Abstract:
The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device for a vehicle, for wiping a windscreen ( 4 ), comprising a wiper blade ( 2 ) having an elongate upper part ( 10 ) and an elongate lower part ( 12 ) which are at least partly flexible. Also provided are multiple connecting elements ( 18 ) for connecting the upper part ( 10 ) and the lower part ( 12 ), the connecting elements being mutually spaced along a longitudinal extent ( 8 ) of the wiper blade ( 2 ) and being attached to the upper part ( 10 ) and/or the lower part ( 12 ) by a rotary joint ( 20 ), and the connecting elements ( 18 ) being designed to allow a movement of the upper part ( 10 ) and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along the longitudinal extent ( 8 ) of the wiper blade ( 2 ). The windscreen wiper device also comprises, on the lower part ( 12 ) a receiving slot ( 50 ) on one side ( 57 ) facing towards the windscreen ( 4 ), along the longitudinal extent ( 8 ) of the wiper blade ( 2 ), wherein the receiving slot ( 50 ) is designed so that a wiper blade element ( 51 ) can be exchanged.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a window wiping apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. 
         [0002]    Window wiping apparatuses typically have a wiper arm or wiper lever, a wiper blade being moved on the window of a motor vehicle. Here, the wiper blade is moved between a first turning position and a second turning position. For this purpose, the wiper arm or the wiper blade is connected to a wiper motor via the drive shaft. The wiper blade easily loses contact with the window, in particular, on windshields with pronounced curvature changes. As a result, in particular in the case of greatly curved windows, unwiped wiping regions or fogging can occur. 
         [0003]    Since a wiping operation has to be optimized with respect to a multiplicity of parameters, such as for example a rain quantity on the window, a snow load on the window which possibly occurs, the speed of the vehicle and the associated wind pressure on the wiper arm, fogging cannot be reliably prevented in a simple way by adaptation of the pressure of the wiper arm onto the windshield. There is therefore a requirement to further improve window wiping apparatuses. 
         [0004]    In the case of the improvement, there are a plurality of boundary conditions which should additionally be taken into consideration. It is also a requirement here to ensure or to improve the handling and/or the ease-of-use during maintenance of the window wiper apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is the object of the present invention to ensure reliable, largely fogging-free wiping of a window of a vehicle, a simple and inexpensive replacement of a wiper rubber or a wiping lip being provided. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a window wiping apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is proposed. The window wiping apparatus comprises a wiper arm having a wiper blade with an elongate upper part and an elongate lower part which are of at least partially flexible configuration. Furthermore, a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the upper part and the lower part are provided, the connecting elements being spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade and being attached on the upper part and/or the lower part by means of a rotary joint. The connecting elements are designed to make a movement possible of the upper part and the lower part relative to one another with a movement component along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the window wiping apparatus has a receiving slot. The receiving slot is configured along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade on the lower part on a side which faces the window, the receiving slot being designed to receive a wiper rubber or a wiping lip replaceably. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the embodiments of the invention which are described here, window wiping apparatuses for vehicles can be produced in a particularly inexpensive way and for a plurality of different fields of use. Furthermore, the embodiments of the invention make reliable, largely fogging-free wiping of a window of a vehicle possible, it being possible for a wiper rubber to be attached on the wiper arm of the window wiping apparatus and to be removed from it again simply and inexpensively. It is advantageous, in particular, if a used or worn wiper rubber can be replaced in a simple and inexpensive way by a new wiper rubber. 
         [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a window wiping apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is proposed. The window wiping apparatus comprises a wiper arm having a wiper blade with an elongate upper part and an elongate lower part which are of at least partially flexible configuration. Furthermore, a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the upper part and the lower part are provided, the connecting elements being spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade and being attached on the upper part and/or the lower part by means of a rotary joint. The connecting elements are designed to make a movement possible of the upper part and the lower part relative to one another with a movement component along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. Furthermore, the window wiping apparatus has a receiving slot. The receiving slot is configured along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade on the lower part on a side which faces the window, the receiving slot being designed to receive a wiper rubber replaceably. 
