Abstract:
The invention relates to a wiper blade adapter, in particular for a motor vehicle wiper device, comprising a coupling unit ( 10 ) which comprises at least one first coupling element ( 12 ) and a second coupling element ( 14 ) which are provided for coupling at least two different types of wiper arm adapters ( 100, 110, 120, 130 ), and housing means ( 62 ) which are provided for delimiting at least one part of one of the coupling elements ( 12 ). According to the invention, said housing means ( 62 ) and the coupling element ( 12 ) are embodied such that they form one piece.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wiper blade adapters, comprising a coupling unit which comprises at least one first coupling element and a second coupling element, which are provided for coupling at least two different types of wiper arm adapters, and housing means which are provided for delimiting at least one part of one of the coupling elements towards the outside, are known from the area of motor vehicle wiper devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a wiper blade adapter, in particular for a motor vehicle wiper device, comprising a coupling unit which comprises at least one first coupling element and a second coupling element which are provided for coupling at least two different types of wiper arm adapters and housing means which are provided for delimiting at least one part of one of the coupling elements towards the outside. 
     According to the invention, the housing means and the first coupling element are embodied such that they form one piece, whereby a particularly stable mounting of a wiper arm adapter to the wiper blade adapter can be achieved and/or the use of further components for mounting the housing means can advantageously be omitted. By the term “coupling unit”, a unit is particularly to be understood in this context which is provided to couple a wiper blade to a wiper arm. By the term “coupling element”, an element is particularly to be understood in this context which is intended to provide a coupling region for coupling a wiper arm adapter. By the term “to couple”, in particular to connect in a force-fitting and/or positive locking manner is to be understood in this context. “Different types of wiper arm adapters” refer in this case particularly to wiper arm adapter systems which differ in the design thereof and/or in the mounting function thereof. This preferably relates to differently standardized wiper arm adapter systems. A first type of wiper arm adapter refers in this case particularly to a wiper arm adapter which has a mounting pin and a support plate. A further possible type of wiper arm adapter refers in this context particularly to a wiper arm adapter which comprises an elongated, hook-shaped base body having a bend of 180°. A further possible type of wiper arm adapter refers in this context particularly to a wiper arm adapter which has two rear stops and a mounting lug. A further possible type of wiper arm adapter refers in this context particularly to a wiper arm adapter which comprises a mounting recess and a base body having an s-shaped profile. A further possible type of wiper arm adapter relates in this context particularly to a wiper arm adapter which has a mounting recess and walls comprising mounting means. The term “provided” refers particularly to specially designed or specially equipped. Housing means relate in this context particularly to means which at least in a mounted state form a substantially visible outer surface and provide a receiving region for the wiper arm adapter unit. “Substantially visible” refers in this context particularly to being recognizable at a glance. The housing means preferably encloses at least partially other components. “Forming one piece” relates particularly to being connected in a materially bonded manner, as, for example, by means of a welding process and/or adhesively bonding process etc. and particularly advantageously to being integrally formed with another component as by means of being manufactured from a single mold and/or being manufactured in a single component or multi-component injection molding procedure. A “wiper arm adapter” relates in this case particularly to an adapter which has a contact region with a wiper arm component and is permanently connected to said wiper arm component and is therefore intended for the purpose of providing a coupling region of the wiper arm component for coupling and/or contacting with the wiper blade adapter. 
     The invention further proposes that the first and the second coupling element are formed by separate components, whereby the wiper blade adapter can be particularly simply adapted for a coupling with different types of wiper arm adapters. “Separate components” refers particularly in this context to components which are mutually free of materially bonded connections. 
     If the first and the second coupling element are designed so as to be detachable from one another, the wiper blade adapter can be adapted in a particularly simple manner for a coupling with different types of wiper blade adapters. “Detachable” refers in this case particularly to “capable of being separated without incurring damage”. In a particularly advantageous manner, the wiper blade adapter can be detached and/or mounted without the use of tools. 
