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   c ) with at least one longitudinal guide channel ( 18   a - 18   c ) for guiding at least one spring element ( 20   a - 20   c ). According to the invention, the retaining element ( 10   a - 10   c ) has at least one mounting code ( 34   a - 34   c ) that is designed to define exactly one explicit mounting position with a wiper blade adapter ( 12   a - 12   c ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wiping device is known, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane, comprising a retaining element which has at least one longitudinal guide channel for guiding at least one spring element. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is based on a wiping device, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane, comprising a retaining element which has at least one longitudinal guide channel for guiding at least one spring element. 
     It is proposed that the retaining element has at least one mounting code which is provided to define exactly one explicit mounting position with a wiper blade adapter, whereby errors when mounting the wiping device are able to be advantageously avoided. “Retaining element” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as an element which is provided to connect together positively a wind spoiler element, a spring element and a wiper strip. “Wind spoiler element” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as an element which is provided to deflect driving wind acting on the wiping device and/or to be used for pressing a wiper strip onto a vehicle pane. “Wiper strip” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a strip which is provided to wipe a vehicle pane. “Spring element” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a spring-elastic element which has at least one dimension which in a normal operating state is able to be resiliently altered by at least 10%, in particular by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30% and particularly advantageously by at least 50%, and which in particular produces a counter-force which is dependent on an alteration of the dimension and preferably proportional to the alteration, said counter-force counteracting the alteration. “Longitudinal guide channel” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a guide channel which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the retaining element. Preferably, the longitudinal guide channel comprises a free space as well as at least one channel wall defining the free space. “Longitudinal direction” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a direction which extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the retaining element. “Longitudinal dimension” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as the greatest possible dimension. “Substantially” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a deviation of less than 10°, preferably less than 5°. A “dimension” of an element is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a maximum spacing between two points of a vertical projection of the element on a plane. “Mounting code” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a technical device which is provided to guide at least two components during mounting into exactly one explicit mounting position, wherein it is possible to avoid undesirable, incorrect mounting of the components. “Wiper blade adapter” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as an adapter which has a contact region with a wiper blade component and is captively connected to the wiper blade component and is provided to provide a coupling region of the wiper blade component for coupling and/or bringing into contact with a wiper arm adapter. “Provided” is intended to be understood, in particular, as specifically designed and/or equipped. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the retaining element comprises at least two fastening shapes which have contours which are configured differently from one another and are provided to define exactly one explicit mounting position with a wiper blade adapter, whereby mounting errors are able to be particularly advantageously avoided in a simple manner. “Fastening shape” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a shape which is provided to form a positive connection with a further component during a mounting process. Preferably, the fastening shape is formed by a recess. 
     It is also proposed that the retaining element is configured asymmetrically relative to a central plane extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the retaining element, whereby correct mounting is able to be further simplified. “Central plane” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a plane which extends through a central point of a longitudinal dimension of a component. 
     If the fastening shapes are arranged at least partially in at least one lateral wall which laterally defines the longitudinal guide channel, a particularly compact design of the wiper device may be achieved. “Laterally” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as viewed in a wiping direction. “Wiping direction” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a direction in which in an operating state the wiping device moves relative to a surface to be wiped. Preferably, the wiping direction extends parallel to a surface to be wiped and/or perpendicular to a main orientation of the wiper strip. 
     Moreover, it is proposed that the fastening shapes have different longitudinal dimensions, whereby the contours may be of particularly simple design. “Longitudinal dimension” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as the greatest dimension which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction. 
     If the fastening shapes are arranged offset to one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction, the retaining element may be configured to be particularly stable. “Offset” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as meaning that there is at least one plane which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and exactly intersects one of the fastening shapes. Preferably, the fastening shapes are spaced apart from one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction. In each case, a region free of fastening recesses is arranged between the fastening shapes in which a plane which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction does not intersect a fastening shape. 
     A particularly secure mounting of the wiping device with a wiper arm adapter may be achieved when the wiping device has a wiper blade adapter which is provided to be coupled to the retaining element. 
     If the wiper blade adapter has at least one latching element which bears laterally against the retaining element in a mounted state and is provided to prevent a movement of the wiper blade adapter relative to the retaining element in a longitudinal direction, the wiping device may be mounted particularly rapidly. “Latching element” is intended to be understood in this context, in particular, as a spring-elastic element for producing a latching connection which is provided to be elastically deflected during the mounting process. 