         [0010]    In accordance with further embodiments, the receiving slot for the wiper rubber can extend along the longitudinal extent on an underside of the lower part from a position of the wiper blade head to a connecting position of the upper part and the lower part, which connecting position lies opposite the wiper blade head along the longitudinal extent. As large a wiping area as possible for fogging-free wiping of the window of the motor vehicle is achieved in this way. 
         [0011]    In accordance with further embodiments, a closure mechanism can be provided at the connecting position of the upper part and the lower part of the wiper blade, which closure mechanism is designed to cover the receiving slot. In this way, the wiper rubber is secured in an expedient way against sliding out. In particular, in accordance with further embodiments, the closure mechanism can have a cap which is designed to cover that end of the receiving slot which lies at the connecting position. 
         [0012]    In accordance with further embodiments, the cap can be attached movably on the lower part and/or on the upper part by means of a hinge. In this way, the cap is secured against loss and the handling of the closure mechanism is facilitated. 
         [0013]    In accordance with further embodiments, the hinge can be selected from the group which consists of a joint, an integral hinge, a rotary joint, a tapered portion of the material for producing lower stiffness along a torsional axis, a joint with a rotational axis, a means for connecting the upper part to the cap or for connecting the lower part to the cap, which means permits folding in of the cap, and any combination thereof. 
         [0014]    In accordance with further embodiments, the closure mechanism can have a latching part which is designed to latch into a cutout on the lower part. As a result, unintentional opening of the receiving slot and therefore possibly sliding of the wiper rubber out of the receiving slot can be avoided in an expedient way. 
         [0015]    In accordance with further embodiments, the receiving slot can be designed, together with the wiper rubber, in such a way that a non-positive and/or positively locking connection are/is provided in a releasable manner. Simple handling during mounting or dismantling of the wiper rubber on the underside of the lower part is made possible in this way. Furthermore, the non-positive and/or positively locking connection can provide securing against unintentional sliding of the wiper rubber out of the receiving slot. 
         [0016]    In accordance with further embodiments, the receiving slot can be configured in a material which is selected from the group which consists of rubber, carbon, POM, PA, TPE, in particular TPE-S, TPE-O, TPE-U, TPE-A, TPE-V and TPE-E, and any combination thereof. In this way, the advantage is achieved that physical and, in particular, mechanical properties of the lower part of the wiper arm can be adapted to a wiper rubber to be attached by way of a suitable material selection. Furthermore, it is possible to configure the lower part of the wiper arm and/or further parts of the wiper arm as integral components using injection molding, as a result of which advantages in terms of production technology are achieved which permit inexpensive manufacture. 
