Wiper blade adapter device

The invention is based on a wiper blade adapter device with an adapter basic body (10) which is provided to be fixedly connected to a wiper blade component (12), and with an adapter unit (14) which is provided for releasable coupling to a wiper arm adapter (16), and wherein the adapter unit (14) is provided to be connected to the adapter basic body (10) via a latching connection. It is proposed that the adapter unit (14) comprises at least one latching means (18) for latching to the adapter basic body (10), said latching means being provided to be at least partially deflected in the direction of a longitudinal centre plane (22) of the adapter unit (14) during assembly with the adapter basic body (10).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has already been proposed a wiper blade adapter device having an adapter base member which is provided to be securely connected to a wiper blade component and having an adapter unit which is provided for releasable coupling to a wiper arm adapter, and wherein the adapter unit is provided to be connected to the adapter base member by means of a locking connection.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is based on a wiper blade adapter device having an adapter base member which is provided to be securely connected to a wiper blade component and having an adapter unit which is provided for releasable coupling to a wiper arm adapter, and wherein the adapter unit is provided to be connected to the adapter base member by means of a locking connection.

It is proposed that the adapter unit comprise at least one locking means for engagement with the adapter base member, which is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member, to be deflected at least partially in the direction of a longitudinal center plane of the adapter unit. It is thereby possible for the at least one locking means to be deflected in a particularly force-saving manner and at the same time to provide a high level of operational reliability. A structural height of the adapter unit can advantageously be kept particularly small. The adapter base member advantageously forms side claws which are provided for engaging around resilient rails of a wiper blade. Preferably, the wiper blade adapter device is part of a wiper blade.

The adapter base member is preferably at least substantially, in a particularly preferred manner completely, formed from a plastics material. The term “at least substantially formed” is in this context, with respect to a volume and/or a mass proportion, intended to be understood to be constructed in particular at a level of more than 50%, preferably more than 80%, in a particularly preferred manner more than 95%. The term “fixedly connected” is intended in this context to be understood in particular to be a non-releasable connection of at least two elements which is provided to be released only by means of an at least partial destruction of at least one component and/or by means of a special tool and/or by means of a technical operator. A “wiper blade component” is in this context intended in particular to be understood to be a component of a wiper blade, such as, in particular, a resilient rail, a wiper strip, a wiper lip and/or a wind deflection element.

A “locking means” is in this context intended to be understood to be in particular a resilient means for producing a locking connection which is provided during assembly from a starting position to be resiliently deflected counter to a resilient force. The locking means is in particular provided, during the assembly with the adapter base member, to be deflected at least partially in the direction of a longitudinal center plane of the adapter unit counter to a resilient force. In particular the locking means is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member, to be deflected at least partially in the direction toward the longitudinal center plane of the adapter unit counter to a resilient force. Preferably, the locking means moves when an end assembly position is reached back into the starting position by means of the resilient force. The term “adapter unit” in this context is in particular intended to be understood to be a unit which is provided to provide a coupling region for a coupling and/or contacting with a wiper arm adapter. The term “wiper arm adapter” is in this context intended in particular to be understood to be an adapter which has a contact region with a wiper arm component and which is connected to the wiper arm component in a non-releasable manner and which is provided to provide a coupling region of the wiper arm component for a coupling and/or a contacting with a wiper blade adapter. Advantageously, the wiper arm adapter forms an end region of a wiper rod. In a further advantageous manner, the wiper arm adapter is constructed integrally with the wiper rod. The term “integrally” is intended in particular to be understood to be connected in a materially integral manner, such as, for example, by means of a welding process and/or adhesive bonding process, etcetera, and in a particularly advantageous manner formed on, such as, by means of production from a cast and/or by means of production in a single or multi-component injection-molding method.