     A particularly high operational reliability may be achieved when the wiping device has at least one securing means which is provided to secure the at least one latching element in an operating state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages are revealed from the following description of the drawings. Three exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The persons skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them to create further useful combinations. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wiping device according to the invention comprising a retaining element, 
         FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 1  comprising a wiper blade adapter, 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective detailed view of the wiper blade adapter and the retaining element according to  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiping device according to the invention comprising a retaining element, 
         FIG. 7  shows a plan view of the retaining element according to  FIG. 6  comprising a wiper blade adapter, 
         FIG. 8  shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiping device according to the invention comprising a retaining element, 
         FIG. 9  shows a sectional view through a wiper blade adapter and a spring element of a wiping device according to  FIG. 8 , 
         FIG. 10  shows a sectional view through the wiper blade adapter and a spring element of a wiping device according to  FIG. 9  and 
         FIG. 11  shows a sectional view through the wiper blade adapter, a retaining element and a spring element of a wiping device according to  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wiping device according to the invention comprising a retaining element  10   a , a wiper blade adapter  12   a , a wind spoiler element  14   a  and a wiper strip  16   a  in a mounted state. The wiper blade adapter  12   a , the wind spoiler 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 coupled to a wiper arm (not shown). In an operating state, i.e. when the wiper arm performs a wiping movement, the wiper strip  16   a  is moved via the retaining element  10   a  over a surface (not shown) to be wiped. When driving wind acts, the wind spoiler element  14   a  deflects said wind and presses the wiper strip  16   a  onto the surface to be wiped. 
       FIG. 2  shows the retaining element  10   a  which has a longitudinal guide channel  18   a  for guiding a spring element  20   a , in a sectional view. The cutting plane extends perpendicular to a longitudinal direction  22   a  of the retaining element  10   a . The retaining element  10   a  has two wind spoiler fastening elements  50   a ,  52   a . The wind spoiler fastening elements  50   a ,  52   a  are formed integrally with the retaining element  10   a . The wind spoiler fastening elements  50   a ,  52   a  at the free ends  54   a ,  56   a  thereof face in directions facing away from one another. Moreover, the wind spoiler fastening elements  50   a ,  52   a  form two channel walls  58   a ,  60   a  which adjoin the longitudinal guide channel  18   a  on a side remote from the wiper strip. The wiper spoiler fastening elements  50   a ,  52   a  are configured in the shape of barbed hooks in the region of the free ends  54   a ,  56   a  thereof. The ends  54   a ,  56   a  in a mounted state are enclosed by a wind spoiler element  14   a.    
     For guiding the spring element  20   a , lateral walls  66   a ,  68   a  of the longitudinal guide channel  18   c  adjoin the channel walls  58   a ,  60   a . The channel walls  58   a ,  60   a  in this case enclose a right angle with the lateral walls  66   a ,  68   a . Moreover, an intermediate wall  70   a  is arranged on the lateral walls  66   a ,  68   a , said intermediate wall terminating the longitudinal guide channel  18   a  in the direction of the wiper strip  16   a . The lateral walls  66   a ,  68   a  extend from the intermediate wall  70   a  in a direction remote 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  toward the wind spoiler element  14   a.    
     Two L-shaped guide profiles  74   a ,  76   a  of the retaining element  10   a  are arranged on the intermediate wall  70   a . The guide profiles  74   a ,  76   a  are configured integrally with the retaining element  10   a . The guide profiles  74   a ,  76   a  in each case have a lateral guide  78   a ,  80   a  and in each case a vertical guide  82   a ,  84   a . The vertical guides  82   a ,  84   a  in each case enclose with the lateral guides  78   a ,  80   a  an angle of 90°. The lateral guides  78   a ,  80   a  in each case enclose an angle of 90° relative to the intermediate wall  70   a . The guide profiles  74   a ,  76   a  at their free ends of the vertical guides  82   a ,  84   a  face in directions facing one another. The guide profiles  74   a ,  76   a  and the intermediate wall  70   a  form a keder track  86   a  into which in a mounted state the wiper strip  16   a  is inserted. 
     The retaining element  10   a  is produced in one piece from polyethylene in an extrusion process. In this connection, a person skilled in the art will consider different synthetic materials which appear expedient, such as in particular polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate and/or polystyrene. 
       FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the retaining element  10   a . The retaining element  10   a  has a mounting code  34   a  which exactly defines one explicit mounting position with the wiper blade adapter  12   a . To this end, the retaining element  10   a  has four fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a ,  30   a ,  32   a  which are configured as fastening recesses. The fastening recesses  26   a ,  28   a ,  30   a ,  32   a  form in the mounted state a positive connection with a wiper blade adapter  12   a . The fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a ,  30   a ,  32   a , are arranged in the lateral walls  66   a ,  68   a  which laterally define the longitudinal guide channel  18   a . On each side facing in a wiping direction of the retaining element  10   a , two fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a  and/or  30   a ,  32   a  have trapezoidal contours which are configured differently from one another, whereby exactly one explicit mounting position is defined by a wiper blade adapter  12   a . By means of the different contours, the retaining element  10   a  is configured asymmetrically to a central plane  88   a  extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  22   a  of the retaining element  10   a . The fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a ,  30   a ,  32   a  are partially arranged in the lateral wall  66   a ,  68   a  which laterally defines the longitudinal guide channel  18   a . The fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a  have different longitudinal dimensions. In this case, the maximum longitudinal dimension of the fastening shapes  30   a ,  32   a  is 50% greater than the maximum longitudinal dimension of the fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a . Viewed in the longitudinal direction  22   a , the fastening shapes  26   a  and/or  28   a  are arranged offset relative to the fastening shapes  30   a  and/or  32   a.    
     For mounting, the wiper blade adapter  12   a  is pushed in the longitudinal direction  22   a  onto the retaining element  10   a . The wiper blade adapter  12   a  has four latching elements  40   a ,  42   a  which in a mounted state bear laterally against the retaining element  10   a  and prevent a movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  relative to the retaining element  10   a  in the longitudinal direction  22   a  ( FIG. 4 ). The latching elements  40   a ,  42   a  in this case engage in the fastening shapes  26   a ,  28   a ,  30   a ,  32   a  and thus also prevent a movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  relative to the retaining element  10   a  in the longitudinal direction  22   a.    
     The latching elements  40   a ,  42   a  during the mounting process are initially deflected from an initial position in a wiping direction  24   a  in a spring-elastic manner and subsequently move back automatically into the initial position. In this case, two securing means  36   a ,  38   a  of the wiper blade adapter  12   a  in each case act laterally on one of the latching elements  40   a ,  42   a  and prevent further deflection of the latching elements  40   a ,  42   a  ( FIG. 5 ). The securing means  36   a ,  38   a  in this case may be respectively deflected about a pivot axis which extends parallel to a vertical direction  44   a . If the latching elements  40   a ,  42   a  are intended to be deflected from the mounted state, the securing means  36   a ,  38   a  have to be initially deflected. 
     Two further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 6 to 11 . The following descriptions are substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein reference may be made to the description of the first exemplary embodiment relative to components, features and functions which remain the same. To differentiate between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in  FIGS. 1 to 5  is replaced by the letters b and c in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments in  FIGS. 6 to 11 . Relative to components which are identified as the same, in particular relative to components with the same reference numerals, in principle reference may also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the first exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  shows a plan view of a retaining element  10   b  of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiping device. The retaining element  10   b  corresponds in cross section to the retaining element  10   a  shown in  FIG. 2 . The retaining element  10   b  has a mounting code  34   b  which exactly defines an explicit mounting position with a wiper blade adapter  12   b . To this end, the retaining element  10   b  has four fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b ,  30   b ,  32   b , which are configured as fastening recesses. In the mounted state, the fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b ,  30   b ,  32   b  form a positive connection with a wiper blade adapter  12   b . The fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b ,  30   b ,  32   b  are arranged in lateral walls  66   b ,  68   b  which laterally define a longitudinal guide channel  18   b . On each side of the retaining element  10   b  facing in a wiping direction, two fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b  and/or  30   b ,  32   b  have rectangular contours which are configured differently from one another, whereby exactly one explicit mounting position is defined by a wiper blade adapter  12   b . By means of the different contours, the retaining element  10   b  is configured asymmetrically to a central plane  88   b  extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  22   b  of the retaining element  10   b . The fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b ,  30   b ,  32   b  are partially arranged in the lateral wall  66   b ,  68   b  which laterally defines the longitudinal guide channel  18   b . The fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b  have different longitudinal dimensions. In this case, the maximum longitudinal dimension of the fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b  is 62% larger than the maximum longitudinal dimension of the fastening shapes  30   b ,  32   b . The fastening shapes  26   b  and/or  28   b  are arranged offset relative to the fastening shapes  30   b  and/or  32   b , viewed in the longitudinal direction  22   b.    
