Device for attaching wiper blade to wiper arm

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device (100) for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connecting device (100) comprising at least one main connecting member (110), the main connecting member being suitable for connecting to the wiper blade and to a U-shaped clip (210) of a wiper arm (201), the main connecting member (110) extending along a main extension axis (X), and characterized in that the main connecting member (110) comprises at least one base (140) and at least one removable part (150) relative to the base (140), the at least one base being pivotally mounted on the wiper blade, the removable part (150) and the base (140) being aligned along the main extension axis (X).

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of windshield wiper systems for motor vehicles. More particularly, the field of the invention is that of a connection device implemented between a wiper arm and a wiper of such a windshield wiper system.

[0002] Motor vehicles are usually provided with a wiper system for cleaning the embedded glass surface of the motor vehicle, and in particular the windshield of the motor vehicle. Such a wiper system comprises at least one wiper arm and a wiper driven by the wiper arm. The wiper arm is therefore connected to the electric motor of the vehicle, and the wiper comprises at least one wiper blade suitable for contacting the embedded glass surface to be cleaned. A connection device is arranged between the wiper and the wiper arm so that the wiper can be driven. Such a connection device conventionally comprises at least one adapter and at least one connector rigidly connected to the wiper, the at least one adapter allowing the connector, and therefore the wiper to which the connector is fastened, to be connected to the wiper arm.

[0003] There are currently many different wiper arms that require as many different connecting devices to secure them to the wiper blade. Connecting devices suitable for use on most of these wiper arms are currently on sale. However, the latest innovations in this field are making these connecting devices obsolete.

[0004] In particular, a new type of wiper arm has recently appeared, which allows the spraying of washing fluid from a connecting device. These new wiper arms therefore comprise at least one spraying member, which is attached to the wiper arm and more particularly to the yoke of the wiper arm facing the connecting device. In order to supply the spraying member with fluid, a washing fluid pipe extends along the wiper arm between the vehicle where the reservoir containing the washing fluid is located and the spraying member. Connecting devices that allow the connection of different types of wiper arms are not suitable for these new wiper arms. In particular, these connecting devices interfere with the washing fluid pipe mentioned above.

[0005] In the interests of standardization allowing significant economies of scale to be achieved, there is currently a real need to create novel connection devices capable of being fitted both to so-called "conventional" wiper arms and to wiper arms equipped with a washer fluid injection function located at the connection with the wiper blade, such as those just described. "Conventional wiper arms" are wiper arms designed to be connected to a wiper blade using connection devices such as those described in patent application EP 1 918 166 A2, or using connection devices such as those described in patent application FR 3 066 457 A1, or using connection devices such as those described in patent application FR 2 890 925 A1 (this list is not exhaustive).

[0006] The present invention falls within this context by proposing a connection device capable of providing a connection between a wiper blade and a so-called "conventional" wiper arm, and between a wiper blade and a wiper arm equipped with a washer fluid spray function located at the connection to the wiper blade.

[0007] Thus, one subject of the invention relates to a connection device intended for connecting a wiper to a wiper arm, the connection device comprising at least one main connection member designed to be connected to the wiper and to a yoke of the wiper arm, the main connection member extending along a main axis of extension. According to the invention, the main connection member comprises at least one base and at least one removable portion removable from the base, the at least one base being configured to be pivotally mounted on the wiper, the removable portion and the base being aligned along the main axis of extension. In other words, it will be understood that the main connection member is designed to be retained on the wiper by means of at least one base.

[0008] According to a feature of the invention, a removable portion of the main connection member can facilitate the connection of the connection device to the yoke of the wiper arm. According to the invention, the yoke of the wiper arm defines a housing to receive at least a portion of the connection device. "Removable portion" refers to a portion of the main connection member that can be removed from the main connection member. In other words, the connection device according to the invention allows the wiper to be fixed to the wiper arm with or without the removable portion. This is because the removable portion may prevent the connection when the connection device is used with a certain type of wiper arm. More specifically, the removable portion may interfere with the tube extending along these wiper arms, which are equipped with a washing fluid injection function located at the connection between the wiper arm and the wiper. However, there are other types of wiper arms for which the removable portion forms an indispensable part of the connection. Therefore, the invention makes it possible to use a single identical connection device on at least the two types of wiper arms just mentioned by making the portion removable. Advantageously, the connection device according to the invention is also suitable for other types of wiper arms. All of these wiper arms and their specific features are described more fully below.

[0009] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one first connection member is formed on the base of the main connection member, and at least one second connection member is formed on the removable portion of the main connection member, and the at least one first connection member and the at least one second connection member are configured to removably cooperate with each other. For example, the at least one first connection member and the at least one second connection member can be configured to cooperate by being assembled together with each other. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the at least one first connection member is in the form of a channel, and the at least one second connection member is in the form of a tongue, and at least one tongue is accommodated in at least one channel.

[0010] According to the present invention, the base of the main connecting member includes at least two first side walls connected to each other by a first upper wall, and the tongue forming at least one second connecting member can extend mainly in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the first upper wall of the base of the main connecting member, and the main extension axis of the channel forming at least one first connecting member is also perpendicular to the main extension plane of the first upper wall of the base of the main connecting member. Alternatively, the tongue forming at least one second connecting member can extend parallel to the main extension axis of the main connecting member, and the main extension axis of the channel forming at least one first connecting member is also parallel to the main extension axis of the main connecting member. It must be understood that these are only exemplary embodiments that do not limit the present invention, and without departing from the context of the present invention, any other connecting member compatible with the present invention can be conceived, as long as any other connecting member allows a removable connection between the base of the main connecting member and the removable part.

[0011] According to the invention, the removable portion of the main connection member comprises at least one elastic tab extending mainly in a direction parallel to the main extension axis of the main connection member, the at least one elastic tab being designed to cooperate with the yoke of the wiper arm. The term elastic is understood here and throughout this document to mean that the object in question exhibits elastic properties, that is to say properties that allow it to return to its initial shape after having been subjected to mechanical stress.

[0012] According to one feature of the invention, the removable portion of the main connection member may include at least one first lateral wall and at least one second lateral wall connected to each other by at least one upper bridge, the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall being respectively distributed on each side of a plane transverse to the at least one upper bridge, in which the main extension axis of the main connection member is inscribed, at least one first elastic lug is formed in the continuation of the first lateral wall in the direction away from the base of the main connection member, and at least one second elastic lug is formed in the continuation of the second lateral wall in the direction away from the base of the main connection member, each of the two elastic lugs being designed to cooperate with the yoke of the wiper arm. Optionally, the first lateral wall of the removable portion of the main connection member and the second lateral wall of the removable portion of the main connection member may be parallel to each other. Advantageously, at least one upper bridge connecting the first lateral wall of the removable portion of the main connection member and the second lateral wall of the removable portion of the main connection member contributes to imparting elastic properties to the first elastic lug and the second elastic lug. More particularly, the upper bridge allows the two elastic tabs to be brought closer to each other, thereby allowing these tabs to be alternately engaged and disengaged relative to the yoke of the wiper arm. According to one feature of the invention, the base of the main connection member comprises at least one retractable button designed to be received in an orifice formed in the yoke of the wiper arm and to retract when the yoke of the wiper arm does not have this orifice. Where appropriate, the retractable button is designed to be received in an orifice formed in the yoke of the wiper arm so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the wiper, that is to say movement along a longitudinal axis parallel to the main extension axis of the main connection member of the connection device according to the invention.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the base of the main connecting member comprises at least two first side walls connected to each other by a first upper wall, the two first side walls and the first upper wall defining at least one first space configured to at least partially receive the wiper.

