Flat blade windshield wiper assembly

Abstract

A flat-blade windscreen wiper device comprises an elastic, elongated carrying element and an elongated wiper blade of flexible material, which can be placed adjacent to a windscreen to be wiped, the wiper blade comprising at least one longitudinal slit in which at least one longitudinal strip of the carrying element is arranged, the windscreen wiper device comprising a connecting device for a rod-shaped extension of a swing arm, wherein the rod-shaped extension can be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near its free end, characterized in that the connecting device comprises a channel arranged to receive the free end of the rod-shaped extension, wherein the windscreen wiper device comprises a nozzle for spraying washing liquid onto the windscreen to be wiped, wherein the nozzle is mounted to the rod-shaped extension by sliding an annular mounting portion of the nozzle over the free end of the rod-shaped extension in a direction away from the free end.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device of the flatblade type, comprising a resilient, elongated carrier element and an elongated wiper blade of flexible material, which can be placed adjacent to a windscreen to be wiped, the wiper blade being connected to at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element, the windscreen wiper device comprising a connecting device for a rod-shaped extension of an oscillating arm, wherein the rod-shaped extension can be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one of its ends. The longitudinal strip is also referred to as a "flexor", and the connecting device is also indicated as a "connector". Typically, the wiper blade comprises at least one longitudinal slit, in which the longitudinal strip is arranged.

[0002] Preferably, the wiper blade comprises a spoiler on its side facing away from the windshield to be wiped. A spoiler is also called an "air deflector" and is preferably made integrally with the wiper blade by extrusion. Preferably, the longitudinal slit is a central longitudinal slit accommodating the longitudinal strip. Preferably, the connecting device is fixedly connected to the longitudinal strip, in particular by a welding, brazing ("soldering"), gluing or clamping operation, or by means of a pin inserted through the connecting device and the longitudinal strip. In an alternative or in addition, the connecting device is clamped to the flexible material of the wiper blade, in particular in the case where the wiper blade is equipped with a central longitudinal slit for a carrier element.

[0003] In use, the swing arm is connected to a mounting head mounted on a drive shaft, wherein the swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting head at one end thereof by a pivot pin and is connected to the wiper blade placed adjacent to the windscreen to be wiped at the other end thereof. In use, the shaft rotates alternately in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, also driving the mounting head to rotate, which in turn pulls the swing arm to rotate and moves the wiper blade via the connecting means. Thus, the swing arm can swing back and forth between a first position and a second reverse position.

[0004] The invention further relates to a connecting device provided for use in such a windscreen wiper device and to a swivel arm having a rod-shaped extension.

[0005] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to motor vehicles, but also relates to rail coaches and other (rapid) means of transport.

[0006] Windscreen wiper devices are generally known. Such prior art windscreen wiper devices are designed as so-called "flat blades" or "yokeless blades", in which a plurality of yokes pivotably connected to one another are not used, but in which the wiper blade is biased by a carrier element, thereby causing it to exhibit a specific curvature. A disadvantage of the known windscreen wiper device is that it is often used in combination with a nozzle fixedly mounted above (or below) the bonnet of a motor vehicle, the nozzle being used to spray washing liquid onto the motor vehicle windscreen to be wiped. In practice, it is obvious that the windscreen cannot be cleaned effectively by the combination of oscillating arm and nozzle, because the nozzle sprays the washing fluid onto the windscreen at a great distance relative to the windscreen, so that a relatively large amount of washing fluid cannot effectively reach the wiping pattern to be wiped on the windscreen. Furthermore, it is obvious that in the prior art, a large amount of liquid is required (consumed) when trying to clean the windscreen to be wiped. Furthermore, if the washing fluid is sprayed onto the vehicle body instead of the windscreen to be wiped, damage to the vehicle may occur. In fact, ethanol, methanol and other cleaning fluid components are known to be corrosive to paint, rubber, car wax and plastics, for example.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved windscreen wiper device in which these disadvantages are eliminated, in the sense that a simple oscillating arm (also referred to as "windscreen wiper arm") is proposed to effectively clean the windscreen to be wiped without using complex mechanics and additional tools and at minimal cost, without damaging parts of the vehicle, wherein less washing liquid is required to clean the windscreen to be wiped.

