Windscreen wiper device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device (100) for a vehicle comprising a wiper blade (2) with an elongated upper part (10) and an elongated lower part (12), which are designed to be at least partially flexible. Furthermore, several connecting elements (18) are provided for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), which are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2) and are designed to allow movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2). The windshield wiper device (100) also includes a fastening device. The fastening device comprises a wiper blade-side fastening part (20) and a fastening element (50).The wiper blade-side mounting part (20) and the mounting element (50) are configured such that an engagement can be formed by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side mounting part (20) relative to the mounting element (50) in order to connect the wiper blade-side mounting part (20) to the mounting element (50), wherein the connection can be released by means of a release mechanism.

Description

The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. State of the art Windscreen wiper systems typically consist of a wiper arm or lever, which moves a wiper blade across the windscreen of a motor vehicle. The wiper blade moves between a first and second turning position. For this purpose, the wiper arm is connected to a wiper motor via a drive shaft. Particularly on windscreens with significant changes in curvature, the wiper blade can easily lose contact with the glass. This can lead to unwiped areas or a film formation, especially on highly curved windscreens. Since the wiping process must be optimized for a multitude of parameters, such as the amount of rain on the windshield, any snow load on the windshield, the vehicle's speed and the resulting wind pressure on the wiper arm, hazing cannot be reliably prevented simply by adjusting the pressure of the wiper arm on the windshield. Therefore, there is a need to further improve windshield wiper systems. When making improvements, there are several additional constraints that should be considered. These include the manufacturing effort and costs, material costs, and the properties of the windshield wiper mechanism, particularly its function under diverse conditions and its durability under a wide range of conditions. Windscreen wiper mechanisms, especially wiper blades, typically show signs of wear and tear from regular use, leading to a deterioration in wiping performance. Furthermore, the exposed position of windscreen wiper mechanisms on the front or rear windscreen of vehicles, particularly when driving through a car wash, poses a risk of damage or even detachment. In these cases, it is necessary to replace the worn or damaged wiper mechanisms. Traditionally, replacing windscreen wiper mechanisms is relatively complex, as they are usually attached to the drive shaft via bolted connections. Further state of the art is known from DE 10 2013 214 064 A1, FR 2 842 561 B1, EP 1 322 507 B1, WO 2013 185 861 A1 and FR 2 899 857 B1. Disclosure of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a windscreen wiping device with which at least one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages are reduced or essentially do not occur. This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. According to one aspect of the present invention, a windshield wiper device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is proposed, comprising a fastening element. The windshield wiper device includes a wiper blade with an elongated upper part and an elongated lower part, which are designed to be at least partially flexible. Furthermore, several connecting elements are provided for joining the upper part and the lower part, wherein the connecting elements are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. The connecting elements are designed to allow movement of the upper part and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. The wiper blade also includes a fastening element on the wiper blade side.The wiper-side mounting part is configured such that, by rotating the wiper-side mounting part relative to the mounting element, an engagement can be formed to connect the wiper-side mounting part to the mounting element, whereby the connection can be released by a release mechanism. The release mechanism is located on the wiper-side mounting part. According to another aspect of the present invention, a windshield wiper device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is proposed. The windshield wiper device comprises a mounting element that can be installed on the vehicle and a wiper blade. The wiper blade comprises an elongated upper part and an elongated lower part, which are designed to be at least partially flexible. Furthermore, several connecting elements are provided for connecting the upper part and the lower part, wherein the connecting elements are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. The connecting elements are designed to allow movement of the upper part and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. The wiper blade also includes a mounting element on the wiper blade side.The wiper blade-side mounting part is configured such that, by rotating the wiper blade-side mounting part relative to the mounting element, an engagement can be formed to connect the wiper blade-side mounting part to the mounting element, the connection being releasable by a release mechanism. The release mechanism is located on the mounting element. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for mounting a windshield wiper assembly is provided. The method comprises providing a windshield wiper assembly according to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the method comprises attaching the wiper blade-side mounting part to the fastening element by forming an engagement between the wiper blade-side mounting part and the fastening element. In doing so, the wiper blade-side mounting part is rotated relative to the fastening element about an axis of rotation which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade. Preferred embodiments and special aspects of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the present description. Advantages of the invention According to the windshield wiper assembly described herein, and according to the embodiments described herein, and by the method for mounting the windshield wiper assembly, a windshield wiper assembly is provided which can be easily mounted and dismounted. The windshield wiper assembly, which is preferably of the Finray type, is mounted and dismounted from a bearing shaft by rotary means using a release mechanism. Accordingly, the windshield wiper assembly can be easily replaced in the event of damage or easily removed before driving through a car wash and then remounted. Furthermore, rotary mounting and dismounting has the advantage that the elements to be joined do not tilt, as can occur, for example, with axially parallel assembly. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism is arranged on the wiper blade-side mounting part. Thus, for example, in the event of a defect in the release mechanism, a simple and cost-effective repair is possible, since only the wiper blade needs to be replaced, and not the mounting element permanently attached to the vehicle. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism is arranged on the fastening element. Thus, the wiper blade can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the wiper blade-side mounting part includes a cutout through which the release mechanism can be actuated. In particular, when the release mechanism is arranged on the mounting element, the wiper blade can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively without additional parts. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism comprises a mechanically actuated button. Thus, a user can easily, for example, mount and dismount the windshield wiper device by pressing the button. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the wiper-blade-side mounting part has a first engagement element designed to engage with a first locking element of the mounting element. This provides a windshield wiper device with which the position of the wiper-blade-side mounting part relative to the mounting element can be determined. According to other embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the fastening element has a first engagement element designed to engage with a first locking element of the wiper-blade-side fastening part. This provides a windshield wiper device with which the position of the wiper-blade-side fastening part relative to the fastening element can be determined. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism is designed such that, when the release mechanism is actuated, the engagement between the first engagement element and the first locking element is released. Thus, a user can easily, for example, install and remove the wiper blade by pressing the release mechanism. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism comprises an elastic element. Thus, in the assembled state, the release mechanism can be held in the position in which the first engagement element is engaged with the first locking element, thereby preventing accidental release of the connection. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the wiper-blade-side mounting part has a second engagement element designed to engage with a second locking element of the mounting part. This provides a windshield wiper device with which the position of the wiper-blade-side mounting part relative to the mounting part can be fixed in a particularly stable manner. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the second engagement element extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade and is preferably pin-shaped. This provides a simple and cost-effective fastening device with which the wiper-blade-side fastening part can be fixed relative to the fastening element in a particularly stable manner. Brief description of the drawings Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a windshield wiper device according to embodiments of the disclosure in an unsecured state, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the windshield wiper device according to Fig. 1 in a secured state, Figs. 3A-C schematic representations of fastening elements of a windshield wiper device according to embodiments of the disclosure, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a windshield wiper device according to other embodiments of the disclosure in an unsecured state, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the windshield wiper device according to Fig. 4 in a secured state, Figs. 6A and B two perspective views of the wiper-blade-side fastening part of the windshield wiper device of Figs. 4 and 5 according to embodiments of the disclosure.Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the fastening element with the release mechanism of the windshield wiper device of Figs. 4 and 5 according to embodiments of the disclosure, Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the release mechanism of the windshield wiper device of Figs. 4 and 5 according to embodiments of the disclosure, Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating embodiments of the method for mounting a windshield wiper device according to embodiments of the disclosure, and Fig. 9A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the invention in the form of a wiper blade in a home position, and Fig. 9B is a schematic representation of the wiper blade according to Fig. 1A in a position applied to a windshield. Embodiments of the invention Unless otherwise noted, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements in the following. Figures 1 and 2 schematically depict a windshield wiper device 100 according to embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 1 shows the windshield wiper device 100 in an unfastened state and Figure 2 in a fastened state. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the windscreen wiper device comprises a finray structure, a wiper-blade-side attachment part, and a release mechanism. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the windshield wiper device 100 comprises a wiper blade 2 with an elongated upper part 10 and an elongated lower part 12, which are at least partially flexible. Furthermore, several connecting elements 18 are provided for connecting the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, wherein the connecting elements 18 are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 100 and are connected to the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 in a pivot-like manner by means of pivot joints 23 (Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B), for example, hinges such as film hinges or plug-in hinges. The connecting elements 18 are designed to allow movement of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 100. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper blade 2 has a wiper-blade-side mounting part 20 that can be connected to a vehicle-mounted fastening element 50. The wiper-blade-side mounting part 20 and the fastening element 50 are configured such that, by rotating the wiper-blade-side mounting part 20 relative to the fastening element 50, an engagement can be formed to connect the wiper-blade-side mounting part 20 to the fastening element 50. The connection can be released by a release mechanism 60. According to embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper-blade mounting part 20 and the fastening element 50 are configured such that a position of the wiper-blade mounting part 20 relative to the fastening element 50 can be determined by rotating the wiper-blade mounting part 20 relative to the fastening element 50 about an axis of rotation which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 100. Such a rotation for fastening the wiper-blade mounting part 20 to the fastening element 50 is illustrated by way of example in Fig. 1 by arrow 5. According to embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments, the windshield wiper device 100 is mounted by pressing it onto a windshield of the vehicle via a rotational movement around the axis of rotation and locking into place at the operating point. This can be done either by applying force (e.g., a finger) or, for higher preload, by applying a mounting torque (e.g., by hand). During disassembly, the release mechanism 60 (e.g., a button) is actuated, and the part (wiper blade 2) is separated from the wiper drive (fastening element 50) by a rotational movement. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper blade 2 is mounted on the fastening element 50 by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side fastening part 20 relative to the fastening element 50, thus forming an engagement between the wiper blade-side fastening part 20 and the fastening element 50 in order to connect the wiper blade-side fastening part 20 to the fastening element 50. For disassembly, the release mechanism 60 is actuated, thereby releasing the connection between the wiper blade-side fastening part 20 and the fastening element 50, so that the wiper blade-side fastening part 20 can be detached from the fastening element 50 by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side fastening part 20 relative to the fastening element 50 in the opposite direction to the rotation during assembly. Thus, the embodiments described herein provide a windshield wiper assembly that can be easily mounted and dismounted. Accordingly, the windshield wiper assembly can be easily replaced if damaged or easily removed before driving through a car wash and then remounted. Furthermore, tilting of the elements to be joined, as can occur, for example, during axially parallel mounting or joining, can be avoided. This means that, for example, the fastening part 20 can be securely attached to the fastening element 50 without tilting. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 60 is arranged on the wiper blade-side mounting part 20. Thus, for example, in the event of a defect in the release mechanism 60, a simple and cost-effective repair is made possible, since only the wiper blade 2 needs to be replaced, and not the mounting element 50 permanently attached to the vehicle. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments, the release mechanism 60 is designed as a mechanically actuated push button. According to embodiments, the release mechanism 60 can be actuated by pressing, as indicated by arrow 6 in Figures 1 and 2. As illustrated by way of example in Figs. 1 and 2, the wiper-blade-side mounting part 20, according to embodiments of the windshield wiper device 100, which can be combined with other embodiments, can have a first engagement element 21. Typically, the first engagement element 21 is designed to engage with a first locking element 51 of the mounting element 50. According to embodiments described herein, the first engagement element 21 can engage with the first locking element 51 by a rotation about the axis of rotation (arrow 5 in Fig. 1), which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 100. According to some embodiments, the first locking element 51 is formed from an edge region, a projection, or a recess of the mounting element 50. This is shown by way of example in Figs. 3A-3C. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the first engagement element 21 is designed such that when the release mechanism 60 is actuated, the engagement between the first engagement element 21 and the first locking element 51 is released. Thus, a user can easily, for example, install and remove the windshield wiper device 100 by pressing the release mechanism 60. According to some embodiments, the first engagement element 21 is connected to the release mechanism 60. According to some further embodiments, the first engagement element 21 and the release mechanism 60 are formed as a single piece. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 60 comprises an elastic element 25. This allows the release mechanism 60 to be fixed in a predetermined position, for example, by a tension provided by the elastic element 25. According to some embodiments, the predetermined position is a position in which, in the assembled state, the first engagement element 21 connected to the release mechanism 60 is engaged with the first locking element 51. This prevents accidental release of the connection. Actuation of the release mechanism 60 can thus occur contrary to the elastic element 25, for example, contrary to the tension provided by the elastic element 25.According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the elastic element 25 comprises a spring or an elastic material. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 60 is rotatably mounted about an axis 61 which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 8. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 60 and the first engagement element 21 are L-shaped and, in particular, are formed in one piece. According to embodiments described herein, the first engagement element 21 is configured to engage with an edge region, a projection, or a recess of the fastening element 50. This is explained in Figures 3A-C. According to embodiments of the windscreen wiper device 100, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper-blade mounting part 20 can have a second engagement element 22. Typically, the second engagement element 22 is designed to engage with a second locking element 52 of the mounting element 50. According to embodiments described herein, engagement can be achieved by a linear movement of the second engagement element 22 of the wiper-blade mounting part 20 relative to the second locking element 52 of the mounting element 50. Typically, the end position of the second engagement element 22, i.e., the position in which the second engagement element 22 forms a stop in the second locking element 52, determines the position of the axis of rotation about which the wiper-blade mounting part 20 is rotated relative to the mounting element 50 during assembly or disassembly. According to embodiments of the windshield wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the second engagement element 22 can be configured such that it extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 100. Preferably, the second engagement element 22 of the windshield wiper device 100 extends at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the longitudinal extent 8. The second engagement element 22 can be pin-shaped. Thus, according to the embodiments described herein, a particularly effective and stable fastening device for a windshield wiper device can be provided. According to embodiments of the windshield wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the second engagement element 22 can comprise or be made of plastic. According to embodiments of the windshield wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the second locking element 52 can comprise aluminum, zinc, a plastic, a plastic with a metal insert (for example, in the cone area), or a combination thereof. Figures 3A-C show schematic representations of fastening elements 50 according to embodiments of the disclosure. In Figures 1 and 2, the exemplary fastening element 50 is shown with a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the first locking element 51 is formed by an edge of the rectangular fastening element 50, and the second locking element 52 is formed by a recess in a position opposite the first locking element 51. Figures 3A-C show further exemplary embodiments of the fastening element 50, and in particular of the first locking element 51. According to the typical embodiment shown in Fig. 3A, the first locking element 51 is formed by a projection. According to the typical embodiment shown in Fig. 3B, the first locking element 51 is formed by a recess around fastening element 50. According to the typical embodiment shown in Fig. 3C, a side surface of the fastening element 50 can be chamfered or flattened so that it forms an angle with a base surface of the fastening element 50, which may be less than 90°. The edge where the flattened side surface and the base surface meet can, according to typical embodiments, form the first locking element 51. Thus, when mounting the windshield wiper assembly 100, it is not necessary to actuate the release mechanism, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to rotate the wiper-blade-side mounting part 20 relative to the fastening element 50 about the axis of rotation without the first engagement element 51 contacting an upper surface of the fastening element 50. In particular, the first locking element 51 of the fastening element 50 shown in Fig. 3C contacts and is guided by the flattened side surface during mounting.In typical embodiments, the elastic element 25 moves the release mechanism 60 into the engaged position when it reaches the lower end of the side surface. In some embodiments, the release mechanism 60 thus opens automatically against the elastic element 25 during assembly, for example against a spring force, and in the engaged state an undercut is formed and the wiper blade is held in the working position. Although in the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2 to 3 the second engagement element 22 is configured as a projection and the second locking element 52 is configured as a recess, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In particular, the second engagement element 22 can also be configured as a recess and the second locking element 52 as a projection. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments, the first and / or the second locking element 51, 52 can be configured at other positions on the fastening element 50 and / or with a different shape. Figures 4, 5, 6 to 7 schematically depict a windshield wiper device 110 according to other embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 4 shows the windshield wiper device 110 in an unfastened state, and Figure 5 in a fastened state. The windshield wiper device 110 is similar to the windshield wiper device 100 described with reference to Figures 1, 2 to 3, except that in the windshield wiper device 110, the release mechanism 600 is arranged on the fastening element 500. Figures 6A and 6B show perspective views of the wiper blade-side fastening part 200. Figure 7A shows a perspective view of the fastening element 500 with the release mechanism 600. Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the release mechanism 600. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the windshield wiper device comprises a fastening element that can be mounted on the vehicle, a fin-ray structure, a wiper-blade-side fastening part, and a release mechanism. This is explained in further detail in Figures 9A and 9B. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the windshield wiper device 110 comprises a fastening element 500, which can be mounted on the vehicle, and a wiper blade 2. The wiper blade 2 comprises an elongated upper part 10 and an elongated lower part 12, which are designed to be at least partially flexible. Furthermore, several connecting elements 18 are provided for connecting the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, wherein the connecting elements 18 are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 110. The connecting elements 18 are designed to allow movement of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 110. According to embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper blade 2 has a wiper-blade-side mounting part 200 that can be connected to the mounting element 500. The wiper-blade-side mounting part 200 and the mounting element 500 are configured such that an engagement can be formed by rotating the wiper-blade-side mounting part 200 relative to the mounting element 500, in order to connect the wiper-blade-side mounting part 200 to the mounting element 500. The connection can be released by a release mechanism 600. According to embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper blade-side mounting part 200 and the mounting element 500 are configured such that by rotating the wiper blade-side mounting part 200 relative to the mounting element 500 about an axis of rotation which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal extent 8 of the windscreen wiper device 110, a position of the wiper blade-side mounting part 200 relative to the mounting element 500 can be determined. According to embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments, the windshield wiper device 110 is mounted by pressing it onto a windshield of the vehicle via a rotational movement around the axis of rotation, until it locks into place at the operating point. This can be done either by applying force (e.g., a finger) or, for higher preload, by applying a mounting torque (e.g., by hand). During disassembly, the release mechanism (e.g., a button) is actuated, and the part (wiper blade) is separated from the drive (fastening element) by a slight twisting motion. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper blade 2 is mounted on the fastening element 500 by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side fastening part 200 relative to the fastening element 500, thus forming an engagement between the wiper blade-side fastening part 200 and the fastening element 500 in order to connect the wiper blade-side fastening part 200 to the fastening element 500. For disassembly, the release mechanism 600 is actuated, thereby releasing the connection between the wiper blade-side fastening part 200 and the fastening element 500, so that the wiper blade-side fastening part 200 can be detached from the fastening element 500 by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side fastening part 200 relative to the fastening element 500 in the opposite direction to the rotation during assembly. Thus, the embodiments described herein provide a windshield wiper assembly that can be easily mounted and dismounted. Accordingly, the windshield wiper assembly can be easily replaced if damaged or easily removed before driving through a car wash and then remounted. Furthermore, tilting of the components to be joined, as can occur, for example, during axially parallel mounting or joining, can be avoided. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 60 is arranged on the fastening element 500. Thus, the wiper blade can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments, the release mechanism 600 is designed as a mechanically actuated push button. According to embodiments, the release mechanism 600 can be actuated by pressing. As illustrated by way of example in Figs. 4 and 5, the fastening element 500, according to embodiments of the windscreen wiper device 110, which can be combined with other embodiments, can have a first engagement element 210. According to typical embodiments, the first engagement element 210 is connected to the release mechanism 600. Typically, the first engagement element 210 is designed to engage with a first locking element 290 (Fig. 6A) of the wiper-blade-side fastening part 200. According to the embodiments described herein, the first engagement element 210 can engage with the first locking element 290 by rotation about the axis of rotation, which is essentially transverse to the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper device 110. According to some embodiments, the first locking element 290 is formed from an edge region, a projection, or a recess of the wiper-blade-side mounting part 200. In Fig. 6A, the first locking element 290 is designed as a projection. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the first engagement element 210 is designed such that when the release mechanism 600 is actuated, the engagement between the first engagement element 210 and the first locking element 290 is released. Thus, a user can easily, for example, install and remove the windshield wiper device 110 by pressing the release mechanism 600. According to some embodiments, the first engagement element 210 is connected to the release mechanism 600. According to some further embodiments, the first engagement element 210 and the release mechanism 600 are formed as a single piece. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 600 comprises an elastic element 250. This allows the release mechanism 600 to be fixed in a predetermined position, for example, by a tension provided by the elastic element 250. According to some embodiments, the predetermined position is a position in which, in the assembled state, the first engagement element 210 connected to the release mechanism 600 is engaged with the first locking element 290. This prevents accidental disengagement of the connection. Actuation of the release mechanism 600 can thus occur contrary to the elastic element 250, for example, contrary to the tension provided by the elastic element 250.According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the elastic element 250 comprises a spring or an elastic material. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 600 is rotatably mounted about an axis 610 which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 8. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the release mechanism 600 and the first engagement element 210 are formed in one piece. In typical embodiments, the release mechanism 600 comprises an actuating part 280 and the first engagement element 210, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B. In typical embodiments, the first engagement element 210 can be formed in two parts, with the parts, for example, flanking the actuating part 280. In typical embodiments, the first locking element 290 in the wiper blade-side mounting part 200 can be formed in two parts, such that the parts of the first locking element 210 are formed at positions corresponding to the parts of the engagement element 210. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the wiper-blade-side mounting part 200 has a cutout 260 through which the release mechanism 600 can be actuated. According to typical embodiments, the actuating part 280 of the release mechanism described above projects through the cutout (window) 280 so that it can be actuated by a user. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the wiper-blade mounting part 200 has a recess designed to at least partially receive the mounting element 500 and / or the release mechanism 600. According to typical embodiments, the release mechanism 600 can be actuated through the window 260 in the wiper-blade mounting part 200. According to typical embodiments, the actuating element 280 can project through the cutout 260 so that it can be actuated by a user. According to embodiments of the disclosure, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, in the assembled state the fastening element 500 and the release mechanism 600 are at least partially covered or enclosed by the wiper-blade-side mounting part 200. Typically, the release mechanism 600 can be actuated through the window 260 in the wiper-blade-side mounting part 200. According to typical embodiments, the actuating part 280 can project through the opening 260 so that it can be actuated by a user. According to embodiments of the windscreen wiper device 110, which can be combined with other embodiments, the wiper-blade mounting part 200 can have a second engagement element 220. Typically, the second engagement element 220 is designed to engage with a second locking element 520 of the mounting element 500. According to embodiments described herein, engagement can be formed by a linear movement of the second engagement element 220 of the wiper-blade mounting part 200 relative to the second locking element 520 of the mounting element 500. Typically, the end position of the second engagement element 220, i.e., the position in which the second engagement element 220 forms a stop in the second locking element 520, determines the position of the axis of rotation about which the wiper-blade mounting part 200 is rotated relative to the mounting element 500 during assembly or disassembly. According to embodiments of the windshield wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the second engagement element 220 can be configured such that it extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent 8 of the windshield wiper device 110. Preferably, the second engagement element 220 of the windshield wiper device 110 extends at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the longitudinal extent 8. The second engagement element 220 can be pin-shaped. Thus, according to the embodiments described herein, a particularly effective and stable fastening device for a windshield wiper device can be provided. According to embodiments of the windshield wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the second engagement element 220 can comprise or be made of plastic. According to embodiments of the windshield wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the second locking element 520 can comprise aluminum, zinc, a plastic, a plastic with a metal insert, or a combination thereof. Although in the embodiments shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 to 7 the second engagement element 220 is designed as a projection and the second locking element 520 is designed as a recess, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In particular, the second engagement element 220 can also be designed as a recess and the second locking element 520 as a projection. According to embodiments of the windscreen wiper device, which can be combined with other embodiments, the fastening element 500 has a receiving part for a drive shaft 300, as shown by way of example in Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7A. To illustrate embodiments of method 600 for mounting a windshield wiper assembly, a flowchart is shown in Fig. 8. According to embodiments of method 600, the method 600 comprises providing 601 a windshield wiper assembly according to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the method comprises connecting 602 the wiper-blade mounting part to the fastening element by forming an engagement of the wiper-blade mounting part with the fastening element and rotating the wiper-blade mounting part relative to the fastening element about an axis of rotation. The connection can be released again by the release mechanism. Thus, the embodiments of the windshield wiper device described herein, and the method for mounting the windshield wiper device, provide a windshield wiper device that can be easily mounted and dismounted. Accordingly, the windshield wiper device can be easily replaced if damaged, or easily removed before driving through a car wash and then remounted. The mounting according to the embodiments described here can be particularly advantageous for a Finray wiper. This is described in more detail in Figures 9A and 9B. Figure 9A shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the windshield wiper device in its home position. The windshield wiper device is a wiper arm with an integrated wiper blade 28, which is attached to a mounting part 20 or a connecting piece. The mounting part 20 or a corresponding mounting element can be designed according to the embodiments described here. The mounting part 20 is connected via a vehicle-side mounting element to a wiper motor 32, which drives the mounting part 20 to wipe the windshield 4. The wiper blade 28 is wedge-shaped, with one end of the upper part 10 being rigidly connected to one end of the lower part 12 at an outer connection point 34.The opposite ends of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are attached to the fastening part 20. Fig. 2B shows a schematic representation of the wiper blade 28 with integrated wiper arm 30 according to Fig. 2A in a position against the disc 4. Here too, compressive forces act from below, from the direction of the disc 4, on the lower part 12 of the wiper blade 28, so that the lower part 12 