Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wiping device, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane having a retention unit, which has a retention element having a longitudinal guiding channel for guiding a resilient element and having a wind deflector unit is already known. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention is based on a wiping device, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane, having a retention unit which has a retention element having a longitudinal guiding channel for guiding a resilient element, and having a wind deflector unit. 
     It is proposed that the wind deflector unit be at least partially in lateral abutment with the retention element in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel, whereby gaps in a main flow region of the wind deflector unit and/or noises and flow resistances can be prevented. A “retention unit” in this context is intended to be understood in particular to refer to a unit which is provided to connect the wind deflector unit to a wiper blade. A “wiper blade” in this context is intended in particular to refer to a blade which is provided to wipe a vehicle pane. The wiper blade is preferably constructed from a rubber material. A “retention element” in this context is intended to refer in particular to an element which is provided to connect a wind deflector unit, a resilient element and a wiper blade in a positive-locking manner. A “longitudinal guiding channel” in this context is intended in particular to refer to a guiding channel which extends parallel with a longitudinal direction of the retention unit. The longitudinal guiding channel preferably comprises a free space and at least one channel wall which delimits the free space. A “longitudinal direction” in this context is intended in particular to refer to a direction which extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal extent of the retention element. A “longitudinal extent” in this context is intended in particular to refer to a largest possible extent. The term “substantially” in this context is intended in particular to refer to a deviation of less than 10°, preferably less than 5°. An “extent” of an element in this context is intended in particular to refer to a maximum spacing of two points of a perpendicular projection of the element on a plane. A “resilient element” in this context is intended to be understood in particular to refer to a resilient element, which has at least one extent which can be resiliently modified in a normal operating state by at least 10%, in particular by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30% and in a particularly advantageous manner by at least 50%, and which produces in particular a counter-force which is dependent on a change of the extent and which is preferably proportional to the modification and which acts counter to the modification. The term “wind deflector unit” in this context is intended to refer in particular to a unit which is provided to deflect travel wind acting on the wiping device and/or to use it to press the wiper lip onto a vehicle pane. The term “laterally” in this context is intended in particular to be understood to be originating from a wiping direction. The term “wiping direction” in this context is intended to be understood in particular to be a direction which extends parallel with a surface to be wiped and/or perpendicularly relative to a main orientation of the wiper blade. The term “provided” is intended in particular to be understood to be specifically configured and/or equipped. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the wind deflector unit in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel be at least partially in abutment with a side of the retention element facing a wiping face, whereby the operational reliability can be increased. 
     If the wind deflector unit has at least one support web which is provided to transmit pressing forces of the wind deflector unit to the retention unit, the wiping device can be constructed so as to be particularly torsion resistant. 
     Production may advantageously be carried out in a cost-effective manner when the wind deflector unit is produced in a co-extrusion method. A “co-extrusion method” is intended in this context to be understood in particular to refer to the combination of at least two plastics material melts of different types before leaving a profile nozzle. 
     It is further proposed that the wind deflector unit have two wind deflector part-elements of different hardnesses, whereby weight can advantageously be reduced and strength can be increased. 
     If the harder wind deflector part-element laterally terminates the wind deflector unit, the softer wind deflector part-element can advantageously be protected from damage. 
     If the softer wind deflector part-element laterally terminates the wind deflector unit, the wiping device can be protected from an infiltration of fluid in a particularly simple manner. 
     If the softer wind deflector part-element has a longitudinal channel which comprises a triangular cross-section, material and weight can advantageously be saved. The term “triangular” in this context is intended to refer to a contour which has three corners. The corners may also be rounded depending on the application. 
     A particularly stable construction of the wiping device can be achieved when the retention element in at least one lateral region forms with the wind deflector unit a positive-locking connection which acts in a vertical direction. A “lateral region” in this context is intended to be understood in particular to be a region which is arranged at an outer end of the retention element facing a wiping direction. A “vertical direction” in this context is intended in particular to refer to a direction which extends perpendicularly relative to a surface to be wiped by the wiping device. 
     It is further proposed that the positive-locking connection be formed by at least one undercut within the retention element and a portion of the wind deflector unit engaging in the undercut, whereby a large contact face for force transmission can advantageously be formed within the wiping device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages will be appreciated from the following description of the drawings. Five embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a large number of features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also advantageously consider the features individually and combine them to form other advantageous combinations. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a wiping device having a retention unit, 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device having a retention unit, 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device having a retention unit, 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device having a retention unit, and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device having a retention unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a wiping device according to the invention having a retention unit  10   a  having a retention element  12   a , which has a longitudinal guiding channel  14   a  for guiding a resilient element  16   a , and having a wind deflector unit  22   a . The plane of section extends perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the retention element  12   a.    