[0008] To achieve this object, according to the invention, a windscreen wiper device of the type indicated in the introduction is characterized in that the connecting device comprises a channel arranged to receive the free end of the rod-shaped extension, wherein the windscreen wiper device comprises a nozzle for spraying washing liquid onto the windscreen to be wiped, wherein the nozzle is mounted on the rod-shaped extension by sliding an annular mounting portion of the nozzle over the free end of the rod-shaped extension in a direction away from the free end, i.e. away from the wiper blade and towards the mounting head of the oscillating arm. In particular, the annular mounting portion comprises a closed ring. Thus, the nozzle is reliably and securely locked to the rod-shaped extension, wherein the closed ring is able to withstand forces along its closed circumference. Typically, the wiper blade comprises at least one longitudinal slit in which the longitudinal strip is arranged. Optionally, the wiper blade and the longitudinal strip are glued together.

[0009] By connecting the nozzle directly to the rod-shaped extension of the oscillating arm, the nozzle is not only fixed to the rod-shaped extension in a reliable and controllable manner (but is removable in the event of repair or replacement of the nozzle), but the nozzle is also located at a very small distance relative to the windshield to be wiped and is allowed to directly follow any oscillating movement of the oscillating arm, so that the cleaning fluid flowing out of the nozzle can be effectively sprayed onto the windshield to be wiped, all positive results related to the effective cleaning of the windshield to be wiped and the driver's safe vision.

[0010] Furthermore, the nozzle can be used in combination with a first nozzle and a second nozzle located on the swing arm for spraying washing liquid onto the windshield to be wiped. In this case, washing liquid is thus sprayed onto the windshield to be wiped from at least two locations (on the rod-shaped extension and on the swing arm), namely the washing liquid flowing out of the first nozzle connected to the rod-shaped extension, and the washing liquid flowing out of the second nozzle connected to the swing arm. Thus, the windshield can be cleaned effectively over its very large wiping area, in particular at high speeds. In this case, the first nozzle and the second nozzle are preferably connected to only one washing fluid inlet, so that the first nozzle and the second nozzle are in liquid contact with each other.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the connecting device blocks a longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion in a direction towards the free end, i.e. towards the wiper blade. Preferably, the rod-shaped extension extends in a longitudinal direction and tapers towards its free end, so that a longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion in a direction away from the free end is blocked by the rod-shaped extension. Thus, a wider or thicker part of the rod-shaped extension blocks the movement. Additionally or alternatively, a longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion in a direction away from the free portion is blocked by snapping a projection of the annular mounting portion into a hole in the rod-shaped extension or by snapping a projection of the rod-shaped extension into a hole in the annular mounting portion. The hole preferably has a closed circumference.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the connecting device comprises a channel, the channel being arranged to receive the rod-shaped extension, the channel comprising a first chamber facing the inlet of the channel and a second chamber facing away from the inlet, the first chamber having a greater width than the second chamber, wherein the first chamber is arranged to receive a first portion of the rod-shaped extension, and wherein the second chamber is arranged to receive a second portion of the rod-shaped extension, the first portion of the rod-shaped extension having a greater width than the second portion of the rod-shaped extension. In other words, the free end of the rod-shaped extension has a cut-out so as to form two portions therein, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion. The second portion forms a longitudinally extending finger to be received in a correspondingly shaped second chamber of the channel. The wider first portion is to be received in a correspondingly shaped first chamber of the channel. Due to the cut-out, a larger guiding surface is present in the connecting device, so as to guide the rod-shaped extension in a reliable but controlled manner within the channel. Preferably, the first and second chambers of the channel have closed peripheries to enhance retention of the rod-like extension therein.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the channel is arranged to receive two types of the rod-shaped extension, the types differing from each other in the width of the first and second parts of the rod-shaped extension, respectively. In other words, the first part of the first type of rod-shaped extension is wider than the first part of the second type of rod-shaped extension, and the second part of the first type of rod-shaped extension is wider than the second part of the second type of rod-shaped extension. The channel is arranged to accommodate two types of rod-shaped extensions. In an alternative, if the connecting device comprises a first part and a second part as described in claim 9, the second part acts as a connecting part and is different for each type of rod-shaped extension. Therefore, the first part is a common part, and there are two types of second parts, which correspond to the two types of rod-shaped extensions.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the connecting device comprises a projection extending toward one side and inwards, which projection is arranged to engage in a first recess provided on the longitudinal outer side of the rod-shaped extension, wherein the connecting device comprises a resilient tongue, which is arranged to engage in a second recess provided on the longitudinal outer side of the rod-shaped extension, and wherein the resilient tongue is articulatedly rotatable along the articulation axis between an inward position, which holds the wiper blade to the rod-shaped extension, and an outward position, which releases the wiper blade from the rod-shaped extension. In particular, the channel has a closed periphery. More specifically, the channel is formed by a blind hole having a closed periphery. The resilient tongue cooperating with the second recess on the one hand and the projection cooperating with the first recess on the other hand form a first holding device and a second holding device, respectively, for holding the wiper blade to the swing arm. The first holding device and the second holding device can be used independently of each other, ie the first holding device can be used without the second holding device, and the second holding device can be used without the first holding device.