and the upper part 10 bend towards the disc 4. In Fig. 2A, the wiper blade is shown in its unloaded position, such that the lower part 12 is essentially straight. According to further embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments, the lower part is convex in the unloaded state, i.e., with a curvature that projects away from the upper part in a central area. The windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here can typically, upon contact with a windshield, assume the corresponding concave shape of the lower part, adapting to the shape of the windshield. Both the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are flexible beams or can be designed as flexible beams, which are shown as single pieces in Figs. 9A and 9B. This allows for a particularly stable construction. It is also possible to design only a portion of the upper part 10 and / or the lower part 12 to be flexible. According to some embodiments, which can be combined with the other embodiments described here, a material is used for the upper part 10 and / or the lower part 12 that has a modulus of elasticity in the range between 0.005 kN / mm² and 0.5 kN / mm², in particular between 0.01 kN / mm² and 0.1 kN / mm². This enables suitable bending capability of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12. Together with a suitably designed cross-sectional area of ​​the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, this results in optimal bending stiffness.The upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are arranged so that they are opposite each other. The end of the upper part 10 is firmly connected to the end of the lower part 12 at the outer connection position 34. Otherwise, the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are spaced apart from each other. The upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are connected to each other by connecting elements 18. Particularly in the wiper blade 2's initial position, these elements, as shown in Fig. 9A, extend approximately transversely to the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2. According to further embodiments, which can be combined with the embodiments described here, they can also extend at an angle greater than 90° or less than 90°, and in particular at different angles to each other. The connecting elements 18 are attached to the facing inner longitudinal sides of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 by means of pivot joints 23. The pivot joints 23 are hinges that can be provided by insertion or clipping. Alternatively, the hinges can also be formed by film hinges. The connecting elements 18 are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade 2. The distances between any two adjacent connecting elements 18 are equal. However, they can also be chosen to be different. The distances are advantageously less than 50 mm, particularly less than 30 mm. In the present embodiment, a distance 22 is shown as representative of the distances between any two connecting elements 18. The connecting elements 18 are attached to the lower part 12, particularly in the wiper blade 2's initial position, such that their longitudinal axes run at angles 26 to the lower part 12, which are between 45° and 135°, and in particular between 65° and 115°. For example, these angles can change in certain sections along the longitudinal extent, i.e., increase or decrease from one connecting element to the next.The same applies in the present embodiment to the fastenings of the connecting elements 18 to the upper part 10. The distances between the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are primarily determined by the lengths of the connecting elements 18. The lengths of the connecting elements 18 increase from the outermost connection position 34 to approximately the point where the bracket 6 attached to the upper part 10 begins. As a result, the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 form a wedge in the side view onto the wiper blade 2 according to Fig. 9A. The connecting elements can be rigid or elastic. Fig. 9B shows a schematic representation of the wiper blade 2 according to Fig. 9A in a position against the disc 4. Since the disc 4 has a curvature, contact pressure forces act on the lower part 12 when the wiper blade 2 is in contact with the disc 4. Because the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are flexible beams and the connecting elements 12 are rotatably mounted on the upper part 10 and the lower part 12, the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 are displaceable relative to each other. Due to the pressure forces acting on the lower part 12 from below, the wiper blade 2 bends in the direction from which the pressure forces originate and conforms precisely to the curvature of the disc 4. Due to the design of the embodiments described here, when a force is applied to the lower part (through the disk 4), the lower part bends in the direction from which the force acts. This is achieved by the connection of the upper part 10 and the lower part at a connection point 34, the shape, and by pivot joints at the connection between the connecting elements and the upper or lower part. In the illustration according to Fig. 9B, there is a small gap between the wiper blade 2 and the disc 4. This gap is shown here only to clarify the disc 4 and the wiper blade 2 and is largely absent in reality when the wiper blade 2 is placed against the disc 4. Furthermore, most wiper blades have a rubber lip on the underside of the lower part 12, facing away from the upper part 10. This lip is not shown for clarity and makes contact with the disc 4 for wiping. The connecting element 18 has a thickness, particularly outside its pivot joints 23, that is greater than or equal to 0.4 millimeters. In particular, this thickness is less than 3 millimeters, preferably between 0.6 millimeters and 2 millimeters, ideally about 1 millimeter to 1.7 millimeters, for example about 1.5 millimeters. Furthermore, the connecting element 18 is essentially designed to be rigid against buckling or bending. This means that it is designed to allow movement of the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 relative to each other with a movement component along the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2. The connecting elements are attached to the upper part 10 at a