Connector arrangement on a windshield wiper pad for mounting on multiple types of connection systems

Description

1 / 8 Connecting arrangement on a windshield wiper blade for mounting on multiple types of connection systems. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector arrangement in a windshield wiper blade for mounting in multiple types of connection systems. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Windshield wiper systems include, among other components, at least one arm, one blade, and a connection system between the two.

[0003] These connection systems are generally composed of a connector arrangement on the wiper blade, commonly called a coupling, and a specific construction at the end of the wiper arm designed to receive the coupling to provide the connection between the wiper blade and the arm.

[0004] As a competitive strategy, it is quite common for windshield wiper manufacturers to create new connection systems in order to guarantee a certain exclusivity in supplying their OEM customers. Some examples of these connection systems can be seen in documents BR1120180120456, BR1120130119403, BR1120160112407, BR1120180159697, BR1020180151991 and MU77017064.

[0005] On the other hand, this practice ends up generating a constant need for innovation in the replacement parts market for couplings designed to meet the new connection systems that are emerging. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 7 / 26 2 / 8

[0006] Due to the wide variety of new connection systems, it is impractical for manufacturers operating in the aftermarket to develop a specific coupling for each new connection system. Therefore, it is natural that these aftermarket couplings are developed to allow connection to the largest possible number of arms.

[0007] Some examples of this type of coupling can be seen in documents BR1020210116048, BR1020150075880, PI09013245, EP2471693, KR200438836, KR102338807, KR102261926 and EP2736775B1.

[0008] However, in the prior art there was still no solution that, through a single connector arrangement on the wiper blade, would provide connection between the wiper blade and the new windshield wiper arms that have recently appeared on the market.

[0009] One of the biggest difficulties that justified the absence of a solution for this case is the fact that the arms provided for in the different connection systems have different internal widths, which requires couplings with different widths.

[00010] The present invention solves this problem with a coupling construction that adapts to the different internal widths of the arms of such connection systems.

[00011] As all the arms of these connection systems are made of steel, the present invention also provides for the use of a magnetic element (magnet) to be coupled to at least one of the faces of the connecting arrangement to ensure the attachment of the blade to the arms.

[00012] In the state of the art, there are already solutions provided for fixing the blade to the arm using a magnetic element in the connector arrangement; however, these are limited to exclusive connection systems. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 8 / 26 3 / 8 and therefore do not apply to multiple connection systems. Furthermore, these state-of-the-art solutions also feature complex designs for securing the magnetic element in the connector arrangement.

[00013] Some provide for additional metal portions in the coupling, which is unusual, since the coupling is generally made entirely of plastic; others provide for complex profile magnetic elements to provide fixation in the coupling, which can end up significantly increasing the manufacturing cost of the product; some of these examples can be seen in documents FR3148760, DE102012021489, DE102021212602, CN204736817, EP2597001, EP4342746, FR3095626 and WO8605151.

[00014] The present invention, however, in addition to providing the connection of the blade to multiple types of arms, also provides a simple, innovative and efficient way of fixing the magnetic element to the coupling, even allowing the use of standard profile magnetic elements readily available on the market, such as rectangular magnets.

[00015] The present invention also provides a cover which, in addition to providing an aesthetic effect, also provides retention means to cooperate with the engagement and fastening means for one of the multiple arms.

[00016] In addition, the cover is also configured in a profile that favors the aerodynamic performance of the windshield wiper when subjected to operation during vehicle movement at high speeds.

[00017] This cover also provides for the use of a magnetic element on at least one of its inner faces, so that said magnetic element cooperates with at least one of the faces of the arms, reinforcing the fixation of the entire system. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 9 / 26 4 / 8 Brief description of the invention

[00018] The present invention discloses a connector arrangement in a windshield wiper blade for mounting in multiple types of connection systems comprising a magnetic element. Brief description of the drawings

[00019] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the coupling.

[00020] Figure 2 illustrates the front view of the coupling.

[00021] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the coupling.

[00022] Figure 4 illustrates another perspective view of the coupling.

[00023] Figure 5 illustrates the top view of the coupling.

[00024] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a windshield wiper with the connecting arrangement in the central region.

[00025] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the central support.

[00026] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the connector arrangement with its parts in pre-assembly position.

[00027] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the lid.

[00028] Figure 10 illustrates another perspective view of the lid.