     The retention unit  10   a  has channel walls  36   a ,  38   a  which are constructed integrally with the retention element  12   a . The channel walls  36   a ,  38   a  adjoin the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a  at a side remote from the wiper blade. Two longitudinal continuations  90   a ,  92   a  are arranged on the channel walls  36   a ,  38   a  at a side remote from the wiper blade, respectively. The wind deflector unit  22   a  has two L-shaped securing means  44   a ,  46   a  and support members  48   a ,  50   a  which adjoin the securing means  44   a ,  46   a.    
     In order to guide the resilient element  16   a , lateral walls  52   a ,  54   a  of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a  adjoin the channel walls  36   a ,  38   a . The channel walls  36   a ,  38   a  in this instance form a right angle with respect to the lateral walls  52   a ,  54   a . There is further arranged on the lateral walls  52   a ,  54   a  an intermediate wall  56   a  which terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a  in the direction of a wiper blade  40   a . The lateral walls  52   a ,  54   a  extend from the intermediate wall  56   a  in a direction orientated away from the wiper blade  40   a . The retention element  12   a  has a longitudinal opening  84   a , which opens the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a  with respect to the wind deflector unit  22   a.    
     Two L-shaped guiding profiles  58   a ,  60   a  of the retention unit  10   a  are arranged on the intermediate wall  56   a . The guiding profiles  58   a ,  60   a  are constructed integrally with the retention element  12   a . The guiding profiles  58   a ,  60   a  each have a lateral guide  62   a ,  64   a  and each have a vertical guide  66   a ,  68   a . The vertical guides  66   a ,  68   a  each form an angle of 90° with the lateral guides  62   a ,  64   a . In this instance, the vertical guides  66   a ,  68   a  face each other. The lateral guides  62   a ,  64   a  each form an angle of 90° with respect to the intermediate wall  56   a . The guiding profiles  58   a ,  60   a  are directed at their free ends of the vertical guides  66   a ,  68   a  in mutually facing directions. The guiding profiles  58   a ,  60   a  and the intermediate wall  56   a  form a weatherstrip rail  70   a , in which the wiper blade  40   a  is introduced. 
     The retention element  12   a  is produced integrally from polyethylene in an extrusion method. A person skilled in the art will in this context consider various plastics materials which appear to be advantageous, such as, in particular, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and/or polystyrene. 
     The wind deflector unit  22   a  is produced in a co-extrusion method from two wind deflector part-elements  32   a ,  34   a ,  42   a  having different hardnesses. The first wind deflector part-element  32   a  has two wind deflector sides  76   a ,  78   a  which are formed in a concave manner towards the outer side. In order to reinforce the wind deflector unit  22   a , the first wind deflector part-element  32   a  has a connection web  80   a  which connects the concave wind deflector sides  76   a ,  78   a  to each other. The connection web  80   a  and the wind deflector sides  76   a ,  78   a  surround a longitudinal channel  82   a , which has a triangular cross-section. 
     The first wind deflector part-element  32   a  is constructed integrally with the second wind deflector part-element  34   a ,  42   a  and is provided to deflect travel wind. The second wind deflector part-element  34   a ,  42   a  has a greater strength and hardness than the first wind deflector part-element  32   a . The L-shaped securing means  44   a ,  46   a  and the support members  48   a ,  50   a  which adjoin the securing means  44   a ,  46   a  are formed on the second wind deflector part-element  34   a ,  42   a . The harder wind deflector part-element  34   a ,  42   a  of the wind deflector unit  22   a  laterally abuts the retention element  12   a  in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a . Furthermore, the harder wind deflector part-element  34   a ,  42   a  of the wind deflector unit  22   a  in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a  abuts a side of the retention element  12   a  facing the wiper blade  40   a.    
     Furthermore, the second wind deflector part-element  34   a ,  42   a  has two support webs  24   a ,  26   a . The support webs  24   a ,  26   a  abut with the free ends thereof the channel walls  36   a ,  38   a  at a side remote from the wiper blade  40   a . The support webs  24   a ,  26   a  are provided in order to transmit pressing forces, which occur at the wind deflector unit  22   a  when travel wind is applied. The support webs  24   a ,  26   a  extend over the entire length of the wind deflector unit  22   a . The longitudinal continuations  90   a ,  92   a  are in abutment with the support webs  24   a ,  26   a  in each case in a wiping direction  18   a.    