         [0017]    In accordance with further embodiments, the lower part and/or the upper part can be configured in one piece with the closure mechanism. In this way, further advantages in terms of production technology can be achieved which make inexpensive manufacture of the window wiping apparatus possible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and will be described in greater detail in the following text. In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of one end of a wiper arm with a closure mechanism which is folded open, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the wiper arm end which is shown in  FIG. 1 , in order to clarify the method of operation of the closure mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the wiper arm end which is shown in  FIG. 1  with a hinge in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart for clarifying steps which are performed during a replacement of a wiper rubber, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  shows a diagrammatic illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a window wiping apparatus according to the invention in the form of a wiper arm with an integrated wiper blade, in a basic position, 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  shows a diagrammatic illustration of the wiper arm with an integrated wiper blade according to  FIG. 5A , in a position in which it is set against a window, 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic illustration of a wiper blade in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in a basic position, and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a diagrammatic illustration of a wiper blade in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in a position in which it is set against a window. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    In the following text, unless otherwise specified, identical designations are used for identical and identically acting elements. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of one end of a wiper blade  2  with a folded-open closure mechanism  52  of a window wiping apparatus for a vehicle, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Window wiping apparatuses of this type typically have a wiper rubber which can be subjected to wear. It is therefore advantageous if a used or worn wiper rubber can be replaced by a new wiper rubber in a simple and inexpensive way. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the wiper blade  2  has an elongate upper part  10  and an elongate lower part  12  which are of at least partially flexible configuration, the lower part  12  facing a window  4  (not shown in  FIG. 1 , see  FIGS. 5A to 7 ) during operation of the window wiping apparatus. Furthermore, a plurality of connecting elements  18  for connecting the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are provided, the connecting elements  18  being spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade and being attached on the upper part  10  and/or the lower part  12  by means of a rotary joint  20  (see, for example,  FIG. 5A ). The connecting elements  18  are designed to make a movement possible of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  relative to one another with a movement component along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . Here, the connecting elements are connected on the upper part  10  at a respective upper connecting position and on the lower part  12  at a respective lower connecting position. For example, in each case one rotary joint  20  is provided at the connecting positions. During a movement of the upper part  10  and of the lower part  12  relative to one another, the spacing does not change substantially of an upper connecting position from a lower connecting position on the same connecting element, that is to say the spacing is constant with deviations of, for example, ±1 mm, in particular ±0.3 mm. 
         [0030]    Starting from the wiper blade head  70 , the spacing between the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  becomes smaller along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 , at least in regions of the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade  2  or in a predominant part of the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  (see  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6 and 7 ). Starting from the head end, the height of the wiper blade  2  tapers in a wedge-shaped manner in regions or becomes smaller in regions of the longitudinal extent  8 . For example, in accordance with embodiments for a plurality of connecting elements  18 , the length of the connecting elements  18  can be provided in such a way that the connecting elements  18  which are provided in the vicinity of the wiper blade head  70  are longer than those on the opposite side of the wiper blade  2  along the longitudinal extent  8 , that is to say in the vicinity of a connecting position  34 . 
         [0031]    These properties can provide a wiper blade  2  which functions in accordance with the fin ray principle. 
         [0032]    On a side  57  of the lower part  12  which faces the window  4 , the lower part  12  has a receiving slot  50  along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . The receiving slot  50  is designed to receive a wiper rubber  51  or a wiping lip replaceably. The receiving slot  50  for the wiper rubber can extend along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  on an underside of the lower part  12  from a position of the wiper blade head  70  (not shown in  FIG. 1 , see  FIGS. 5A to 7 ) to the connecting position  34  of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12 , which connecting position  34  lies opposite the wiper blade head  70  along the longitudinal extent  8 . In this way, as great a wiping area as possible for fogging-free wiping of the window  4  of the motor vehicle is achieved. 
         [0033]    In accordance with further embodiments which can be combined with embodiments which are described herein, a closure mechanism  52  can be provided at the connecting position  34  of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  of the wiper blade  2 , which closure mechanism  52  is designed to cover the receiving slot  50 . In this way, a wiper rubber which has been introduced into the receiving slot  50  is secured in an expedient way against sliding out. 
         [0034]    In accordance with further embodiments, the closure mechanism  50  can have a cap  54  which is designed to cover that end of the receiving slot  50  which lies at the connecting position  34 . 
         [0035]    In accordance with further embodiments, the cap  54  can be attached movably on the lower part  12  and/or on the upper part  10  by means of a hinge  53 . In this way, the cap  54  is secured against loss and the handling of the closure mechanism  52  is facilitated. In the embodiment which is shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap  54  is attached movably on the upper part  10  of the wiper arm  2  by means of an integral hinge  53 . 
