Connector for a wiper blade

Abstract

A connector (14) for a wiper blade (6) comprising at least a main body (16) and a rotating cover (18), the rotating cover (18) comprising at least one cover wall (36), a reinforcing wall (38), a hinge (40) arranged at one of the longitudinal ends (46, 48) of the cover wall (36) and ensuring the rotation of the rotating cover (18) about an axis (R), the reinforcing wall (38) extending from the cover wall (36) towards the end wall (20) of the main body (16), and attachment means (42) for rigidly connecting the rotating cover (18) with respect to the end wall (20) of the main body (16), the rotating cover (18) further comprising means (44) for supporting the rotating cover (18) on the end wall (20) of the main body (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wiper devices for wiping the surface of motor vehicle windows. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a wiper system for mounting to a motor vehicle includes at least one wiper designed to contact a glass surface (such as the windshield of a motor vehicle) and at least one wiper arm designed to drive the wiper to rotate. The wiper generally includes a wiper blade, typically made of rubber, designed to rub against the surface of the vehicle's glass to remove water and / or dust from the driver's view. The wiper is held by an arm that reciprocates at an angle under the drive of a motor.

[0003] In this device, the wiper includes at least an adapter, a connector, and a wiper blade. The adapter has a first portion that connects to the wiper connector and a second portion that connects to the arm. The adapter is typically mounted to be pivotable relative to the connector to provide a rotatable connection between the arm and the wiper, thereby allowing the wiper to follow changes in the curvature of the vehicle's windshield surface.

[0004] The windshield wipers move back and forth, carrying the wiper blades across the glass surface, meaning the blades remove water and dirt accumulated on the vehicle's glass. However, over time, the wiper blades wear down, and their wiping effectiveness decreases. Therefore, when they no longer meet safe driving conditions, the user must replace the wipers. The user removes the connector of the worn wiper from the arm and then attaches the new wiper to the arm.

[0005] One type of wiper arm is known to have a hook-shaped fixing element. In this particular embodiment, the wiper connector typically includes a shaft on which an adapter is positioned, and the arm hook is then secured to the adapter. The connector has an opening so that the arm hook can be inserted and engage with the adapter. Both the arm hook and the wiper adapter typically include locking elements to allow the wiper to remain securely attached to the arm.

[0006] The opening in the connector needs to be large enough to allow the arm hook to engage with the adapter. Therefore, once the wiper is mounted on the arm, the arm only fills a portion of this opening. The connector typically includes a cover that at least partially closes the opening in the connector not yet covered by the arm hook engaged with the adapter; the purpose of the cover is to prevent dust and water from entering the connector through the opening.

[0007] Therefore, this cover is removable, thus not hindering the assembly and disassembly of the wiper relative to the arm. In other words, as shown in Figure 16 of document DE202009013452U, the cover is capable of at least partially covering the opening in the connector. However, this cover is not held in place, and depending on the type of hook encountered, it can easily be pushed more or less into the connector. The lack of reliable positioning of the cover affects, on the one hand, the reliability of the hook's longitudinal fixation on the adapter, and on the other hand, results in an unsightly overall appearance of the wiper system.

[0008] In this context, the present invention therefore proposes to correct these two drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The main subject of this invention is a connector for a wiper, comprising at least a body and a rotating cap. The body includes at least a bottom wall and two side walls, which help define an internal volume at least partially closed by the rotating cap. The rotating cap includes at least a cover wall, a reinforcing wall, a hinge, and an attachment means for fixing the rotating cap relative to the bottom wall of the body. The cover wall extends longitudinally between two longitudinal ends, and the hinge is formed at one of the longitudinal ends of the cover wall and allows the rotating cap to rotate about an axis. The reinforcing wall extends from the cover wall toward the bottom wall of the body. The rotating cap is characterized by including a support means via which the rotating cap is supported against the bottom wall of the body.

[0010] The wiper is configured to connect to the arm of a vehicle wiper system. A wiper connector at least partially provides the connection between the wiper system arm and the wiper. Therefore, the wiper includes a wiper blade that is generally fixed to the body. A rotating cover itself closes a portion of the internal volume defined by the side and bottom walls of the body. Another portion of this internal volume remains open outwards to allow the arm of the vehicle wiper system to be at least partially received within and extend from this internal volume.

[0011] The rotating cover is movable about an axis employing a first position and a second position. In the first position, the positioning attachment means secures the rotating cover to the body and closes a portion of the internal volume of the rotating cover. In the second position, the rotating cover is at least partially positioned outside the internal volume of the body.

[0012] According to an optional feature of the invention, the support device contacts the bottom wall of the body. In this way, the support device prevents the rotating cover from being pushed into the internal volume while effectively maintaining the position of the rotating cover relative to the body, allowing the cover to effectively perform its function as a stabilizing hook.

[0013] According to another optional feature of the invention, the attachment device includes a support wall and a fixing lug, the support wall extending from the cover wall toward the bottom wall of the body and having a free end, the fixing lug being formed at the free end of the support wall to attach the rotating cover to the bottom wall of the body.