[0014] According to the invention, the first upper wall of the base of the main connection member is extended in the direction of the removable part by means of an elastic tongue carrying the retractable button. Advantageously, the retractable button comprises at least one retaining member which helps to hold the removable part against the base. For example, the retaining member of the retractable button can be designed to bear against a transverse wall of the removable part, which transverse wall is formed in such a way as to connect a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall of the removable part.

[0015] Advantageously, this cooperation between the retractable button, and more particularly the retaining member of the retractable button, and the transverse wall of the removable part makes the removable connection between the base of the main connection member and the removable part more durable, in particular in connection with wiper arms whose yokes do not have an orifice in which the retractable button is originally designed to be received. In other words, the retaining member assists and strengthens the removable connection between the base of the main connection member and the removable part. In addition, the retaining member forms a device that improves the reliability of the removable connection between the base of the main connection member and the removable part (that is to say, in the event of a breakage of the removable connection, the retaining member ensures that the wiper does not detach from the yoke). For example, the retaining member can take the form of a rod that emerges from the retractable button and extends perpendicularly to the main extension axis of the main connection member and perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the first upper wall of the base of the main connection member.

[0016] According to one example of the invention, the connection device may include at least one second-level connection member, which is configured to be inserted between the base of the main connection member and the yoke of the wiper arm. In other words, the second-level connection member is designed to be received in a receiving housing defined by the yoke of the wiper arm. Advantageously, the addition of the second-level connection member allows the connection device to be used with at least two types of yokes, which differ from each other in their size or, in other words, in the size of the receiving housings they respectively define.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, the base of the main connection member includes at least two first side walls connected to each other by at least a first upper wall, the second-level connection member includes at least two second side walls connected to each other by at least one second upper wall, the two first side walls and the first upper wall define a first space, which is configured to at least partially receive the wiper, and the two second side walls and the second upper wall define a second space, which is configured to at least partially receive the base of the main connection member. In other words, the second space defined by the two second side walls and the second upper wall of the second-level connection member is designed to receive the two first side walls and the first upper wall of the main connection member. According to the invention, the first space defined by the first side wall and by the first upper wall is more particularly designed to receive a connector fixed to the wiper.

[0018] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one of the second side walls of the secondary connection member comprises at least one locking tooth, which is used to lock the secondary connection member on the main connection member. For example, the at least one locking tooth can be bent backward toward the other second side wall of the secondary connection member, and the at least one locking tooth is designed to abut against the lower edge surface of at least one of the first side walls of the base of the main connection member.

[0019] In other words, the base of the main connection member and the second level connection structure are both U-shaped, the first upper wall and the second upper wall respectively forming the base of these U shapes, and the first side wall and the second side wall respectively forming two branches of each U shape. "The lower edge face of one of the first side walls" refers to the free edge of the side wall involved, which is opposite to the edge through which the first upper wall of the base of the main connection member is connected to the side wall. In other words, it will be understood that the base of the main connection member is sandwiched between at least one locking tooth of the second level connection member and the second upper wall of the second level connection member. Therefore, the second level connection member allows the vertical locking of the position of the base of the main connection member, that is to say the locking along the axis of the main extension plane of the first upper wall perpendicular to the base of the main connection member. Advantageously, at least one locking tooth is formed on each of the second side walls of the second level connection member. Without departing from the context of the present invention, it can also be provided that two locking teeth are formed on one of the second side walls of the second level connection member, otherwise two locking teeth are formed on each of the second side walls of these second side walls of the second level connection member.

[0020] The connection device according to the present invention may also include at least one third-level connection member, the third-level connection member includes a third upper wall and at least two third side walls, the third upper wall and at least two third side walls define a third space, the third space is configured to at least partially receive the base of the main connection member and the second-level connection member. Optionally, the third-level connection member may include at least one first lug designed to cooperate with the main connection member. For example, the first lug may be designed to cooperate with the lower edge surface of one of the first side walls of the base of the main connection member. The third-level connection member may also include at least one second lug designed to cooperate with the second-level connection member. For example, the second lug may be designed to cooperate with the lower edge surface of at least one of the second side walls of the second side wall of the second-level connection member.

[0021] The invention also relates to a wiper system for a motor vehicle, the wiper system comprising at least one wiper and at least one wiper arm, which are connected to one another by means of at least one connecting device as described above.

[0022] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one wiper system as just described.

[0023] Further details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent by reading the detailed description given below and by reference to the various operating modes shown in an indicated manner in the following figures:

[0024] [ Figure 1 ] is an exploded view of a connecting device according to the present invention;

[0025] [ Figure 2 ] is an exploded view of a main connection member of a connection device according to a specific exemplary embodiment;

[0026] [ Figure 3 ] is a perspective view of a connecting device according to a first assembly mode of the present invention;

[0027] [ Figure 4 ] is a view from below of a portion of a connecting device according to a first assembly mode of the present invention;

[0028] [ Figure 5 ] is a partially exploded view of a wiper system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wiper system comprising a connecting device according to a second assembly mode of the present invention;

[0029] [ Figure 6 ] is based on Figure 5 A partial view in longitudinal section of a wiper system of a first exemplary embodiment shown in ;

[0030] [ Figure 7 ] is a partial view from below of a wiper system according to a variant of the first exemplary embodiment, the wiper system comprising at least one connecting device according to a second assembly mode of the invention;

[0031] [ Figure 8 ] is based on Figure 7 A view of a transverse section of a yoke of a wiper arm of a wiper system of a variant of the first exemplary embodiment shown in ;

[0032] [ Fig. 9 ] is a partially exploded view of a wiper system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wiper system comprising at least one connection device according to a third assembly mode;

[0033] [ Fig.10 ] is a partially exploded view of a wiper system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wiper system comprising at least one connection device according to a fourth assembly mode;

[0034] [ Fig.11 ] is based on Fig.10 A partial view of a longitudinal section of a wiper system of a third exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0035] The features, variants and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the present invention can be envisaged, which only include a selection of the features described below, if this selection of the features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage or distinguish the present invention from the prior art, then this selection is independent of the other features described.