The term “in the direction of a longitudinal center plane” is intended in this context to be understood in particular to mean that a direction component of a movement extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal center plane. The term “longitudinal center plane” is intended in this context in particular to be understood to be a notional plane which extends perpendicularly to a wiping direction and which extends through a geometric center point and/or a center of gravity of the adapter base member. The wiping direction extends at least substantially parallel with a deflection direction of the at least one locking means. In particular, the longitudinal center plane is located at least substantially perpendicularly to a surface which is intended to be wiped. The term “at least substantially parallel or perpendicular” is intended in this context to be understood in particular to be a deviation of less than 30°, preferably less than 10° and in a particularly preferred manner less than 5°. In particular, the longitudinal center plane extends in a longitudinal direction of the adapter base member. The term “longitudinal direction” of an object is in this instance intended in particular to be a direction which extends parallel with a longest edge of a smallest geometrical cuboid which the object still completely surrounds. The wiping direction extends in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and parallel with the surface which is intended to be wiped. The term “provided” is in particular intended to be understood to be specially configured and/or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the object performs and/or carries out this specific function in at least one application and/or operating state.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the adapter unit comprise at least one additional locking means for engagement with the adapter base member which is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member, to be deflected at least partially in the direction of the at least one locking means. A particularly reliable securing between the adapter unit and the adapter base member can thereby be achieved. Preferably, the at least one additional locking means is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member, to be at least partially deflected in the direction of the at least one locking means counter to a resilient force. In particular, the locking means and the additional locking means are provided to be moved toward each other counter to a resilient force when assembled.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the at least one locking means and the at least one additional locking means each comprise an abutment face for abutment against the wiper arm adapter which in a non-deflected state have a spacing with respect to each other which at least substantially corresponds to a width of the wiper arm adapter. The term “at least substantially correspond” is intended in this context to be understood to mean in particular with a deviation of less than 5%, preferably less than 1%.

It is thereby possible to construct a coupling region for the wiper arm adapter in a particularly compact and stable manner. An operational reliability can advantageously be increased since the wiper arm adapter reliably blocks an undesired deflection of the at least one locking means. It is thereby possible for the at least one locking means to be constructed in a particularly advantageous manner with a high level of flexibility for a particularly simple assembly, wherein at the same time operational reliability can be increased. A construction height of the wiper blade adapter device can advantageously be kept small.

It is further proposed that the at least one locking means be provided to move into lateral abutment with the wiper arm adapter during assembly. It is thereby possible to achieve a particularly stable receiving of the wiper arm adapter. The term “lateral abutment” is intended in this context in particular to be understood to be a direct abutment which forms at least one positive-locking connection in the wiping direction.

It is further proposed that the at least one locking means and the at least one additional locking means define a receiving space for positive-locking receiving of the wiper arm adapter. It is thereby possible for one of the wiper arm adapters to be received in a particularly simple manner and at the same time for a reliable securing of the locking connection to be achieved. The term “define” is intended in this context to mean in particular delimit at least at two opposing sides.

It is further proposed that the adapter unit comprise at least one side wall which is provided to cover the at least one locking means at least in one wiping direction. The at least one locking means can thereby advantageously be protected from weather influences. Furthermore, particularly good aerodynamics can be achieved. In addition, a high level of aesthetics of the wiper blade adapter device can be achieved.

In addition, it is proposed that the abutment faces define relative to a wiping direction an angle of at least substantially 45°. The adapter unit can thereby advantageously be constructed in a particularly compact manner. Furthermore, a wiper arm adapter which is positioned obliquely relative to the surface to be wiped can be received in a particularly secure manner.

There is further proposed a system having a wiper blade adapter device according to the invention and having a wiper arm adapter which is provided to block a deflection of the at least one locking means in an assembled state. It is thereby possible to achieve a particularly reliable wiper operation, in particular even at high travel speeds and/or with a dirty or iced vehicle windshield.

There is further proposed a method for assembling a wiper blade adapter device according to the invention with a wiper arm adapter, wherein at least one locking means of an adapter unit of the wiper blade adapter device is deflected during the assembly in the direction of a longitudinal center plane of the adapter unit. A particularly simple and reliable assembly of the wiper blade adapter device with the wiper arm adapter can thereby be achieved. Advantageously, the at least one locking means is blocked after assembly in the direction of the longitudinal center plane by the wiper arm adapter.

