Abstract:
The invention relates to a connection apparatus ( 10 ) for a wiper arm ( 14 ) and a wiper blade ( 12 ). The connection apparatus comprises a first and a second connection part. According to the invention, provision is made for the first connection part to have a first identification means and for the second connection part to have a second identification means which corresponds to the first identification means. The invention also comprises a system with two flat-bar wiper blades, with at least one first identification means being provided on at least one flat-bar wiper blade in order to distinguish between the two wiper blades.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a connection device for a wiper arm and a wiper blade according to the preamble of claim  1 , as well as a system consisting of two flat-bar wiper blades according to the preamble of claim  8 . 
     A connection device for a wiper arm and a wiper blade is already known from DE-A-102 30 457, which comprises a first connection part on the wiper blade side and a second connection part on the wiper arm side, which are arranged adjacent to one another in the operating position. The second connection part comprises a hinge element so that the wiper blade is pivotably connected to the wiper arm about a hinge axis, a securing means being provided so that the two connection parts engage in one another. 
     Moreover, numerous connection devices for wiper arms and wiper blades are known, in which the connection part on the wiper arm side is arranged over the connection part on the wiper blade side. 
     It is known to provide wiper blades which are generally of different length and configured differently for the driver side and the passenger side. The problem exists that the wiper blades are frequently mixed up which may lead to an inadequate wiping pattern and partially even to damage of the motor vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object underlying the invention is to propose a connection device for a wiper arm and a wiper blade as well as a system comprising two flat-bar wipers, by means of which the risk of mixing up different wiper blades is at least minimized. 
     The idea underlying the invention is to provide identification means on the connection device for a wiper arm and a wiper blade, by means of which a clear association of the wiper blades to the associated wiper arm, in particular on the passenger side and/or the driver side, is possible. The connection devices are configured such that, as a result of the identification means, at least the mounting of a wiper blade on the non-corresponding wiper arm is prevented. The shape and/or arrangement and/or number of identification means prevents a false association of the two wiper blades. Thus, for example, it is not possible to mount the wiper blade which is on the driver side on the wiper arm which is on the passenger side. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the identification means of a pair of identification means is configured to be complementary in shape and/or arranged such that they engage in one another in the operating state. The identification means of the different pairs are, however, not configured to be of complementary shape to one another and/or arranged such that they may not engage in one another in the operating state. 
     Preferably, the securing means of the second connection part comprises a bridge with a limit stop. By means of the bridge, the securing means overlaps at least partially the first connection part. The limit stop serves to engage behind the first connection part and/or a projection of the first connection part, in order to avoid an axial displacement along the hinge axis in the assembled state. Preferably, the limit stop engages in a recess of the first connection part. In the operating position, therefore, said limit stop locks the connection device. 
     A simple handling is cost-effectively achieved by the first connection part being releasable from and/or able to be connected to the second connection part by a rotation of at least one of the connection parts about the hinge axis by a releasing angle. In this manner it is possible without the aid of tools or without specialist knowledge to remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm and/or to connect said wiper blade and wiper arm together, whereby the assembly is simplified, in particular even for a non-professional. It is advantageous if the limit stop has a shoulder for determining the releasing angle. Moreover, it is advantageous if the releasing angle is between 5° and 50°, in particular between 20° and 40°, preferably between 20° and 30°, ideally approximately 25°, as in this manner a more secure retention of the connection device is ensured without having to make handling difficult when changing the wiper blade. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous if a limiting stop is provided, which in particular is formed by an edge or face of the receiver which prevents a rotation beyond the releasing angle. Ideally, the longitudinal shape of the receiver is dimensioned such that when releasing and/or connecting the connection parts it is able to receive the shoulder. In a simple embodiment, advantageously, the receiver is of groove-shaped configuration and comprises in particular two lateral walls and a base, which in particular is of substantially planar configuration. As a result, the first connection part is particularly suitable for being produced in an injection-molding process. In a development of the invention, it is provided that the first connection part has a spoiler wall, which forms the entire height of the first connection part and covers a spoiler side. In this manner, a particularly streamlined exterior is achieved and moreover a particularly attractive appearance is achieved. In a particularly simple, cost-effective and attractive manner, the securing means covers the first connection part in a substantially flush manner. 