[0036] In the figures, the terms longitudinal, transverse, lateral, left, right, top and bottom refer to the orientation of the trihedron L, V, T with reference to the connection device 100 according to the invention. In this reference system, the longitudinal axis L represents the longitudinal direction, the transverse axis T represents the transverse direction, and the vertical axis V represents the vertical direction of the object in question. In this reference system, a transverse section corresponds to a section formed in a transverse and vertical plane, i.e. a plane containing the transverse axis T and the vertical axis V of the trihedron. A longitudinal section, for its part, represents a section formed in a longitudinal and vertical plane, i.e. a plane containing the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V. In the following description, the terms "wiper" and "wiper blade" are used without distinction, as are the terms "wiper arm" and "arm".

[0037] Figure 1 1 is an exploded view of a connection device 100 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the connection device 100 comprises at least one main connection member 110 intended to be fixed to a wiper (not shown here), at least one second-level connection member 120 and at least one third-level connection member 130, the second-level connection member 120 and the third-level connection member 130 being designed to be inserted between the main connection member 110 and the yoke of the wiper arm, Figures 5 to 11 , there are shown several examples in which the secondary connecting member and the tertiary connecting member are designed to be interposed between the main connecting member and the yoke of the wiper arm.

[0038] The primary connection member 110 extends along a main extension axis X parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trihedron shown, and comprises at least one base 140 and at least one removable portion 150 removable from the base 140, the base 140 and the removable portion 150 of the primary connection member 110 being aligned relative to each other along the main extension axis X. The secondary connection member 120 and the tertiary connection member 130 themselves are designed to be mounted on each other in a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis V of the trihedron shown.

[0039] The base 140 of the main connecting member 110 includes two first side walls 141 connected to each other by a first upper wall 142. Figure 1Only one of the two first side walls is visible in the figure. As depicted, the first upper wall 142 extends mainly in a longitudinal and transverse plane, that is, a plane containing the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T of the trihedron shown. The two first side walls 141 and the first upper wall 142 together define a first space 148, which is intended to receive a connector fixed to the wiper. The first upper wall 142 extends in the direction of the removable part 150 through an elastic tongue 143 carrying a retractable button 144. In other words, the elastic tongue 143 also extends mainly in the main extension plane of the first upper wall 142, which is the plane mentioned above. "Elastic tongue" refers to a tongue that can return to its initial position after being deformed by mechanical stress. Therefore, it is the elastic properties of the elastic tongue 143 that make the button it carries retractable. More specifically, the retractable button 144 extends beyond each of the first side walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110 along the main extension axis X of the main connecting member 110 and in a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis V of the trihedron shown. As will be described in more detail below, the retractable button 144 can help to fix the connecting device 100 to the yoke of the wiper arm, and the retractable button 144 is designed to be received in an orifice made in the yoke of the wiper arm. Advantageously, and as will be described in more detail below, with reference to Fig.11 The retractable button 144 may also make it possible to improve the reliability of the removable connection made between the base 140 of the main connection member 110 and the removable portion 150 .

[0040] The base 140 of the main connection member 110 further comprises a head 146 forming one longitudinal end of the base 140. In other words, the base 140 of the main connection member 110 extends along its main extension axis X between the head 146 and the retractable button 144. As depicted, the head 146 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110 has a cutout 146a made by a rear edge 146b of the head 146, that is to say an edge of the head 146 facing the first upper wall 142 of the base 140.

[0041] Each of the first side walls 141 of the base 140 also has a hole 145 configured to receive a pivot pin about which the wiper arm can rotate relative to the connecting device 100 .

[0042] Furthermore, the base 140 of the main connection member 110 comprises at least one first connection member 149, which is designed to cooperate with at least one second connection member 151 formed on the removable portion 150. According to the invention, this cooperation can be achieved, for example, by assembling the at least one first connection member and the at least one second connection member together. Figure 1In the example shown in , the first connection member 149 takes the form of at least one channel 147 designed to accommodate at least one tongue 152 formed on the removable part 150. As depicted, the at least one channel 147 takes the form of a blind hole, that is to say the at least one channel extends along a main straight line C between the end wall and an opening through which at least one tongue 152 can be inserted. According to the example shown, the main straight line C is parallel to the vertical axis V of the trihedron shown, and the opening of the channel 147 opens into the first upper wall 142 of the base 140 of the first-level connection member 110. Advantageously, the first connection member 149 comprises two channels 147, which are distributed on each of the first side walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110, each of these channels 147 opens into the first upper wall 142 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110, and each of these channels 147 is designed to accommodate a tongue 152. More specifically, these channels 147 are formed respectively on each side of the elastic tongue 143 carrying the retractable button 144. In other words, in the example shown, the second connection member 151 comprises two tongues 152 formed so as to be insertable in the corresponding channels 147. Thus, the removable portion 150 of the main connection member 110 comprises at least one first lateral wall 153 from which a first tongue 152a emerges and at least one second lateral wall 154 from which a second tongue 152b emerges.

[0043] More particularly, the first lateral wall 153 and the second lateral wall 154 extend parallel to each other or substantially parallel to each other and are connected to each other by at least one upper bridge 155. In the example shown, the upper bridge 155 extends parallel to the transverse axis T of the trihedron shown. The first lateral wall 153 and the second lateral wall 154 are respectively distributed on each side of a plane transverse to the upper bridge 155 and in which the main extension axis X of the main connecting member 110 is located. According to the example shown, the plane is more particularly a longitudinal and vertical plane, that is to say a plane containing the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V of the trihedron shown. Each of these lateral walls 153, 154 therefore extends between a front end 153a from which the associated tongue 152a, 152b emerges and a rear end formed by elastic tabs 153b, 154b. These elastic tabs 153b, 154b each include a gripping area 153c, 154c that protrudes outwards from the associated elastic tab, that is to say deviates from each other. Furthermore, the upper bridge 155 connecting the first lateral wall 153 to the second lateral wall 154 helps to give the elastic tabs 153b, 154b their elasticity. These elastic tabs 153b, 154b are designed to cooperate with yokes in certain wiper arms described and shown below.

[0044] More specifically, the tongue 152 itself comprises at least one attachment portion 156 by means of which it emerges from the relative lateral wall 153, 154, and at least one inner fitting portion 157, which extends from this attachment portion 156 parallel to the main extension straight line C of at least one of the channels 147 and is designed to be received at least partially in the corresponding channel 147. It will be understood that the attachment portion 156 allows a space to be left between the edge of the relative tongue 152 and the edge of the lateral wall 153, 154 carrying it, so as to allow the insertion of this tongue 152 in a channel 147 provided for this purpose on the base 140 of the main connecting member 110.

[0045] Advantageously, the first lateral wall 153 and the second lateral wall 154 have a distance measured perpendicularly to the first lateral wall 153 and perpendicularly to the second lateral wall 154 that is equal to or substantially equal to the distance of the channel 147 formed on the base 140 of the main connection member 110 and measured in a direction perpendicular to the first lateral wall 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110. Thus, once the removable part 150 has been connected to the base 140 of the main connection member 110, the front end 153a of each of the lateral walls 153, 154 of the removable part 150 is arranged to face and advantageously contact a respective rear end edge of one of the first lateral walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110.

