CN100584673C - Device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm of a windscreen wiper - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for the articulated connection of a wiper blade (14) to a wiper arm (12) of a windscreen wiper, comprising a connecting element (52, 84, 100) which is fixedly connected to the wiper arm and an engaging element (24) which is fixedly connected to a carrier of the wiper blade and which carries a bearing element which forms a pivot bearing with a bearing element on an adapter made of plastic, which is fixed in the contour of the connecting element which is open toward the engaging element by means of a latching means and an attachment means. It is proposed that the connecting element is a substantially rectangular hollow body which is open on the side facing the joining element and on which fastening elements are molded which cover the longitudinal sides and are fastened to the ends of the wiper arm; at least the end walls and the top wall of the connecting element are substantially closed, and the device has a cover which is connected to the adapter or to the connecting element via the side walls and covers the associated longitudinal side of the connecting element and extends at least partially over the top wall of the connecting element.

Description

The device that articulately connects the wiper blade to the wiper arm of the windshield wiper

technical field

The invention relates to a device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm of a windscreen wiper.

Background technique

Such a device is known from WO 02/40328 A1. The device comprises a joining element in the form of a steel clamp, a plastic adapter and a connecting element fixedly connected to the wiper arm. The joining component is fastened to the carrier of the wiper blade in the form of two parallel elastic rails by means of clips and/or welding. The support part has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, wherein the side walls are bent from the support part by approximately 90°, starting from the base part adjoining the support part. An opening is provided in the side wall, into which the bearing bolt is inserted in a rotationally fixed manner. The adapter, which is guided laterally between the side walls of the joint member, is rotatably supported on the bearing bolt via the hub. The adapter has latching means and fastening means, by means of which the adapter engages in a contour of the connecting component that is open towards the wiper blade. In the assembled state, the connecting member overlaps from the outside to the side walls of the adapter and the joining member. In the event of a relative movement between the wiper arm and the wiper blade during wiping, contact may occur between the inner side of the connecting member and the outer side of the engagement member. Since these two parts are usually made of metal, in this case friction is increased which can impair the corrosion protection.

An earlier patent application DE 103 47 637.1 proposed a similar arrangement for the articulated connection of the wiper blade to the wiper arm. In this case, the joining component in the form of a sheet metal clamp has a central longitudinal plate which points outwards from the carrier of the wiper blade and into which a transversely extending axis of rotation is inserted in a rotationally fixed manner. The adapter is mounted rotatably via bearing bores provided in lateral reeds on a pivot shaft protruding free from both sides of the longitudinal plate. The adapter part made of plastic surrounds the sheet steel clip from the outside and snaps into a connecting part open towards the wiper and which is fixedly connected to the wiper arm by means of latching parts and fastening parts. On the one hand, the adapter is guided laterally on the sheet metal clamp by means of the inner guide plate, and on the other hand it is inserted into the connecting component without play on its side walls. The plastic adapter thus decouples the connecting component from the joining component, so that good corrosion resistance and low frictional losses are ensured.

Contents of the invention

According to the invention, the connecting element is a substantially rectangular (quaderfoermig) hollow body which is open on the side facing the joining element and has fastening elements molded on its longitudinal side. The fastening element covers the longitudinal sides of the rectangular hollow body and is fastened to the end of the wiper arm. In addition, at least the end wall and the top wall of the connecting element are substantially closed, wherein the device has a cover, which is connected to the adapter or to the connecting element via the side walls and covers the associated parts of the connecting element. The longitudinal side extends at least partially on the top wall of the connecting member. The adapter is inserted into the rectangular hollow body, which has a precisely fitting rectangular outer contour and surrounds the joining element from the outside, so that the adapter is guided practically without play in the connecting element and will be driven by the wiper The force exerted by the arm is efficiently transferred to the wiper blade.

In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal side facing the fastening element is open. Here expediently at least one fixing element is arranged, but preferably two fixing elements are arranged in the form of two side brackets (Seitenwinkel), which are mounted on the end walls of the connecting element, wherein the side brackets are located in the open longitudinal In the plane of the side, the locking element on the secondary longitudinal side of the adapter can thus be locked on the side bracket. On the opposite longitudinal side, the adapter part rests against a fastening bracket, which at the same time fixes the adapter part with its straightened end in the direction of the wiper blade. Wherein, the fixing bracket can surround the lower edge of the adapter, or be embedded in the groove of the adapter.

