Abstract:
The invention relates to a wiper device, in particular a motor vehicle windshield wiper device, comprising a wiper strip unit ( 10 ), which comprises a wiper strip element ( 20 ) having a longitudinal guide channel ( 12 ) for guiding a carrier element ( 14 ). According to the invention, the longitudinal guide channel ( 12 ) comprises a longitudinal opening ( 16 ) which extends at least over the majority of the wiper strip element ( 20 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    A wiper device is already known, in particular a motor vehicle windshield wiper device, having a wiper strip unit which has a wiper strip element with a longitudinal guide channel for guiding a carrier element. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention proceeds from a wiper device, in particular a motor vehicle windshield wiper device, having a wiper strip unit which has a wiper strip element with a longitudinal guide channel for guiding a carrier element. 
         [0003]    It is proposed that the longitudinal guide channel comprises a longitudinal opening which extends at least over the greater part of the wiper strip element, as a result of which material and/or production costs can be saved. Here, a “wiper strip unit” is to be understood in this context to mean, in particular, a unit which is provided for connecting a wiper blade adapter to a wiper lip. “Provided” is to be understood, in particular, to mean specially designed and/or equipped. In this context, a “longitudinal guide channel” is to be understood, in particular, to mean a guide channel which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the wiper strip unit. The longitudinal guide channel preferably comprises a clearance and at least one channel wall which delimits the clearance. In this context, a “longitudinal direction” is to be understood, in particular, to mean a direction which extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the wiper strip unit. In this context, a “longitudinal extent” is to be understood, in particular, to mean a greatest possible extent. In this context, “substantially” is to be understood, in particular, to mean a deviation of less than 10°, preferably less than 5°. In this context, an “extent” of an element is to be understood, in particular, to mean a maximum spacing of two points of one perpendicular projection of the element onto a plane. In this context, a “carrier element” is to be understood, in particular, to mean an elastomeric element which has at least an extent which, in a normal operating state, can be changed elastically by at least 10%, in particular by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30% and particularly advantageously by at least 50%, and which generates, in particular, a counterforce which is dependent on a change of the extent, is preferably proportional to the change and counteracts the change. In this context, a “longitudinal opening” is to be understood, in particular, to mean a recess in a channel wall, which recess opens the longitudinal guide channel toward the surrounding area of the longitudinal guide channel in a direction which runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction and/or connects the clearance of the longitudinal guide channel to the surrounding area of the longitudinal guide channel perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction. Here, a “wiper strip element” is to be understood in this context, in particular, to mean an element which is provided for connecting a wind deflector element, a carrier element and a wiper lip in a positively locking manner. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, it is proposed that the longitudinal guide channel is open toward a receiving region of the wind deflector element, as a result of which a particularly high stability of the wiper device can be achieved. In this context, a “receiving region” is to be understood, in particular, to mean a region, in which, in a mounted state, at least one component is arranged. In this context, a “wind deflector element” is to be understood, in particular, to mean an element which is provided for deflecting a head wind which acts on the wiper blade device and/or for utilizing it to press the wiper lip onto a vehicle windshield. The wind deflector element preferably has at least one concave surface. 
         [0005]    If the longitudinal opening extends over the entire longitudinal guide channel, weight and/or material can advantageously be further saved. 
         [0006]    It is proposed in a further refinement of the invention that the wiper strip element is produced at least in an extrusion process, as a result of which the wiper strip element can be produced particularly simply and/or inexpensively. 