         [0036]    In accordance with further embodiments, the hinge  53  can be selected from the group which consists of a joint, an integral hinge, a rotary joint, a tapered portion of the material for producing lower stiffness along a torsional axis, a joint with a rotational axis, a means for connecting the upper part  10  to the cap  54  or for connecting the lower part  12  to the cap  54 , which means permits folding in of the cap  54 , and any combination thereof. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show further details of the closure mechanism  52  and the receiving slot  50  at or in the vicinity of the connecting position  34 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the wiper arm end which is shown in  FIG. 1 , for clarifying the method of operation of the closure mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the wiper arm end  34  which is shown in  FIG. 1 , with a hinge  53  in the direction of the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 , in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         [0039]    The closure mechanism  52  is shown in an open position which is labeled by a designation A in  FIG. 2 . In said position, a wiper rubber  51  can be introduced into the receiving slot  50  or removed from the latter. Subsequently, the cap  54  of the closure mechanism  52  which is attached movably on an integral hinge  53  can be folded upward by an angle of approximately 180° (position B). 
         [0040]    The cap  54  has a latching part  55  which is designed to engage or latch into a cutout  56  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) on the lower part  12  of the wiper blade  2 . If the cap  54  is latched into the cutout  56  on the underside of the lower part  12 , the closure mechanism  52  can assume a closed position (position C) and securing of the wiper rubber  51  or the wiping lip against its sliding out from the receiving slot  50  can be provided. 
         [0041]    In accordance with further embodiments which can be combined with other embodiments which are described herein, the receiving slot  50  can be designed, together with the wiper rubber  51 , in such a way that a non-positive and/or positively locking connection are/is provided between the receiving slot  50  and the wiper rubber  51  in a releasable manner. In this way, simple handling is made possible during mounting or dismantling of the wiper rubber  51  on the underside  57  of the lower part  12  in the receiving slot  50 . Furthermore, the non-positive and/or positively locking connection can provide securing against unintentional sliding of the wiper rubber  51  out of the receiving slot  50 . 
         [0042]    In accordance with further embodiments which can be combined with embodiments which are described herein, the material, in which the receiving slot  50  is formed, that is to say, for example, the material of the lower part  12 , is selected from the group which consists of rubber, carbon, POM, PA, TPE, in particular TPE-S, TPE-O, TPE-U, TPE-A, TPE-V and TPE-E, and any combination thereof. In this way, the advantage is achieved that physical and, in particular, mechanical properties of the lower part  12  of the wiper arm  2  can be adapted to a wiper rubber  51  to be attached by way of a suitable material selection. Furthermore, it is possible to configure the lower part  12  of the wiper arm  2  and/or further parts of the wiper arm  2 , such as the upper part  10  and the connecting elements  18 , as integral components using injection molding, as a result of which advantages in terms of manufacturing technology are achieved which permit inexpensive production of the window wiping apparatus. 
         [0043]    In accordance with further embodiments, the lower part  12  and/or the upper part  10  can be configured in one piece with the closure mechanism  52 . In this way, further advantages in terms of manufacturing technology can be achieved which make simple and inexpensive production of the window wiping apparatus possible. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart for clarifying steps which are typically performed for replacing the wiper rubber  51 , in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The procedure starts in a block  100 . Subsequently, the cap  54  of the closure mechanism  52  is folded open (block  101  and position A in  FIG. 2 ). A used wiper rubber  51  can then be pulled out of the receiving slot  50  on the lower part  12  of the wiper blade  2  (block  102 ). 
         [0045]    In a block  103 , a new wiper rubber  51  is introduced into the receiving slot  50 . Finally, the cap  54  of the closure mechanism  52 , which cap  54  is attached movably on the integral hinge  53 , is folded upward by an angle of approximately 180° (block  104 ). In a subsequent step, the cap  54  can latch into the cutout  56  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) on the underside of the lower part  12 , as a result of which the closure mechanism  52  assumes a closed position (block  105 ). In this way, securing of the wiper rubber  51  or the wiping lip against sliding out of the receiving slot  50  is provided. The procedure ends in a block  106 . 
