Abstract:
The invention relates to a wiping device, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane, comprising a retaining element ( 10   a - 10   f ) with at least one longitudinal guide channel ( 18   a - 18   f ) for guiding at least one spring element ( 20   a - 20   f ). According to the invention, the retaining element ( 10   a - 10   f ) has at least three fixing cavities ( 26   a - 26   f,    28   a -28 f,    30   a - 30   f,    32   a ) that are offset in the longitudinal direction ( 22   a - 22   f ) and that are provided in order to interlock with a wiper blade adapter ( 12   a - 12   f ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    A wiper device, particularly a motor vehicle windscreen wiper device, having a retaining element comprising at least one longitudinal guide channel for guiding at least one spring element is already known in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is based on a wiper device, particularly a motor vehicle windscreen wiper device, having a retaining element comprising at least one longitudinal guide channel for guiding at least one spring element. 
         [0003]    It is proposed that the retaining element comprises at least three fastening recesses offset in a longitudinal direction, which are provided to interlock with a wiper blade adapter, as a result of which a particularly rigid connection can be made between the retaining element and the wiper blade adapter. A “retaining element” in this context should be particularly understood to mean an element which is provided to connect a wind deflector element, a spring element and a wiper strip in an interlocking manner. “Fastening recesses offset in a longitudinal direction” should be particularly understood in this context to mean that at least one plane exists, which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and precisely intersects one of the fastening recesses. The fastening recesses are preferably spaced apart from one another viewed in the longitudinal direction. Arranged between each of the fastening recesses is a fastening recess-free area, in which a plane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction does not intersect a fastening recess. A “wind deflector element” in this context should be particularly understood to mean an element which is provided to deflect a headwind acting on the wiper device and/or to use it to press a wiper strip against a vehicle pane. A “wiper strip” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a strip which is provided to wipe a vehicle windscreen. A “spring element” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a resilient element which comprises at least one extension, said extension being elastically variable in a normal operating state by at least 10%, particularly by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30% and particularly advantageously by at least 50%, and which particularly generates a counterforce which depends on a change in the extension and is preferably proportional to the change. A “longitudinal direction” in this context should particularly be understood to mean a direction which extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the retaining element. A “longitudinal extension” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a largest possible extension. “Substantially” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a deviation of less than 10°, preferably less than 5°. An “extension” of an element in this context should particularly be understood to mean a maximum distance between two points on a perpendicular projection of the element on a plane. A “longitudinal guide channel” in this context should particularly be understood to mean a guide channel, which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the retaining element. The longitudinal guide channel preferably comprises a free space and also at least one channel wall delimiting the free space. A “fastening recess” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a recess, which is provided to receive a corresponding fastening element. A “wiper blade adapter” in this context should be particularly understood to mean an adapter which exhibits a contact area to a wiper blade component and is connected to the wiper blade component in an undetachable manner and is provided to supply a connection area of the wiper blade component for a connection and/or contact with a wiper arm adapter. “Provided” should be understood to mean specially designed and/or equipped. 
         [0004]    In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the fastening recesses are arranged at least partially in a wind deflector fastening element which is provided to interlock with a wind deflector element, as a result of which a particularly narrow, rigid construction of the wiper device can be achieved. The wind deflector fastening element is preferably hook-shaped in design. The wind deflector fastening element preferably closes the retaining element in a side facing away from the wiper strip. 
         [0005]    It is further proposed that the fastening recesses are arranged at least partially in a side wall which delimits the longitudinal guide channel laterally, as a result of which a particularly simple, flat construction of the wiper device can be achieved. “Laterally” in this context should be particularly understood to mean viewed in a wiping direction. A “wiping direction” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a direction in which the wiper device moves in an operating state relative to a surface to be wiped. The wiping direction preferably extends parallel to a surface to be wiped and/or perpendicularly to a main alignment of the wiper strip. 
         [0006]    It is furthermore proposed that the wiper device comprises a wiper blade adapter, which is provided to be connected to the retaining element, by virtue of which a simple assembly of the wiper device can be achieved using a wiper arm adapter. 
         [0007]    It is further proposed that the wiper blade adapter has at least one latching element which bears against the retaining element in a mounted state on a side facing the wiper strip and is provided to avoid movement of the wiper blade adapter relative to the retaining element in a vertical direction, by virtue of which quick, reliable assembly of the wiper device can be advantageously achieved. A “latching element” in this context should be particularly understood to mean a resilient element for producing a latching connection, which is provided to be resiliently deflected in an assembly. 
         [0008]    If the wiper blade adapter comprises at least one latching element, which bears laterally against the retaining element in a mounted state and is provided to prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter relative to the retaining element in a longitudinal direction of the retaining element, quick, reliable assembly of the wiper device can be advantageously achieved. 
         [0009]    In addition, it is proposed that the latching element bears laterally against the spring element in a mounted state and is provided to avoid movement of the wiper blade adapter relative to the spring element in a longitudinal direction, as a result of which additional spring element mounts can be avoided and/or weight can be saved. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the latching element is provided to be deflected at least substantially in a wiping direction in an assembly, as a result of which a particularly compact construction can be achieved with a simultaneously high operating safety. 
         [0011]    If the latching element comprises at least two latching arms which are connected to the wiper blade adapter and are provided to be resiliently deflected, the latching element can have a particularly rigid, load-bearing design. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Further advantages emerge from the following drawing description. Six exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted in the drawing. The drawings, description and claims contain a plurality of combined features. The person skilled in the art will advantageously observe the features individually too and bring them together to create further appropriate combinations. 
           [0013]    In the figures: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wiper device according to the invention with a retaining element, 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter and the retaining element according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a further perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and the retaining element according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device according to the invention with a retaining element, 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 6 , 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter and a spring element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 6 , 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and the retaining element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 6 , 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter of the wiper device according to  FIG. 6 , 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter and a spring element of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device, 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and a retaining element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 11   
           [0026]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter and a spring element of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device, 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and a retaining element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 13 , 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device, 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and a spring element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 15 , 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and a retaining element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 15 , 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device, 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and a spring element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 18  and 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter and a retaining element of the wiper device according to  FIG. 18 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wiper device according to the invention with a retaining element  10   a,  a wiper blade adapter  12   a,  a wind deflector element  14   a  and a wiper strip  16   a  in a mounted state. The wiper blade adapter  12   a,  the wind deflector element  14   a  and the wiper strip  16   a  are fastened to the retaining element  10   a.  The wiper blade adapter  12   a  is provided to be connected to a wiper arm (not shown). In an operating state, i.e. when the wiper arm executes a wiper movement, the wiper strip  16   a  is moved via the retaining element  10   a  over a surface to be wiped (not shown). When a headwind is encountered, the wind deflector element  14   a  deflects this and presses the wiper device onto the surface to be wiped. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows the retaining element  10   a,  which comprises a longitudinal guide channel  18   a  to guide a spring element  20   a,  as a sectional view. The sectional plane runs perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction  22   a  of the retaining element  10   a.  The retaining element  10   a  has two wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a.  The wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  are formed integrally with the retaining element  10   a.  The wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  point at their free ends  54   a,    56   a  in directions facing away from one another. In addition, the wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  form two channel walls  58   a,    60   a,  which bear against the longitudinal guide channel  18   a  on a side facing away from the wiper strip. The wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  are barb-shaped in design in the region of their free ends  54   a,    56   a.  The ends  54   a,    56   a  are enclosed by the wind deflector element  14   a  in a mounted state. 
         [0036]    To guide the spring element  20   a,  side walls  66   a,    68   a  of the longitudinal guide channel  18   c  bear against the channel walls  58   a,    60   a.  The channel walls  58   a,    60   a  thereby enclose a right angle with the side walls  66   a,    68   a.  In addition, a partition wall  70   a  is arranged at the side walls  66   a,    68   a,  which closes the longitudinal guide channel  18   a  in the direction of the wiper strip  16   a . The side walls  66   a,    68   a  extend from the partition wall  70   a  in a direction facing away from the wiper strip  16   a.  The retaining element  10   a  has a longitudinal opening  72   a,  which opens the longitudinal guide channel  18   a  towards the wind deflector element  14   a.    
         [0037]    Two L-shaped guide profiles  74   a,    76   a  of the retaining element  10   a  are arranged on the partition wall  70   a.  The guide profiles  74   a,    76   a  are formed integrally with the retaining element  10   a.  The guide profiles  74   a,    76   a  each have a lateral guide  78   a,    80   a  and a vertical guide  82   a,    84   a.  The vertical guides  82   a ,  84   a  each enclose an angle of 90° with the lateral guides  78   a,    80   a.  The lateral guides  78   a ,  80   a  each enclose an angle of 90° relative to the partition wall  70   a.  The guide profiles  74   a,    76   a  point at their free ends of the vertical guides  82   a,    84   a  in directions facing one another. The guide profiles  74   a,    76   a  and the partition wall  70   a  form a welt track  86   a,  into which the wiper strip  16   a  is inserted in a mounted state. 
         [0038]    The retaining element  10   a  is produced integrally from polyethylene by an extrusion process. A person skilled in the art will consider different plastics which seem appropriate in this context, such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate and/or polystyrene in particular. 
