Windshield wiper system having a multi-part adapter device for producing a fluid-conducting connection

Abstract

A windshield wiper system is disclosed, comprising a wiper arm and a wiper blade connectable to the wiper arm, wherein the wiper blade has a wiper strip inserted into an adapter device, wherein a connecting element can be connected to the adapter device and has a locking spring on a side facing away from the adapter device, wherein the wiper arm can be pushed onto the connecting element arranged in an assembly position at an end side and can be locked on the connecting element by the locking spring, wherein the wiper arm has at least one water line, which merges at the end side of the wiper arm in a longitudinal direction, wherein the adapter device has a lower adapter unit for accommodating the wiper strip and an upper adapter unit for accommodating the connecting element and for accommodating the water line laterally at the end side, wherein the upper adapter unit can be connected to the lower adapter unit, and wherein the upper adapter unit is provided for forming a fluid-conducting connection between the water line and the lower adapter unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper system according to the invention. Background Art

[0002] Windshield wipers are used to clean water, dirt and snow on the windshield of a vehicle to provide the driver with an optimal view. Usually, by applying a spray nozzle, windshield wiper liquid can dissolve the dirt and thus more effectively remove the dirt by means of windshield wipers.

[0003] Modern windshield wipers may have integrated spray nozzles for windshield washer fluid, which ensure optimal cleaning of the windshield without significantly restricting the driver's field of vision. These windshield wipers typically have multiple components. Due to the large number of components, the manufacture and assembly of these windshield wipers can be complex and prone to errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a windshield wiper system that is simple to produce and assemble.

[0005] This object is achieved by means of the subject matter of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the present invention.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a windshield wiper system is provided. The windshield wiper system includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade connectable to the wiper arm. The wiper blade includes a wiper strip inserted into an adapter device. When the windshield wiper system is installed in a vehicle, the wiper strip can be pressed against the vehicle's windshield and used to clean the windshield.

[0007] The connecting element can be connected to the adapter device and has a locking spring on the side facing away from the adapter device. The wiper arm can be pushed onto the connecting element arranged in the assembly position at the end and can be locked on the connecting element by the locking spring.

[0008] The connecting element thus serves as a receiving device for the wiper arm. The wiper arm can preferably be made of a metallic material and have, for example, a rectangular cross-section that corresponds to the outer contour of the connecting element. The connecting element can thus serve as a guide rail for the end section of the wiper arm. The wiper arm has at least one water line that flows into the end of the wiper arm in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] The adapter device comprises a lower adapter unit for accommodating a wiper strip and an upper adapter unit for accommodating a connecting element and accommodating a water line at the end. The upper adapter unit can be connected to the lower adapter unit. For example, the upper adapter unit can be rotatably connected to the lower adapter unit. In particular, the upper adapter unit is configured to form a fluid-carrying connection between the water line and the lower adapter unit.

[0010] The two-part design of the adapter device allows the functional decoupling of the connection of the water-carrying lines between the wiper arm and the water nozzles of the wiper blade. The upper adapter unit enables the mechanical connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade. Here, too, the water lines of the wiper arm are coupled at the end via the upper adapter unit.

[0011] The lower adapter unit establishes a fluid-carrying connection to at least one water nozzle of the wiper blade. Since the upper adapter unit is rotatably connected to the lower adapter unit, they form a rotatable joint, so that the upper adapter unit can be tilted relative to the lower adapter unit. This puts the wiper blade into an operating position in which there is no longer a distance between the upper adapter unit and the lower adapter unit. In this operating position, a fluid-tight connection is formed between the upper adapter unit and the lower adapter unit.

[0012] When assembling the windshield wiper system, a mechanical connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade can be established in a first step by inserting the wiper arm at the end and latching it onto the connecting element. The connecting element can be connected to the upper adapter unit in such a way that it at least partially laterally surrounds the upper adapter unit. The side surfaces of the upper adapter unit are thus oriented toward the interior volume of the end face of the wiper arm. If the wiper arm is pushed onto the connecting element connected to the upper adapter unit at the end face, the side surfaces can close off the interior volume of the wiper arm at the end face. Inserting the wiper arm also pushes the water line into the correspondingly shaped fluid channel and seals it fluid-tightly. This can be achieved, for example, by a friction-locking connection between the water line and the fluid channel.