     The resilient element  16   a  is introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a . The resilient element  16   a  is produced from a spring steel and provided to form the retention unit  10   a  so as to be able to be resiliently deflected. 
     For assembly, the resilient element  16   a  is first introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   a . Subsequently, the wiper blade  40   a  is inserted into the weatherstrip rail  70   a  and forms a positive-locking connection with the retention element  12   a . The wind deflector unit  22   a  is now pushed over the retention element  12   a  and is then connected thereto in a positive-locking manner. 
       FIGS. 2 to 5  show four other embodiments of the invention. The following descriptions are limited substantially to the differences between the embodiments, it being possible to refer to the description of the first embodiment with respect to components, features and functions which remain the same. In order to differentiate between the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  is replaced by the letters b to e in the reference numerals of the embodiments of  FIGS. 2 to 5 . With respect to components which have the same designation, in particular with reference to components having the same reference numerals, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device according to the invention having a retention unit  10   b  with a retention element  12   b , which has a longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  for guiding a resilient element  16   b  and having a wind deflector unit  22   b . The plane of section extends perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the retention element  12   b.    
     In order to guide the resilient element  16   b , the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  has lateral walls  52   b ,  54   b . At the lateral walls  52   b ,  54   b , there is further arranged an intermediate wall  56   b , which terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  in the direction of a wiper blade  40   b . The lateral walls  52   b ,  54   b  extend from the intermediate wall  56   b  in a direction away from the wiper blade  40   b . A second intermediate wall  72   b  terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  in the direction of the wind deflector unit  22   b . The longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  is consequently completely surrounded. 
     Two L-shaped guiding profiles  58   b ,  60   b  of the retention unit  10   b  are arranged on the intermediate wall  56   b . The guiding profiles  58   b ,  60   b  are constructed integrally with the retention element  12   b . The guiding profiles  58   b ,  60   b  each have a lateral guide  62   b ,  64   b  and a vertical guide  66   b ,  68   b . The vertical guides  66   b ,  68   b  each form an angle of 90° with the lateral guides  62   b ,  64   b . In this instance, the vertical guides  66   b ,  68   b  face each other. The lateral guides  62   b ,  64   b  each form an angle of 90° with respect to the intermediate wall  56   b . The guiding profiles  58   b ,  60   b  are directed at their free ends of the vertical guides  66   b ,  68   b  in mutually facing directions. The guiding profiles  58   b ,  60   b  and the intermediate wall  56   b  form a weatherstrip rail  70   b , in which the wiper blade  40   b  is inserted. 
     The wind deflector unit  22   b  is produced in a co-extrusion method from two wind deflector part-elements  32   b ,  34   b ,  42   b  having different hardnesses. The first wind deflector part-element  32   b  has two wind deflector sides  76   b ,  78   b  which are formed in a concave manner towards the outer side. In order to reinforce the wind deflector unit  22   b , the first wind deflector part-element  32   b  has a connection web  80   b  which connects the concave wind deflector sides  76   b ,  78   b  to each other. The connection web  80   b  and the wind deflector sides  76   b ,  78   b  surround a longitudinal channel  82   b , which has a substantially pentagonal cross-section. 
     The first wind deflector part-element  32   b  is constructed integrally with the second wind deflector part-element  34   b ,  42   b  and is provided in order to deflect travel wind. The second wind deflector part-element  34   b ,  42   b  has a higher level of strength and hardness than the first wind deflector part-element  32   b.    
     The second wind deflector part-elements  34   b ,  42   b  of the wind deflector unit  22   b  laterally abut the retention element  12   b  in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  in a positive-locking manner. The second wind deflector part-elements  34   b ,  42   b  of the wind deflector unit  22   b  further abut in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  a side of the retention element  12   b  which faces the wiper blade  40   b . The wind deflector part-elements  34   b ,  42   b  consequently abut the retention element  12   b  in a positive-locking manner in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b  and engage around the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b . The second wind deflector part-elements  34   b ,  42   b  each have three walls. The first and the second wall form an angle of 90°. The second wall forms with the third wall an angle of 77°, which can lead to great torsion-resistance. 