The open longitudinal side of the connecting element is thus closed by the associated longitudinal wall of the adapter part. The open longitudinal side of the connecting element facilitates the handling of the latching part of the adapter part during detachment. Furthermore, the device according to the invention enables an advantageous connection of the wiper arm to the wiper blade, in particular in the region of the upper top wall of the connecting component and in the region of the end wall of the connecting component facing away from the wiper arm. . These areas are of particular importance when the windscreen wipers are moving downwards, since there is the danger due to the water flow that residual rainwater is returned by the windscreen wipers to the already wiped windscreen of the vehicle. This disadvantage can be eliminated by the free design of the device according to the invention. This advantageously avoids dead spaces in which residual rainwater can collect when it rains. In addition, it is also suitable to arrange a spoiler on the top wall of the connecting member. The glass guides away, so that the rainwater carried away by the water flow does not fall on the windshield of the car.

The spoiler element can be an integral part of the top wall of the connecting element, but can also be molded on a cover which, for example, covers the open longitudinal sides of the connecting element for appearance reasons and thus covers the suitable Snap locks on accessories. The cover therefore simultaneously assumes a structural function. The cover can be fixed either to the connection member or to the adapter, for example by snapping onto side brackets of the connection member, or by locking pins in locking holes of the adapter. Furthermore, the cover can be rotatably connected via a hinge to the side brackets of the connecting element or to the adapter. In this case, the cover snaps into latches on the connecting component in the closed state.

In addition to its structural function, the cover also has a hydrodynamic function and a fixing function. In the first case, the cover at least partially overlaps the top wall of the connecting component, wherein the overlapping part of the cover is configured as a flow spoiler or carries a separate flow spoiler. As a result, the spoiler function of the wiper blade spoiler is supported, and the driving wind in the area of the device according to the invention is guided away by the windshield of the motor vehicle. This avoids, or at least reduces, the introduction of water back onto the already wiped automotive glass when the windshield wipers move downward. If the cover is fastened to the adapter by its side walls, it also acts as a fastening clip, securing the adapter and connecting element together.

At least one latching element, preferably two latching elements, is arranged on a longitudinal side of the adapter part. These locking elements are covered outwards by the cover. In order to be able to actuate the catch for removal when the cover is closed, a button is provided on the cover, which acts on the catch and releases it when actuated.

The button can also be arranged on the end face of the adapter and snap into a button opening in the end wall of the connecting component. The button simultaneously assumes the function of the locking element. Attached to the opposite end wall of the connecting element is a fastening bracket, which engages the adapter with its straightened end from below and fixes it in the direction of the wiper blade.

The joining component on which the adapter part is rotatably mounted expediently has, on its longitudinal sides, each side plate extending from the base part, which is aligned with the adapter part. The side plates are connected to each other by bushings in which pivot pins are rotatably mounted. This structure forms a wide support base and thus provides good lateral guidance of the wiper blade. The pivot pin is expediently connected at its end to the adapter part in a rotationally fixed manner, for example by a press fit or advantageously by a form fit, ie a form fit component is provided at its end. This can be, for example, a crenellated connection or a polygonal cross section.

Description of drawings

Other advantages can be obtained from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The figures illustrate some embodiments of the invention. The drawings, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art can also rationally examine these features individually and group them into useful other combinations.

The accompanying drawings show:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the installed device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cover shown in Figure 2 from another direction;

A variant of Fig. 4 Fig. 1;

Exploded view of the modification scheme of Fig. 5 Fig. 4;

FIG. 6 Variant of FIG. 1 with a cover that can be put on.

Detailed ways

Wiper blade 14 is articulatedly connected to wiper arm 12 via device 10 . The wiper blade 14 comprises a wiper strip 18 and a support part 20 in the form of two parallel elastic rails to which a spoiler 16 is fastened. In the window 22 of the spoiler 16 , the engagement member 24 is fixedly connected to the support 20 . This can be accomplished by welding and/or clips 28 .

The engagement member 24 has a base plate on which the clip 28 is molded and from which protrudes a side plate 30 extending from the support 20 bent at approximately 90° relative to the base plate 26 . The side plate 30 bears a bushing 32 . A pivot pin 34 is rotatably mounted in the bushing. The end of the pivot pin 34 protrudes laterally from the bushing 32 and has form-fit elements 36 by means of which the pivot pin 34 is inserted in a rotationally fixed manner into a bore 46 of the adapter part 38 .