         [0007]    If the wiper device has a wind deflector element which is provided, in a mounted state, for forming a positively locking connection with the wiper strip element in a direction which faces away from the wiper strip element, particularly rapid mounting of the wiper device can be achieved. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, it is proposed that the wind deflector element closes at least one fastening means of the wiper strip element toward the outside at least for the greater part, as a result of which particularly simple mounting of the wind deflector element on the wiper strip element can be achieved. In this context, a “fastening means” is to be understood, in particular, to mean an elongate means which is provided for restricting the freedom of movement of a component. The fastening means preferably has a shape which is similar to a barb. The fastening means is particularly preferably configured in one piece with the wiper strip element. In this context, a “greater part” is to be understood, in particular, to mean more than 50%, preferably more than 70% and particularly preferably more than 90%. In this context, “toward the outside” is to be understood, in particular, as pointing away from the wiper device and/or facing a surrounding area of the wiper device. Here, “close” is to be understood in this context, in particular, to mean cover and/or shield and/or engage around. “In one piece” is to be understood, in particular, to mean connected in a material-to-material manner, such as by way of a welding process and/or adhesive bonding process, etc., and particularly advantageously to mean formed integrally, such as by way of production as one casting and/or by way of production in a single-component or multiple-component injection molding process. 
         [0009]    In a further refinement of the invention, it is proposed that the wiper strip element has at least two fastening means, the free ends of which point in directions which face away from one another, and which free ends are provided for forming a positively locking connection with the wind deflector element, as a result of which particularly secure fastening of the wind deflector element to the wiper strip unit can be achieved. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, it is proposed that the wind deflector element is produced in a coextrusion process, as a result of which the wind deflector element can be produced in a particularly stable and at the same time inexpensive manner. 
         [0011]    If the wiper strip unit comprises at least one end cap which is provided for closing off the wiper strip unit in a longitudinal direction, a movement of components of the wiper strip unit in a longitudinal direction can advantageously be avoided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Further advantages result from the following description of the drawings. In the drawing, one exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form appropriate further combinations. 
           [0013]    In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wiper strip unit of a wiper device, 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a section through a wiper strip element of the wiper strip unit according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a section through a wind deflector element of the wiper device, 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a further perspective view of the wiper device according to  FIG. 1  in a first assembly step, 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a plan view of a carrier element of the wiper device, 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a section through the wiper device, and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the wiper strip unit in an end region. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of a wiper strip unit  10  according to the invention with an elongate wiper strip element  20  which has a longitudinal guide channel  12  for guiding a carrier element  14  ( FIG. 5 ). The longitudinal guide channel  12  comprises a longitudinal opening  16  which extends in the longitudinal direction  24  over the entire longitudinal guide channel  12 . 
         [0022]    The wiper strip element  20  is produced in one piece from plastic in an extrusion process. In this context, a person skilled in the art will consider various plastics which appear appropriate, such as, in particular, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and/or polystyrene. Furthermore, the wiper strip element  20  comprises a fastening recess  22  which, as viewed in the longitudinal direction  24 , is arranged centrally. 
         [0023]    In addition, the wiper device has a wiper blade adapter  26  ( FIG. 4 ) which can be fastened to the wiper strip element  20 . Exact positioning of the wiper blade element  26  is given by the fastening recess  22 . In order to avoid positioning it the wrong way round, the fastening recess  22  has different lengths on opposite sides of the wiper strip element  20 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a section through the wiper strip element  20 , which section runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction  24 . Two L-shaped guide profiles  28 ,  30  of the wiper strip unit  10  are arranged on the wiper strip element  20  in order to receive a wiper lip  18 . The guide profiles  28 ,  30  in each case have a side guide  32 ,  34  and in each case have a vertical guide  36 ,  38 . 
         [0025]    The vertical guides  36 ,  38  in each case enclose an angle of 90° with the side guides  32 ,  34 . Here, the vertical guides  36 ,  38  point toward one another. Furthermore, the side guides  32 ,  34  are formed integrally on an intermediate wall  40 . The side guides  32 ,  34  in each case enclose an angle of 90° with respect to the intermediate wall  40 . 
         [0026]    In order to guide the carrier element  14 , side walls  42 ,  44  of the longitudinal guide channel  12  adjoin the intermediate wall  40 . The side walls  42 ,  44  enclose a right angle with the intermediate wall  40  here and extend, as viewed from the intermediate wall  40 , in a direction which is opposite with respect to the side guides  32 ,  34 . The side walls  42 ,  44  are cut off in the region of the fastening recess  22 . 