     Both in a wiping direction  18   b  and in a vertical direction  20   b , the second wind deflector part-elements  34   b ,  42   b  abut the first wind deflector part-element  32   b . Contact of the second wind deflector part-elements  34   b ,  42   b  with an environment is consequently prevented. The softer wind deflector part-element  32   b  laterally terminates the wind deflector unit  22   b.    
     The retention element  12   b  is produced integrally from polyethylene in an extrusion method. A person skilled in the art will in this context consider various plastics materials which appear to be advantageous, such as, in particular, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and/or polystyrene. 
     The resilient element  16   b  is introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b . The resilient element  16   b  is produced from a spring steel and is provided to form the retention unit  10   b  so as to be able to be resiliently deflected. 
     For assembly, the resilient element  16   b  is first introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   b . Subsequently, the wiper blade  40   b  is inserted into the weatherstrip rail  70   b  and forms a positive-locking connection with the retention element  12   b . The wind deflector unit  22   b  is now pushed over the retention element  12   b  and is then connected thereto in a positive-locking manner. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device according to the invention having a retention unit  10   c  having a retention element  12   c , which has a longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  for guiding a resilient element  16   c , and having a wind deflector unit  22   c . The plane of section extends perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the retention element  12   c.    
     In order to guide the resilient element  16   c , the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  has lateral walls  52   c ,  54   c . There is further arranged on the lateral walls  52   c ,  54   c  an intermediate wall  56   c  which terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  in the direction of a wiper blade  40   c . The lateral walls  52   c ,  54   c  extend from the intermediate wall  56   c  in a direction away from the wiper blade  40   c . A second intermediate wall  72   c  terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  in the direction of the wind deflector unit  22   c . The longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  is consequently completely surrounded. 
     Two L-shaped guiding profiles  58   c ,  60   c  of the retention unit  10   c  are arranged on the intermediate wall  56   c . The guiding profiles  58   c ,  60   c  are constructed integrally with the retention element  12   c . The guiding profiles  58   c ,  60   c  each have a lateral guide  62   c ,  64   c  and a vertical guide  66   c ,  68   c . The vertical guides  66   c ,  68   c  each form an angle of 90° with the lateral guides  62   c ,  64   c . In this instance, the vertical guides  66   c ,  68   c  face each other. The lateral guides  62   c ,  64   c  each form an angle of 90° with respect to the intermediate wall  56   c . The guiding profiles  58   c ,  60   c  are directed at their free ends of the vertical guides  66   c ,  68   c  in mutually facing directions. The guiding profiles  58   c ,  60   c  and the intermediate wall  56   c  form a weatherstrip rail  70   c , in which the wiper blade  40   c  is inserted. 
     The wind deflector unit  22   c  is produced in an extrusion method and has a wind deflector part-element  32   c . The wind deflector part-element  32   c  has two wind deflector sides  76   c ,  78   c  which are constructed in a concave manner towards the outer side. In order to reinforce the wind deflector unit  22   c , the wind deflector part-element  32   c  has a connection web  80   c  which connects the concave wind deflector sides  76   c ,  78   c  to each other. The connection web  80   c  and the wind deflector sides  76   c ,  78   c  surround a longitudinal channel  82   c  which has a substantially triangular cross-section. The connection web  80   c  is partially inserted into a recess  74   c  of the second intermediate wall  72   c  and consequently forms with the second intermediate wall  72   c  a positive-locking connection which acts in a wiping direction  18   c.    
     The wind deflector part-element  32   c  is provided to deflect travel wind. The wind deflector part-element  32   c  of the wind deflector unit  22   c  laterally abuts the retention element  12   c  in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  in a positive-locking manner. The wind deflector part-element  32   c  of the wind deflector unit  22   c  further abuts in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  a side of the retention element  12   c  facing the wiper blade  40   c . The wind deflector part-element  32   c  consequently abuts the retention element  12   c  in a positive-locking manner in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c  and surrounds the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c . The softer wind deflector part-element  32   c  laterally terminates the wind deflector unit  22   c.    
     The retention element  12   c  is produced integrally from polyethylene. A person skilled in the art will in this context consider various plastics materials which appear to be advantageous, such as, in particular, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and/or polystyrene. 
     The resilient element  16   c  is introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c . The resilient element  16   c  is produced from a spring steel and is provided to form the retention unit  10   c  so as to be able to be resiliently deflected. 
     For assembly, the resilient element  16   c  is first introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   c . Subsequently, the wiper blade  40   c  is inserted into the weatherstrip rail  70   c  and forms a positive-locking connection with the retention element  12   c . The wind deflector unit  22   c  is now pushed over the retention element  12   c  and is then connected thereto in a positive-locking manner. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device according to the invention having a retention unit  10   d  having a retention element  12   d , which has a longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  for guiding a resilient element  16   d , and having a wind deflector unit  22   d . The plane of section extends perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the retention element  12   d.    
     In order to guide the resilient element  16   d , the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  has lateral walls  52   d ,  54   d . There is further arranged on the lateral walls  52   d ,  54   d  an intermediate wall  56   d  which terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  in the direction of a wiper blade  40   d . The lateral walls  52   d ,  54   d  extend from the intermediate wall  56   d  in a direction away from the wiper blade  40   d . A second intermediate wall  72   d  terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  in the direction of the wind deflector unit  22   d . The longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  is consequently completely surrounded. A lateral strip  28   d ,  30   d  is formed in each case on the lateral walls  52   d ,  54   d.    
     Two guiding profiles  58   d ,  60   d  of the retention unit  10   d  are arranged on the intermediate wall  56   d . The guiding profiles  58   d ,  60   d  are constructed integrally with the retention element  12   d . The guiding profiles  58   d ,  60   d  each have a lateral guide  62   d ,  64   d  and a vertical guide  66   d ,  68   d . The vertical guides  66   d ,  68   d  each form an acute angle of 77° with the lateral guides  62   d ,  64   d . In this instance, the vertical guides  66   d ,  68   d  face each other. The lateral guides  62   d ,  64   d  each form an angle of 90° with respect to the intermediate wall  56   d . The guiding profiles  58   d ,  60   d  are directed at their free ends of the vertical guides  66   d ,  68   d  in mutually facing directions. The guiding profiles  58   d ,  60   d  and the intermediate wall  56   d  form a weatherstrip rail  70   d , in which the wiper blade  40   d  is inserted. 
     The wind deflector unit  22   d  is produced in an extrusion method and has a wind deflector part-element  32   d . The wind deflector part-element  32   d  has two wind deflector sides  76   d ,  78   d  which are constructed in a concave manner towards the outer side. In order to reinforce the wind deflector unit  22   d , the wind deflector part-element  32   d  has a connection web  80   d  which connects the concave wind deflector sides  76   d ,  78   d  to each other. The connection web  80   d  and the wind deflector sides  76   d ,  78   d  surround a longitudinal channel  82   d  which has a substantially triangular cross-section. The connection web  80   d  is partially inserted into a recess  74   d  of the second intermediate wall  72   d  and consequently forms with the second intermediate wall  72   d  a positive-locking connection which acts in a wiping direction  18   d.    
     The wind deflector part-element  32   d  is provided to deflect travel wind. The wind deflector part-element  32   d  of the wind deflector unit  22   d  laterally abuts the retention element  12   d  in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  in a positive-locking manner. The wind deflector part-element  32   d  of the wind deflector unit  22   d  further abuts in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  a side of the retention element  12   d  facing the wiper blade  40   d . The wind deflector part-element  32   d  consequently abuts the retention element  12   d  in a positive-locking manner in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d  and surrounds the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d . The wind deflector part-element  32   d  laterally terminates the wind deflector unit  22   d.    
     In this instance, the wind deflector part-element  32   d  surrounds the lateral bars  28   d ,  30   d  of the retention element  12   d  in two lateral regions  86   d ,  88   d . Consequently, the retention element  12   d  forms with the wind deflector unit  22   d  in the lateral regions  86   d ,  88   d  a positive-locking connection which acts in a vertical direction  20   d.    
     The retention element  12   d  is produced integrally from polyethylene. A person skilled in the art will in this context consider various plastics materials which appear to be advantageous, such as, in particular, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and/or polystyrene. 
     The resilient element  16   d  is introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d . The resilient element  16   d  is produced from a spring steel and is provided to form the retention unit  10   d  so as to be able to be resiliently deflected. 
     For assembly, the resilient element  16   d  is first introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   d . Subsequently, the wiper blade  40   d  is inserted into the weatherstrip rail  70   d  and forms a positive-locking connection with the retention element  12   d . The wind deflector unit  22   d  is now pushed over the retention element  12   d  and is then connected thereto in a positive-locking manner. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section of another embodiment of a wiping device according to the invention having a retention unit  10   e  having a retention element  12   e , which has a longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  for guiding a resilient element  16   e , and having a wind deflector unit  22   e . The plane of section extends perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the retention element  12   e.    