[0013] In a second step, the wiper arm can be tilted onto the lower adapter unit or pressed toward the lower adapter unit, whereby the adapter units are pressed against each other in a form-fitting manner and connected to each other. The upper adapter unit can be locked to the lower adapter unit in the operating position, for example, by a releasable latching connection.

[0014] The lower adapter unit is designed in such a way that it can simultaneously accommodate the wiper blade, the reinforcement of the wiper blade and the upper adapter unit together with the connecting element for articulating the wiper arm. Thus, other components for the design of the windshield wiper system can be saved.

[0015] The adapter unit can be made, for example, of plastic, metal, composite materials and the like.

[0016] According to the so-called top-lock principle (Top-Lock Prinzip), the wiper arm can be moved via a connecting element and locked by a locking spring. To this end, the wiper arm is hollow at least at the end, so that the locking element can extend into the interior of the wiper arm. The wiper arm preferably has at least one opening into which the locking spring can extend when the wiper arm is connected. The wiper arm can only be released after the locking spring is actuated or pressed through the at least one opening. However, the wiper arm can only be inserted and locked to the locking element when the locking element, together with the upper adapter unit, is arranged in the assembly position relative to the lower adapter unit. To this end, the wiper arm can be pivoted relative to the wiper blade at a defined angle, such as 30°-45°.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the upper adapter unit has a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channel is arcuate and connects the side surface to the bottom surface in a fluid-conducting manner. The upper adapter unit can thus be used to connect the water line to the fluid channel at the side end and to redirect the water guide toward the lower adapter unit. This simplifies the assembly of the windshield wiper system because the mechanical connection of the wiper arm is realized separately from the fluid-conducting connection of the wiper blade.

[0018] The wiper blade can have one or more water nozzles. For example, the wiper blade can have a water nozzle on each end, which is pointed toward the adapter unit. The water nozzles can be connected to the fluid channels of the lower adapter unit via other fluid channels, such as within a reinforcement element or a spoiler.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the lower adapter unit has a fluid connection that can be connected to the fluid channel on the bottom side of the upper adapter unit. The fluid connection can extend toward the upper adapter unit and be positioned so that when the upper adapter unit is pressed onto the lower adapter unit, the fluid connection extends into the fluid channel of the upper adapter unit and forms a fluid-tight connection. This ensures an optimal connection between the fluid channels of the two adapter units.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the connecting element can be connected to the upper adapter unit. The connecting element can be pivoted together with the upper adapter unit relative to the lower adapter unit in the assembled position. Or relative to the rotation of the lower The connector unit is pivoted into the operating position , wherein the fluid channel of the upper adapter unit is coupled in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid connection of the lower adapter unit in the operating position. Since the connecting element is connected to the upper adapter unit of the adapter device, the entire wiper blade can be rotated or pivoted relative to the wiper arm at the connection between the two adapter units.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the upper adapter unit can be locked to the lower adapter unit in the operating position. Preferably, the lower adapter unit can have a releasable latching connection into which the upper adapter unit can at least partially extend and latch in a form-fitting manner. The latching connection can be designed, for example, as a spring section that can be released by a lever. This allows the upper adapter unit to be technically easily latched to the lower adapter unit. The latching prevents the wiper blade from unintentionally leaving the operating position.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the lower adapter unit has a locking tab, wherein the locking tab is provided to prevent relative movement between the wiper arm and the lower adapter unit when arranged in the operating position. To this end, the wiper arm can have recesses or projections that interact with the locking tabs of the lower adapter unit. Because the wiper arm cannot be spaced apart or rotated from the wiper blade in the operating position due to the locking between the adapter units, the locking tabs prevent longitudinal movement of the wiper arm in addition to the locking spring. This provides a redundant safety mechanism to prevent the wiper blade from accidentally coming loose from the wiper arm during operation.