[0014] According to another optional feature of the invention, the support wall of the attachment device extends in a plane that intersects with and is different from the plane inscribed in the reinforcing wall.

[0015] It should be understood that the supporting wall and the reinforcing wall extend relative to each other to form a cross extending from the cover wall toward the bottom wall of the main body.

[0016] According to another feature of the invention, the retaining lug of the rotating cover engages with the bottom wall of the body to secure the rotating cover to the body.

[0017] According to another optional feature of the invention, the support device for the rotating cover forms a block protruding from the support wall.

[0018] In other words, the support device forms a cuboid extending from the support wall toward the hinge.

[0019] According to another optional feature of the invention, the support device and the fixing lug define a groove, which is configured to at least partially receive the bottom wall of the body.

[0020] The rotating cover is locked to the body when the bottom wall is at least partially accommodated in the groove formed by the support device and the fixing lug.

[0021] According to another optional feature of the invention, the support device forms a protrusion of a reinforcing wall that extends toward the bottom wall of the body, and the support device includes a free edge configured to contact the bottom wall.

[0022] The protrusion is part of the reinforcing wall, and its longitudinal dimension is smaller than that of the reinforcing wall itself. This longitudinal dimension is measured along an axis parallel to the main extension direction of the body.

[0023] According to another optional feature of the invention, the bottom wall includes a slot that at least partially accommodates the free edge of the support device. The slot is formed in the bottom wall facing the support device, and the free end of the protrusion forming the support device becomes partially accommodated in the slot, thereby supporting the rotating cover against the bottom of the slot.

[0024] According to another optional feature of the invention, the bottom wall includes a rib extending toward the rotating cover, and the free edge of the support device contacts the rib of the bottom wall. The rib is formed on the bottom wall facing the support device, and the free end of the protrusion forming the support device contacts one end edge of the rib, thereby supporting the rotating cover against the end edge of the rib.

[0025] According to another optional feature of the invention, the cover wall includes two side edges extending between each longitudinal end of the cover wall and the side edges are configured to contact the side wall of the body, and the support device includes at least one tab extending in a plane parallel to the main extension plane of the reinforcing wall and projecting from one of the side edges of the cover wall toward the bottom wall of the body.

[0026] According to another optional feature of the invention, the cover wall of the rotating cover is housed within the internal volume of the body.

[0027] Each sidewall extends from the bottom wall toward one end edge. When the rotating cover is secured to the body by the retaining lug, the cover wall is flush with at least one end edge of the sidewall.

[0028] According to another optional feature of the invention, the hinge includes at least one rotary bearing that is open and contains at least one pin of the body, the rotating cover pivoting about the pin of the body, and the hinge includes at least one recess that is different from the rotary bearing and facilitates insertion of the pin of the body into the rotary bearing.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a wiper comprising at least one connector according to any of the above features. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent, on the one hand, from the following description, and on the other hand, from several exemplary embodiments given in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a wiper system equipped with wipers according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 2 An exploded view of the connector;

[0034] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 2 The longitudinal cross-section of the connector;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the rotating cover of the connector according to the second embodiment;

[0036] Figure 6 It is based on Figure 5 The longitudinal cross-section of the connector;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the rotating cover of the connector according to the third embodiment;

[0038] Figure 8 It is based on Figure 7 The longitudinal cross-section of the connector;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the rotating cover of the connector according to the fourth embodiment;

[0040] Figure 10 It is based on Figure 9 The vertical cross-section of the connector. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The features, variations, and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not mutually incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variations of the present invention may be contemplated that include only a selection of the following features, separate from the other features, if such selection of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage and / or distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0042] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the connector according to the invention. The longitudinal direction is the main extending direction of the connector body, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the reference coordinate system L, V, T shown in the figures, and parallel to the overall extending direction of the wiper. The lateral direction corresponds to a direction parallel to the lateral axis along which the cylindrical portion of the connector body extends primarily, parallel to the lateral axis T of the reference coordinate system L, V, T, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, the vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to the vertical axis V of the reference coordinate system L, V, T, perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis L and the lateral axis T.

[0043] First refer to Figure 1 The vehicle 1 is equipped with at least one wiper system 2, which includes at least one arm 4, a wiper 6, and an electric motor 8. The electric motor 8 is fastened to the vehicle 1 and configured to drive the arm 4 and the wiper 6 to move on the glass surface 10 of the vehicle 1. The arm 4 of the wiper system 2 is connected to the electric motor 8 at one longitudinal end and to the wiper 6 at the other longitudinal end.

[0044] The electric motor 8 drives the arm 4 and the wiper 6 to reciprocate at an angle, causing the wiper system 2 to perform its wiping function. For this purpose, the wiper 6 includes at least one wiper blade 12 and a connector 14, with one longitudinal end of the arm 4 fixed to the connector 14. The wiper blade 12 presses firmly against the glass surface 10 of the vehicle 1. As the electric motor 8 drives the arm 4 and the wiper 6 to reciprocate at an angle on the glass surface 10, the wiper blade 12 wipes the glass surface 10 of the vehicle 1.