[0046] It will thus be understood that in the example shown, the tongues 152 forming the second connection member 151 are designed to be vertically inserted into the corresponding channels 147 from above, that is to say via the first upper wall 142 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110. Alternatively, the channels may lead to the lower edge face of each of the first side walls of the base of the main connection member, and the tongues may have the same Figure 1 The shape shown is the opposite of the shape shown, so as to be inserted vertically into the corresponding channel from below.

[0047] Finally, as will be described more fully below, at least one transverse wall (e.g. Figure 2 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 ) extends between the first lateral wall 153 and the second lateral wall 154 of the removable portion 150 of the main connecting member 110.

[0048] As mentioned above, the connection device 100 according to the present invention further comprises a second-level connection member 120 and a third-level connection member 130. The second-level connection member 120 has at least two second side walls 121, which are connected to each other by a second upper wall 122. In the example shown, the upper wall 122 is H-shaped when viewed from above, that is, when viewed from the third-level connection member 130, but it must be understood that this is only an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and is not limited thereto.

[0049] The two second side walls 121 of the second-level connecting member 120 define a second space 123, which is designed to at least partially receive the base 140 of the main connecting member 110. In other words, in the assembled position, the second side wall 121 of the second-level connecting member 120 at least partially covers the first side wall 141 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110, and the second upper wall 122 of the second-level connecting member 120 at least partially covers the first upper wall 142 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110. Figure 1 It is understood that, in the assembled position, the elastic tongue 143 carrying the retractable button 144 faces the H-shaped hole portion 124 of the second upper wall 122, so that the second upper wall 122 does not hinder the movement of the elastic tongue 143. When the secondary connection member 120 is mounted on the base 140 of the main connection member 110, each of the second side walls 121 of the secondary connection member 120 also has a hole 125 arranged to face the hole 145 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110.

[0050] The third connection member 130, for its part, has two third side walls 131 connected to each other by a third upper wall 132. The two third side walls 131 and the third upper wall 132 delimit a third space 133 designed to receive the following two, one of which is the second connection member 120, that is to say at least a portion of the two second side walls 121 and the second upper wall 122 of the second connection member 120, and the other of which is at least a portion of the base 140 of the main connection member 110. In a similar manner to that described above, each third side wall 131 comprises at least one hole 134 positioned facing the holes 125, 145 formed respectively on the second connection member 120 and on the base 140 of the main connection member 110. It can be noted that the third upper wall 132 has a cutout 135. In the assembled position, this cutout 135 receives a retractable button 144 carried by the base 140 of the main connection member 110.

[0051] Figure 2The main connection member 110 according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in an exploded view. According to this particular exemplary embodiment, the channels 147 are created so that the main extension straight lines C of these channels are perpendicular to the main extension axis X of the main connection member 110, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trihedron shown, and the respective openings of these channels themselves open to the rear longitudinal end 170 of each of the first side walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110. The inner fitting portion 157 of each of the tongues 152 formed on the removable part 150 of the main connection member 110 also extends parallel to the main extension axis X of the main connection member 110, that is to say these inner fitting portions respectively extend longitudinally one of the lateral walls 153, 154 of the removable part 150, so as to be longitudinally inserted into the corresponding channel 147.

[0052] Furthermore, it will be noted that each of the inner fitting portions 157 of each of these tongues 152 emerges from a front end 153a, 154a of one of the lateral walls 153, 154 of the removable portion 150 of the main connecting member 110 and is divided into two branches 171, 172 designed to be received in one of the corresponding channels 147 via the rear longitudinal end 170 of the relative first side wall 141. Advantageously, these two branches 171, 172 are elastic, that is to say they are configured to return to their initial shape after being deformed by mechanical stress. In other words, it will be understood that the two branches 171, 172 are moved closer to each other in order to be able to be inserted into the corresponding channel 147, but once inserted into the channel 147, they tend to return to their initial position, cooperating with the inner wall of the channel 147 to keep the tongue 152 in the channel 147, thus maintaining the connection between the removable part 150 and the base 140 of the main connection member 110. It will be understood that in order to disengage the removable part 150 from the base 140, all that is required is then to apply a mechanical force to the tongue 152 so as to allow the two branches 171, 172 of the tongue to move closer together, thereby allowing the two branches to be withdrawn from the channel 147.

[0053] It must be understood that these are merely exemplary embodiments that do not limit the present invention, and that any other embodiments of the first connecting member and the second connecting member may be envisaged without departing from the context of the present invention, as long as these embodiments do effectively allow a removable connection between the base of the main connecting member and the removable part.

[0054] As mentioned above, Figure 2 Also shown is a transverse wall 158 connecting the first lateral wall 153 of the removable portion 150 to the second lateral wall 154, the purpose of which will be referred to below. Fig.11 More fully detailed.

[0055] Figure 3 A connection device 100 according to the invention is shown in a first assembly mode. It should be noted that this first assembly mode corresponds to the assembly mode used for selling the connection device 100 according to the invention. In other words, Figure 3 The connecting device 100 is shown as being sold in the original equipment and replacement parts aftermarket network. According to the first assembly mode, the main connecting member 110 is assembled, that is to say the base of the main connecting member (at Figure 3 ) and the removable portion 150 of the primary connecting member, the secondary connecting member (not visible in Figure 3 ) and a third level connecting member 130.

[0056] According to the first assembly mode, the base of the main connection member 110 and the secondary connection member are completely covered by the tertiary connection member 130, so that the base of the main connection member 110 and the secondary connection member are completely covered by the tertiary connection member 130. Figure 3 However, as previously mentioned, the third upper wall 132 of the tertiary connecting member 130 has a cutout 135 through which a retractable button 144 carried by the base 140 of the primary connecting member extends, the retractable button 144 thus being visible in the Figure 3 In addition, the head 146 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110 also extends beyond the third-level connecting member 130, so that the head is also in the Figure 3 As previously mentioned, the head 146 includes a cutout 146a extending from its rear edge 146b. As depicted, a hole 101 is thus formed between the head 146 and the first upper wall of the base, the second upper wall of the second level connecting member, and the third upper wall of the tertiary connecting member 130. As will be described in more detail below, the hole 101 is configured to receive a portion of a yoke of certain wiper arms.

[0057] Finally, the removable portion 150 of the main connecting member 110 also extends beyond the tertiary connecting member 130. More specifically, the resilient tabs 153b, 154b of the removable portion 150 extend beyond the third side wall 131 of the tertiary connecting member 130 and therefore also beyond the secondary connecting member, thereby allowing these resilient tabs to cooperate with the yoke of certain wiper arms (as described in more detail below).