         [0046]    In the following text, aspects of an exemplary window wiping apparatus will be described, for which the embodiments which are described herein of the window wiping apparatus, in particular the seating of the wiper rubber  51  in the receiving slot  50  of the lower part  12 , are advantageous. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show diagrammatic illustrations of a wiper blade  2  in a basic position and in a position in which it is set against a window, in accordance with embodiments of the window wiping apparatus of the disclosure. Fin ray wipers are described here, for which a receiving slot  50  for wiper rubbers  51  in accordance with the embodiments which are described here is particularly useful. The receiving slot  50  together with the closure mechanism  52  is not shown again in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6 and 7  and also cannot be provided in said embodiments as described above. The wiper blade  2  serves to wipe the window  4  of a vehicle which is, for example, a motor vehicle, in particular a car. The wiper blade  2  has a longitudinal extent  8  and has an elongate upper part  10  and a likewise elongate lower part  12 . The longitudinal extents of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  correspond substantially to the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . 
         [0048]    Both the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are flexible bars or can be configured as flexible bars. It is likewise possible to configure only in each case one part of the upper part  10  and/or the lower part  12  so as to be flexible. In accordance with some embodiments which can be combined with the other embodiments which are described here, a material is used for the upper part  10  and/or the lower part  12 , which material has a modulus of elasticity which lies in a range between 0.005 kN/mm 2  and 0.5 kN/mm 2 , in particular between 0.01 kN/mm 2  and 0.1 kN/mm 2 . This makes a suitable bending capability of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  possible. Together with a cross-sectional area of suitable configuration of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12 , this thus results in an optimum flexural stiffness. 
         [0049]    The upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are fastened to a wiper blade-side fastening part  30 . The window wiping apparatus can be connected by means of the wiper blade-side fastening part  30 , for example with a quick fix fastening means, on the vehicle or to the drive axle of a window wiper drive unit (wiper motor) of the vehicle. A quick fix fastening means of this type can connect the drive shaft of the window wiping apparatus to the wiper arm  1  in a rapidly releasable manner. 
         [0050]    The upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are connected at a connecting position  34  on the side which lies opposite the fastening part  30  along the longitudinal extent  8  of the window wiping apparatus. The upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are connected to one another by way of connecting elements  18 . The connecting elements  18  are configured in such a way that the spacing of the connecting position with the upper part  10  and the spacing of the connecting position with the lower part  12  changes by at most ±1 mm, in particular changes by at most ±0.3 mm (for example, as a result of thermal expansion and/or tensile and compression loading). The connecting elements  18  can therefore be of substantially non-elastic configuration or the effect of the connecting elements  18  is based on their force transmission between the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  and not on their elasticity. 
         [0051]    The connecting elements  18  are fastened by means of rotary joints  20  to inner longitudinal sides of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  which face one another. The rotary joints  20  are typically hinges. In particular, the rotary joints  20  can be configured as integral hinges. This is advantageous, above all, when the upper part  10 , the lower part  12  and/or the connecting elements  18  are/is manufactured from a plastic material or are/is coated with a suitable plastic material. 
         [0052]    In accordance with typical embodiments which are described here and can be combined with other embodiments which are described here, a rotary joint  20  is selected from the following group which consists of: a hinge, an integral hinge, a tapered portion of the material for producing lower stiffness along a torsional axis, a joint with a rotational axis, a means for connecting the upper part to the connecting element or for connecting the lower part to the connecting element, which means permits the displacement of the lower part in relation to the upper part along the longitudinal extent, etc. 
         [0053]    Embodiments, in which the joints are provided by way of integral hinges, therefore provide a very simple way of providing the joints for a fin ray wiper. The wiper blade  2  can be provided in one piece, in particular in a manner which dispenses with tools. In accordance with typical embodiments, the integral hinges have a high elasticity. This can be provided, for example, by way of a material selected from the group of PP, PE, POM and PA. As an alternative, the integral hinges can be manufactured from one or more materials from a group consisting of: TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), for example TPE-S, TPE-O, TPE-U, TPE-A, TPE-V and TPE-E. 