     If the wiper device comprises a detent unit which is provided to connect the first coupling element to the second coupling element via a detent connection, a connection of the first to the second coupling element can take place quickly and reliably. A “detent unit” relates in this case particularly to a unit which is provided to produce a detent connection between two components. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the coupling elements has at least one longitudinal guide element which is provided to guide a wiper arm during mounting, whereby a reliable coupling of the wiper blade adapter to a wiper arm can be achieved. A “longitudinal guide element” refers in this context particularly to an element which is provided to guide a component in a longitudinal direction. The term “longitudinal direction” refers in this context to a direction which runs parallel to a main longitudinal extension of an element. By the term “main longitudinal extension”, particularly a largest possible extension is understood in this context. “Extension” of an element refers in this case particularly to a maximum distance between two points of a vertical projection of the element onto a plane. 
     The invention furthermore proposes that at least one of the coupling elements has at least one detent means which is provided to limit the freedom of movement of a wiper arm adapter in an assembled state, whereby a simple and quick coupling to a wiper arm adapter can be achieved. The term “detent means” relates in this context particularly to a resilient means for producing a detent connection, said resilient means being provided to be resiliently deflected during an assembly procedure. 
     The invention further proposes that at least one of the detent means can be deflected transversely to a longitudinal direction of one of the coupling elements. In so doing, a particularly compact design of the wiper blade adapter can be achieved. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the coupling unit is provided for receiving a wiper arm adapter which has an elongated, hook-shaped base body having a bend of 180°. As a result, a particularly reliable mounting of the wiper arm adapter within the coupling unit can be achieved. 
     The invention further proposes that the first coupling element can be mounted to a wiper blade adapter plate. As a result, the wiper blade adapter plate can be mounted to the wiper blade adapter in a simple manner. A “wiper blade adapter plate” relates in this context particularly to a body, which forms at least one contact region with a wiper blade and is provided for coupling or contacting to a wiper blade adapter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages ensue from the following description of the drawings. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and put them together to form further useful combinations. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wiper blade adapter according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a coupling element of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a further perspective view of a coupling element of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a type of wiper arm adapter; 
         FIGS. 5 a  to 5 c    show a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1  and the wiper arm adapter pursuant to  FIG. 4  in an assembly process; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a further type of wiper arm adapter; 
         FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    show a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1  and the wiper arm adapter pursuant to  FIG. 6  in an assembly process; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a further type of wiper arm adapter; 
         FIGS. 9 a  to 9 c    show a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1  and the wiper arm adapter pursuant to  FIG. 8  in an assembly process; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a further type of wiper arm adapter; 
         FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    show a perspective view of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1  and the wiper arm adapter pursuant to  FIG. 10  in an assembly process; 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of an adapter plate of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a base adapter of the wiper blade adapter pursuant to  FIG. 1  and 
         FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the base adapter pursuant to  FIG. 11  and a wiper blade in an assembled state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a wiper blade adapter according to the invention comprising a coupling unit  10  which has a first coupling element  12  and a second coupling element  14 . The first coupling element  12  and the second coupling element  14  are formed from separate components. The coupling elements  12 ,  14  are connected in a positive-locking manner. 
     The wiper blade adapter contains a detent unit  16  which is provided to connect the first coupling element  12  to the second coupling element  14  via a detent connection. For this purpose, the first coupling element  12  comprises a detent means  18  which is disposed at a free end of said first coupling element  12 . The detent means  18  can be resiliently deflected from a starting position and automatically moves back into the starting position after having been deflected. The first and second coupling element  12 ,  14  are designed to be detached from one another, i.e. to be capable of being separated from one another without incurring damage, by means of the detent unit  16 . In the depicted assembled state, the detent means  18  forms a positive-locking connection with the second coupling element  14 . 
     In so doing, the detent means  18  engages into two detent recesses  20  of the second coupling element  14  ( FIG. 2 ). The detent recesses  20  are disposed under a covering means  22  of the coupling element  14 . The covering means  14  is integrally designed with a base body  24  of the second coupling element  14  and delimits said coupling element in a vertical direction  26 . The vertical direction  26  extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction  28  which runs parallel to a main longitudinal extension of the second coupling element  14 . 