[0023] Depending on the viewing angle, the operating position can be assumed or adjusted by the wiper arm or by the wiper blade. In particular, in the case of windshield wiper systems mounted on a vehicle, the operating position and the installed position can be adjusted by pivoting or rotating the wiper blade, since the wiper arm is fixedly mounted on the vehicle. If the windshield wiper system is viewed in a disassembled state, the operating position or the installed position can also be adjusted by the wiper arm.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the fluid connection is arranged on the upper side of the lower adapter unit and merges into the fluid channel of the lower adapter unit. The fluid channel of the lower adapter unit can preferably be connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the water nozzle of the wiper blade, whereby the fluid connection can also be connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the water nozzle. Thus, when the wiper blade is placed in the operating position and the connection between the adapter units is closed, a fluid-conducting connection can be formed between the water line of the wiper arm and the water nozzle.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the fluid channel of the lower adapter unit is designed in a T-shape. The respective ends of the fluid channel are designed as fluid plugs, which are oriented in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction and into which the fluid channel merges at the end. The fluid plugs are provided to establish a fluid-carrying connection with the fluid channel of the spoiler. This allows windshield washer fluid to be distributed bidirectionally through the lower adapter unit, thereby evenly supplying windshield washer fluid to multiple water nozzles distributed in the longitudinal direction along the wiper blade.

[0026] According to another embodiment, in the operating position, the upper adapter unit forms a fluid-conducting connection between the water line and the fluid channel of the lower adapter unit. By adjusting the operating position, a fluid-conducting connection can be established between the water line and the water nozzle of the wiper arm. This fluid-conducting connection can be provided as a second assembly step, after forming the mechanical connection between the wiper arm and the upper adapter unit.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the fluid channel of the lower adapter unit can be connected to at least one water nozzle in the longitudinal direction via the fluid channel of the spoiler. Thus, the spoilers arranged on both sides of the lower adapter unit on the wiper blade can be used to transport windshield washer fluid to the water nozzle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below with the aid of a very simplified schematic diagram.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a windshield wiper system according to one embodiment,

[0030] Figure 2-11 A schematic diagram for explaining the assembly of a wiper blade of a windshield wiper system is shown.

[0031] Figure 12-17 A schematic diagram for explaining the assembly of a wiper arm of a windshield wiper system is shown, and

[0032] Figures 18 to 19A detailed view is shown to illustrate the additional fastening of the wiper arm to the adapter device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] exist Figure 1 is a perspective view of a windshield wiper system 1 according to one embodiment. The windshield wiper system 1 comprises a wiper blade 2 and a wiper arm 4 .

[0034] The wiper blade 2 has a wiper strip 6 that is mechanically stabilized by spoilers 8, 9. The wiper strip 6 is preferably made of an elastic material and serves to clean the windshield. According to this embodiment, the wiper blade 2 has two spoilers 8, 9.

[0035] The wiper blade 2 has an adapter device 10. A spoiler 8, 9 is arranged on each side of the adapter device 10 in the longitudinal direction L. The adapter device 10 is designed in two parts and has an upper adapter unit 12 and a lower adapter unit 13. The adapter units 12, 13 are rotatably connected to each other via a rotation pin 14. Alternatively, the adapter units 12, 13 can also be mechanically connected to each other without the rotational connection 14.

[0036] The connecting element 16 is arranged on the upper adapter unit 12. The connecting element 16 is connected to the upper adapter unit 12 in a form-fitting manner via a latching connection. The connecting element 16 serves to accommodate the wiper arm 4 at the end, which is connected to the connecting element 16 by means of a locking spring 18.

[0037] A water line 19 extends through the wiper arm 4. The adapter device 10 is provided for producing a detachable connection between the water line 19 and a water nozzle 22 of the wiper blade 2. The water line 19 is used to provide windshield washer fluid.

[0038] The wiper blade 2 is closed at the end sides in the longitudinal direction L by a respective closure cap 20 . The closure cap 20 is designed as an extension of the spoiler 8 , 9 .

[0039] The water line 19 is releasably guided via the wiper arm 4 and through the adapter device 10. The spoilers 8, 9 have a fluid channel 24, which is fluidically connected to the water line 19 via the adapter device 10. The fluid channel 24 extends over the entire length of the spoilers 8, 9 into the closure cap 20. The closure cap 20 also has a fluid channel 26, which deflects the windshield washer fluid and guides it to the water nozzle 22. The water nozzle 22 points in the direction of the adapter device 10.

[0040] The arrows schematically illustrate the flow of water along the wiper arm 4 and through the wiper blade 2 .

[0041] exist Figures 2 to 112 shows a schematic diagram for explaining the assembly of the wiper blade 2 of the windshield wiper system 1 .