         [0054]    The connecting elements  18  are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . The spacings are advantageously smaller than 50 mm, in particular smaller than 30 mm. As a result, particularly high flexibility of the window wiping apparatus, in particular of its lower part  12 , and satisfactory adaptation to the curvature and changes in curvature of the window  4  to be wiped can be ensured. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5B  shows a diagrammatic illustration of the wiper blade  2  in accordance with  FIG. 5A , in a position in which it is set against the window  4 . Since the window  4  has a curvature, contact pressure forces act on the lower part  12  when the wiper blade  2  is set against the window  4 . Since the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are flexible bars and the connecting elements  12  are mounted rotatably on the upper part  10  and the lower part  12 , the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  can be displaced with respect to one another. As a result of the pressure forces which act from below on the lower part  12 , the wiper blade  2  bends in that direction, from which the pressure forces come, and bears precisely against the curvature of the window  4 . 
         [0056]    As a result of the construction of the embodiments which are described here, bending of the lower part  12  takes place in the direction, from which the force acts, in the case of an action of force on the lower part  12  (by way of the window  4 ). This is produced by way of the connection of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  at the connecting position  34 , the shape, and by way of rotary joints  20  at the connection between the connecting elements  18  and the upper or lower part. A window wiping apparatus in accordance with embodiments which are described here utilizes the effect of tail fins of certain fish which, in the case of lateral pressure, do not yield in the direction of the pressure, but rather curve in the opposite direction, that is to say in the direction, from which the pressure comes. This principle is also called the “fin ray” principle. As a result, a window wiping apparatus in accordance with the embodiments which are described herein has the advantage of an improved adaptation to a window  4  of a motor vehicle. In the case of a conventional window wiper blade, its upper part is usually of rigid configuration, that is to say it is not of flexible configuration. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show diagrammatic illustrations of a wiper blade  2  of a window wiping apparatus for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, in a basic position ( FIG. 6 ), that is to say in an unloaded state, and in a position ( FIG. 7 ) in which it is set against a window  4 , in accordance with the embodiments which are described herein. The wiper blade  2  comprises an elongate upper part  10  and an elongate lower part  12  which are of at least partially flexible configuration. Furthermore, a plurality of connecting elements  18  for connecting the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  are provided, the connecting elements  18  being spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . The connecting elements  18  are designed to make a movement possible of the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  relative to one another with a movement component along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . Furthermore, the connecting elements  18  are arranged relative to the lower part  12  in such a way that, in an unloaded state of the wiper blade  2 , an angle α n  of the respective longitudinal axes  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  changes at least partially along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 , in particular changes continuously or changes in a monotonous or strictly monotonous manner. 
         [0058]    In the wiper blade  2  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) in the unloaded state, the angles α n  of the respective longitudinal axes  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  which change along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  are denoted by α 1 , α 2 , α 3 , . . . α n-1 , α n . In a loaded state of the wiper blade  2 , that is to say in a position in which it is set against the window  4 , as shown by way of example in  FIG. 7 , the angles α n  of the respective longitudinal axes  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  change in comparison with the unloaded state. In order to express this, the angles α n  of the respective longitudinal axes  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  which change along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 , in the wiper blade (shown in  FIG. 7 ) which is shown in a position in which it is set against the window, are denoted by α′ 1 , α′ 2 , α′ 3  . . . α′ n-1 , α′ n . 
         [0059]    In accordance with embodiments of the window wiping apparatus which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper blade  2  has at least one first region, in which the angle α n  of the longitudinal axis  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  decreases along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  toward a wiper blade end, in particular decreases in a monotonous manner, in particular in a strictly monotonous manner. Furthermore, the wiper blade  2  can have at least one second region, in which the angle α n  of the longitudinal axis  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  increases along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  toward a wiper blade end, in particular increases in a monotonous manner, in particular in a strictly monotonous manner. In accordance with embodiments, as shown by way of example in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second region of the wiper blade, in which the angle α n  of the longitudinal axis  24  of the connecting elements  18  relative to the lower part  12  increases along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  toward a wiper blade end, is arranged at an inner position of the wiper blade which is situated in the vicinity of the fastening part  30  of the wiper blade  2 . As a result, a window wiping apparatus can be provided which makes a particularly satisfactory adaptation to the curvature of a window  4  possible. Furthermore, a largely homogeneous pressing pressure of the window wiping apparatus on the window  4  and a homogeneous force distribution of the window wiping apparatus can be provided, with the result that a high wiping quality is provided. 