     In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least one of the two identification means of a connection device, preferably the first identification means, is configured as an opening and the other identification means, preferably the second identification means, is configured as a pin which engage in one another in the operating position. Thus the opening and/or the pin are shaped or arranged differently, where there are two different connection devices, so that only the parts matching one another may be mounted on one another. Moreover, it is conceivable to select different numbers of identification means where there are different connection devices. For example, three pins may be provided as first identification means of the wiper blade on the driver side, which correspond to three openings of the wiper arm on the driver side in arrangement and shape. If, therefore, only two openings are provided on the wiper arm on the passenger side or three openings at different relative positions to one another, the wiper blade on the driver side is not able to be mounted on the wiper arm on the passenger side and/or the associated first connection part thereof. 
     It is also conceivable to provide the limit stop of the securing means as well as a corresponding recess for receiving the limit stop as identification means. Thus the limit stops and/or recesses of two different connection devices may be differently formed and/or arranged in order to eliminate mixing up the wiper blades. For example, the limit stops of two different connection devices may be of different lengths and/or widths and the corresponding recesses accordingly designed with different depths and/or different widths. The variable arrangement of the limit stops of two different connection devices may, for example, be implemented by a variable bridge length. 
     According to the invention, the system consisting of two flat-bar wiper blades comprises a first identification means on at least one flat-bar wiper blade for differentiating the two wiper blades. In a simple embodiment, the identification means is configured as an identification logo, preferably as a symbol for the driver side and/or the passenger side. In this case, the identification logo, for example, may be arranged in a raised manner on the base of the receiver or embossed therein. 
     It is also possible to configure the first identification means as a pin or opening which correspond with the corresponding second identification means on the associated wiper arm. The pins and/or openings may be differentiated by number, shape or positioning. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the recesses may be configured for receiving the respective limit stop of the securing means of the second connection part as identification means. Said identification means may be differentiated by the size, number or positioning on the two flat-bar wiper blades. In addition, it is conceivable to use as identification means the shape of the upper face of the second connection part, for example, such that only the appropriate wiper blade may be pushed onto the second connection part in the direction of its hinge axis, in particular through a recess, and in that the inappropriate wiper blade strikes against the face of the second connection part when attempting to push the hinge parts into one another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and expedient embodiments may be taken from the further claims, the description of the figures and the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a mounted connection device in a perspective view, 
         FIG. 2  shows the free end of a wiper arm with the second connection part of the connection device on the wiper arm side in a perspective view, 
         FIG. 3  shows the first connection part on the wiper blade side mounted on a flat-bar wiper blade of the connection device in perspective view, 
         FIG. 4  shows a connection device in which the first identification means are configured as an opening and the corresponding second identification means as a pin, 
         FIG. 5  shows a variant of the connection device according to  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  shows a variant of the connection device in which the first identification means are configured as a pin and the second identification means as an opening, 
         FIG. 7  shows a variant of the connection device according to  FIG. 6  during mounting, 
         FIG. 8  shows the connection device shown in  FIG. 7  in the mounted state, 
         FIG. 9  shows an embodiment in which the upper face of the first connection part forms the first identification means, 
         FIG. 10  shows a variant of the connection device according to  FIG. 9 , with a recess incorporated in the upper face of the second connection part, 
         FIG. 11  shows the connection device according to  FIG. 10  with corresponding first identification means, 
         FIG. 12  shows a connection device in a perspective embodiment with identification means configured as a limit stop and recess, 
         FIG. 13  shows the second connection part of a connection device with the identification logo attached to the base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The same components and components with the same function are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. 