[0058] Figure 4A portion of the connection device 100 is shown according to a first assembly mode (that is to say the assembly mode in which the connection device 100 can be provided for sale in the original equipment and replacement parts aftermarket network) viewed from below. It will therefore be understood that the features described hereinafter may be considered alone or in various combinations without departing from the context of the present invention, as long as they are not mutually incompatible.

[0059] Thus, as shown, it can be noted that the secondary connection member 120 comprises at least one locking tooth 126, which emerges from the lower edge face 127 of one of the second side walls 121 of the secondary connection member 120 and extends towards the other second side wall 121 of the secondary connection member 120. By "lower edge face" is meant the free edge of the second side wall 121 in question, opposite to the edge of the second side wall 121 through which the second side wall is connected to the second upper wall of the secondary connection member 120. As shown, the at least one locking tooth 126 abuts against the lower edge face 160 of one of the first side walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110. Here, by "lower edge face" is meant the free edge of the first side wall 141 in question, opposite to the edge of the first side wall 141 through which the first side wall is connected to the first upper wall. In other words, it will be understood that the base 140 of the main connection member 110 is clamped between at least one locking tooth 126 of the secondary connection member 120 and the second upper wall ( Figure 4 Advantageously, the secondary connection member 120 may include a plurality of locking teeth distributed between the two second side walls and respectively abutting against the two first side walls of the base of the primary connection member.

[0060] The figure also shows a first lug 136 emerging from one of the third side walls 131 of the tertiary connection member 130 and comprising at least one vertical portion 136a extending mainly in a direction parallel to the vertical axis V and at least one transverse portion 136b emerging from the vertical portion 136a and extending mainly in a direction parallel to the transverse axis T towards the other third side wall of the tertiary connection member 130. More specifically, the first lug 136 emerges from the lower edge face 138 of the associated third side wall 131, that is to say from the free edge of the third side wall, which is opposite to the edge through which the third side wall is connected to the third upper wall of the tertiary connection member 130. As shown in the figure, according to the first assembly mode, the transverse portion 136b of the first lug 136 abuts against the lower edge face 160 of one of the first side walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110.

[0061] In the example shown, the locking tooth 126 of the secondary connection member 120 and the first lug 136 of the tertiary connection member 130 abut against the lower edge face 160 of the same first side wall 141 of the base 140 of the primary connection member 110. It must be understood that this is only an exemplary embodiment and that the first lug 136 may abut against another first side wall of the base 140 of the primary connection member 110 without departing from the context of the present invention. Advantageously, the tertiary connection member 130 may comprise a plurality of first lugs distributed between its two third side walls.

[0062] According to the illustrated example, the tertiary connecting member 130 further includes at least one second lug 139 , which emerges from the lower edge surface 138 of one of the third side walls 131 of the tertiary connecting member 130 and extends toward the other third side wall 131 of the tertiary connecting member 130 .

[0063] According to the example shown, the first lug 136 and the second lug 139 are formed on the same third side wall 131 of the third-level connecting member 130, but it must be understood that this is merely an exemplary embodiment and that the second lug 139 may be formed on another third side wall 131 of the third-level connecting member 130 without departing from the context of the present invention.

[0064] As depicted, the second lug 139 abuts against the lower edge face 127 of one of the second side walls 121 of the second-stage connecting member 120. In other words, the base 140 of the main connecting member 110 is thus sandwiched between the locking tooth 126 of the second-stage connecting member 120 and the second upper wall of the second-stage connecting member 120 on the one hand, and between the first lug 136 of the tertiary connecting member 130 and the third upper wall of the tertiary connecting member 130 on the other hand. The second-stage connecting member 120, for its part, is sandwiched between the second lug 137 of the tertiary connecting member 130 and the third upper wall of the tertiary connecting member 130.

[0065] also, Figure 4 1 shows a portion of the removable portion of the main connecting member 110. More specifically, the Figure 4The front end 153a of the first lateral wall 153 of the removable part is shown. As shown, the inner face 153d of the first lateral wall 153 is extended longitudinally in the direction of the base 140 by a load reaction member 159, which abuts against a shoulder 161 formed on the inner face 162 of the first lateral wall 141 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110. "Inner face of the first lateral wall" refers to the face of the first lateral wall 153 facing the second lateral wall of the removable part, and "inner face of the first lateral wall of the base of the main connecting member" refers to the face of the first lateral wall facing the other first lateral wall of the base of the main connecting member. Advantageously, the cooperation between the load reaction member 159 and the shoulder 161 makes it possible to prevent the elastic tabs 153b, 154b from breaking when mechanical forces are applied to these elastic tabs, in particular during the stages of assembling the connecting device 100 on certain types of wiper arms and separating the connecting device from certain types of wiper arms, for example as described below with reference to Fig.10 and Fig.11 Described.

[0066] Now refer to Figures 5 to 11 The cooperation between the connecting device 100 and the wiper arm of the wiper system shown in various exemplary embodiments is described with respect to various assembly modes.

[0067] According to any of the exemplary embodiments shown here, the wiper system 200 comprises at least one wiper (not shown here) connected to a wiper arm 201 via a connection device 100 according to the invention. The wiper comprises at least one wiper blade rubber for sweeping over a glass-mounted surface of a motor vehicle in order to remove dirt from the glass-mounted surface, the wiper blade rubber being carried by at least one member that adds rigidity to the wiper blade rubber. The wiper further comprises at least one connector designed to be received in a first space defined by a first side wall and a first upper wall of a base of a main connection member of the connection device 100 according to the invention, and at least one spoiler designed to maintain contact between the wiper blade rubber and the glass-mounted surface to be wiped.

[0068] The wiper arm 201 for its part comprises at least one rod 202 pushed into a yoke 210. Viewed in a transverse and vertical plane (that is to say, in which the transverse axis T and the vertical axis V of the trihedron shown fall), the yoke 210 has an inverted U-shape defining a receiving housing 211 designed to at least partially receive a connection device 100 according to the invention. In other words, the yoke 210 comprises at least two fourth side walls 212 connected to each other by a fourth upper wall 213, the two fourth side walls 212 and the fourth upper wall 213 defining a receiving housing 211 for receiving the connection device 100.

[0069] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a wiper arm 201 and a connection device 100 of a wiper system 200 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. According to this first exemplary embodiment, the connection device 100 is assembled according to a second assembly mode which differs from the first assembly mode in that it has no removable parts. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 2 is a view of a longitudinal section of a yoke 210 and a connecting device 100 of a wiper arm 201 of a wiper system 200 shown in FIG.