         [0060]    In accordance with embodiments of the wiper blade  2  which can be combined with other embodiments, the connecting elements  18 , in particular in an unloaded state of the wiper blade  2 , are fastened to the lower part  12  in such a way that the longitudinal axes  24  of the connecting elements  18  run at angles α n  with respect to the lower part  12 , which angles α n  lie between a lower angle limit value α nu  and an upper limit value α no . In accordance with embodiments, the lower angle limit value α nu =10°, in particular α nu =15°, in particular α nu =20°, and the upper angle limit value α no =80°, in particular α no =90°, in particular α no =100°. This advantageously ensures a particularly satisfactory transmission of a force which acts on the lower part  12  to the upper part  10 . 
         [0061]    In accordance with embodiments of the window wiping apparatus which can be combined with other embodiments, the connecting elements  18  are configured in such a way that the spacing between the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  changes at least partially along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 , in particular decreases continuously in a first region and increases continuously in a second region. The spacing between the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2  can also comprise a region, in which the spacing between the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  is substantially constant along the longitudinal extent  8  of the wiper blade  2 . The spacing between the upper part  10  and the lower part  12  is greater at the fastening part  30  than at the opposite end, at which the connecting position  34  is situated. 
         [0062]    In accordance with embodiments of the wiper blade  2  which can be combined with other embodiments, the inner (facing the fastening part) spacing value is at least 15 mm, in particular at least 25 mm, in particular at least 35 mm. In accordance with embodiments which can be combined with other embodiments, the outer spacing value is at least 10 mm, in particular at least 12.5 mm, in particular at least 15 mm. In accordance with embodiments which can be combined with other embodiments, the middle spacing value is at least 7.5 mm, in particular at least 9 mm, in particular at least 12.5 mm. 
         [0063]    As shown by way of example in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the connecting elements  18  in accordance with embodiments which can be combined with other embodiments are connected to the lower part  12  and/or the upper part  10  in an articulated manner. In particular, the connecting elements  18  are connected to the lower part  12  and/or the upper part  10  by means of a first integral hinge  20 . The first integral hinge  20  can be configured in one piece with the connecting element  18  and the upper part  10  and/or the lower part  12 . The single-piece configuration of the integral hinges permits simple and inexpensive manufacture. 
         [0064]    In accordance with embodiments of the wiper blade which can be combined with other embodiments which are described herein, the wiper blade comprises a first region with a first curvature ω&lt;0 and a second region with a second curvature ω&gt;0. Furthermore, the wiper blade in accordance with embodiments can have a third region with a third curvature ω&lt;0, the second region of the wiper blade with the second curvature ω&gt;0 being arranged between the first region with the first curvature ω&lt;0 and the third region with the third curvature ω&lt;0, as shown by way of example in  FIG. 6 . In this way, a window wiping apparatus can be provided, by way of which a largely homogeneous pressing pressure onto the window  4  can be realized. Furthermore, a window wiping apparatus can be provided which has an improved adaptation to the window  4  and a high wiping quality. 
         [0065]    In accordance with further embodiments, in addition to a quick fix fastening closure which can be used for fin ray wipers and in which the entire window wiping apparatus is removed from the drive shaft on the vehicle, a mechanism can be provided, in order to lift up the wiper blade  2  of a window wiping apparatus from the window  4  or in order to place it onto said window  4 . This further simplifies the utilization, for example for manual cleaning of the window  4 .