to the surface of the wiper arm 3 . As a result, in particular at higher vehicle speeds, no disadvantageous inflow surfaces are formed which can lead to increased air resistance or wind noise. On the back 21 there are 17 side cheeks 25 on the right and left next to the sides of the spring rails facing away from one another. The side cheeks 25 here have receiving sections 27 which form receiving areas 29 for the sides facing away from one another in the spring rails 17 .

As is clear from FIG. 2, the two side cheeks 25 in the form of web-like extensions 31 extend on one side of the adapter element 109 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 5 . Furthermore, a pivot pin 33 is arranged on the outer sides of the side cheeks 25 , about the axis of which the wiper blade 5 can be pivoted at least to a certain extent with respect to the wiper arm 3 . Overhangs 35 are also arranged on the side cheeks 25 and serve as a support for contact surfaces arranged on the inside of the wiper arm 3 .

In the view of the adapter element 109 shown in FIG. 3, the receiving areas 29 , which are formed by the receiving sections 27 , can be clearly seen. The receiving sections 27 extend over the entire length of the adapter element 109 .

Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows at the free ends of the receiving sections 27 a beveled insertion surface 37 , which serves to facilitate the insertion of the longitudinal edges of the spring rails 17 facing away from one another into the receiving areas 29 .

The adapter element 109 has a notch 39 along the central longitudinal axis. This notch 39 can also be clearly seen in FIG. 4, which shows the adapter element 109 from below, and represents a material recess in the region of the deformation line 41. The notch 39 here defines a deformation line 41 , which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. To mount the squeegee 13 with the spring rails 17 arranged in the longitudinal grooves 19 of the squeegee, the squeegee together with the spring rails 17 is pressed into the adapter element 109 from below. For this purpose, the longitudinal sides of the spring rails 17 facing away from each other slide on the insertion surfaces 37 . When the contact pressure increases, the adapter element 109 deforms elastically along the notch 39 or the defined deformation line 41 such that the sides of the spring rails facing away from one another snap into the receiving areas 29 . Due to the material properties of the adapter element 109 , the notch 39 is to be designed in such a way that spring rails 17 together with the wiper rubber 13 are advantageously held in the adapter element 109 with a slight pretension.

In order to prevent elastic deformation of the adapter element 109 along the deformation line 41 in the assembled state or in the operation of the wiper device 1 , the fork-like connecting section 11 of the wiper arm 3 engages around the adapter element 9 laterally. The connecting portion 11 here is not designed to be elastically deformable, so that when mounted on the connecting portion 11 connecting element is a deformation of the adapter element along the deformation line 41 109 109 is not possible. Thus, the two spring rails 17 can be mounted with the wiper rubber 13 in a simple manner and are held in a functionally reliable manner during operation of the wiper device 1 .

209 FIG. 5 shows an adapter element of a second embodiment of the invention. Parts of the adapter element 209 corresponding to the adapter element 109 are provided with corresponding reference numbers. In contrast to the adapter element 109 , the adapter element 209 has no notch 39 . In addition, the cheeks 25 provide receiving sections 27 which do not extend over the entire length of the adapter element 209 . Rather, the adapter element 209 has three receiving sections 27 on each side cheek 25 . Between the receiving sections 27, the side cheeks 25 engage around the mutually facing longitudinal sides of the spring rails 17 . These sections of the side cheeks 25 are identified in the following with the reference number 43 and are referred to as support sections 43 . Shear forces acting on the wiper blade 5 in particular can be absorbed via the support sections 43 .

In FIG. 6, the receiving portions 27 are clearly seen with the receiving portions 29 and the support portions 43rd

The receiving sections 27 have beveled insertion surfaces 37 for easier insertion of the sides of the spring rails 17 facing away from one another. The adapter element 209 has, seen clearly in particular from FIG. 7, are formed in the area in which the receiving portions 27 on the back 21, notches 39 on. The notch 39 here forms a deformation line 41 , around which the receiving sections 27 can be elastically deformed in the direction facing away from the spring rails 17 . The adapter element 209 has material recesses in the area of the notches 39 and the deformation lines 41 .

For assembly, according to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 4, the wiper rubber 13 with spring rails 17 lying in the longitudinal grooves 19 is inserted into the adapter element 209 from below. The longitudinal sides of the spring rails 17 facing away from one another lie against the insertion surfaces 37 . When the contact pressure increases, the receiving sections 27 preferably deform along the deformation lines 41 and accordingly dodge in the direction facing away from the spring rails 17 . Finally, the sides of the spring rails 17 facing away from one another snap into the receiving areas 29 . Since transverse forces acting on the wiper blade 5 are absorbed via the support sections 43 , it is not possible to release the wiper rubber 13 with the spring rails 17 during operation.

The wiper devices with the adapter elements 109 or 209 described above can provide means to prevent the spring rails 17 or the wiper rubber 13 from moving in relation to the adapter element 109 or 209 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade.

Such means can, for example, be recesses on the sides of the spring rails 17 facing away from one another in the region of the adapter element 109 , 209 , which form-fit with the adapter element 109 , 209 or with sections of the adapter element 109 , 209 . Such recesses can be, for example, notches with round or angular contours. An embodiment with, for example, the adapter element 209 can, for example, provide notches on sides of the spring rails 17 facing away from one another, into which the support sections 43 protrude, the support sections 43 then being arranged further in the direction of the central longitudinal axis.

Fig. 8 shows an adapter member 309, which may have 17 with the squeegee 13 according to the adapter member 109 or 209, a connection of the spring rails. In the adapter element 309 , a web 45 is formed between the two extensions 31 of the side cheeks 25 . To the web 45, a fixing member is formed in the shape of a fixing pin 47 on the side remote from the squeegee 13. To ensure the axial displaceability of the spring rails 17 and the wiper rubber 13, it is provided to press the fixing pin 47 along the direction of the arrow 49 between the two spring rails 17 .