[0070] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the wiper arm 201 is depicted without a rod. In other words, these figures only show the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. As mentioned above, the yoke 210 includes two fourth side walls 212, which are connected to each other by a fourth upper wall 213, and the two fourth side walls 212 and the fourth upper wall 213 define a receiving housing 211 for receiving the connecting device 100. More specifically, according to the first exemplary embodiment, when viewed from above, the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 has a Z shape. Therefore, the fourth upper wall 213 and the fourth side wall 212 respectively have a first portion 214 extending mainly in the first direction D1, a second portion 215 extending mainly in the second direction D2 parallel to the first direction D1, and at least one third portion 216 extending mainly in a third direction D3 transverse to the first direction D1 and transverse to the second direction D2. According to the invention, the receiving housing 211 is more particularly formed by the first portion 214 of the fourth upper wall 213 and the fourth side wall 212. Figure 6 , only the first portion 214 is visible.

[0071] As previously mentioned, the retractable button 144 is designed to be received in an aperture 217 formed in the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. As shown, the aperture 217 is formed in the fourth upper wall 213 and more particularly in the first portion 214 of the fourth upper wall 213. The aperture 217 is a through aperture so that the retractable button 144 can extend through the aperture 217, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 Depicted.

[0072] The yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 further comprises a retaining tab 218 for retaining the connection device 100. According to the example shown here, the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 comprises two retaining tabs 218 respectively carried by each of the fourth side walls 212. One of these retaining tabs 218 is disposed at Figure 5 The middle portion is visible, while on the other hand, another retaining protrusion 218 is Figure 6 Visible in.

[0073] Thus, each of these retaining tabs 218 emerges from one of the fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210, and more particularly from the lower edge face 219 of these fourth side walls 212. Similar to what has been described above, the "lower edge face of the fourth side wall" refers to the free edge of the fourth side wall opposite the fourth upper wall 213. These retaining tabs 218 thus each extend in the direction of another retaining tab 218. In other words, each retaining tab 218 is bent toward the fourth side wall 212 that does not bear it, and as Figure 6 As shown, it helps to define a receiving housing 211 for receiving the connecting device 100.

[0074] Specifically, from Figure 6 It is understood that each of the retaining tabs 218 is configured to abut against a lower edge surface of one of the third side walls of the third level connecting member 130. Only the first portion 214 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 is located in the third level connecting member 130. Figure 6 This is especially visible in Figure 6 A retaining device is also shown, which extends the telescopic button 144 longitudinally in the direction of the head 146 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110. It will be understood that the retaining device is designed to abut against the fourth upper wall 213 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201, thereby preventing the connection device 100 from being disengaged from the yoke 210 in the downward direction. In other words, the retaining device is capable of cooperating with the retaining tab 218 to limit the vertical movement of the connection device, that is to say the movement of the connection device along the vertical axis V of the trihedron shown, once the connection device 100 has been engaged in the yoke 210 and the telescopic button 144 has been engaged in the orifice 217 formed in the yoke 210.

[0075] Figure 6 Also shown are the first upper wall 142 of the base 140 of the primary connection member 110 , the second upper wall 122 of the secondary connection member 120 , and the third upper wall 132 , which, as previously mentioned, are stacked one on top of the other along the vertical axis V of the illustrated trihedron.

[0076] Figure 7 A wiper arm 201 according to a modification of the first exemplary embodiment just described and a connecting device 100 according to a second assembly mode are shown in a perspective view from below. Figure 8 For its part, a view of a transverse section of a wiper arm 201 according to a variant of the first exemplary embodiment is shown, the section being more particularly taken through a first portion 214 of a yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 .

[0077] This variant of the first exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the wiper arm 201 comprises at least one washer fluid injection member 300 and at least one pipe 301 designed to carry the washer fluid to the injection member 300 .

[0078] As shown, the washer fluid spray member 300 is mounted on the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 facing the connection device 100 and extends mainly in a longitudinal direction D parallel to the main extension axis X of the main connection member 110. As depicted, the spray member 300 comprises at least one supply orifice 302 to which the pipe 301 is hydraulically connected. The spray member 300 further comprises at least one attachment device 310 to the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. Figure 8 The injection member 300 is described more fully.

[0079] The tube 301 itself extends from the injection member 300 and more particularly from a supply orifice 302 of the injection member 300 along the wiper arm 201. The tube 301 is also connected to a reservoir of washer fluid arranged on the vehicle for which the wiper system according to the invention is intended.

[0080] As shown, at least one retaining member 303 for retaining the tube 301 holds the tube 301 on the wiper arm 201. According to the example shown, the retaining member 303 takes the form of a ring 304 that surrounds both the tube 301 and the wiper arm 201. It must be understood that the wiper arm 201 in practice comprises a plurality of retaining members 303 distributed along the length of the wiper arm 201. Moreover, the retaining member 303 may take a form different from that just described without departing from the context of the invention.

[0081] according to Figure 7The connecting device 100 of the second assembly mode shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Advantageously, the connection device 100 described above is identical to the connection device 100 described above. Figure 7 It is understood that the use of the connection device 100 according to the second assembly mode allows the passage of the tube 301. In particular, it is clear from this figure that the removable portion of the main connection member would interfere with this tube 301 if the connection device 100 according to the first assembly mode was used.

[0082] The remaining components Figure 5 and Figure 6 The elements shown in the drawings are common and reference can be made to the description given with reference to these figures for these elements.

[0083] Figure 8 The yoke 210 of the wiper arm according to the variant of the first exemplary embodiment just described is shown, viewed in transverse section. As depicted, the injection member 300 comprises a body 320 formed by at least one first portion 321 and at least one second portion 322 joined together, the first portion 321 and the second portion 322 together defining a connection with the supply orifice ( Figure 8 323 of the injection member 300. Alternatively, the injection member may be an integral part, that is to say the first part and the second part then form a single entity that cannot be disassembled without damaging the first part or the second part. Thus, the cleaning fluid arriving from the reservoir via the tube 301 enters the injection member 300 via the supply orifice, more particularly, into the chamber 323 of the injection member 300. The injection member 300 further comprises at least one injection orifice 324, and advantageously comprises a plurality of injection orifices 324, which are distributed along the length of the injection member 300 and are designed to allow the cleaning fluid received in the chamber 323 to be sprayed towards the surface of the embedded glass to be cleaned.

[0084] As mentioned above, the injection member 300 comprises an attachment device 310 to the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. According to the example shown, this attachment device 310 comprises at least one clipping device 311 designed to cooperate with a hollow space 220 formed in the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. According to the example shown, this hollow space 220 passes all the way through and is formed in one of the fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210, and the clipping device 311 takes the form of a hook that abuts against a portion of the relative fourth side wall 212 that contributes to defining the hollow space 220. According to an alternative not shown, the hollow space may be a blind hole without departing from the context of the invention.

[0085] According to the example shown, the clipping device 311 is made in one piece with the second part 322 of the injection member 300, that is to say, the clipping device 311 and the second part 322 of the injection member 300 form a single entity that cannot be disassembled without damaging the second part 322 of the injection member 300 or the clipping device 311. It must be understood that this is only one exemplary embodiment of the invention and that, without departing from the context of the invention, a device 310 for attaching the injection member 300 to the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 is conceivable. For example, it can be provided that the injection member is combined with the yoke, the injection member is formed in one piece with the yoke, or the injection member comprises a magnet and the yoke is made of a metallic material, so that the injection member is then held in place by magnetic force.

