Connector between a wiper blade and a drive arm of a wiper system

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) for a wiper blade (3), wherein the connector (1) is configured to pivot about a transverse articulation axis (7) with an adapter (9) which is designed to enable an articulation connection between the blade (3) and a drive arm (11), wherein the connector (1) includes a body (19) which is provided with two opposing lateral sections (21) defining a receptacle designed to receive the adapter (9) and with an axis (7) between the sections (21) for the articulation connection of the blade with the arm, wherein the sections (21) in the region of each of the ends of the articulation axis (7) include a shoulder (31) which is configured to enable axial guidance of the articulation connection between the blade and the arm, wherein the lateral sections (21) are configured to allow a lateral bending f of the adapter in support against the shoulder (31).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector between a wiper blade and a drive arm. It is particularly applicable in the field of motor vehicles, especially trucks.

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with windshield wiper systems to ensure the windshield is cleaned and the driver's view of the surroundings is not obstructed. These wipers are traditionally operated by arms or blade holders that perform an angular back-and-forth motion and feature elongated blades, each bearing a scraper blade made of an elastic material. These blades rub against the windshield and remove water by directing it out of the driver's field of vision. The blades are either constructed in a classic design as articulated, two-armed levers that hold the scraper blade at several separate points, or in a newer design called "flat blades," consisting of a semi-rigid unit that supports the scraper blade along its entire length.

[0003] It is also known to use a fastening device comprising a connector designed to be attached to the blade and an adapter that can be pivotally coupled to the connector about a joint axis orthogonal to the arm and can also be attached to an arm end. In particular, arms of the hook type are known, wherein the front longitudinal end of the arm is U-shaped to engage with the adapter.

[0004] Such a fastening device is known from DE 15 05 438 A.

[0005] The adapter includes a body that accommodates the end of the arm between two opposing lateral legs, which are located in front of lateral sections of the connector. However, with known fastening devices, the connector cannot accommodate arms with a dimension slightly larger than the intended or standard size without compromising the blade's articulation on the arm. Even if certain adapters can accommodate such arms with a slight deformation of their lateral legs, the friction against the connector sections is then too great to allow the blade to be actuated, taking the adapter's deformation into account.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to improve existing solutions.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention aims to provide a connector for a wiper blade, wherein the connector is configured to pivot about a transverse articulation axis with an adapter designed to enable a joint connection between the wiper blade and a drive arm, wherein the connector includes a body provided with two opposing lateral sections defining a receptacle designed to receive the adapter, and with the transverse articulation axis between the sections for the joint connection of the wiper blade to the drive arm, wherein the sections in the region of each end of the transverse articulation axis include a shoulder configured to enable axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm, and wherein the lateral sections are configured to allow lateral bending of the adapter in support against the shoulder.

[0008] Due to the lateral bending of the adapter, particularly its lateral legs, it can accommodate drive arms with a dimension larger than originally intended. Furthermore, the shoulders of the adapter allow friction against the connector sections to be limited by keeping them separated at least over a portion of their surface.

[0009] Advantageously, the shoulder includes a bearing zone for axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm, defining a lateral gap between the edge of the shoulder and the corresponding section of the connector in which the lateral bending is exerted.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately: - is the shoulder circular, - is the shoulder coaxial to the axis, - the maximum diameter of the shoulder corresponds to a dimension aligned with the base of an arm mount of the adapter, - the joint transverse axis is firmly connected to the connector, especially to the lateral sections, - at least one of the lateral connector sections is provided with at least one shaped strip that can be applied with clearance against a corresponding lateral leg of the adapter, in particular to reinforce the axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm and to limit any friction of the connector against the corresponding lateral leg of the adapter, - the play in the form strip is designed to absorb lateral deformation of the adapter when it accommodates a drive arm of a windscreen wiper system of a larger dimension than the intended or standard dimension, - each of the lateral connector sections is provided with at least one molded strip, - the molded strip or molded strips have a tapered end cross-section, for example conical or rounded, preferably uniformly, - are the form strips identical to each other, - there are two form strips on each of the side sections, - the two form strips are arranged on both sides of the joint transverse axis on each of the lateral sections, - the two form strips are arranged at the same distance from the joint transverse axis, - are the molding strips straight, - the shape strips extend essentially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the joint and / or to the wiper blade, - the form strips are positioned one in front of the other on the side connector sections, - the form strips are positioned so that they are in front of blocks of the side legs of the adapter, - The connector is formed from a single piece, preferably from a molded material, especially plastic.

[0011] A fastening device between a wiper blade and a drive arm for a motor vehicle windscreen wiper system is also described, which includes a connector as described above and an adapter for the windscreen wiper system.