The adapter part 38 has a rectangular outer contour. On one longitudinal side, two latching elements 40 in the form of tongues are arranged, which have latching lugs 42 . From the side of the wiper blade 14 , the adapter is inserted into the connecting component 52 , which has a substantially rectangular hollow body and rests with its inner contour on the outer contour of the adapter 38 with a precise fit. The connecting member 52 is closed at its top wall 58 and its end walls 54 and 56 . A fastening element 60 is integrally formed on one longitudinal side of the connecting component 52 , which covers the longitudinal side and which is fixedly connected at one end to the wiper arm 12 . On the longitudinal sides, a fastening bracket 64 is arranged on the top wall 58 , which is designed to be bent outwards and fastens the adapter part 38 against the wiper blade 14 . To this end, the fastening bracket 64 engages in a corresponding recess of the adapter part 38 or surrounds the lower edge of the adapter part 38 . The longitudinal side opposite the fastener 60 can be closed, but it is open in the illustrated embodiment. On said longitudinal side, the connecting member 58 has two side brackets 62, which respectively protrude from the end walls 54, 56, on which the locking lugs 42 of the locking element 40 engage when assembled. On the bracket and against its stop surface 44 . During disassembly, the detent lugs 42 can be pressed back inwards, so that the adapter part 38 is removed from the connection part 52 . The retaining bracket 64 can be pressed back outwardly through the opening 66 in the fastener 60 if desired.

The fastener 60 latches flush with the top wall 58 so there is no chance of water collecting on the transition zone. Furthermore, the fastening element 60 is rounded towards the front end wall 54 so that the air flow is diverted in the direction of the spoiler 16 so that water is prevented from being carried back onto the wiped windshield of the motor vehicle. In addition, a spoiler 70 may be provided on the top wall 58 of the connecting member 52 , and the spoiler may be fixedly connected to the top wall 58 as a separate component, or be an integral part of the connecting member 52 . On the one hand, the turbulence effect of the spoiler 16 is supported by this spoiler member 70, and on the other hand, the airflow is diverted away from the windshield of the car, so that the situation that water is drawn back on the windshield of the car is weakened .

The spoiler element 70 can also be part of a cover 68 which is connected to the adapter part 38 or to the connection element 52 . For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 , two locking pins 74 are provided on a side wall 72 of the cover 68 , which engage in the two locking holes 48 of the adapter part 38 . This is done after the adapter 38 has been placed in the connecting member 52, so that the side wall 72 of the cover 68 covers the latch 40 of the adapter 38, and the spoiler 70 at least partially covers the connecting member. 52 of the top wall 58 . The cover 68 thus assumes, in addition to its structural and flow-guiding function, the securing function of the adapter part 38 relative to the connecting component 52 . The locking pin 74 can be inserted into the locking hole 48 through the open longitudinal side of the connection member 52 . In the case of closed longitudinal sides, openings corresponding to the locking pins 74 can be provided in the side walls of the connecting member 52 . In the region of the side brackets 62 of the connecting member 52 , the cover 68 has corresponding recesses 76 . In order to connect the cover 68 to the connection member 52 it is advantageous to snap the cover 68 onto the side bracket 62 .

In order to actuate the catch 40 on the side wall 50 of the adapter part 38 , the cover 68 can have a button 78 which is actuated from the outside and acts on the catch 40 ( FIG. 4 ). When the cover 68 is connected with the connection member 52, the button 78 can be arranged on the adapter 38, and the button 78 can be inserted into the corresponding opening of the subordinate side wall of the cover 68 and/or the connection member 52 to bear the card. The function of the lock.

The locking elements 40 on the longitudinal sides of the adapter part 38 can be replaced or supplemented by buttons 82 on the end faces of the adapter part 38 (FIG. 5). The button engages in a corresponding button opening 86 in the associated end wall 54 of the connecting element 84 , while on the opposite end wall 56 there is provided a fastening bracket 90 which engages the adapter part 80 from below. , or embedded into the corresponding groove of the adapter 80. Towards the open longitudinal side, the connecting element 84 then has a side bracket 88 which guides the adapter part 80 on this longitudinal side.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the cover 102 with the spoiler member 110 is mounted rotatably on the adapter part 38, 80 or the connection member 100 about the hinge 106 in the direction of the arrow 108, for example at on the side bracket 104. The connecting member 100 has a latch 112 on its top wall or on its longitudinal wall, by which the cover 102 is locked in a closed state.