[0086] Fig. 9 A wiper arm 201 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. This second exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment firstly in terms of the transverse dimensions of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201, and also in terms of the assembly mode of the connecting device 100. "Transverse dimensions of the yoke 210" refers to the dimension measured in the transverse direction (that is, perpendicular to the two fourth side walls 212) between the two fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210. The transverse dimensions of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 according to the second exemplary embodiment are smaller than the transverse dimensions of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 according to the first exemplary embodiment, and more particularly, are smaller than the transverse dimensions of the first portion of the yoke of the wiper arm according to the first exemplary embodiment. This difference in dimensions means that the connecting device 100 according to the second assembly mode is incompatible with the yoke 210 according to the second exemplary embodiment, that is, it cannot be used to connect the yoke 210 to the wiper in question.

[0087] Further, the wiper arm 201 has a substantially straight shape, that is, the wiper arm 201 according to the second exemplary embodiment mainly extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trihedron. In other words, the wiper arm 201 does not have the aforementioned first portion, second portion and third portion.

[0088] Finally, the wiper arm 201 according to the second exemplary embodiment differs from the wiper arm according to the first exemplary embodiment in that it comprises at least one first retaining tab 223 and at least one second retaining tab 224, both of which emerge from the lower edge face 219 of one of the fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 and are spaced apart from each other. Each of these first retaining tabs 223 and second retaining tabs 224 thus emerges from the lower edge face 219 of one of the fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210 and extends substantially parallel to the transverse axis T of the trihedron shown towards the other fourth side wall 212 of the yoke 210. Although not visible here, the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 according to the second exemplary embodiment more particularly comprises two first retaining tabs 223 formed facing each other and two second retaining tabs 224 also formed opposite each other. In other words, the two first retaining tabs 223 respectively emerge from one of the fourth side walls 212 and extend toward the other fourth side wall 212, and the two second retaining tabs 224 respectively emerge from one of the fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210 and extend toward the other fourth side wall 212. Advantageously, these first retaining tabs and the second retaining tabs 224 abut at least against the lower edge surface of the second side wall 121 of the second-level connecting member 120, and together with the retractable button 144, help to keep the connecting device 100 in the yoke 210, and thus help to maintain the connection between the wiper and the wiper arm 201 by means of the connecting device 100.

[0089] like Fig. 9 As depicted, the wiper system 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment comprises a connection device 100 produced according to a third assembly mode. According to this third assembly mode, the connection device 100 comprises a base 140 of a main connection member 110 and a secondary connection member 120. In other words, the connection device 100 according to the third assembly mode differs from the connection device according to the second assembly mode in that it does not have a tertiary connection member. It will be understood that, by removing the tertiary connection member, the transverse dimensions of the connection device according to the third assembly mode are smaller than those of the connection device according to the first or second assembly mode. According to the invention, the transverse dimensions of the connection device are measured parallel to the transverse axis T of the trihedron shown between the two second side walls 121 of the second-level connection member according to the third assembly mode and between the two third side walls 131 of the tertiary connection member 130 according to the first or second assembly mode. Therefore, the connection device 100 according to the third assembly mode is designed to be inserted between the base 140 of the main connection member 110 and the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201.

[0090] The remaining features of the second exemplary embodiment are the same as the first exemplary embodiment, and the description given above regarding the first exemplary embodiment applies mutatis mutandis to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0091] According to a variation of the second exemplary embodiment (not shown here), the wiper arm may comprise a wiper arm as described above with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 Advantageously, the connection device according to the third assembly mode is also compatible with this variant of the second exemplary embodiment. In other words, it will be understood that the connection device according to the invention can be easily adapted for use on at least three different types of wiper arms.

[0092] Fig.10 and Fig.11 Both show a wiper arm 201 according to a third exemplary embodiment, Fig.10 is an exploded view of the wiper arm 201 and the connecting device 100 according to the fourth assembly mode, and Fig.11 is a view of a longitudinal section of a wiper arm 201 according to the third exemplary embodiment shown in combination with a connecting device 100 according to a fourth assembly mode. The wiper arm 201 according to the third exemplary embodiment differs from the wiper arms according to the first and second exemplary embodiments in particular in its transverse dimensions, which are measured as described above. The yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 according to the third exemplary embodiment therefore has a transverse dimension that is smaller than the transverse dimension of the yoke 210 according to the first exemplary embodiment and smaller than the transverse dimension of the yoke 210 according to the second exemplary embodiment. This means that a connecting device according to any of the assembly modes described above cannot be used with a wiper arm according to this third exemplary embodiment.

[0093] Thus, as depicted, the connection device 100 according to the fourth assembly mode comprises only the main connection member 110, that is to say both the base 140 and the removable portion 150 of this main connection member 110. Thus, the transverse dimension of the connection device 100 according to the fourth assembly mode and measured parallel to the transverse axis T between the two first side walls 141 of the base 140 of the main connection member 110 is smaller than the transverse dimension of the connection device 100 according to any of the assembly modes described above.

[0094] As described above, the wiper arm 201 according to this third exemplary embodiment itself comprises a yoke 210 and a rod 202 pushed into the yoke 210, and as previously mentioned, the yoke 210 also comprises two fourth side walls 212, which are connected to each other by a fourth upper wall 213. According to this third exemplary embodiment, the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 extends mainly parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trihedron shown. As shown in the figure, the two fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 according to the third exemplary embodiment each have a stopper 221, which is intended to cooperate with one of the elastic lugs 153b, 154b of the removable part 150 of the main connecting member 110. The fourth upper wall 213 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 according to this third exemplary embodiment extends longitudinally away from the rod 202 by a protrusion 222 designed to be received in the hole 101 created by forming a cutout 146a in the head 146 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110. As will be described below with reference to Fig.11 In more complete detail, this projection 222 more particularly forms a retaining device for holding the wiper arm 201 relative to the connecting device 100 .

[0095] It will also be noted that the fourth upper wall 213 of the yoke 210 according to the third exemplary embodiment differs from the fourth upper wall 213 of the yoke 210 according to any of the exemplary embodiments just described in that it does not have an aperture designed to receive the retractable button 144. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , once the connecting device 100 has been mounted on the wiper, the retractable button 144 is retracted toward the wiper, that is to say pushed downwards.

[0096] Fig.11 More particularly the cooperation between the connecting device 100 according to the fourth assembly mode and the yoke 210 of the wiper arm according to the third exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0097] If the Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , a bead of material is formed below the head 146 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110 of the connecting device 100 according to the present invention. As mentioned previously, the protrusion 222 formed in the continuation of the fourth upper wall 213 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201 is inserted into the hole 101 defined by the cutout 146a formed in the head 146 of the base 140 of the main connecting member 110, and from there Fig.11 It will be appreciated that the protrusion 222 engages with a bead of material formed below the head 146 to form a first retaining area 230 that holds the wiper arm 201 on the connecting device 100 and is configured to limit the movement of the wiper arm 201 in the connection device 100. Fig.11Longitudinal movement in the first direction S1 shown in , that is to say along the longitudinal axis L of the trihedron shown.