[0012] The adapter is configured to accept a hook-type drive arm.

[0013] Furthermore, a wiper blade containing such a connector is described, as well as a windscreen wiper system comprising the wiper blade and a drive arm for the wiper blade.

[0014] The invention is better understood, and further objectives, details, features and advantages become clearer from the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention, which is given as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

[0015] These drawings contain: - Fig. 1 a perspective view of a connector for a wiper system according to an embodiment of the invention, - Fig. 2. A skewed perspective view showing the mounting of a sheet onto an arm of the wiper system. Fig. 1 illustrates, - Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of the mounting device of this wiper system, - Fig. 4 a partial view of Fig. 3, viewed from the right, if the fastening device includes a standard-sized drive arm, and - Fig. 5 one view, equal Fig. 4, but this time viewed from the left, when the fastening device includes a drive arm of a larger dimension than the standard dimension.

[0016] As shown in the drawing, especially in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the invention relating to a connector 1 for a wiper blade 3 of a wiper system 5 for a disc, in particular a windshield, of a motor vehicle. This may be, in particular, a truck. The connector 1 is configured to pivot about a transverse axis 7 with an adapter 9, which is designed to enable a pivot connection between the wiper blade 3 and a drive arm 11 of the wiper system 5.

[0017] The drive arm 11 is of the type of a hook, with a U-shape at its end 13. It is designed to be attached to the adapter 9 via this end 13, and this attachment is detachable to allow replacement of the wiper blade 3, particularly in the case of wear.

[0018] The wiper blade 3 is a flat wiper blade 3. It includes, for example, a wiper blade 15 and at least one support frame (not shown) that carries the wiper blade 3. The support frame includes one or more swivels configured to give the wiper blade 3 a curvature that allows it to conform to the shape of the windshield. The connector 1 is attached to the wiper blade 3 via its lower portion, here in the form of hooks 17, in particular crimped to interact with the support frame.

[0019] The connector 1 has a body 19 with two opposing lateral sections 21, which are designed to define a receptacle that receives the adapter 9 when the wiper blade 3 is mounted on the drive arm 11. The lateral flanks 21 carry the transverse articulation axis 7 in the transverse direction. The adapter 9 can movably insert itself into the transverse articulation axis 7 through its opening 23, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. During assembly, the body 19 of the connector 1 receives the end 13 of the drive arm 11 via its front end 25. The drive arm extends between the lateral legs 27 of the adapter 9 in the direction of translation of the arrow 26. The adapter 9 is mounted onto the connector 1 by snapping the joint transverse axis 7 into a corresponding form on the adapter 9.

[0020] According to the invention, the lateral sections 21 in the region of each end of the joint transverse axis 7 include a shoulder 31 configured to provide axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade 3 and the drive arm 11. The lateral sections 21 are also configured to allow lateral bending of the adapter 9, more precisely, a bending f of the flexible lateral legs 27 in contact with the shoulder 31, when the adapter 9 accommodates a drive arm 11 with a larger dimension than the standard dimension. This dimension relates in particular to the width I of the end 13 of the drive arm 11, which can thus exceed the standard width by a few tenths of a millimeter, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. Thus, the invention enables adaptation to the different dimensions of drive arms 11, onto which the wiper blades 3 can be mounted, particularly in applications for trucks.

[0021] Each of the shoulders 31 advantageously includes a bearing zone 33 for axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade 3 and the drive arm 11, i.e., between the connector 1 and the adapter 9, and between the edge plane of the shoulder 31 and the plane of the corresponding section 21 of the connector 1, as shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the defined lateral space I allows the adapter to bend laterally in the space I, in particular its lateral legs 27, to accommodate arms 11 of a dimension larger than the standard dimension.

[0022] The shoulder 31 is circular here, coaxial with the transverse axis 7 of the joint, but it can have a different shape. It has a maximum diameter corresponding to an alignment of its outline with a base 35 of the arm receptacle of the adapter 9. Thus, the lateral bend f is exerted freely beyond the outline in the space I. The lateral sections 21 can also include a rib essentially orthogonal to the transverse axis 7 of the joint, extending between each of the shoulders 31 and the lower region 17 of the connector 1.

[0023] At least one of the lateral connector sections 21 is provided with at least one shaped strip 37, which can be positioned with a clearance (not shown) against a corresponding lateral leg 27 of the adapter 9, particularly in the case of a drive arm 11 with a dimension larger than the standard dimension. This establishes an axial secondary guide for the joint connection between the wiper blade 3 and the drive arm 11, in addition to the axial guide provided by the shoulders 31, and limits any friction of the connector 1 against the corresponding lateral leg 27 of the adapter 9.