[0042] In passing Figure 2 In a first step, the lower adapter unit 13 is provided. A reinforcement strip 28 is inserted into the lower adapter unit 13 in the longitudinal direction L. The reinforcement strip 28 serves to mechanically support the wiper strip 6. To this end, the wiper strip 6 is coupled to the reinforcement strip 28 via the spoilers 8, 9.

[0043] The lower adapter unit 13 has a lead-through 30 for receiving the reinforcement strip 28. Furthermore, a second lead-through 32 is provided parallel to the lead-through 30 for partially receiving the wiper strip 6. Figure 4 The side view of the adapter unit 13 in the lower center shows the leadthroughs 30 , 32 .

[0044] The lower adapter unit 13 also has a hole 34 for receiving the rotation pin 14. A fluid connection 38 is arranged on the upper surface 36 of the lower adapter unit 13, which projects beyond the upper surface 36 and forms the upper end of a T-shaped fluid channel. The two other ends of the T-shaped fluid channel are formed by fluid plugs 40 pointing in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction L.

[0045] Furthermore, the lower adapter unit 13 has two locking tabs 42 and a releasable latching connection 44 .

[0046] exist Figure 3 In a further step shown, the upper adapter unit 12 is arranged on the lower adapter unit 13 in such a way that the rotation pin 14 connects the adapter units 12 , 13 to one another in a rotatable manner.

[0047] exist Figure 5 , a further step is shown in which the upper adapter unit 12 is flipped onto the lower adapter unit 13 . This moves the upper adapter unit 12 from the assembly position into the operating position. The upper adapter unit 12 has a fluid channel 46 .

[0048] The fluid channel 46 of the upper adapter unit 12 is designed in such a way that the fluid connection 38 can project into the fluid channel 46 and produce a fluid-tight connection.

[0049] The upper adapter unit 12 has a tab 48 which can interact with the latching connection 44 in a form-fitting manner and can releasably lock the upper adapter unit 12 to the lower adapter unit 13. Figure 6 , an adapter device 10 is shown having adapter units 12 , 13 connected to one another via a latching connection 44 .

[0050] exist Figure 7 and 8 , the arrangement of the connecting element 16 on the upper adapter unit 12 is shown. To this end, the connecting element 16 is pushed onto the upper adapter unit 12 and connected in a form-fitting manner to the upper adapter unit 12. In particular, it is explained that the locking spring 18 of the connecting element 16 is designed as an elastic material section.

[0051] exist Figure 9 shows another step. Here, the spoilers 8, 9 are pushed onto the reinforcement strips 28 on both sides of the adapter device 10 in the longitudinal direction L. The spoilers 8, 9 are pushed onto the reinforcement strips 28 until the fluid plugs 40 extend into the fluid channels 24 of the spoilers 8, 9 and form a fluid-tight connection. The arrows indicate the assembly steps.

[0052] Figure 10 A further step for assembling the wiper blade 2 is shown. Here, the wiper strip 6 is inserted into the spoilers 8, 9 and into the lead-through 32 of the lower adapter unit 13. Figure 11 In the subsequent steps shown, the wiper blade 2 is manufactured. The end cap 20 is pushed onto the reinforcement strip 28. The end cap 20 can be connected to the spoilers 8, 9 by a material-locking or form-locking connection. Alternatively, the end cap 20 can be pressed against the reinforcement strip 28 by an external force and fixed.

[0053] exist Figures 12 to 17 Detailed description of the drawings for explaining the assembly of the wiper arm 4 of the windshield wiper system 1 is given in FIG.

[0054] For this reason, in a first step, the adapter device 10 is pivoted from the operating position to the assembly position. Here, the latch connection 44 is released by the operating lever 45 and the top adapter unit 12 together with the connecting element 16 is flipped away from the adapter unit 13 of the bottom.

[0055] exist Figure 13 and Figure 14 1 shows the adapter device 10 in the assembled position. Here, the wiper arm 4 can now be pushed onto the connecting element 16 at the end and positioned on the connecting element 16 by the locking spring 18.

[0056] By inserting the wiper arm 4, the water line 19 is inserted into the fluid channel 46 of the upper adapter unit 12. In this case, the water line 19 is inserted into the end of the fluid channel 46 that opens at the side 50. The fluid channel 46 is curved and opens at the bottom 51, facing the fluid connection 38 of the lower adapter unit 13.