     The second coupling element  14  has two circular mounting recesses  30 ,  32  which are disposed in the base body  24 . The mounting recesses  30 ,  32  are provided to connect said second coupling element  14  to a wiper arm adapter in a positive-locking manner. Said second coupling element  14  furthermore comprises a detent means  34  which is disposed at a free end of the base body  24 . Two vertical guide elements  36 ,  38  of the second coupling element  14  are integrally formed with the base body  24 . The vertical guide elements  36 ,  38  adjoin inner surfaces  40 ,  42  of side walls  44 ,  46  of the second coupling element  14 . The side walls  44 ,  46  are designed as one piece with the covering means  22  and form together with the same housing means  54 . The housing means  54  delimit a part of the second coupling element  14  towards the outside. The housing means  54  thereby form a longitudinal guide element  60  of the second coupling element  14 , which is provided to guide a wiper arm during assembly. 
     In order to receive the vertical guide elements  36 ,  38 , the first coupling element  12  has two vertical guide rails  48 ,  50  which are formed from a base body  52  ( FIG. 3 ). In order to produce a detent connection between the first coupling element  12  and the second coupling element  14 , the second coupling element  14  is placed in the vertical direction onto the first coupling element  12 . As a result, the vertical guide elements  36 ,  38  engage into the vertical guide rails  48 ,  50  and prevent a movement of said first coupling element  12  relative to said second coupling element  14  in each direction deviating from the vertical direction  26 . By pushing said first coupling element  12  onto the second coupling element  14 , the detent means  18  is deflected in the longitudinal direction  28 . In an end position, the detent means  18  snaps back and forms a positive-locking connection with the detent recesses  20 . A movement of said first coupling element  12  relative to the second coupling element  14  in the vertical direction  26  is thereby prevented. In order to release the detent connection, the detent means  18  is deflected and said second coupling element  14  is pushed out of the vertical guide rails  48 ,  50 . 
     When coupling the wiper blade adapter to the wiper arm adapter, the second coupling element  14  has to be either removed or mounted depending on the type of wiper arm adapter being used. 
     The first coupling element  12  has a further detent means  56  for coupling to a wiper arm adapter of another type. The detent means  56  is disposed on the base body  52  and is connected to the same so as to form one piece. When coupling a corresponding wiper arm adapter, the detent means  56  is deflected out of a starting position transversely to the longitudinal direction  28  and transversely to the vertical direction  26  and finally moves back again into said starting position. The wiper blade adapter furthermore has housing means  62  which delimit a part of the coupling element  12  towards the outside. The housing means  62  and the first coupling element  12  are embodied such that they form one piece. Said housing means  62  have three recesses  66 , which have in each case a rectangular contour, on an outwardly facing upper side  64  thereof. Together with said housing means  62 , the recesses  66  form an operating element  68 . By exerting pressure on the operating surface, the housing means  62  are elastically deflected out of a starting position. The detent means  18  is formed integrally with the housing means  62 . Said detent means is therefore deflected when the housing means  62  are deflected. The detent means  18  comprises two detent lugs  70 ,  72  which are integrally molded as extensions on the housing means  62 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a wiper arm adapter  100  which is provided for coupling with the wiper blade adapter. The wiper arm adapter  100  has two rear stops  102  and a mounting lug  104 . The rear stops  102  close flush with the side walls  106  of the wiper arm adapter  100 . The mounting lug  104  is formed as an extension at a free end of the wiper arm adapter  100 . 
     In  FIG. 5 a   , a perspective view of a first assembly step of a coupling of the wiper arm adapter  100  to the wiper blade adapter is shown. As viewed in the longitudinal direction  28 , the wiper arm adapter  100  is disposed in front of the wiper blade adapter. The mounting lug  104  is inserted into a receiving area  58  of the first coupling element  12 . 