     In order to guide the resilient element  16   e , the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  has lateral walls  52   e ,  54   e . There is further arranged on the lateral walls  52   e ,  54   e  an intermediate wall  56   e  which terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  in the direction of a wiper blade  40   e . The lateral walls  52   e ,  54   e  extend from the intermediate wall  56   e  in a direction away from the wiper blade  40   e . A second intermediate wall  72   e  terminates the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  in the direction of the wind deflector unit  22   e . The longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  is consequently completely surrounded. In the lateral walls  52   e ,  54   e  there is in each case arranged in a lateral region  86   e ,  88   e  an undercut  94   e ,  96   e  which connects the wind deflector unit  22   e  to the retention element  12   e  in a positive-locking manner in a wiping direction  18   e . The undercuts  94   e ,  96   e  are constructed in a C-shaped manner and have a cross-section which tapers in the direction towards an opening. 
     Two guiding profiles  58   e ,  60   e  of the retention unit  10   e  are arranged on the intermediate wall  56   e . The guiding profiles  58   e ,  60   e  are constructed integrally with the retention element  12   e . The guiding profiles  58   e ,  60   e  each have a lateral guide  62   e ,  64   e  and a vertical guide  66   e ,  68   e . The vertical guides  66   e ,  68   e  each form an acute angle of 77° with the lateral guides  62   e ,  64   e . In this instance, the vertical guides  66   e ,  68   e  face each other. The lateral guides  62   e ,  64   e  each form an angle of 90° with respect to the intermediate wall  56   e . The guiding profiles  58   e ,  60   e  are directed at their free ends of the vertical guides  66   e ,  68   e  in mutually facing directions. The guiding profiles  58   e ,  60   e  and the intermediate wall  56   e  form a weatherstrip rail  70   e , in which the wiper blade  40   e  is inserted. 
     The wind deflector unit  22   e  is produced in an extrusion method and has a wind deflector part-element  32   e . The wind deflector part-element  32   e  has two wind deflector sides  76   e ,  78   e  which are constructed in a concave manner towards the outer side. In order to reinforce the wind deflector unit  22   e , the wind deflector part-element  32   e  has a connection web  80   e  which connects the concave wind deflector sides  76   e ,  78   e  to each other. The connection web  80   e  and the wind deflector sides  76   e ,  78   e  surround a longitudinal channel  82   e  which has a substantially triangular cross-section. The connection web  80   e  is partially inserted into a recess  74   e  of the second intermediate wall  72   e  and consequently forms with the second intermediate wall  72   e  a positive-locking connection which acts in a wiping direction  18   e.    
     The wind deflector part-element  32   e  is provided to deflect travel wind. The wind deflector part-element  32   e  of the wind deflector unit  22   e  laterally abuts the retention element  12   e  in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  in a positive-locking manner. The wind deflector part-element  32   e  of the wind deflector unit  22   e  further abuts in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  a side of the retention element  12   e  facing the wiper blade  40   e . The wind deflector part-element  32   e  consequently abuts the retention element  12   e  in a positive-locking manner in the region of the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e  and surrounds the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e . The wind deflector part-element  32   e  laterally terminates the wind deflector unit  22   e . The wind deflector part-element  32   e  engages in the undercuts  94   e ,  96   e  and completely fills them. Consequently, the retention element  12   e  forms with the wind deflector unit  22   e  in the lateral regions  86   e ,  88   e  a positive-locking connection which acts in the wiping direction  18   e  and in a vertical direction  20   e.    
     The retention element  12   e  is produced integrally from polyethylene. A person skilled in the art will in this context consider various plastics materials which appear to be advantageous, such as, in particular, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and/or polystyrene. 
     The resilient element  16   e  is introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e . The resilient element  16   e  is produced from a spring steel and is provided to form the retention unit  10   e  so as to be able to be resiliently deflected. 
     For assembly, the resilient element  16   e  is first introduced into the longitudinal guiding channel  14   e . Subsequently, the wiper blade  40   e  is inserted into the weatherstrip rail  70   e  and forms a positive-locking connection with the retention element  12   e . The wind deflector unit  22   e  is now pushed over the retention element  12   e  and is then connected thereto in a positive-locking manner.

Technology Category: 7