The spring rails 17 , as shown in FIG. 9, can have recesses 51 in the form of a circular segment, corresponding to the contour of the fixing pin 47 . The assembled, pressed-in fixing pin 47 is then arranged in a form-fitting manner between the cutouts 51 .

Fig. 10 shows a cross section through the fixing pin 47 of the adapter member 309 and the two associated spring strips 17 and the squeegee. 13 It can be clearly seen that below the fixing pin 49 , which has not yet been pressed down, there is a cylindrical cavity 53 which is slightly larger in inside diameter than the outside diameter of the fixing element 47 . The cavity 53 extends over the cutouts 51 of the spring rails 17 and also over a section of the wiper rubber 13 .

As is clear from FIG. 10, the fixing pin 47 is integrally formed on the transverse web 45 in such a way that it shears along the edge 55 under pressure in the direction of the arrow 49 and completely fills the cavity 53 .

The crossbar 45 lies with its underside on the top of the two spring rails 17 . In this area, the back of the squeegee 13 is removed.

Because the fixing pin 47 completely fills the cavity 53 , it is no longer possible to move the spring rails 17 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. On the spring rails 17 acting longitudinal forces are transferred to the depressed, that are available in the cavity 53 positioning pin 47 which is supported on the crosspiece 45, directed to the connecting element 309th Such an embodiment has the advantage that a displacement of the spring rails 17 in the longitudinal direction is prevented in a simple manner, without the need for further components when installing a wiper device according to the invention.

As an alternative to the embodiment of the invention described in FIGS. 8-10, it is also conceivable for cutouts 51 in the spring rails 17 to be omitted. Instead of a described positive connection between the fixing element 47 and the recesses 51 of the spring strips 17 can also have a positive connection between the fixing element 47 and the spring rails 17, a displaceability of the spring rails are suppressed in the wiper blade longitudinal direction 17th Such an embodiment has the advantage that the cutouts 51 are omitted.

A combination of a positive and a non-positive arrangement of the fixing element between the two spring rails 17 is also conceivable.

All in the description, the following claims and Features shown in the drawing can be both individually, as well as in any combination with each other be essential to the invention.

Claims (17)

1. Wiper device ( 1 ), in particular for wiping vehicle windows, with a drivable wiper arm ( 3 ), with a wiper blade ( 5 ) arranged on the wiper arm ( 3 ), which has a wiper rubber ( 13 ) with a wiper lip ( 15 ) and two each other opposite longitudinal grooves ( 19 ), as well as a support element in the form of two elongated spring rails ( 17 ) lying in the longitudinal grooves ( 19 ), and with an adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) for connecting the wiper blade ( 5 ) to the wiper arm ( 3 ), the adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) having a back ( 21 ) and receiving sections ( 27 ) arranged on the back ( 21 ) and extending to the right and left next to the longitudinal sides of the spring rails ( 17 ) facing away from one another comprises, which engage behind the spring rails ( 17 ) and form receiving areas ( 29 ) for the spring rails ( 17 ), characterized in that the adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) is designed as a plastic part and there ss the adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) and / or the receiving sections ( 27 ) are designed to be elastically deformable, so that the sides of the spring rails ( 17 ) facing away from one another can preferably be snapped into the receiving areas ( 29 ) from the underside of the adapter. 2. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving sections ( 27 ) extend over the entire length of the adapter element ( 109 ). 3. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving sections ( 27 ) extend over sections of the adapter element ( 209 ). 4. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the receiving sections ( 27 ) on the side facing away from the receiving region ( 29 ) have beveled insertion surfaces ( 37 ) on the underside of the adapter. 5. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter element ( 109 , 209 ) and / or the receiving sections ( 27 ) deform or deform elastically during the snap process along a defined deformation line ( 41 ). 6. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation line ( 41 ) runs along the central longitudinal axis of the adapter element ( 109 ). 7. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation line ( 41 ) runs along the regions of the receiving sections ( 27 ) facing the back ( 21 ). 8. wiper device ( 1 ) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the adapter element ( 109 , 209 ) in the region of the deformation lines ( 41 ) has material recesses. 9. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper arm ( 3 ) for connection to the adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) a fork-like connecting portion encompassing the adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) ( 11 ), which prevents elastic deformation of the adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) or the receiving sections ( 27 ) in the assembled state. 10. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring rails ( 17 ) on the longitudinally extending, mutually facing sides have recesses ( 51 ) with the adapter element ( 309 ) or with sections of the adapter element ( 309 ) form-fitting to exclude a relative movement of the adapter element ( 309 ) and the spring rails ( 17 ) with the wiper rubber ( 13 ) in the direction of the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. 11. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the two spring rails ( 17 ) a fixing element ( 47 ) is provided which is supported on the adapter element ( 309 ) and which forms the spring rails ( 17 ) and / or non-positively fixed. 12. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the spring rails ( 17 ) for the positive reception of the fixing element ( 47 ) have formations ( 51 ) which correspond to the surface contour of the fixing element ( 47 ). 13. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the fixing element ( 47 ) is supported on a transverse web ( 45 ) of the adapter element ( 309 ). 14. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the fixing element ( 47 ) is integrally formed on the adapter element ( 309 ) or on the web ( 45 ) and in a below the fixing element ( 47 ) existing cavity ( 53 ) between the two spring rails ( 17 ) can be pressed. 15. Wiper device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the fixing element ( 47 ) is a fixing pin which has a circular cross section. 16. Wiper blade ( 5 ) for a wiper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims. 17. adapter element ( 9 , 109 , 209 , 309 ) for a wiper device ( 1 ) or for a wiper blade ( 5 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims.