Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a wiper blade device. 
         [0002]    DE 10 2009 014 700 A1 discloses a wiper blade which comprises adapter elements which can be securely connected to a resilient rail by means of a securing element. In order to adapt to different wiper arm types, there are provided various adapter elements which each provide a rotary bearing for a retention element which is arranged on a wiper arm. Depending on the type of wiper arm, various retention elements are provided, the retention element being formed on the wiper arm for one of the wiper arm types. In order to produce the rotary bearing, there are provided for many wiper arm types specific bearing pins which are provided as separate components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to a wiper blade device having an adapter element which can be securely connected to a main component of a wiper blade and which comprises at least two mutually opposed side walls which at least partially delimit a receiving region for at least a portion of at least one retention element for a wiper arm. 
         [0004]    It is proposed that at least one of the side walls has at least one recess which is constructed as a bearing opening for a bearing element. Preferably, the two side walls each have at least one recess which is constructed as a bearing opening for the bearing element. These recesses are preferably arranged in a coaxial manner and in a particularly advantageous manner are also constructed identically to each other. The term “main component of a wiper blade” is intended in this context to be understood to refer in particular to a component of the wiper blade whose mass amounts to at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40% and in a particularly advantageous manner at least 50%, of a total mass of the wiper blade. The main component is preferably a resilient strip of the wiper blade. The term a “resilient strip” in this context is intended in particular to be understood to refer to an element which has at least one extent which in at least one normal operating state can be resiliently changed at least by 10%, in particular at least by 20%, preferably at least by 30% and in a particularly advantageous manner at least by 50% and which in particular produces a counter-force which is dependent on a change of the extent and which counteracts the change. The term “extent” of an element in this context is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a maximum spacing of two locations of a perpendicular projection of the element onto a plane. Preferably, the resilient strip comprises partially, preferably at least for the most part, and in a particularly advantageous manner completely, spring steel. The expression that the resilient strip “at least for the most part” comprises spring steel is intended to be understood in particular to mean that the resilient strip comprises spring steel at a mass proportion of at least 50%, in particular of at least 70%, preferably of at least 90% and particularly advantageously of at least 95%. 
         [0005]    The term “adapter element” in this context is intended in particular to refer to an element which is provided to provide a coupling region of the wiper blade for coupling and/or contacting with the retention element. The term “provided” is intended to be understood to mean in particular specifically configured and/or equipped. The adapter element is preferably constructed in an integral manner. The term “integral” is intended in particular to be understood to mean at least connected in a materially integral manner, for example, by means of a soldering process, a welding process, an adhesive-bonding process, an injection-molding process and/or another process which appears to be advantageous to the person skilled in the art, and/or advantageously formed in one piece, for example, by means of production from a cast and/or by means of production in a single-component or multi-component injection molding method and advantageously from a single blank. The adapter element being “able to be securely connected” to the main component of the wiper blade is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the adapter element is provided to be connected to the main component and has for this purpose in particular at least one fixing unit which in at least one assembled state is connected securely, in particular in a rotationally secure manner, to the main component, in particular indirectly or preferably directly. 
         [0006]    The term a “side wall” in this context is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a component which has a longitudinal extent which is at least 5 times, in particular at least 7 times and preferably at least 9 times, as large as a first transverse extent and at least twice, in particular at least 4 times and preferably at least 6 times as large as a second transverse extent. 
         [0007]    The term a “longitudinal extent” of the component is in particular intended to be understood to be a longest extent of the component, which extent is arranged parallel with a main extent plane. A “transverse extent” of the component is intended in particular to be understood to be an extent which is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal extent. A “main extent plane” of an element, in particular a side wall, is intended in this context to be understood to refer in particular to a plane which has the largest quantity of intersections with the element among all the planes. Should a plurality of planes have the largest quantity of intersections, in particular a plane which at least intersects with the element and which has with respect to all these planes, in particular to straight intersection lines of any pairs of these planes, the smallest mean spacing, is intended to be understood to be the main extent plane. Preferably, the side walls are constructed so as to be at least substantially parallelepipedal. The side walls being constructed so as to be “at least substantially parallelepipedal” is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the side walls differ from a parallelepiped with a volume proportion of a maximum of 40%, in particular a maximum of 30%, preferably a maximum of 20% and in a particularly advantageous manner a maximum of 10%. Preferably, at least one surface of the side walls forms at least one location of the adapter element with maximum spacing from the main component. The fact that the two side walls “face each other” is intended in particular to be understood to mean that, for each of the two side walls, at least one normal of a main extent plane of the side wall exists which at the same time intersects with both side walls at least at one location. Preferably, the main extent planes of the two side walls are arranged parallel with each other. 
         [0008]    The term a “retention element” for a wiper arm is intended in this instance and below to be understood to refer in particular to an element which in at least one assembled state connects the adapter element to the wiper arm, preferably in a rotatable manner, in particular with cooperation of other components, in particular the bearing element. The term a “recess” in this instance and below is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a material recess in a component which extends in particular from a first surface of the component to a preferably opposing second surface of the component. The recess may in particular be constructed as an edge recess. However, the recess is preferably constructed as an inner recess. The term an “inner recess” is in particular intended to be understood to be a recess which, in the event of notional introduction of an infinitely long rod of any thickness in an introduction direction, makes it impossible to remove the rod by means of a movement of the rod perpendicularly relative to the introduction direction. 
         [0009]    The term a “bearing element” in this context is intended in particular to be understood to refer to an element which, in at least one assembled state, is part of a bearing for guiding components which can be moved relative to each other, in particular the retention element and/or the wiper arm, relative to the adapter element. The term a “bearing opening” is in particular intended to be understood to be a bearing element which is formed as a recess, preferably as an inner recess. The bearing opening is provided in at least one assembled state, in particular for receiving a bearing element, in particular a bearing pin. The term a “bearing pin” is intended in this context to be understood to refer in particular to a component which has at least one longitudinal extent, which is at least 3 times, in particular at least 5 times, preferably at least 7 times and, in a particularly advantageous manner, at least  9  times as large as a maximum transverse extent of the component which is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal extent. Preferably, the bearing pin is at least partially rod-like, a cross-section face of the bearing pin being able to be something other than a circle. In a particularly advantageous manner, the bearing pin is at least partially and preferably at least for the most part constructed in a cylindrical manner. The fact that the bearing pin is constructed “at least for the most part in a cylindrical manner” is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the bearing pin differs from a cylinder by a volume proportion of a maximum of 20%, in particular a maximum of 15%, preferably a maximum of 10% and in a particularly advantageous manner a maximum of 5%. 
         [0010]    As a result of such a construction, there may be provided an adapter element of a wiper blade device which enables contacting with a plurality of different conventional wiper arms. A large variety of components may advantageously be reduced, whereby production complexity and also accordingly costs can be reduced. Furthermore, an advantageously simple construction can be achieved, which nonetheless may enable a high level of flexibility. Furthermore, an advantageously simple assembly of the wiper blade on the wiper arm can be achieved. 
         [0011]    It is further proposed that the adapter element comprise at least one other side wall which has a side face which faces the side walls. The term “side face” is intended in particular to be understood to be a preferably smooth surface of the side wall which is in particular delimited by edges, in particular also slightly rounded edges, of the side wall. In this instance, the term an “edge” is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a surface region which has a radius of curvature of a maximum of 3 mm, in particular a maximum of 2 mm, preferably a maximum of 1 mm and particularly advantageously a maximum of 0.5 mm. Preferably, the other side wall also delimits the receiving region at least partially. It is thereby possible to achieve an advantageously stable construction. Furthermore, another guiding face may be provided. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, the other side wall connects the side walls. The fact that the other side wall “connects” the side walls is in particular intended to be understood to mean that the other side wall at least partially touches each of the other two side walls in at least one assembled state. It is thereby possible to achieve a compact construction. In particular, an advantageously closed receiving region may be provided. 
         [0013]    It is further proposed that the side face be arranged at least substantially perpendicularly relative to a main extent plane of at least one of the side walls. The side face is preferably arranged at least substantially perpendicularly relative to the main extent planes of the two mutually facing side walls. The expression the side face is arranged “at least substantially perpendicularly relative to a main extent plane” of one of the side walls is intended in particular to be understood to refer to the fact that an angle between a normal of the main extent plane and any normal of a part-face of the side face, which has a surface content of at least 80%, in particular of at least 90% and preferably of at least 95% of a surface content of the side face, deviates from a right angle by a maximum of 10°, in particular by a maximum of 5°, preferably by a maximum of 2° and in a particularly advantageous manner by a maximum of 1°. It is thereby possible to define an advantageous receiving region. 
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the side face have at least one main curvature in at least one direction. The term “main curvature” of the side face is intended in this context to be understood to be in particular an extensive curvature, in particular in a region which is at least substantially spaced apart from an edge of the side face. The term “extensive curvature” is intended in particular to be understood to be a curvature in a surface region, which corresponds to at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40% and in a particularly advantageous manner at least 50%, of an entire face of the side face. The term “region at least substantially spaced apart from an edge of the side face” is intended in particular to be understood to be a region which has from the edge a spacing of at least 5%, in particular of at least 10%, preferably of at least 15% and in a particularly advantageous manner of at least 20%, of a maximum extent of the side face in a notional developed state. Advantageous guiding for the wiper arm can thereby be enabled. 
         [0015]    In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the main curvature is concave when viewed from a center of gravity of the adapter element. Particularly advantageous guiding for the wiper arm can thereby be enabled. 
         [0016]    When the side face is constructed in such a manner that at least one surface of the wiper arm and/or at least one surface of the retention element in at least one assembled state at least partially abuts the side face, a wobble-free wiper blade can advantageously be provided. The side face is preferably constructed in such a manner that, in particular regardless of a rotation position of the wiper arm and/or the retention element relative to the adapter element, at least one surface of the wiper arm and/or at least one surface of the retention element always at least partially abuts the side face in the assembled state. 
         [0017]    It is further proposed that the side face at least partially be at least substantially in the form of a portion of a cylinder covering surface. The fact that the side face “at least partially is at least substantially in the form of a portion of a cylinder covering surface” is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the side face in a part-portion differs from a portion of a cylinder covering surface with a surface proportion of a maximum of 15%, in particular a maximum of 10%, preferably a maximum of 5% and in a particularly advantageous manner, a maximum of 1%. A bearing for the wiper arm and/or the retention element can thereby advantageously be provided. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the bearing element be formed at least partially by a bearing pin. A rotational bearing of the retention unit can thereby advantageously be provided on the adapter element. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the retention element be constructed integrally with the bearing element. An advantageously simple construction can thereby be achieved. Furthermore, various types of wiper arms can be mounted on the adapter element. 
         [0020]    The bearing element is advantageously constructed as a separate component. The fact that the bearing element is “constructed as a separate component” is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the bearing element can be completely disassembled in particular in a non-destructive manner so that the bearing element is present individually as a separate component after disassembly. A high level of flexibility can thereby advantageously be allowed during assembly. Furthermore, various types of wiper arms can be mounted on the adapter element. 
         [0021]    It is further proposed that the retention element be connected to the wiper arm in a non-releasable manner. The fact that the retention element is “connected to the wiper arm in a non-releasable manner” is intended in particular to be understood to mean that the retention element in at least one pre-assembled state, in particular before the retention element is mounted on the adapter element, is secured to the wiper arm, in particular in a non-releasable manner without tools. The retention element is preferably engaged with the wiper arm and/or screwed to the wiper arm and/or riveted to the wiper arm and/or particularly advantageously integrally connected to the wiper arm, in particular formed on the wiper arm. An advantageously simple construction can thereby be achieved. Furthermore, various types of wiper arms can be mounted on the adapter element. 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the retention element be able to be connected to the wiper arm as a separate component. The fact that the retention element “can be connected to the wiper arm as a separate component” is intended to be understood in particular to mean that the wiper arm and the retention element are present as separate components prior to assembly in order to be connected to each other during the assembly operation, in particular with the additional action of other components, in particular the bearing element. A high level of flexibility can thereby advantageously be allowed during assembly. Furthermore, various types of wiper arms can be mounted on the adapter element. 
         [0023]    If the retention element has at least one recess for receiving the bearing element, a rotational support of the retention element on the adapter element can advantageously be provided. Preferably, the recess of the retention element is constructed as an inner recess, which in at least one assembled state is arranged in particular coaxially with respect to the recess of the side wall of the adapter element. Preferably, the recess of the retention element and the recess of the side wall are constructed identically to each other in terms of a cross-section. 
         [0024]    Advantageously, the retention element is provided to rotatably secure the wiper arm to the adapter element, at least in a positive-locking manner, in particular in cooperation with another component, preferably the bearing element. It is thereby possible to achieve an advantageous rotational support of the wiper arm on the adapter element. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the retention element have a catch element for connection to the wiper arm. The term “catch element” is intended in this context to be understood to refer in particular to an element which is provided to produce a catch connection in cooperation with another catch element. Preferably, the catch element is constructed as a catch projection, which in particular has a part-region, which is moved during a catch operation in a direction perpendicular relative to the wiper arm and/or changes an extent in a direction perpendicular relative to the wiper arm. In this instance, the wiper arm preferably has a catch element which is constructed as a recess. It is thereby possible to provide between the wiper arm and the retention element an advantageously simple connection which can in particular be released without tools. 
         [0026]    It is further proposed that the retention element have at least one outer face, which is at least partially adapted to a surface of the wiper arm. The term an “outer face” of the retention element is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a preferably smooth surface of the retention element, which is delimited particularly by edges, in particular also by slightly rounded edges, of the retention element. The fact that the outer face is “at least partially adapted to a surface of the wiper arm” is in particular intended to be understood to mean that the outer face is produced in such a manner that, in at least one assembled state, it is in abutment with a surface proportion of at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, preferably at least 70% and in a particularly advantageous manner at least 80%, of the surface of the wiper arm. A wobble-free wiper blade can thereby advantageously be provided. 
         [0027]    Advantageously, the outer face has at least one main curvature in at least one direction. The term a “main curvature” of the outer face is intended in this context to refer in particular to an extensive curvature, in particular in a region which is at least substantially spaced apart from an edge of the outer face. The term “extensive curvature” is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a curvature in a surface region which corresponds to at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, and particularly advantageously at least 50%, of an entire surface of the outer face. The term “region which is at least substantially spaced apart from an edge of the outer face” is intended in particular to be understood to refer to a region which has from the edge a spacing of at least 5%, in particular at least 10%, preferably at least 15% and in a particularly advantageous manner at least 20%, of a maximum extent of the outer face in a notional developed state. It is thereby possible to achieve an adaptation to a curvature of a conventional wiper arm, in particular a hooked wiper arm. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the wiper arm in at least one assembled state be retained between the retention element and the adapter element at least in a positive-locking manner. In particular in this case, the retention element is secured to the adapter element by means of the bearing element. The fact that the wiper arm in at least one assembled state “is retained between the retention element and the adapter element at least in a positive-locking manner” is in particular intended to be understood to mean that, in the assembled state, the wiper arm is arranged in at least one intermediate space between the retention element and the adapter element and in particular is retained in the intermediate space at least by means of a positive-locking connection, preferably by engaging behind the wiper arm, in particular behind at least a portion of the retention element. It is thereby possible to achieve an advantageous rotatable securing of the wiper arm to the adapter element. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the receiving region be formed so as to be at least partially open at a side facing away from the main component. The fact that the receiving region “is formed so as to be at least partially open” at one side is particularly intended to be understood to mean that at least one line which extends from at least one location of the receiving region and which is directed in the direction of the side exists and is free from intersection points with respect to a surface of the adapter element. Simple assembly may thereby be possible. Material can further be saved. 
         [0030]    In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the receiving region be formed so as to be at least partially open at a side opposite the other side wall. It is thereby possible to achieve an advantageous guiding of the wiper arm in the adapter element. 
         [0031]    If the adapter element has at least one fixing unit which is provided for a direct and secure connection with respect to a resilient strip of the wiper blade, an advantageously simple construction can be achieved. The fixing unit may be any fixing unit which appears to be advantageous to the person skilled in the art, but preferably a catch unit which has at least one catch element for producing a catch connection with the resilient strip. The term “direct and secure connection” of the fixing unit with respect to the resilient strip is particularly intended to be understood to be a connection in which the fixing unit is contacted directly with the resilient strip at a contact location of the resilient strip and translation and rotation of the fixing unit relative to the contact location are prevented. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, a wiper blade having a wiper blade device according to the invention, a wiper device having a wiper arm and the wiper blade and an adapter element and a retention element of a wiper blade device according to the invention are proposed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    Other advantages will be appreciated from the following description of the drawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also advantageously consider the features individually and combine them to form other advantageous combinations. 
           [0034]    In the drawings: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  shows three wiper devices in a disassembled state, each having different wiper arms and having wiper blades which can be connected to the wiper arms, wiper blade devices of the wiper blades each having a common identical adapter element, 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a vertical sectioned illustration of a portion of the first wiper device in an assembled state, 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a vertical sectioned illustration of a portion of the second wiper device in an assembled state, 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a portion of the third wiper device during an assembly step and 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a portion of the third wiper blade device in an assembled state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]      FIG. 1  is a general view of three wiper devices in a disassembled state. A first wiper device comprises a wiper arm  24  and a wiper blade  11 . A second wiper device has a wiper arm  26  and a wiper blade  12 . A third wiper device comprises a wiper arm  28  and a wiper blade  13 . The three wiper arms  24 ,  26 ,  28  are fundamentally different from each other. The three wiper arms  24 ,  26 ,  28  further constitute types of widely used and conventional wiper arms. Each of the wiper blades  11 ,  12 ,  13  comprises a wiper blade device. An adapter element  14  and a main component  10  which is constructed as a resilient strip  78  are common aspects of the three wiper blade devices. This means that in principle different types of wiper arms  24 ,  26 ,  28  can be assembled on one and the same adapter element  14 . To this end, only special retention elements  21 ,  22 ,  23  are required. The wiper blade device of the wiper blade  11  comprises the retention element  21 . The wiper blade device of the wiper blade  12  has the retention element  22 . The wiper blade device of the wiper blade  13  does not comprise any separate retention element. The retention element  23  of the wiper blade device of the wiper blade  13  is constructed integrally with the wiper arm  28 . The wiper blades  11 ,  12 ,  13  each further comprise a wiper strip which is not illustrated in the Figures and at least one spoiler element. 
         [0041]    The adapter element  14  is constructed in an integral manner. The adapter element  14  comprises a plastics material. The adapter element  14  is substantially constructed as a hollow parallelepiped whose upper side facing away from the main component  10  and a smallest side are constructed so as to be open. Two mutually opposed side walls  16 ,  18  of the adapter element  14 , which walls are adjacent to the upper side, delimit a receiving region  20  for at least one portion of the retention elements  21 ,  22 ,  23 . The side walls  16 ,  18  of the adapter element  14  each have a recess  34 ,  36  which is constructed as a bearing opening  30 ,  32  for a bearing element  38 ,  40 . The adapter element  14  comprises at least one other side wall  42 , which has a side face  44  facing the side walls  16 ,  18 . The other side wall  42  connects the side walls  16 ,  18 . The side face  44  is arranged at least substantially perpendicularly relative to a main extent plane  46  of the side walls  16 ,  18 . The side face  44  has in a direction  48  perpendicular relative to the upper side at least one main curvature. The main curvature is concave when viewed from a center of gravity  50  of the adapter element  14 . The side face  44  is at least partially at least substantially in the form of a portion of a cylinder covering surface (cf. also  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
         [0042]    The adapter element  14  can be securely connected to the main component  10 . To this end, the adapter element  14  comprises at least one fixing unit  76  which is provided for a direct and secure connection to the resilient strip  78 . 
         [0043]    The fixing unit  76  is arranged at a lower side of the adapter element  14  opposite the upper side. The fixing unit  76  has securing elements  80 , of which only one is designated in the Figures. The securing elements  80  are each arranged in a corner region of the adapter element  14 . The fixing unit  76  has four securing elements  80 . The securing elements  80  are constructed as catch hooks  82 , which at least partially engage around the resilient strip  78  in an assembled state and secure the adapter element  14  with engagement behind the resilient strip  78 . In an alternative configuration, any other fixing unit which appears to be advantageous to the person skilled in the art is also conceivable. In particular an adapter element may also be secured to a main component in a materially engaging manner, in particular by means of a welding operation. 
         [0044]    The wiper arm  24  is bent over in a U-like manner at the end  84  thereof facing the wiper blade  11  in an assembled state so that a hook is formed at the end  84 . The retention element  21  is required to assemble the wiper arm  24  on the adapter element  14 . The retention element  21  is provided to rotatably secure the wiper arm  24  to the adapter element  14  in a positive-locking manner. The retention element  21  is constructed as a separate component  62 . The retention element  21  comprises a plastics material. The retention element  21  is constructed in a substantially parallelepipedal manner, a smallest surface of the parallelepiped being curved outwards in the manner of a cylinder covering surface. The retention element  21  is constructed in such a manner that it can be introduced precisely and substantially in a wobble-free manner into the U-shaped end  84  of the wiper arm  24  (cf.  FIG. 2 ). In the assembled state, the retention element  21  is accordingly surrounded by the wiper arm  24 . The retention element  21  comprises at least one outer face  72 , which is adapted at least partially to a surface  74  of the wiper arm  24  and in the assembled state is in direct abutment therewith. The outer face  72  has, when viewed in the assembled state, a main curvature in the direction  48 . Furthermore, the retention element  21  comprises a recess  66  for the bearing element  38 . The recess  66  extends completely through the retention element  21 . The recess  66  is arranged parallel with the surface which is curved in the manner of a cylinder covering surface. 
         [0045]    The bearing element  38  is at least partially formed by a bearing pin  56 . The bearing element  38  is constructed as a separate component  60 . The bearing element  38  is constructed at least substantially in a cylindrical manner. The bearing element  38  comprises a metal, preferably high-grade steel. In the assembled state, the bearing element  38  is inserted through the recesses  34 ,  36  of the side walls  16 ,  18  of the adapter element  14  and through the recess  66  of the retention element  21 . The bearing element  38  has at each of the two ends thereof a recess  86 ,  88  which is arranged perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal extent of the bearing element  38 . The bearing element  38  is secured in the assembled state by means of curved resilient members  90 , with a curved resilient member  90  being inserted in each case in one of the recesses  86 ,  88 . Alternatively, there may be provided at one end of a bearing element a thickened portion which prevents the bearing element from sliding through the recess  34 ,  36 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is a vertical section through the first wiper device in the assembled state. The wiper arm  24  is retained in a positive-locking manner between the retention element  21  and the adapter element  14 . To this end, the side face  44  is configured in such a manner that at least one surface  52  of the wiper arm  24  in the assembled state at least partially abuts the side face  44 , and in particular regardless of a rotational position of the wiper arm  24  relative to the adapter element  14 . 
         [0047]    The wiper arm  26  has, at the end  92  thereof facing the wiper blade  12  in an assembled state, a receiving region  94  which is open in the direction of the wiper blade  12  and which is delimited by two mutually parallel walls  96 ,  98  and, at a side facing away from the wiper blade  12 , a covering surface  100  (cf.  FIG. 1 ). The wiper arm  26  has in the covering surface  100  a catch recess  102 . The retention element  22  is required to assemble the wiper arm  26  on the adapter element  14 . The retention element  22  is provided to rotatably secure the wiper arm  26  to the adapter element  14  in a positive-locking manner. The retention element  22  is constructed as a separate component  64 . The retention element  22  comprises a plastics material. The retention element  22  is constructed as a sleeve which is open in the assembled state at a side facing the main component  10  (cf. also  FIG. 3 ). The retention element  22  has an abutment region  104  for the wiper arm  26 . The abutment region  104  does not fit precisely in the receiving region  94  of the wiper arm  26 . In the abutment region  104 , the retention element  22  has a catch element  70 . The catch element  70  is constructed as a catch hook  106 , which is provided to form a catch connection with the catch recess  102  of the wiper arm  26  (cf. also  FIG. 3 ). The abutment region  104  comprises at each of the two sides a receiving member  112  which corresponds to recesses  108 ,  110  in the walls  96 ,  98 , only one receiving member  112  being able to be seen in  FIG. 1 , whereby, in the assembled state, in cooperation with the catch connection between the catch hook  106  and the catch recess  102 , a secure positive-locking connection between the wiper arm  26  and the retention element  22  is produced. 
         [0048]    Adjoining the abutment region  104 , the retention element  22  has a bearing region  114  which is contacted in the assembled state at least partially with the side face  44  (cf.  FIG. 3 ). The bearing region  114  has a surface  54  which is constructed at least partially in the form of a cylinder covering surface. Furthermore, the retention element  22  comprises two identical, coaxially arranged recesses  68 ,  69  for the bearing element  38 , of which only one can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The recesses  68 ,  69  extend through the retention element  22  completely. In a similar manner to the last embodiment, in the assembled state, the bearing element  38  is inserted through the recesses  34 ,  36  of the side walls  16 ,  18  of the adapter element  14  and the recesses  68 ,  69  of the retention element  22 . A securing operation of the bearing element  38  is carried out in the manner already described. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a vertical section through the second wiper device in the assembled state. The side face  44  is constructed in such a manner that the surface  54  of the retention element  22  at least partially abuts the side face  44 , in particular regardless of a rotational position of the wiper arm  26  relative to the adapter element  14 . 
         [0050]    The retention element  23  is formed-on at an end  116  of the wiper arm  28  facing the wiper blade  13  in an assembled state, and is consequently connected to the wiper arm  28  in a non-releasable manner (cf.  FIG. 1 ). In this instance, the retention element  23  is constructed in an integral manner with the bearing element  40 . The bearing element  40  is at least partially formed by a bearing pin  58 . The bearing element  40  is first constructed in a substantially cylindrical manner. The wiper arm  28  comprises at the end  116  thereof two mutually opposing stop faces  118 ,  120 . The stop faces  118 ,  120  are formed on the wiper arm  28 . The retention element  23  is formed on the stop face  118 . A longitudinal extent direction of the retention element  23  is arranged perpendicularly relative to the stop face  118 . The stop faces  118 ,  120  are arranged substantially parallel with each other. A mutual spacing of the stop faces  118 ,  120  is slightly larger than a width of the adapter element  14  so that it fits between both (cf.  FIG. 5 ). The stop face  120  is arranged on an engagement element  122  which is formed on the wiper arm  28 . A main extent plane of the engagement element  122  is arranged substantially perpendicularly relative to the stop faces  118 ,  120  and parallel with the longitudinal extent direction of the retention element  23 . 
         [0051]    The retention element  23  is provided to rotatably secure the wiper arm  28  to the adapter element  14  in a positive-locking manner. In the assembled state, the adapter element  14  is retained between the stop faces  118 ,  120  in a positive-locking manner. The retention element  23  is rotatably supported in the recesses  34 ,  36  of the side walls  16 ,  18  of the adapter element  14 . The stop faces  118 ,  120  produce a fixing of the wiper arm  28  to the adapter element  14  in a direction parallel with the longitudinal extent direction of the retention element  23 . As a result of the retention element  23  being supported in the recesses  34 ,  36 , fixing of the wiper arm  28  to the adapter element  14  in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of the retention element  23  results. In the assembled state, the engagement element  122  spans the open upper side of the adapter element  14 . The wiper arm  28  can be rotated within given limits relative to the adapter element  14  without a positive-locking connection between the wiper arm  28  and the adapter element  14  being disengaged. In comparison with the preceding embodiments, a substantially smaller number of individual components results.

Technology Category: b