     In  FIG. 1  a connection device  10  is shown with a portion of a wiper blade  12  configured as a flat-bar wiper blade and a wiper arm  14 . The connection device  10  shows substantially a first connection part  16  which is fastened to the wiper blade  12  as well as a second connection part  18  which is fastened to the wiper arm. The wiper blade  12  configured as flat-bar wiper blade substantially encompasses a wiper rubber  20  which is supported on a spring rail  22 . For improving the flow characteristics on the side of the spring rail  22  remote from the wiper rubber  20 , a spoiler  24  is fastened, in particular pushed onto the spring rail  22 , which is formed from a rubber-elastic material. The first connection part  16  is fixedly connected to the spring rail  22 , so that the wiper blade  12  is securely held on the first connection  16 . 
     The wiper arm  14  bears at its free end the second connection part  18 . The wiper arm  14  is thus configured in the region of its free end as a simple rod, which has a substantially rectangular cross section. The side of the rod which is longer in cross section extends perpendicular to the window. The second connection part  18  is in this embodiment configured as a bent sheet metal part and encompasses the free end of the wiper arm with a first portion  28  in the manner of a clamp. A second portion  30  of the second connection part  18  extends perpendicular from the free end of the wiper arm  14  in the direction of the first connection part  16  and overlaps said connection part in the manner of a bridge. As a result, a securing means  32  is formed which is formed by a bridge  34  of the second portion  30 , which is terminated by a limit stop  36 . The bridge  34  extends approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the wiper arm  14 , parallel to the surface of the window or approximately parallel to the plane which is formed by the spring rail  22 . 
     The first connection part  16  comprises a receiver  38  and a recess  40  for receiving the bridge  34 , in the connected state the bridge  34  being received in the receiver  38  and the limit stop in the recess  40 . The limit stop  36  is arranged approximately perpendicular to the window as well as perpendicular to the bridge  34 . By means of the limit stop  36 , the first connection part  16  and the second connection part  18  engage in one another. 
     Moreover, on the second connection part  18  a pin  26  is provided which extends in the direction of the wiper arm  14 , spaced apart from the bridge  34 . The longitudinal extension of the pin  26  extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the wiper arm  14  and thus approximately parallel to the bridge  34 . The pin  26  engages in a counter hinge element  43  which is configured as a blind hole (see  FIG. 3 ) whereby a hinge  44  is formed. The first connection part  16  is thus connected to the second connection part  18  in a rotationally displaceable manner. 
     The pin  26  is thus configured such that, on the one hand, it fastens the second connection part  18  to the free end of the wiper arm  14  and at the same time is part of the hinge  44 . 
     In the receiver  38  as well as on the bridge  34 , first and second identification means, not shown, are provided which engage in one another in the operating position shown. Said first and second identification means allow a correct association of the wiper blade  12  with the corresponding wiper arm  14 . A wiper blade  12  not belonging to the wiper arm  14 , is not able to be mounted as the first and second identification means do not correspond to one another, either as a result of a variable number and/or a variable shape and/or variable positioning. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the second connection part  18  is shown in a variant which, however, is constructed to be functionally identical to the second connection part  18  shown in the remaining figures. Thus the same elements are also provided with the same reference numerals. The pin  26 , which forms the hinge axis, is fastened to the first portion  28  of the second connection part  18 . The securing means  32  formed by the bridge  34  and the limit stop  36  arranged at right angles thereto, is arranged spaced apart therefrom. The parallel lateral surfaces  52  and  54  of the limit stop  36  arranged spaced apart from one another limit the axial mobility on the hinge axis, by forming stops in the axial direction in the recess  40  of the first connection part  16 . 
     For stabilization, the limit stop  36  comprises a shoulder  56  which enlarges the limit stop  36  in the direction of the pin  26  and thus in the direction of the hinge axis. The configuration and size of the shoulder  56  determines the releasing angle. For stabilization, a raised portion  58  is formed on the bridge  34  which increases the flexural strength of the bridge  34 . Instead of the raised portion  58  which is directly bent out of the sheet metal of the bridge  34 , a recess may be provided additionally or alternatively. 
     A second identification means  102  configured as a pin is arranged on the underside of the bridge  34 . The second identification means  102  is arranged on the underside of the bridge  38  and extends substantially parallel to the limit stop  36 . The second identification means  102  corresponds to a first identification means  101  configured as an opening, which is visible in  FIG. 3 . The first identification means  101  is arranged and formed such that it may completely accommodate the second identification means  102  in the mounted state shown in  FIG. 1  in the operating position. In a further wiper arm, not shown, the first identification means is, for example, arranged at a different position of the receiver  38  and/or differently formed, so that the second identification means  102  of the wiper arm  14  does not correspond thereto, i.e. may not be introduced therein, whereby a mix-up of the wiper blades is avoided. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the first connection part  16  of the connection device  10  is shown with the wiper blade  12  in a perspective view. The wiper blade  12  comprises a spoiler  24  which is fastened to the spring rail  22 . In a similar manner to the spoiler  24 , the first connection part  16  is also fastened to the spring rail  22 . In a variation, the first connection part  16  may also be fastened to the spoiler  24 . The first connection part  16  comprises an opening as a counter hinge element  42  which serves to receive the pin  26  so that, together with the pin  26 , the hinge  44  (see  FIG. 1 ) is formed. The counter hinge element  42  may, for example, be configured as a continuous hole or as a blind hole. 
     The receiver  38  for the bridge  34  is spaced apart from the hinge axis of the hinge  44 . The receiver  38  comprises in this case a base  60  as well as a first lateral wall  62  and a second lateral wall  64  which is arranged on the side of the receiver  38  facing the hinge  44 . The base  60  of the receiver  38  comprises in the region of the second lateral wall  64  a longitudinal recess  66 , which extends parallel to the hinge axis and thus parallel to the counter hinge element  42 . In this case, the longitudinal recess  66 , in the same manner as the receiver  38 , extends from the recess  40  as far as the outer limit stop of the first connection part  16 , so that the shoulder  56  of the second connection part  18  may slide through the longitudinal recess  66 . The recess  40  follows in its internal contour the limit stop  36  with the shoulder  56  of the second connection part  18 . 
     The longitudinal shape  66  is thus dimensioned together with the shoulder  56  of the second connection part  18  such that the releasing angle is approximately 25°, i.e. such that by a rotation of the first connection part  16  relative to the second connection part  18  the axial blocking of the hinge  44  is increased by 25°, as the limit stop  36  in cross section is entirely located inside the receiver  38  with the longitudinal recess  66 . Thus by an axial displacement on the hinge axis and/or on the pin  26  the first connection part  16  may be released from the second connection part  18 . 
     As is visible from  FIG. 3 , the identification means  101  configured as an opening is incorporated in the base  60  of the receiver  38  with lateral spacing from the recess  40 . 
     The following embodiments are at least approximately identical to the basic construction of the connection device  10 , so that hereinafter information is substantially only provided about the differences: 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the identification means  102   a  and  102   b  of two different wiper arms are shown together on a wiper arm  14  and/or on the corresponding second connection part  18 , in order to clarify the variable positioning of the second identification means  102   a  and  102   b  on the two different second connection parts  18 . As is visible from  FIG. 5 , it is sufficient to arrange just one single second identification means  102  on a wiper arm  14 . 