[0015] Preferably, the channel has a length and a width, wherein a plane extending in the width direction of the channel and a plane extending through the longitudinal strip along the width of the longitudinal strip at the location of the connecting device enclose an angle α, wherein preferably 15°<α<60°. In other words, in a transverse section or cross section of the windscreen wiper device, a center line of the cross-sectional plane of the channel encloses an angle α with the axis of symmetry of the longitudinal groove. Due to the angle α, a low pressure of the oscillating arm on the wiper blade is required to maintain high-speed wiping performance.

[0016] In the context of the invention, the oscillating arm is provided with the rod-shaped extension, preferably with a rectangular cross section, wherein the extension is to be inserted into the channel of the connecting device and wherein the extension has a twisted orientation relative to the oscillating arm, preferably with a U-shaped cross section. Such a twisted arm extension has proven to be able to significantly improve the air flow and thus significantly reduce the height of the windscreen wiper device, while its design is attractive from a commercial point of view. The channel, which preferably also has a rectangular cross section, has a twisted orientation corresponding to the twisted orientation of the arm extension in order to accommodate the arm extension during use. In other words, the bottom of the channel does not extend parallel to the windscreen to be wiped (when the oscillating arm in one of the reversed positions is in the central region of the windscreen to be wiped and ignoring any small curvature in this region), but the bottom and the windscreen to be wiped enclose the angle α in this region.

[0017] It is noted that the invention is not limited to using only one longitudinal strip to form the elastic bearing element, in particular, the elastic bearing element is located in a central longitudinal groove of the wiper blade. Instead, the bearing element can also include two longitudinal strips, wherein the strips are arranged in opposite longitudinal grooves of the wiper blade. The groove can be closed at one outer end.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the dimensions of the projection are designed such that:

[0019] - in an operating position in which the wiper blade is pivoted relative to the rod-shaped extension, the projection engages in the first recess, thereby holding the wiper blade to the rod-shaped extension;

[0020] In a service position in which the wiper blade is pivoted relative to the rod-like extension, the projection is disengaged from the first recess, thereby releasing the wiper blade from the rod-like extension.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, said first recess and said second recess have an open outer circumference and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the resilient tongue is articulatedly rotatable from the inward position to the outward position by means of a button, wherein the button forms part of an outer wall of the connecting device. In particular, the button is located in the vicinity of a free end of the connecting device, the free end facing the rod-shaped extension.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, said connecting device comprises a first part and a second part, wherein said rod-shaped extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said first part about said pivot axis with the intervention of a second part, wherein said second part comprises said channel, and wherein said first part is connected to said wiper blade and said second part is detachably connected to said first part. Preferably, said first part and said second part are each made of plastic material as a one-piece structure.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, the first part and the second part are provided with mutually cooperating pivoting means for pivotably connecting the second part to the first part. In particular, the second part is connected to the first part by pivotably engaging a protrusion of the first part in a recess provided in the second part at the location of the pivot axis. More particularly, the second part is detachably connected to the first part by a snap-on operation / clip operation.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, said first part comprises a flat base having a leg integral therewith, which leg engages around a longitudinal side of the wiper blade at the location of a longitudinal slit for said longitudinal strip of said carrier element. Preferably, said first part comprises two opposite side walls extending in vertical direction from said base, and wherein one of said side walls comprises said projection facing one side and extending inwardly. More preferably, said pivotably engageable projection of said first part is arranged outwardly on said opposite side wall, and wherein said recess is arranged inwardly in an opposite wall of said second part. Said projections are in particular spaced far apart from one another in order to reduce angular play and reduce wear.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, in the operating position of said wiper blade said side wall of said first part is located completely inside said second part.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] - Figure 1 A detailed perspective view of a flat-blade windscreen wiper device according to the invention is shown, showing the successive steps of mounting a windscreen wiper arm with a nozzle to a connecting device of the wiper blade; and