         [0039]    The retaining element  10   a  has four fastening recesses  26   a,    28   a,    30   a,    32   a  offset in the longitudinal direction  22   a,  which are provided to interlock with the wiper blade adapter  12   a.  The fastening recesses  26   a,    28   a,    30   a,    32   a  are arranged in the wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  which are provided to interlock with a wind deflector element  14   a.  The fastening recesses  26   a,    28   a,    30   a,    32   a  extend continuously through both wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  ( FIG. 3 ) viewed in the wiping direction  24   a.    
         [0040]    For assembly, the wiper blade adapter  12   a  is mounted on the retaining element  10   a  ( FIG. 4 ). The wiper blade adapter  12   a  has four bridge webs  34   a,  which extend from a side wall  36   a  of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  to an opposite side wall  38   a  of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  viewed in the wiping direction. The bridge webs  34   a  extend in their main extension parallel to the wiping direction  24   a.  In an assembly, the bridge webs  34   a  engage in interlocking fashion with the fastening recesses  26   a,    28   a,    30   a,    32   a  and completely fill these. A movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  relative to the retaining element  10   a  is thereby avoided in the longitudinal direction  22   a  and in the wiping direction  24   a.    
         [0041]    The wiper blade adapter  12   a  has four latching elements  40   a,    42   a,  which bear against the retaining element  10   a  in the mounted state on a side  46   a,    48   a  facing the wiper strip and are provided to prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  relative to the retaining element  10   a  in a vertical direction  44   a  ( FIG. 5 ). The vertical direction  44   a  extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction  22   a  and perpendicularly to the wiping direction  24   a.  In an operating state, the vertical direction  44   a  is therefore at least substantially perpendicular to a surface to be wiped (not shown). The latching elements  40   a,    42   a  are initially resiliently deflected from a starting position in the wiping direction  24   a  in an assembly and then move back into the starting position independently. A movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  relative to the retaining element  10   a  is therefore avoided in the vertical direction  44   a.    
         [0042]    Finally, the spring element  20   a  is inserted into the longitudinal guide channel  18   a  in the longitudinal direction  22   a  in an assembly. The wind deflector element  14   a  is pushed in the longitudinal direction  22   a  via the wind deflector fastening elements  50   a,    52   a  and is therefore likewise connected to the retaining element  10   a.    
         [0043]    Five further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 6 to 20 . The following descriptions are substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein reference can be made to the description of the first exemplary embodiment in relation to unchanging components, features and functions. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, letter a in the reference numbers in the exemplary embodiment in  FIGS. 1 to 5  is replaced with letters b to fin the reference numbers of the exemplary embodiments in  FIGS. 6 to 20 . In relation to unchanging components, particularly in relation to components with the same reference numbers, reference can also be made in principle to the drawings and/or the description of the first exemplary embodiments. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device according to the invention having a retaining element  10   b,  a wiper blade adapter  12   b,  a wind deflector element  14   b  and a wiper strip  16   b  in a mounted state. The wiper blade adapter  12   b,  the wind deflector element  14   b  and the wiper strip  16   b  are fastened to the retaining element  10   b.  The wiper blade adapter  12   b  is provided to be connected to a wiper arm (not shown). The wiper strip  16   b  is moved over a surface to be wiped (not shown) via the retaining element  10   b  in an operating state, i.e. when the wiper arm executes a wiping movement. When a headwind is encountered, the wind deflector element  14   b  deflects it and presses the wiper device against the surface to be wiped. The retaining element  10   b  has a cross section as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of the retaining element  10   b.  The retaining element  10   b  comprises three fastening recesses  26   b,    28   b,    30   b  offset in a longitudinal direction  22   b  viewed in the wiping direction  24   b,  which are provided to interlock with the wiper blade adapter  12   b.  The fastening recesses  26   b,    28   b,    30   b  are arranged in side walls  66   b,    68   b,  which laterally delimit a longitudinal guide channel  18   b.    
         [0046]    The wiper blade adapter  12   b  comprises two latching elements  40   b,    42   b  which bear laterally against the spring element  20   b  in a mounted state and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   b  relative to the spring element  20   b  in the longitudinal direction  22   b  ( FIG. 8 ). For the sake of clarity, the retaining element  10   b  is not shown in  FIG. 8 . The latching elements  40   b,    42   b  engage with latching recesses  62   b,    64   b  arranged laterally in the spring element  20   b  in this case. 
         [0047]    The latching elements  40   b,    42   b  likewise bear laterally against the retaining element  10   b  ( FIG. 9 ) in the mounted state. The latching elements  40   b,    42   b  engage with the fastening recesses  28   b  in this case and thereby also prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   b  relative to the retaining element  10   b  in the longitudinal direction  22   b.  In addition, the wiper blade adapter  12   b  engages with the fastening recesses  26   b ,  30   b  and thereby forms a further interlock acting in the longitudinal direction  22   b.    