     For mounting, the wiper blade adapter  12   b  is pushed in the longitudinal direction  22   b  onto the retaining element  10   b . The wiper blade adapter  12   b  has four latching elements  40   b ,  42   b , which in a mounted state bear laterally against the spring element  20   b  and prevent a movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   b  relative to the spring element  20   b  in the longitudinal direction  22   b.    
     The latching elements  40   b ,  42   b  bear in a mounted state laterally against the retaining element  10   b  ( FIG. 7 ). The latching elements  40   b ,  42   b  in this case engage in the fastening shapes  26   b ,  28   b  and thus also prevent a movement of the wiper blade adapter  12   b  relative to the retaining element  10   b  in the longitudinal direction  22   b . Moreover, the wiper blade adapter  12   b  engages in the fastening shapes  26   b ,  30   b  and thus forms a further positive connection acting in the longitudinal direction  22   b . The latching elements  40   b ,  42   b  during the mounting process are initially deflected in a spring-elastic manner from an initial position in the wiping direction  24   b  and subsequently move back automatically into the initial position. 
       FIG. 8  shows a plan view of a retaining element  10   c  of a further exemplary embodiment of a wiping device. The retaining element  10   c  corresponds in cross section to the retaining element  10   a  shown in  FIG. 2 . The retaining element  10   c  has a mounting code  34   c  which exactly defines an explicit mounting position with a wiper blade adapter  12   c . To this end, the retaining element  10   c  has four fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c ,  30   c ,  32   c  which are configured as fastening recesses. The fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c ,  30   c ,  32   c  form in the mounted state a positive connection with the wiper blade adapter  12   c . The fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c ,  30   c ,  32   c  are arranged in lateral walls  66   c ,  68   c  which laterally define a longitudinal guide channel  18   c . On each side of the retaining element  10   c  facing in a wiping direction, two fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c  and/or  30   c ,  32   c  have rectangular contours which are configured differently from one another, whereby exactly one explicit mounting position is defined by the wiper blade adapter  12   c . By means of the different contours, the retaining element  10   c  is configured asymmetrically relative to a central plane  88   c  extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction  22   c  of the retaining element  10   c . The fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c ,  30   c ,  32   c  are partially arranged in the lateral wall  66   c ,  68   c  which laterally defines the longitudinal guide channel  18   c . The fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c  have different longitudinal dimensions. In this case, the maximum longitudinal dimension of the fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c  in each case is double the size of the maximum longitudinal dimension of the fastening shapes  30   c ,  32   c . The fastening shapes  26   c  and/or  28   c  are arranged offset relative to the fastening shapes  30   c  and/or  32   c , viewed in the longitudinal direction  22   c.    
       FIG. 9  shows a section through the wiper blade adapter  12   c , wherein the cutting plane extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  22   c . The wiper blade adapter  12   c  is formed from two lateral parts  46 ,  48  which are pivotably connected together via a rotary joint  90   c . During a mounting process, the lateral parts  46   c ,  48   c  are deflected about a pivot axis, wherein two vertical retaining means  62   c ,  64   c  of the lateral parts  46   c ,  48   c  are moved away from one another and open a receiver region  92   c  for receiving a spring element  20   c  and the retaining element  10   c . The pivot axis extends in this case parallel to the longitudinal direction  22   c . For reasons of clarity the retaining element  10   c  is not shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     In a further mounting step, the lateral parts  46   c ,  48   c  are pivoted back about the pivot axis, wherein the two vertical retaining means  62   c ,  64   c  come to bear against the spring element  20   c  and against the retaining element  10   c  ( FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ). Four fastening means of the wiper blade adapter  12   c  engage in this case in the fastening shapes  26   c ,  28   c ,  30   c ,  32   c . A securing member  94   c  is now introduced between the lateral parts  46   c ,  48   c  on a side of the rotary joint  90   c  remote from the wiper strip and bears against the lateral parts  46   c ,  48   c . The side parts  46   c ,  48   c  are thereby prevented from pivoting back. The spring element  20   c  and the retaining element  10   c  are secured in the vertical direction  44   c , in the wiping direction  24   c  and in the longitudinal direction  22   c.