[0098] Should Fig.11 Also shown is the cooperation between one of the elastic tabs 154b of the removable part 150 of the main connection member 110 and one of the stops 221 formed on the fourth side wall 212 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. As depicted, this is more particularly the cooperation between the edge of the gripping area 154c and the stop 221 formed on one of the fourth side walls 212 of the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 201. As mentioned above, the removable part 150 of the main connection member 110 comprises an upper bridge 155 which connects the first lateral wall of the removable part 150 to the second lateral wall 154 and which contributes to giving the elastic tabs carried by the removable part 150 their elastic properties. More particularly, the upper bridge 155 allows the two resilient tabs to move closer to each other, thereby allowing the resilient tabs, and more particularly the gripping areas of the resilient tabs, to alternately engage and disengage relative to the stop 221 formed on the fourth side wall 212 of the yoke 210 .

[0099] Will be from this Fig.11 It is understood that the cooperation between the elastic protrusion of the removable part 150 of the main connecting member 110 and the stop member 221 of the yoke 210 forms a second retaining area 240, which holds the wiper arm 201 on the connecting device 100 and is configured to limit the longitudinal movement of the wiper arm 201 in a second direction S2 opposite to the first direction S1, that is, movement along the longitudinal axis L of the trihedron shown.

[0100] Since the fourth upper wall 213 does not have an aperture designed to accommodate the retractable button 144, and since the retractable button is carried by the elastic tongue 143, the retractable button 144 is retracted downwardly through the fourth upper wall 213. Advantageously, the retractable button 144 comprises a retaining member 144a which, in the example shown, takes the form of a rod emerging from the retractable button 144 and extending downwardly. Fig.11As can be seen in particular in FIG. 1 , the retaining member 144a is designed to abut against a transverse wall 158 of the removable part 150 of the main connection member 110, and more particularly against the rear face of this transverse wall 158, that is to say the face of this transverse wall 158 facing the flexible tabs 153b, 154b of the removable part 150. Advantageously, this cooperation between the retaining member 144a of the retractable button 144 and the transverse wall 158 of the removable part 150 facilitates and reinforces the removable connection between the base 140 of the main connection member 110 and the removable part 150. Furthermore, the retaining member 144a forms a device that improves the reliability of this removable connection between the base 140 of the main connection member 110 and the removable part 150, that is to say in the event of a breakage of this removable connection, the retaining member 144a ensures that the wiper does not detach from the yoke 210 of the wiper arm.

[0101] Advantageously, the injection member and the pipe carrying the cleaning fluid to the injection member as described above can be attached to the wiper arm according to the third exemplary embodiment without modifying the connecting device. In particular, since the elastic tabs of the removable part engage on the stop of the yoke of the wiper arm as just described, these elastic tabs do not interfere with the pipe and can therefore be connected using the connecting device according to the fourth assembly mode.

[0102] It will be appreciated from the above that the present invention therefore proposes a connection device for connecting a wiper to a wiper arm, which connection device can be easily adapted for use with at least three different types of wiper arms, it being understood that the description just given does not limit the scope of the invention. In particular, other modes of assembly not described herein may be envisaged without departing from the context of the present invention, thereby allowing the connection device to be adapted to fit a very large number of different wiper arms.

Claims

1. A connection device (100) intended for connecting a wiper to a wiper arm (201), the connection device (100) comprising at least one main connection member (110), the at least one main connection member being designed to be connected to the wiper and to a yoke (210) of the wiper arm (201), the main connection member (110) extending along a main extension axis (X), characterized in that The main connecting member (110) comprises at least one base (140) and at least one removable portion (150) that can be removed from the base (140), the at least one base being configured to be pivotally mounted on the wiper blade, the removable portion (150) and the base (140) being aligned along the main extension axis (X); The base (140) of the main connecting member (110) comprises at least one retractable button (144), the at least one retractable button being designed to be received in an aperture (217) formed in a yoke (210) of the wiper arm (201) and to be retracted when the yoke (210) of the wiper arm (201) does not have the aperture (217); The retractable button (144) includes at least one retaining member (144a) that helps retain the removable portion (150) against the base (140).

2. The connection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The removable portion (150) of the main connecting member (110) facilitates connecting the connecting device (100) to the yoke (210) of the wiper arm (201).

3. The connection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: At least one first connecting member (149) is formed on a base (140) of the main connecting member (110), and wherein at least one second connecting member (151) is formed on a removable portion (150) of the main connecting member (110), the at least one first connecting member (149) and the at least one second connecting member (151) being configured to removably cooperate with each other.

4. The connection device (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one first connection member (149) and the at least one second connection member (151) are configured to cooperate by being assembled to each other.

5. The connection device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The at least one first connection member (149) is in the form of a channel (147), wherein the at least one second connection member (151) is in the form of a tongue (152) received in at least one of the channels (147).

6. The connection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The removable portion (150) of the main connecting member (110) includes at least one elastic protrusion (153b, 154b), which mainly extends in a direction parallel to the main extension axis (X) of the main connecting member (110), and the at least one elastic protrusion (153b, 154b) is designed to cooperate with the yoke (210) of the wiper arm (201).

7. The connecting device (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one second-stage connecting member (120), wherein the at least one second-stage connecting member is configured to be inserted between the base (140) of the main connecting member (110) and the yoke (210) of the wiper arm (201).

8. The connection device (100) according to claim 7, wherein: The base (140) of the main connecting member (110) includes at least two first side walls (141) connected to each other by at least one first upper wall (142), and the second-level connecting member (120) includes at least two second side walls (121) connected to each other by at least one second upper wall (122), the two first side walls (141) and the first upper wall (142) define a first space (148), the first space is configured to at least partially receive the wiper, and the two second side walls (121) and the second upper wall (122) define a second space (123), the second space is configured to at least partially receive the base (140) of the main connecting member (110).

9. The connection device (100) according to claim 8, wherein: At least one of the second side walls (121) of the secondary connection member (120) comprises at least one locking tooth (126), and the at least one locking tooth is used to lock the secondary connection member (120) on the main connection member (110).

10. The connecting device (100) as described in claim 8 or 9 comprises at least one third-level connecting member (130), wherein the third-level connecting member (130) comprises at least two third side walls (131) and a third upper wall (132), wherein the at least two third side walls and the third upper wall define a third space (133), and the third space is configured to at least partially receive the second-level connecting member (120) and the base (140) of the main connecting member (110).

11. A wiper system (200) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wiper and at least one wiper arm (201), the at least one wiper and the at least one wiper arm being connected to each other via at least one connecting device (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Images