         [0048]    The latching elements  40   b,    42   b  are initially deflected resiliently from a starting position in the wiping direction  24   b  in an assembly and then move back into the starting position independently. In this case, two securing means  92   b,    94   b  of the wiper blade adapter  12   b  each engage laterally with a latching element  40   b,    42   b  and prevent renewed deflection of the latching elements  40   b,    42   b.  The securing means  92   b,    94   b  can only be deflected in a vertical direction  44   b.  Should the latching elements  40   b,    42   b  be deflected, the securing means  92   b,    94   b  must be deflected to begin with ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, which substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 to 10 . Two latching elements  40   c,    42   c  arranged on a wiper blade adapter  12   c  each have two latching arms  88   c,    90   c,  which are connected to the wiper blade adapter  12   c.  The latching arms  88   c,    90   c  each extend in a longitudinal direction  22   c  of a retaining element  10   c.  The latching arms  88   c,    90   c  are formed integrally with the wiper blade adapter  12   c  and can be deflected resiliently in a wiping direction  24   c.  In addition, the latching arms  88   c,    90   c  are produced from plastic. The latching elements  40   c,    42   c  bear laterally against a spring element  20   c  in the mounted state and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   c  relative to the spring element  20   c  in the longitudinal direction  22   c.  For the sake of clarity, the retaining element  10   c  is not shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter  12   c  with the retaining element  10   c.  The latching elements  40   c,    42   c  bear laterally against the retaining element  10   c  in a mounted state. The latching elements  40   c,    42   c  engage with the fastening recesses  28   c  in this case and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   c  relative to the retaining element  10   c  in the longitudinal direction  22   c.    
         [0051]      FIG. 13  shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention which substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 to 10 . Two latching elements  40   d,    42   d  arranged on a wiper blade adapter  12   d  can be deflected about a longitudinal axis which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction  22   d.  The latching elements  40   d,    42   d  are initially deflected resiliently from a starting position into a wiping direction  24   d  in an assembly and then move back into the starting position independently. In the mounted state, the latching elements  40   d,    42   d  bear laterally against a spring element  20   d  and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   d  relative to the spring element  20   d  in a longitudinal direction  22   d.  For the sake of clarity, a retaining element  10   d  is not shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter  12   d  with the retaining element  10   b.  The latching elements  40   d,    42   d  bear laterally against the retaining element  10   d  in a mounted state. The latching elements  40   d,    42   d  engage with fastening recesses  28   d  in this case and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   d  relative to the retaining element  10   d  in the longitudinal direction  22   d.    
         [0053]      FIG. 15  shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention which substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 to 10 . Two latching elements  40   e,    42   e  arranged on a wiper blade adapter  12   e  are deflectable about a longitudinal axis which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction  22   e.  The latching elements  40   e,    42   e  extend substantially in a wiping direction  24   e  and are initially deflected resiliently from a starting position in a vertical direction  44   e  in an assembly and then move independently back into the starting position. 
         [0054]    In the mounted state, the latching elements  40   e    42   e  bear laterally against a spring element  20   e  and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   e  relative to the spring element  20   e  in the longitudinal direction  22   e  ( FIG. 16 ). For the sake of clarity, a retaining element  10   e  is not shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter  12   e  with the retaining element  10   e.  The latching elements  40   e,    42   e  bear laterally against the retaining element  10   e  in a mounted state. The latching elements  40   e,    42   e  thereby engage with fastening recesses  28   e  and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   e  relative to the retaining element  10   e  in the longitudinal direction  22   e.    
         [0056]      FIG. 18  shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention which substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 to 10 . Two latching elements  40   f,    42   f  arranged on a wiper blade adapter  12   f  each have two latching arms  88   f ,  90   f  which are connected to the wiper blade adapter  12   f.  The latching arms  88   f,    90   f  each extend in a longitudinal direction  22   f  of a retaining element  10   f.  The latching arms  88   f,    90   f  are formed integrally with the wiper blade adapter  12   f  and can be deflected resiliently in the vertical direction  44   f.  In addition, the latching arms  88   f,    90   f  are produced from plastic. 
         [0057]    In the mounted state, the latching elements  40   f,    42   f  bear against a side of a spring element  20   f  facing away from the wiper strip and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   f  relative to the spring element  20   f  in the longitudinal direction  22   f  ( FIG. 19 ). For the sake of clarity, the retaining element  10   f  is not shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter  12   f  with the retaining element  10   f.  In a mounted state the latching elements  40   f,    42   f  bear against the retaining element  10   f  on a side facing away from the wiper strip. The latching elements  40   f,    42   f  engage with the fastening recesses  28   f  in this case and prevent movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   f  relative to the retaining element  10   f  in the longitudinal direction  22   f.