[0029] - Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 perspective and partial cross-sectional views of a windshield wiper arm and nozzle in assembled and disassembled positions.

[0030] Figure 1 A flat-blade windscreen wiper device is shown, consisting of a wiper blade and longitudinal strips ("bends") which form opposite longitudinal slits in the longitudinal sides of the wiper blade, and longitudinal strips made of spring steel strips which are fitted into said longitudinal slits. The strips form flexible bearing elements for the rubber wiper blade, which is thus biased into a bent position (the curvature in the operating position being the curvature of the windscreen to be wiped). Figure 1, a windscreen wiper device is furthermore constituted by a connecting device 1 of plastic material for a rod-shaped extension 2 of a windscreen wiper arm. The connecting device 1 comprises a first part 3 and a second part 4 acting as a connecting part, wherein the arm of the rod-shaped extension 2 can be pivotally connected to the first part 3 about the pivot axis with the intervention of the second part 4. The first part 3 comprises a flat base 5 having an inwardly extending leg 6 integral therewith, which engages around the longitudinal side of the wiper blade at the location of the recess, as a result of which the first part 1 is firmly attached to the unit consisting of wiper blade and strip. The first part 3 comprises two opposite side walls 7, 8 extending in the vertical direction from the flat base 5. On the opposite side walls 7, 8 are formed outwardly extending cylindrical protrusions 9, 10. These protrusions 9, 10 engage pivotably at the location of the pivot axis in recesses of the same shape provided in the opposite wall of the second part 4. Thus, the second part 4 is detachably connected to the first part 3 by a snap-on operation / clamping operation. Figure 2 As shown above, in the operating position of the wiper blade, the side walls 7 , 8 of the first part 3 are located completely inside the second part 4 .

[0031] refer to Figure 1 , the second part 4 comprises a channel 11 arranged to receive (in a linear motion) the rod-like extension 2 of the swing arm. As shown, the channel 11 has a length and a width, and wherein a plane extending in the width direction of the channel and a plane extending through the longitudinal strip along the width of the longitudinal strip at the location of the connecting device enclose an angle α=30°.

[0032] One of the side walls 8 of the first part 3 comprises a protrusion 12 which extends towards one side and inwards and is arranged to engage in a first recess 13 which has an open periphery and is arranged on a longitudinal outer side 14 of the rod-like extension 2. In order to mount or remove the connecting device 1 from the rod-like extension, the second part 4 (and therefore the free end of the rod-like extension 2 connected thereto) is pivoted relative to the first part 3, wherein the reference Figure 1. For disassembly, it is concerned that, while performing the pivoting movement, the projection or cam 12 no longer cooperates with the first recess 13, so that the second part 4 and the first part 3 attached thereto can be released from the rod-shaped extension 2. For mounting, it is concerned that, while performing the pivoting movement, the projection or cam 12 cooperates with the first recess 13, so that the second part 4 and the first part 3 attached thereto are retained on the rod-shaped extension 2. As explained below, the mutually cooperating projection 12 and recess 13 act as a second retaining device in the event of an accidental failure of the first retaining device.