[0057] In the inserted state of the wiper arm 4, the wiper arm 4 together with the connecting element 16 and the upper adapter unit 12 can now be folded into the operating position. Figure 17 In this case, the wiper arm 4 is locked in the operating position indirectly via the upper adapter unit 12 via a latching connection 44 .

[0058] exist Figure 18 and 19 Detailed views are shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate the additional fastening of the wiper arm 4 to the adapter device 10. In this case, the adapter device 10 is locked in the operating position by means of a latching connection 44. The locking tab 42 projects into the wiper arm 4. The wiper arm 4 has an inwardly bent projection 52. In the operating position, the projection 52 strikes the locking tab 42 and thus prevents the wiper arm 4 from being released from the connecting element 16.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper system (1) comprising a wiper arm (4) and a wiper blade (2) connectable to the wiper arm (4), wherein the wiper blade (2) comprises a wiper strip (6) which is inserted into an adapter device (10), wherein a connecting element (16) can be connected to the adapter device (10) and comprises a locking spring (18) on a side facing away from the adapter device (10), wherein the wiper arm (4) can be pushed onto the connecting element (16) arranged in an assembly position at the end and can be locked to the connecting element (16) by the locking spring (18), wherein the wiper arm (4) comprises at least one water line (19) which opens in the longitudinal direction (L) at the end of the wiper arm (4), characterized in that The adapter device (10) comprises a lower adapter unit (13) for accommodating the wiper strip (6) and an upper adapter unit (12), the upper adapter unit being for accommodating the connecting element (16) and for accommodating the water line (19) at the end on the side (50), wherein the upper adapter unit (12) can be connected to the lower adapter unit (13), wherein the upper adapter unit (12) is provided for forming a fluid-conducting connection between the water line (19) and the lower adapter unit (13), wherein the upper adapter unit (12) can be shaped in an operating position The upper adapter unit (12) is locked to the lower adapter unit (13), wherein the upper adapter unit (12) can be flipped onto the lower adapter unit (13) so that the upper adapter unit (12) can be placed from the assembly position into the operating position, wherein the fluid channel (46) of the upper adapter unit (12) is coupled to the fluid connection (38) of the lower adapter unit (13) in a fluid-conducting manner in the operating position, and wherein the fluid channel (46) of the upper adapter unit (12) is disconnected from the fluid connection (38) of the lower adapter unit (13) in the assembly position.

2. The windshield wiper system according to claim 1, wherein: The upper adapter unit (12) has a fluid channel (46), wherein the fluid channel (46) is formed in an arc shape and the fluid channel (46) connects the side surface (50) and the bottom surface (51) in a fluid-conducting manner.

3. The windshield wiper system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lower adapter unit (13) has a fluid connection (38) which can be connected to a fluid channel (46) of the upper adapter unit (12) which opens at the bottom.

4. The windshield wiper system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The connecting element (16) can be connected to the upper adapter unit (12), and the connecting element (16) can be pivoted together with the upper adapter unit (12) relative to the lower adapter unit (13) in an assembly position or pivoted relative to the lower adapter unit (13) into an operating position.

5. The windshield wiper system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lower adapter unit (13) has a locking tab (42), wherein the locking tab (42) is provided for preventing a relative movement between the wiper arm (4) arranged in the operating position and the lower adapter unit (13).

6. The windshield wiper system according to claim 3, wherein: The fluid connection (38) is arranged on the upper side (36) of the lower adapter unit (13) and transitions into a fluid channel of the lower adapter unit (13).

7. The windshield wiper system according to claim 6, wherein: The fluid channel is designed in a T-shape, wherein the fluid channel merges into two fluid plugs (40) oriented oppositely in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the fluid plugs (40) are arranged to form a fluid-conducting connection with the fluid channel (24) of the spoiler (8, 9).

8. The windshield wiper system according to claim 6, wherein: In the operating position, the upper adapter unit (12) forms a fluid-conducting connection between the water line (19) and the fluid channel of the lower adapter unit (13).

9. The windshield wiper system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fluid channel of the lower adapter unit (13) can be connected to at least one water nozzle (22) at least on one side in the longitudinal direction (L) via the fluid channel (24) of the spoiler (8, 9).

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