respective upper connection position and to the lower part 12 at a respective lower connection position. For example, a pivot joint 19 is provided at each connection position. When the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 move relative to each other, the distance between an upper connection position and a lower connection position on the same connecting element remains essentially unchanged; that is, the distance is constant with deviations of, for example, ±1 mm, and in particular ±0.3 mm. Along the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2, the distance between the upper part 10 and the lower part 12 decreases from the wiper blade head, i.e., the area of ​​the wiper blade where it is connected to the vehicle, at least in certain regions along the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2, or in a predominant part of the longitudinal extent 8 of the wiper blade 2. Starting from the head end, the height of the wiper blade 2 tapers in a wedge shape in certain regions or decreases in certain regions along its longitudinal extent. For example, according to embodiments, the length of the connecting elements 18 can be provided for a plurality of the connecting elements 18 such that those provided near the wiper blade head are longer than those on the opposite side of the wiper blade 2 along the longitudinal extent 8. Such a windshield wiper device, for example a wiper arm or wiper arm with wiper blade, has the advantage of improved adaptation to a motor vehicle windshield. With a conventional wiper blade, its upper part is usually rigid, i.e., it is not flexible. A windshield wiper device according to the embodiments described here utilizes the effect of the tail fins of certain fish, which, when subjected to lateral pressure, do not deflect in the direction of the pressure but rather curl in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction from which the pressure comes. This principle is also known as the fin ray principle or "fin ray" principle.

Claims

Windscreen wiper device (100) for a vehicle with a fastening element (50), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade with: - an elongated upper part (10) which is designed to be at least partially bendable, - an elongated lower part (12) which is designed to be at least partially bendable, - several connecting elements (18) for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), wherein the connecting elements (18) are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), and wherein the connecting elements (18) are designed to allow movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), wherein the connecting elements (18) have a thickness greater than or equal to 0.4 millimeters, and a wiper blade-side mounting part (20), wherein the wiper blade-side mounting part (20) is configured such that an engagement can be formed by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side mounting part (20) relative to the mounting element (50) in order to connect the wiper blade-side mounting part (20) to the mounting element (50), and wherein the connection can be released by a release mechanism (60) arranged on the wiper blade-side mounting part (20). Windscreen wiper device (110) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: - a fastening element (500) that can be mounted on the vehicle; and - a wiper blade with: - an elongated upper part (10) that is designed to be at least partially bendable, - an elongated lower part (12) that is designed to be at least partially bendable, - several connecting elements (18) for connecting the upper part (10) and the lower part (12), wherein the connecting elements (18) are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), and wherein the connecting elements (18) are designed to allow movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part relative to each other with a movement component along a longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2), wherein the connecting elements (18) have a thickness greater than or equal to 0.4 millimeters, and a wiper blade-side mounting part (200), wherein the wiper blade-side mounting part (200) is configured such that an engagement can be formed by means of a rotation of the wiper blade-side mounting part (200) relative to the mounting element (500) in order to connect the wiper blade-side mounting part (200) to the mounting element (500), and wherein the connection can be released by a release mechanism (600) arranged on the mounting element (500). Windscreen wiper device (110) according to claim 2, wherein the wiper blade-side fastening part (200) comprises a cutout (260) through which the release mechanism (600) can be actuated. Windscreen wiper device (100, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the release mechanism (60, 600) comprises a mechanically actuated button. Windscreen wiper device (100, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wiper blade-side fastening part (20) has a first engagement element (21) which is designed to engage with a first locking element (51) of the fastening element (50), or wherein the fastening element (500) has a first engagement element (210) which is designed to engage with a first locking element (290) of the wiper blade-side fastening part (200). Windscreen wiper device (100, 110) according to claim 5, wherein the release mechanism (60, 600) is designed such that when the release mechanism (60, 600) is actuated, the engagement between the first engagement element (21, 210) and the first locking element (51, 290) is released. Windscreen wiper device (100, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the release mechanism (60, 600) comprises an elastic element (25, 250). Windscreen wiper device (100, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wiper blade-side fastening part (20, 200) has a second engagement element (22, 220) which is designed to engage with a second locking element (52, 520) of the fastening element (50, 500). Windscreen wiper device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the second engagement element (22, 220) extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent (8) of the wiper blade (2) and is preferably pin-shaped to allow rotation of the wiper blade-side fastening part (20, 200) relative to the fastening element (50, 500) when making and releasing the connection.

Images