     First identification means  101   a  and  101   b  corresponding to the second identification means  102   a  and  102   b  are present, the two pairs of identification means  101   a + 102   a  as well as  101   b + 102   b  usually being distributed on two different wiper blades, so that just one wiper blade  12  may be associated with a wiper arm  14 . In  FIG. 4  the pin  26  is already inserted into the counter hinge element  42  of the first connection part. The wiper arm  14  is at an angle of 90° from the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade  12 . If the wiper arm  14  and the wiper blade  12  are rotated relative to one another, the limit stop  36  engages with the shoulder  56  in the recess  40 . Moreover, the second identification means  102   a  configured as a pin and/or the second identification means  102   b  penetrates the corresponding first identification means  101   a  and/or  101   b . By the engagement of the limit stop  36  in the recess  40 , an axial displacement along the rotational axis of the pin  26  is avoided. By varying the length of the shoulder  56  of the limit stop  36 , the releasing angle may be varied. In the embodiment shown, the two identification means  102   a  and  102   b  are formed on the edge side on the bridge  34  and extend respectively in a plane parallel to a plane receiving the limit stop  36 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the wiper arm  14  and the wiper blade  12  have already been pivoted relative to one another. First identification means  101  and second identification means  102  are about to be engaged. The limit stop  36  already penetrates partially down into the recess  40 . Instead of the arrangement of the second identification means  102  configured as a pin, to the side of the bridge  34  an arrangement directly below the bridge  34  is also conceivable. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the arrangement of the pin and opening relative to the embodiment according to  FIG. 5  is transposed. The first identification means  101  are configured as pins arranged adjacent to one another. Said pins are arranged in the region of the receiver  38 . In the bridge  34  of the second connection part  18 , a recess is incorporated on the edge side corresponding to the first identification means  101 , to the left in the drawing plane, which forms the second identification means  102 . The wiper arm  14  shown in  FIG. 6 , does not fit the wiper blade  12  shown, as no further second identification means for receiving the first identification means  101 , to the right in the drawing plane, is provided. The wiper arm  14  may not be pivoted into its final operating position. The second connection part  18 , not shown, and corresponding to the wiper blade  12  shown, has two first identification means  101  arranged adjacent to one another and configured as recesses. In this manner, a mix-up of the association of the wiper blades  12  between the driver side and the passenger side may be avoided. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , a first identification means  101 , configured as a pin, is provided on the first connection part  16  of the wiper blade  12 . Said pin corresponds to a second identification means  102  configured as a recess on the edge side in the bridge  34 . In  FIG. 8 , the connection device  10  is shown in the mounted state. In this case, the limit stop  36  is entirely received in the recess  40  and the first identification means  101  entirely engages in the second identification means  102  configured as a lateral recess in the bridge  34 . The wiper arm  14  extends in the mounted state parallel to the wiper blade  12 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the limit stop  36  and/or the recess thereof serves as second identification means  102 . The upper face  70  of the first connection part  16  remote from the wiper blade rubber  20  serves as corresponding first identification means  101 . In  FIG. 10 , a recess  72  is incorporated therein parallel to the rotational axis of the pin  26 . As a result of this recess, a portion  74  of the limit stop  36  facing in the direction of the pin  26  is displaced in the direction of a spoiler wall  46  of the first connection part  16  as far as the position shown in  FIG. 11 , whereupon the wiper blade  12  is pivoted into the position shown in  FIG. 10  with the wiper arm  14  arranged parallel to the wiper blade  12 . The first connection part  16  shown in  FIG. 9  of the connection device  10  has no such recess, so that the projection  74  of the limit stop  36  facing in the direction of the pin, would strike on the side surface  76  of the upper face  70  of the first connection part  16  when attempting to bring together the two connection parts  16 ,  17 . Thus only the identification means  101  and  102  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  correspond to one another and not the identification means  101  and  102  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the limit stop  36  formed on the bridge  34  is used as the second identification means. For clarification of the different position of the second identification means with two different wiper arms, two second identification means  102   a  and  102   b  are illustrated in  FIG. 12 . It is sufficient to provide only one respective second limit stop, i.e. a second identification means  102  on two different wiper arms  14  and/or the second connection parts  18 , the limit stops on the different second connection parts  18  either being positioned differently and/or formed differently. The second identification means  102   a  and  102   b  correspond to first identification means  101   a ,  101   b  which are configured in this embodiment as recesses  40   a ,  40   b  for receiving the limit stops  36   a ,  36   b.    
     In  FIG. 13  a first connection part  16  is shown with a recess  38 . To the side, the counter hinge element  42  configured as an opening may be seen. In the base  60  of the receiver  38  an identification logo is embossed, which in this case symbolizes the driver side. As a result, the user knows that a wiper blade  12  equipped with said first connection part may only be mounted on the wiper arm on the driver side.