     The wiper arm adapter  100  is inserted further into the housing means  54  and is guided by the longitudinal guide element  60  of the second coupling element  14  ( FIG. 5 b   ). Finally the detent means  34  of the second coupling element  14  is deflected in the vertical direction  26  out of the starting position thereof by the rear stops  102 . If the wiper arm adapter  100  is completely inserted into the housing means  54 , the detent means  34  springs back into the starting position thereof and prevents said wiper arm adapter  100  from being pushed back out of the assembled state ( FIG. 5 c   ). As a result, said wiper arm adapter  100  is limited in the freedom of movement thereof. 
     A perspective view of a further type of wiper arm adapter  110  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The wiper arm adapter  110  has a mounting pin  112 . Said wiper arm adapter  110  further comprises a support plate  114 , which extends parallel to the mounting pin  112  in the main extension thereof. The support plate  114  bends about an angle of 90° in an end region  116 . 
     In  FIG. 7 a   , a perspective view of a first assembly step of a coupling of the wiper arm adapter  110  to the wiper blade adapter is shown. The mounting pint  12  is inserted into the mounting recesses  30  and forms a positive-locking connection with the same. By rotating the wiper arm adapter  110  relative to the coupling unit  10  about an axis of rotation  118 , a portion of the support plate  114  engages behind the second coupling element  14  and thereby prevents the wiper arm adapter  110  from being pushed back ( FIG. 7 b   ). 
       FIG. 8  shows a wiper arm adapter  120  which comprises an elongated base body  122 . The base body  122  has a bend  124 , which includes an angle of 180°. 
     In  FIG. 9 a   , a perspective view of a first assembly step of a coupling of the wiper arm adapter  120  to the wiper blade adapter is shown. The wiper arm adapter  120  is inserted in the region of the bend  124  thereof into the receiving area  58  of the first coupling element  12 . The second coupling element  14  is connected to the first coupling element  12  and partially protects the wiper arm adapter  120  from outside influences. By inserting said wiper arm adapter  120  further into the receiving area  58 , the detent means  56  is deflected ( FIG. 9 b   ).  FIG. 9  shows the wiper arm adapter  120  and the wiper blade adapter in an assembled state. For reasons of clarity, the second coupling element  14  is not depicted. The detent means  56  engages behind the base body  122  of the wiper arm adapter  120  in the region of the bend  124 . In so doing, the wiper arm adapter  120  is reliably coupled to the wiper blade adapter. 
     A further type of wiper arm adapter  130  is depicted using a perspective view in  FIG. 10 . The wiper arm adapter  130  has a base wall  132 , at which two side walls  134 ,  136  are disposed. The side walls  134 ,  136  enclose in each case with the base wall  132  an angle of 90°. Mounting means  138  are disposed at a lower end of the respective side wall  134 ,  136 , which in turn enclose an angle of 90° with respect to the side walls  134 ,  136 . A mounting recess  140  is additionally disposed in the base wall  132  of the wiper arm adapter  130 . 
     The second coupling element  14  is removed for assembly of the wiper arm adapter  130  ( FIG. 11 a   ). The housing means  62  are resiliently deflected relative to the base body  52  out of a starting position. When placing the wiper arm adapter  130  onto the first coupling element  12 , a detent means  74  disposed on the base body  52  is deflected out of a starting position. 
     If the wiper arm adapter  130  is placed completely on the first coupling element  12 , the detent means  74  is moved back into the starting position thereof and then forms a positive-locking connection with the wiper arm adapter  130 , said positive-locking connection preventing a movement of the wiper arm adapter  130  back out of the assembled state ( FIG. 11 b   ). 
     The first coupling element  12  can be mounted via a pin (not depicted) to a wiper blade adapter plate  78 . The wiper blade adapter plate  78  has detent means  80  on a bottom side thereof ( FIG. 12 ), said detent means forming a positive-locking connection with a base adapter  82  in an assembled state. The base adapter  82  comprises mounting means  84  which form a positive-locking connection with the wiper blade adapter plate  78  in an assembled state. The detent means  80  engage thereby in detent recesses  86  of the base adapter  82  ( FIG. 13 ). Said base adapter  82  is mounted via a further component (not depicted) to a wiper blade  76  ( FIG. 14 ).