[0033] The rod-shaped extension 2 is also provided with a second recess 15, which also has an open periphery and is also arranged on the same longitudinal outer side 14 of the rod-shaped extension 2. As shown, the first recess 13 and the second recess 15 have an open periphery and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The second recess 15 cooperates with a resilient tongue 16 on the second part 4, which is arranged to engage in the second recess 15, in this case acting together as a first retaining device. The resilient tongue 16 can be articulated along the hinge axis between an inward position and an outward position, the inward position retaining the second part 4 (together with the first part 3 and the wiper blade attached thereto) to the rod-shaped extension 2, and the outward position releases the second part 4 (together with the first part 3 and the wiper blade attached thereto) from the rod-shaped extension 2. The resilient tongue can be articulated (i.e. activated and deactivated) from the inward position to the outward position by a button 17. Said button 17 forms part of an outer wall 18 of said second portion 4 and is situated in the vicinity of the free end of said second portion 4 (the free end facing said rod-like extension 2 ).

[0034] like Figure 2As depicted in , the windscreen wiper device comprises a nozzle 19 for spraying washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped. The nozzle 19 is mounted on the rod-like extension 2 by sliding a closed loop 20 of an annular mounting portion 21 of the nozzle 19 on the free end 22 of the rod-like extension 2 in a direction away from the free end 22, i.e. away from the wiper blade and towards the mounting head of the oscillating arm. The connecting device 1 blocks the longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion 21 in a direction towards the free end 22, i.e. towards the wiper blade. As shown, the rod-like extension 2 extends in a longitudinal direction, i.e. towards its free end and narrows in width, so that the longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion 21 in a direction away from the wiper blade is blocked by a portion of the rod-like extension 21 having a greater width than the annular mounting portion. Not shown, the channel 11 comprises a first chamber facing the inlet of the channel 11, and a second chamber facing away from the inlet, the first chamber having a greater width than the second chamber. The first chamber is arranged to receive a first portion 23 of the rod extension 2, wherein the second chamber is arranged to receive a second portion 24 of the rod extension 2, the first portion 23 of the rod extension 2 having a greater width than the second portion 24 of the rod extension 2. The nozzle 19 is connected to a liquid pipe 25.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, but also extends to other preferred variants falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type, comprising an elastic, elongated carrying element, and an elongated wiper blade of flexible material, the wiper blade being able to be placed adjacent to a windscreen to be wiped, the wiper blade being connected to at least one longitudinal strip of the carrying element, the windscreen wiper device comprising a connecting device (1) for a rod-shaped extension (2) of an oscillating arm, wherein the rod-shaped extension (2) can be pivotally connected to the connecting device (1) about a pivot axis near its free end, characterized in that The connecting device (1) comprises a channel (11) arranged to receive the free end (22) of the rod-shaped extension (2), wherein the windscreen wiper device comprises a nozzle (19) for spraying washing liquid onto the windscreen to be wiped, wherein the nozzle (19) is mounted on the rod-shaped extension (2) by sliding an annular mounting portion (21) of the nozzle (19) on the free end (22) of the rod-shaped extension (2) in a direction away from the free end (22), wherein the connecting device (1) blocks longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion (21) in a direction towards the free end (22).

2. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said annular mounting portion (21) comprises a closed ring (20).

3. A windshield wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped extension (2) extends in the longitudinal direction and tapers toward its free end (22), so that the longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion (21) in the direction away from the free end (22) is blocked by the rod-shaped extension (2).

4. A windshield wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the longitudinal movement of the annular mounting portion (21) in a direction away from the free end (22) is blocked by snapping a protrusion of the annular mounting portion (21) into a hole in the rod-shaped extension (2) or by snapping a protrusion of the rod-shaped extension (2) into a hole in the annular mounting portion (21).

5. A windscreen wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the channel (11) comprises a first chamber facing an entrance of the channel (11) and a second chamber facing away from the entrance, the first chamber having a greater width than the second chamber, wherein the first chamber is arranged to receive a first portion (23) of the free end portion (22) of the rod-shaped extension (2), and wherein the second chamber is arranged to receive a second portion (24) of the free end portion (22) of the rod-shaped extension (2), the first portion (23) of the rod-shaped extension (2) having a greater thickness than the second portion (24) of the rod-shaped extension (2).

6. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 5, wherein said channel (11) is arranged to receive two types of said rod-like extension (2), said types differing from each other in terms of the width of said first and second parts of said rod-like extension (2).

7. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 5, wherein the connecting device (1) comprises a projection (12) extending toward one side and inwards, the projection (12) being arranged to engage in a first recess (13) provided on a longitudinal outer side (14) of the rod-shaped extension (2), wherein the connecting device (1) comprises a resilient tongue (16), the resilient tongue (16) being arranged to engage in a second recess (15) provided on the longitudinal outer side (14) of the rod-shaped extension (2), and wherein the resilient tongue (16) is able to be hingedly rotated along a hinge axis between an inward position and an outward position, the inward position retaining the wiper blade to the rod-shaped extension (2) and the outward position releasing the wiper blade from the rod-shaped extension (2).

8. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 7, wherein the dimensions of the projection (12) are designed such that: - in the working position in which the wiper blade is pivoted relative to the rod-shaped extension (2), the projection (12) engages in the first recess (13), thereby holding the wiper blade on the rod-shaped extension (2); In a maintenance position in which the wiper blade is pivoted relative to the rod-shaped extension (2), the projection (12) is disengaged from the first recess (13), thereby releasing the wiper blade from the rod-shaped extension (2).

9. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first recess and said second recess (13, 15) have an open outer periphery and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

10. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said resilient tongue (16) is articulatedly rotatable from said inward position to said outward position by means of a button (17), wherein said button (17) forms part of an outer wall (18) of said connecting device (1).

11. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 10, wherein said button (17) is located in the vicinity of a free end of said connecting device (1) facing said rod-shaped extension (2).

12. A windscreen wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, 6 to 8 and 11, wherein said channel (11) has a length and a width, and wherein, A plane extending in the width direction of the channel (11) and a plane extending through the longitudinal strip along its width at the location of the connecting device (1) enclose an angle α, wherein 15°<α<60°.

13. A windscreen wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, 6 to 8 and 11, wherein the connecting device (1) comprises a first part (3) and a second part (4), wherein the rod-shaped extension (2) of the oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to the first part (3) about the pivot axis with the intervention of the second part (4), wherein the second part (4) comprises the channel (11), and wherein the first part (3) is connected to the wiper blade and the second part (4) is detachably connected to the first part (3).

14. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein said first part (3) and said second part (4) are provided with mutually cooperating pivot means for pivotally connecting said second part (4) to said first part (3).

15. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 14, wherein the second part (4) is connected to the first part (3) by having a projection (9, 10) of the first part (3) pivotably engage in a recess provided in the second part (4) at the location of the pivot axis.

16. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein said second part (4) is detachably connected to said first part (3) by a snap-on operation.

17. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein said first portion (3) comprises a flat base (5) having legs (6) integral therewith which engage around the longitudinal sides of said wiper blade at the location of the longitudinal slits of said longitudinal strips of said carrier element.

18. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 17, wherein the first portion (3) comprises two opposite side walls (7, 8), the side walls (7, 8) extending from the base (5) in a vertical direction, and wherein one of the side walls (8) comprises a protrusion (12) extending toward one side and inwardly, the protrusion (12) being arranged to engage in a first recess (13) provided on a longitudinal outer side (14) of the rod-shaped extension (2).

19. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 18, wherein the second part (4) is connected to the first part (3) by enabling projections (9, 10) of the first part (3) to pivotally engage in recesses provided in the second part (4) at the location of the pivot axis, and wherein the pivotally engaged projections (9, 10) of the first part (3) are provided outwardly on the opposite side walls (7, 8), and wherein the recesses are provided inwardly in the opposite walls of the second part (4).

20. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein In the operating position of the wiper blade, the side walls (7, 8) of the first part (3) are completely located inside the second part (4).

21. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein: The first part and the second part (3, 4) are each made of plastic material as a one-piece structure.

22. A connecting device (1) arranged for use in a windscreen wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 21.

23. An oscillating arm having a rod-shaped extension (2), the oscillating arm being arranged for use in a windscreen wiper device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 21.

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