         [0027]    Two L-shaped guide profiles  46 ,  48  of the wiper strip unit  10  are arranged at an end of the side walls  42 ,  44  which faces away from the intermediate wall  40 . The guide profiles  46 ,  48  in each case have a side wall  50 ,  52  and in each case have a fastening means  54 ,  56  which is similar to a barb. The fastening means  54 ,  56  in each case enclose an angle of 90° with the side walls  50 ,  52 . Here, the fastening means  54 ,  56  point in directions which face away from one another at the free ends thereof. 
         [0028]    The longitudinal opening  16  is arranged between the side walls  50 ,  52  and opens the longitudinal guide channel  12  to a receiving region  58  of a wind deflector element  60  in a vertical direction  62 . The vertical direction  62  runs perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction  24  and perpendicularly with respect to the intermediate wall  40 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a section through a wind deflector element  60  according to the invention of the wiper device. The wind deflector element  60  is produced in a coextrusion process and has two different materials. 
         [0030]    A spoiler element  64  which is configured concavely toward the outside is formed with a material-to-material connection to a spoiler rail  66 . Here, the spoiler rail  66  has a greater strength than the spoiler element  64 . As a result, friction when pushing the wind deflector element  60  onto the guide profiles  46 ,  48  can be kept low. 
         [0031]    Two fastening means  68 ,  70  which point toward one another at the free ends thereof are formed integrally on the spoiler rail  66 . The fastening means  68 ,  70  adjoin a receiving region  72  for the fastening means  54 ,  56  of the wiper strip unit  10 . During assembly of the wiper device, the wind deflector element  60  forms a positively locking connection with the wiper strip unit  10 . 
         [0032]    For assembly, first of all the wiper blade adapter  26  of the wiper device is placed in the vertical direction onto the wiper strip element  20 . Here, the wiper blade adapter  26  forms a positively locking connection with the wiper strip unit  10  in the fastening recess  22  and can thus be positioned exactly. In order to secure the wiper blade adapter  26  in the vertical direction  62 , a carrier element  14  ( FIG. 5 ) is introduced into the longitudinal guide channel  12  in the longitudinal direction  24 . 
         [0033]    The carrier element  14  is produced from a spring steel and is provided for shaping the wiper strip unit  10  such that it can be deflected elastically. Furthermore, the carrier element  14  has two end regions  74 ,  76  which are shaped differently. Two recesses  78 ,  80  are arranged within the end regions  74 ,  76 . 
         [0034]    The mounted carrier element  14  engages into a cutout (not shown) of the wiper blade adapter  26  and is guided therein over the entire length of the wiper blade adapter  26 . Here, an elevation which is arranged in the cutout produces friction between the wiper blade adapter  26  and the carrier element  14 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a section through the wiper strip unit  10  in an assembled state, the sectional plane extending perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction  24 . The wiper strip element  20  is connected in a positively locking manner to the wiper blade adapter  26 . The carrier element  14  is pushed into the longitudinal guide channel  12 . 
         [0036]    The wiper lip  18  is pushed in between the guide profiles  28 ,  30  in the longitudinal direction  24  in a positively locking manner. The wind deflector element  60  forms a positively locking connection with the wiper strip unit  10 , by the fastening means  68 ,  70  of the wind deflector element  60  engaging around the fastening means  54 ,  56  of the wiper strip element  20  in a positively locking manner. As a result, the fastening means  54 ,  56  of the wiper strip element  20  are closed off to the outside for the greater part by the wind deflector element  60 . 
         [0037]    In order to avoid mutual displacement of the wiper strip element  20 , the wind deflector element  60  and the wiper lip  18  in the longitudinal direction  24 , end caps  82  of different configurations are pushed onto the free ends of the wiper strip element  20 . Incorrect mounting of the end caps  82  can be avoided by way of the different configurations of the end regions  74 ,  76  of the carrier element  14 . 
         [0038]    Here, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the end cap  82  forms a positively locking connection with the wiper strip element  20  and the carrier element  14  in the end region  74 . A latching means  84  of the end cap  82  latches into the recess  80  and avoids the end cap  82  being detached from the wiper strip element  20 . The end cap  82  therefore closes the wiper strip unit  10  in the longitudinal direction  24 .