Claims (17)

1. A device (10) for hingedly connecting a wiper blade (14) to a wiper arm (12) of a windshield wiper, the device comprising a connecting member fixedly connected to the wiper arm (12) ( 52, 84, 100) and an engaging member (24) fixedly connected to the support (20) of the wiper blade (14), which supports the bearing member (32), which is made of plastic The bearing member (34) on the fitting (38, 80) constitutes a turntable bearing, wherein said fitting (38, 80) is at the profile of the connecting member (52, 84, 100) open towards the engagement member (24) The inside is fixed by locking pieces (40, 78, 82) and fixing pieces (62, 64, 86, 90, 104), characterized in that the connecting member (52, 84, 100) is a rectangular hollow body, The hollow body is open on the side facing the joint member (24), and on the longitudinal side of the hollow body, a fastener (60) is molded, which covers the longitudinal side and is fixed on the scraper. on the end of the water arm (12); and at least the end walls (54, 56) and the top wall (58) of the connecting member (52, 84, 100) are closed, wherein the device has a cover (68, 102), the cover is connected to the adapter (38, 80) or to the connecting member (52, 84, 100) through the side wall (72), and covers the subordinate longitudinal The sides extend at least partially over the top wall (58) of the connecting member (52, 84, 100). 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter part (38, 80) has a rectangular outer contour and surrounds the joining element (24) on the outside, wherein the adapter part (38, 80) 80) can be inserted into the connecting element (52, 84, 100) from the side of the wiper blade (14), and has at least one locking part (40) with locking lugs (42) on the longitudinal side, The locking part is locked on the fixing part (62) on the subordinate open longitudinal side of the connection element (52, 84, 100), while on the longitudinal side lying opposite, the fixing bracket (64) holds the adapter part (38,80) are fixed towards the wiper blade (14). 3. The device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the two locking elements (40) cooperate with two fixing elements in the form of two side brackets (62), the two fixing elements Arranged on the end walls (54, 56) of the connecting member (52). 4. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint elements (24) emanating from the bottom part (26) each have side panels (30) on their longitudinal sides, the side panels The adapters (38, 80) are aligned and connected to each other by bushings (32) in which a pivot pin (34) is rotatably mounted. 5. The device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pin (34) is connected at its end in a rotationally fixed manner to the side wall (50) of the adapter part (38, 80). 6. The device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot pin (34) has a form-fitting component (36) at its end, which engages and/or presses into the fitting In the opening (46) of the side wall (50) of the member (38). 7. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a spoiler (70, 110) is provided on the top wall (58) of the connecting member (52, 84, 100), the spoiler The flow member extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade (14). 8. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (68) has inwardly oriented locking pins (74) on its side walls (72), which engage in suitable into the locking hole (48) of the accessory (38). 9. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (68) snaps onto a side bracket (62) of the connection element (52). 10. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (102) is rotatably connected to the side bracket (104) of the connecting member (100) through a hinge (106), and is connected by The locking mechanism (112) on the top wall (58) is locked with the connecting member (100). 11. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side wall (72) of the cover (68) is connected to the longitudinal side of the adapter (38, 80) via a hinge (106). The fitting is connected and locked with the connecting member (100) on the top wall (58) by a locking mechanism (112). 12. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover (68) has a button (78) on the longitudinal side, by means of which the latch can be released (40). 13 . The device ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that a spoiler element ( 70 , 110 ) is molded onto the cover ( 68 , 102 ). 14. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the adapter (80) has a button (82) on the end face, which snaps into place on the connecting member (84) in the button opening (86) in the end wall (54, 56), and the adapter is fixed on the opposite end face (54, 56) by the fixing bracket (90) of the connecting member (84) . 15. Wiper blade (14) having an engagement member (24) for use in a device (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11. 16. Wiper arm (12) with connecting member (52, 84, 100) for use in a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11. 17. Adapter (38, 80) having latching means (40, 78, 82) and openings (46) in its longitudinal wall for use in a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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