The wiper blade adapter device according to the invention is not intended in this instance to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the wiper blade adapter device according to the invention in order to carry out an operating method described herein may have a number of individual elements, components and units which differs from a number mentioned herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

InFIG. 1, a wiper blade32having a wiper blade adapter device is illustrated schematically. In particular, a sizing of the components shown may in this instance differ from the schematic illustration. The wiper blade32forms a flat wiper blade. The wiper blade32is provided for cleaning a vehicle windshield34. The wiper blade32is releasably coupled to a wiper arm36. The wiper arm36has a wiper arm adapter16. The wiper arm36has a wiper rod38. The wiper arm adapter16forms an end region of the wiper rod38. The wiper arm36is provided for securing to a drive shaft40. The drive shaft40is constructed so as to be able to be rotated in an oscillating manner by means of a drive motor which is not illustrated in greater detail.

The wiper arm36and the wiper blade32which is mounted thereon can be driven in an oscillating manner in a pivot movement over the vehicle pane34. In a wiping operation, a wiper lip42of the wiper blade32passes over the vehicle pane34. The wiper blade32has a first wind deflection element44. The first wind deflection element44is provided for deflecting travel wind and for producing a pressing force of the wiper blade32in the direction of the vehicle pane34. The first wind deflection element44extends almost over half of an entire length extent of the wiper blade32. The wiper blade32has a second wind deflection element46. The second wind deflection element46is constructed separately from the first wind deflection element44. The first wind deflection element44and the second wind deflection element46are constructed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to each other. The second wind deflection element46is provided for deflecting travel wind and for producing a pressing force of the wiper blade32in the direction of the vehicle pane34. The second wind deflection element46extends practically over half of the entire length extent of the wiper blade32. The wiper blade32has two end caps48,50. The end caps48,50are arranged at opposing free ends of the wiper blade32. The end caps48,50terminate the wiper blade32in a longitudinal direction52. The longitudinal direction52extends in a mounted state at least substantially parallel with a main length extent direction of the wiper blade32.

The wiper blade adapter device comprises an adapter unit14. The adapter unit14is provided for releasable coupling with the wiper arm adapter16. The wiper arm adapter16is provided for introduction into the adapter unit14.

The wiper blade adapter device is illustrated in greater detail inFIG. 2. The wiper blade adapter device has an adapter base member10. The adapter base member10is provided to be securely connected to a wiper blade component12. The wiper blade component12constitutes in this instance a two-part resilient rail. In this context, however, it is also conceivable for the wiper blade component12to constitute a different component of the wiper blade32which appears advantageous to the person skilled in the art. Additional wiper blade or wiper arm components are not illustrated for reasons of clarity.

The adapter unit14is provided to be connected to the adapter base member10by means of a locking connection. The adapter base member10is constructed from a plastics material. The adapter unit14is constructed from a plastics material. The adapter base member10forms side claws54,56(FIG. 3). The side claws54,56are provided for engagement around the wiper blade component12.

As shown inFIG. 4, the adapter unit14comprises a locking means18for engagement with the adapter base member10. The locking means18is constructed integrally with a base member58of the adapter unit14. In this context, however, it is also conceivable for the locking means18to be connected to the base member58in a positive-locking and/or non-positive-locking manner. Furthermore, the adapter unit14comprises an additional locking means20for engagement with the adapter base member10. The additional locking means20is constructed integrally with the base member58of the adapter unit14. In this context, however, it is also conceivable for the additional locking means20to be connected to the base member58in a positive-locking and/or non-positive-locking manner. The base member58forms a wind flow face60. The wind flow face60is constructed in at least partially convex manner. At the back, the base member58forms a rear side62which extends at least substantially perpendicularly to a wiping direction64. The adapter unit14comprises an actuation element84. The actuation element84is provided to be activated manually and in this instance to release a locking connection which is not shown in greater detail between the wiper arm adapter16and the adapter unit14. The wiper arm adapter16can thereby be removed from the wiper blade adapter device.

The locking means18is provided during assembly with the adapter base member10to be deflected in the direction of a longitudinal center plane22of the adapter unit14. The additional locking means20is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member10, to be deflected in the direction of a longitudinal center plane22of the adapter unit14. The longitudinal center plane22is a notional plane which extends perpendicularly to the wiping direction64and which extends through a center of gravity90of the adapter base member10.

The additional locking means20is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member10, to be deflected in the direction of the locking means18. More specifically, the additional locking means20is provided, during assembly with the adapter base member10, to be deflected in the direction of the locking means18counter to a resilient force. The resilient force is produced by a material deformation as a result of the deflection of the respective locking means18,20. The resilient force acts counter to the deflection of the respective locking means18,20. The locking means18and the additional locking means20are consequently provided during assembly to be moved toward each other counter to a resilient force.

As shown inFIG. 5, the adapter base member10has for deflecting the locking means18,20two connection elements66,68. The connection elements66,68are constructed in a rigid manner when considered macroscopically. The connection elements66,68are consequently not provided to be deflected. The connection elements66,68each have a deflection means70,72. The deflection means70,72are arranged at sides of the connection elements66,68facing each other. The deflection means70,72are constructed integrally with the connection elements66,68. The deflection means70,72each have a deflection face74,76which are in each case provided to deflect the locking means18,20during the assembly. The deflection faces74,76are arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal center plane22. More specifically, the deflection faces74,76extend perpendicularly to a straight line which defines an acute angle relative to the wiping direction64and which at least substantially defines a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction52.

The locking means18and the additional locking means20comprise in each case an abutment face24,26for abutment on the wiper arm adapter16. The abutment faces24,26have in a non-deflected state a spacing28with respect to each other which corresponds to a width30of the wiper arm adapter16. The abutment faces24,26define relative to the wiping direction64an angle of at least substantially 45°. The locking means18is provided during assembly to move into lateral abutment with the wiper arm adapter16. The additional locking means20is provided during assembly to move into lateral abutment with the wiper arm adapter16. The locking means18and the additional locking means20define a receiving space78for receiving the wiper arm adapter16in a positive-locking manner.

The locking means18and the additional locking means20have in each case a locking recess86,88. The locking recess86of the locking means18is open in a direction facing away from the longitudinal center plane22. The locking recess86is provided for partially receiving the deflection means70. The locking recess88of the additional locking means20extends completely through the additional locking means20in the wiping direction. The locking recess88is provided for partially receiving the deflection means72.

As further shown inFIG. 6, the adapter unit14comprises a side wall80. The side wall80extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the wiping direction64. The side wall80terminates the adapter unit14in the wiping direction64. The adapter unit14comprises an additional side wall82. The additional side wall82extends at least substantially perpendicularly to a straight line which defines an acute angle with respect to the wiping direction64. The additional side wall82terminates the adapter unit14in the wiping direction64. The side wall80is provided to cover the locking means18in the wiping direction64. The additional side wall82is provided to cover the additional locking means20in the wiping direction64. The locking means18,20are arranged between the side walls80,82.

The wiper blade adapter device forms a system with the wiper arm adapter16, wherein a deflection of the locking means18in an assembled state is blocked by the wiper arm adapter16. In the system, a deflection of the additional locking means20in the assembled state is also blocked by the wiper arm adapter16.

The assembly operation of the adapter unit14with the adapter base member10and the wiper arm adapter16is explained in greater detail below. The adapter base member10is already securely connected to the wiper blade component12. The adapter unit14is guided in a vertical direction92on the adapter base member10. The vertical direction92is perpendicular to the wiping direction64and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction52. The vertical direction92faces in an operating state in the direction of the vehicle pane34.

The locking means18,20move into abutment with the deflection means70,72and are deflected by them in such a manner that they move toward each other from a starting position counter to a resilient force. In an end position, the locking means18,20move resiliently back into the starting position and engage behind the deflection means70,72. Finally, the wiper arm adapter16is guided between the locking means18,20. The wiper arm adapter16moves in this instance into abutment with the locking means18,20. In an end assembly position, the locking means18and the additional locking means20are blocked in the direction of the longitudinal center plane22by the wiper arm adapter16.