[00029] Figure 11 illustrates another perspective view of the lid.

[00030] Figure 12 illustrates another perspective view of the lid.

[00031] Figure 13 illustrates a bottom view of the lid.

[00032] Figure 14 illustrates perspective views of examples of arms. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 10 / 26 5 / 8 Description of the invention

[00033] The present invention relates to a connector arrangement in a windshield wiper blade 13 for mounting in multiple types of connection systems.

[00034] The connecting arrangement consists of a coupling 1, which is coupled to a central support 15, a cover 18 and at least one magnetic element 20.

[00035] The coupling 1 has side walls 2 and top walls 4 and 5 that form a “U” shaped cross-section.

[00036] Flexible protrusions 6 are provided on the side walls 2 of the coupling 1, designed to cooperate with the inner sides of the arms 4, 35, 36, 37, 38 in order to adapt to their different widths.

[00037] In at least one of the faces of the coupling 1 there is a housing 5 intended to accommodate at least one magnetic element 20.

[00038] In at least one of the faces of the coupling 1 there is a passage 8 intended to receive the magnetic element 20 until it settles into the housing 5.

[00039] A wall 4 adjacent to the passage is provided in coupling 1, intended to cooperate with the magnetic element 20, providing its retention in coupling 1.

[00040] Rigid protrusions 12 and 34 are also provided in coupling 1, intended to cooperate with the magnetic element 20, facilitating its positioning in the housing 5.

[00041] On the inside of the coupling 1, on the side walls 2, there are protruding pins 9 intended to cooperate with the holes 16 of Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 11 / 26 6 / 8 center support 15, allowing pivoting of hitch 1 in relation to center support 15.

[00042] Also on the inside of the coupling 1 are provided pins 10 that project from the flexible protrusions 6 and are intended to receive, when necessary, helical compression springs that increase the mechanical strength and fatigue resistance of the flexible protrusions 6.

[00043] In the upper region of the coupling 1, a support face is provided to cooperate with arms 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, serving as a limiter for their positioning during assembly between them and the coupling 1.

[00044] Magnetic element 20 is configured in a rectangular profile of constant thickness, but it can be configured in other profiles.

[00045] The cover 18 has an upper face 21 configured, but not limited to, in a curved shape in order to favor the aerodynamic performance of the windshield wiper when subjected to operation during vehicle movement at high speeds.

[00046] The lid 18 has side walls 19 that extend from the top face 21.

[00047] These side walls 19 have openings 22 designed to receive at least one magnetic element 20.

[00048] On one of the side walls 19 of the cover 18, protrusions 33 are provided, positioned along and after the opening 22, serving as limiters during the insertion of the magnetic element 20, preventing it from advancing beyond the side wall 19. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 12 / 26 7 / 8

[00049] After at least one of the side walls 19 of the cover 18, there is an inclined region 31 in which there is a channel 28 intended to receive an arm 39.

[00050] In said channel 28, longitudinal projections are optionally provided to cooperate with one of the faces of the arm 39, making the fixation stable.

[00051] At one end of region 31 there is a face in which there is a passage 24 intended to receive a magnetic element 20.

[00052] On this face 23 there are also protrusions 27 which reduce the width of the passage entrance 24 so that when the magnetic element is fully inserted into the passage 24, these protrusions 27 ensure its retention inside the passage 24.

[00053] Passage 24 is uneven in relation to channel 28, with channel 28 being higher than passage 24, creating a limiter for magnetic element 20 when it is inserted into passage 24.

[00054] At one end of the cover 18, between the walls 19, there is a protrusion 25 with side walls 30 designed to cooperate with the inner side walls 2 of the coupling 1, ensuring stability and eliminating gaps in the assembly of the unit.

[00055] In projection 25, a rib 26 is also provided, adjacent to the inner upper face 21, intended to provide resistance to bending of projection 25.

[00056] In another optional configuration of the coupling 1, flexible protrusions 6 may be provided on only one of the side walls 2, so that a housing 5 may be provided on the other side wall 2. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, p. 13 / 26 8 / 8 for an additional magnetic element 20, intended to increase the retention of the connector arrangement to the arm. Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, p. 14 / 26

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIMS 1. Connecting arrangement (14) in a windshield wiper blade (13) for mounting in multiple types of connection systems characterized by comprising a magnetic element (20). Petition 870250016717, dated 28 / 02 / 2025, page 15 / 26

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