[0024] The formwork clearance is sufficiently provided to absorb the lateral deformation f of the adapter 9, as shown in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. In other words, the thickness of the form strip 37, which projects from the side section plane, is less than the projection of the shoulder 31 of the section 21 or than the depth of the gap I.

[0025] Each of the lateral connector sections 21 is provided with at least one form strip 37, here two on each of the lateral sections 21.

[0026] The form strips 37 are identical to each other and have a tapered end cross-section 39, for example conical or rounded, preferably uniformly, which reduces the friction on the side legs 27.

[0027] The two form strips 37 are arranged on both sides of the joint transverse axis 7 on each of the lateral sections 21 at an equal distance from the joint transverse axis 7. They are straight and extend essentially perpendicular to the wiper blade 3. In this way, the lateral secondary guidance of the joint can be balanced on both sides of the joint transverse axis 7.

[0028] The form strips 37 are positioned one behind the other on the lateral sections 21, specifically such that they are located in front of blocks of the lateral legs 27 of the adapter 9 (not shown), where friction could potentially occur. In such a configuration, it is understood that the distance between two adjacent form strips 37 is greater than the distance provided between the shoulders 31, in order to provide the necessary clearance for the bending of the lateral legs 27 of the adapter 9.

[0029] The connector 1 is advantageously formed from a single piece, preferably from a molded material, in particular plastic. It also has a central longitudinal plane of symmetry P.

[0030] The fastening device 40 between the wiper blade 3 and the drive arm 11 is particularly useful in Fig. Figure 3 shows the connector 1 and the adapter 9, which are connected to each other. The adapter 9 is configured to accept a drive arm 11 of the hook type.

[0031] The wiper blade 3 containing the connector 1 is in Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0032] The windscreen wiper system 5, which includes the wiper blade 3, the drive arm 11 of the windscreen wiper system 5 and the mounting device 40, is also in Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0033] The invention thus provides the possibility for the windscreen wiper systems 5 of the type with hook arm to accommodate drive arms 11 of a larger dimension than the previously provided standard dimension, and thus to increase the range of accommodated drive arms 11. Reference symbol list 1 connector 3 wiper blades 5 windshield wiper system 7 Joint transverse axis 9 adapters 11 Drive arm 19 bodies Section 21 27 thighs 31 Shoulder 33 support zone 35 Floor 37 Form strip 39 End cross-section

Claims

[1] Connector (1) for a wiper blade (3), wherein the connector (1) is configured to pivot about a transverse articulation axis (7) with an adapter (9) designed to enable an articulation connection between the wiper blade (3) and a drive arm (11), wherein the connector (1) includes a body (19) provided with two opposing lateral sections (21) defining a receptacle designed to receive the adapter (9) and with the transverse articulation axis (7) between the sections (21) for the articulation connection of the wiper blade (3) with the drive arm (11), wherein the sections (21) in the region of each of the ends of the transverse articulation axis (7) include a shoulder (31) configured to enable axial guidance of the articulation connection between the wiper blade (3) and the drive arm (11), wherein the lateral sections (21) are configuredto allow a lateral bending (f) of the adapter (9) in contact with the shoulder (31). [2] Connector according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder (31) includes a support zone (33) for axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade (3) and the drive arm (11), which defines a lateral space (I) between the shoulder (31) and the corresponding section (21) of the connector (1) in which the lateral bending (f) is exerted. [3] Connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shoulder (31) is circular and coaxial to the joint transverse axis (7). [4] Connector according to claim 3, wherein the shoulder (31) has a diameter with a maximum dimension corresponding to an alignment of its outline with a base (35) of an arm receptacle of the adapter (9). [5] Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lateral sections (21) is provided with at least one form strip (37) which can be applied with clearance against a corresponding lateral leg (27) of the adapter (9). [6] Connector according to claim 5, wherein the play of the form strip (37) is provided to absorb a lateral deformation (f) of the adapter (9) when it accommodates a drive arm (11) of a larger dimension than a standard dimension. [7] Connector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the lateral sections (21) of the connector (1) is provided with at least one form strip (37). [8] Connector according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the form strip (37) has a tapered end cross-section (39). [9] Connector according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein there are two form strips (37) on each of the lateral sections (21) which are arranged on both sides of the joint transverse axis (7) at an equal distance from the joint transverse axis (7). [10] Connector according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the form strips (37) are straight and extend substantially perpendicular to the joint transverse axis (7). [11] Connector according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the form strips (37) are positioned one in front of the other on the lateral sections (21) of the connector (1). [12] Connector according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the form strips (37) are positioned such that they are located in front of blocks of lateral legs (27) of the adapter (9).

Images