Connecting device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm

• US 8,505,151 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Depondt, Helmut, Janssis, Yves, Herinckx, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, GARY K
• Application Number:
  US13/063,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20110247166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,657 Days
• Field of Search: 152/504.3, 152/504.4, 152/503.61, 152/503.2, 152/502.01, 15250451-250454, 152/503.3, 152/503.51
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/387 the connector being suitable for receiving different types of adapter
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4003 Multi-purpose connections for two or more kinds of arm ends
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4038 for arms provided with a channel-shaped end
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4067 for arms provided with a side pin
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4051 the intermediate element engaging the side walls of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/4054 the intermediate element engaging the back part of the arm

Abstract

A connecting device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm, wherein the connecting device comprises an adapter with a button on the end of the drive side thereof above a spring clip, wherein the button is connected via a spring tongue to the adapter and protrudes beyond the upper edges of the lateral walls. The lateral walls at the lower edges thereof have a protruding guide rail on which a stop is provided.

Claims

1. A connecting device (10) for the articulated connection of a wiper blade (38) to a wiper arm (12, 14, 16, 18), wherein the connecting device (10) comprises a connecting element which is fixedly connected to a supporting element (44) of the wiper blade (38) and which includes a basic element (48) and a connecting part (46, 186) which has a hinge-part carrier (72, 194) which runs in a longitudinal direction, which laterally guides an adapter (82, 200) on insides of side walls of the adaptor and which carries a transversely directed hinge part (70) which, on each side of the hinge-part carrier (72, 194), has a projecting length on which the adapter (82, 200) is pivotably mounted, which adapter can be fastened releasably to the free end of the wiper arm (12, 14, 16, 18) or to a joining element (20, 22, 24, 26) connected fixedly to the wiper arm, and the adaptor having at a drive-side end a spring clip (104) which, on outwardly facing side surfaces thereof, has projecting latching cams (106) which have stop surfaces (110) which face a free end and enclose acute angles with the supporting element (44) while, at the free end, the side walls (84) have steps (118) which, together with a web, form a clearance (120), characterized in that the adapter (82, 200) has a push button (100) at the drive-side end thereof above the spring clip (104), said push button being connected to the adapter (82, 200) via a spring tongue (98) and projecting over upper edges of the side walls (84), and in that lower borders of the side walls (84) each have a projecting guide rail (90) on which a stop (92) is provided.

2. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the push button (100) has a channel (102) toward the free end of the adapter (82, 200).

3. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the latching cams (106) each have two stop surfaces (108, 110), of which the first stop surface (110) facing the supporting element (44) is inclined at an acute angle with respect thereto while the second stop surface (108) adjoins the first stop surface (110) and runs approximately perpendicularly to the supporting element (44).

4. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the adapter (82, 200), toward the free end thereof, has a spring tongue (112), at a free end of which there is a filler piece (114) with which said spring tongue protrudes into the clearance (122).

5. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge part (70) is a bearing bolt with a bearing bore (76).

6. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the connecting part (46) is manufactured from plastic, and in that the hinge-part carrier (72) is integrally formed on an outside of a cover wall (66) of the connecting part, the hinge part (70) being integrally formed as a single piece on the hinge-part carrier (72).

7. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that insides of side walls (64) of the connecting part (46) have latching cams (80) which fit into recesses (62) on outsides of side parts (50) of the basic element (48).

8. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that connecting profiles (68) for spoiler parts are provided on end sides of the connecting part.

9. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the adapter (82, 200) has an adapter cap (126) which adjoins the steps (118) and has a recess (134) at least in one side wall (128) while a bearing opening (142) is provided in an other side wall (128).

10. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the basic element (48) is divided in the longitudinal direction and side parts (50) sit on the supporting element (44) with longitudinal grooves (52) facing each other, the connecting part (46) laterally surrounding the side parts (50) and holding the side parts together.

11. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the side parts (50) are held together in a region of ends thereof by a respective latching hook (56) which engages in a latching depression (58) in an other side part (50).

12. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the connecting part (186) is designed as a sheet-metal claw which, by means of feet (190) thereof, laterally surrounds the basic element (48) and, by means of tabs (192) directed in the longitudinal direction to ends of the connecting part (200), engages in recesses (62) on outsides of the basic element (48).

13. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the connecting part (186) has two side walls (194) which run parallel in the longitudinal direction and into openings (196) of which the hinge part (70) is inserted and has a projecting length on both sides.

14. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that a covering (198), end sides of which have connecting profiles (68) for spoiler parts, is clipped onto the basic element (48) or onto the connecting part (186).

15. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the device comprises an adapter cap (216) which has a recess (134) on one side wall (128) while a bearing opening (142) is provided in an other side wall (128).

16. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the adapter cap (216), on an end side pointing toward a free end, has wings (218) which engage in the covering (198).

17. The connecting device (10) as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the adapter cap (216) has a bulge (220) in the region of the push button (100).