[0045] Connector 14 typically houses an adapter to which arm 4 is attached. Connector 14 and adapter thus form a connection between arm 4 and wiper 6, while allowing wiper blade 12 to adjust its position on the glass surface 10 of vehicle 1 when the motor 8 of vehicle 1 drives arm 4 and wiper 6 to move.

[0046] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, connector 14 includes at least a body 16 and a rotating cover 18. The body 16 includes at least a bottom wall 20 and two side walls 22 that help define an internal volume 24, which is at least partially closed by the rotating cover 18. Connector 14 extends primarily in a longitudinal direction L, and each wall of the body 16 extends at least in this longitudinal direction L. The side walls 22 also extend in a vertical direction V between an upper end 26 and a lower end 28, the vertical direction V being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The bottom wall 20 itself extends in a transverse direction T between the side walls 22 of the body 16, advantageously extending at its lower end 28, the transverse direction T being perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V. The side walls 22 and the bottom wall 20 help define the internal volume 24, the rotating cover 18, and... Figure 4 One end of arm 4, shown more specifically in the diagram, is housed within the internal volume 24.

[0047] Each upper end 26 of the sidewall 22 extends longitudinally and is substantially curved. In this way, the height of one sidewall 22 at one of its longitudinal ends (that is, the height of one end of the sidewall 22 in the longitudinal direction L) has a smaller dimension than the height of the same sidewall 22 measured between these longitudinal ends, which is measured along an axis parallel to the vertical direction V.

[0048] exist Figure 2 and 3 In the example shown, the body 16 also includes a bracket 30 for the wiper blade. The bracket 30 has an overall U-shaped form, the base of which is at least partially formed by the bottom wall 20, and each branch of the U-shape is formed by an attachment wall 32 that extends from the bottom wall 20 in the vertical direction V in a direction opposite to the side wall 22 of the body 16.

[0049] according to Figure 3 In the example shown, the body 16 includes a pair of pins 34 projecting from each sidewall 22 toward the other sidewall 22. The pair of pins 34 extend in a transverse direction T at one of the longitudinal ends of the body 16. These pins 34 are configured to cooperate with a rotating cover 18 to form a pivot of the rotating cover 18 relative to the body 16. In an alternative embodiment, the body 16 includes a shaft instead of the pair of pins 34, which extends transversely between the sidewalls 22 of the body 16 at one of the longitudinal ends of the body 16.

[0050] The rotating cover 18 can be at least partially or even completely housed within the internal volume 24 of the body 16. The rotating cover 18 includes a cover wall 36, a reinforcing wall 38, a hinge 40, an attachment device 42 for fastening the rotating cover 18 relative to the bottom wall 20 of the body 16, and a support device 44 according to the invention, via which the rotating cover 18 is supported against the bottom wall 20 of the body 16.

[0051] The cover wall 36 extends longitudinally between a first longitudinal end 46 and a second longitudinal end 48, with the first longitudinal end 46 positioned at one of the longitudinal ends of the body 16. The cover wall 36 also includes two side edges 50 extending between each of the longitudinal ends 46, 48 and configured to contact the sidewalls 22 of the rotating cover 18. More specifically, the side edges 50 are configured to contact the upper ends 26 of the sidewalls 22 of the body 16, so as to be flush with these sidewalls 22 when the rotating cover 18 is in the closed position.

[0052] The cover wall 36 more or less follows the curved shape of the upper end 26 of the side wall 22. When the rotating cover 18 is housed in the internal volume 24 of the body 16, the cover wall 36 at least partially closes the internal volume 24 from one longitudinal end of the body 16 toward the other longitudinal end. However, the cover wall 36 does not completely close the internal volume 24 because a portion of the volume needs to be accessible to the arm of the wiper system.

[0053] The reinforcing wall 38 of the rotating cover 18 extends from the cover wall 36 toward the bottom wall 20 of the body 16 in the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V. Advantageously, the reinforcing wall 38 is formed at a distance equidistant from the side edge 50 of the cover wall 36, that is, the reinforcing wall 38 is centered on the cover wall 36 relative to the side edge 50 and in the transverse direction T. The reinforcing wall 38 extends longitudinally from the first longitudinal end 46 of the cover wall 36 toward a longitudinal edge 54, which is closer to the first longitudinal end 46 than to the second longitudinal end 48 of the cover wall 36. This longitudinal edge 54 of the reinforcing wall 38 is configured to support a hook for the abutment arm, so as to longitudinally secure the wiper relative to the arm.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector 14 through a first cross-sectional plane P, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V (and as shown in the image). Figure 2As shown, the longitudinal edge 54 of the reinforcing wall 38 contacts one end of the arm 4, which here takes the form of a hook 56. For this purpose, the connector 14 includes a cylindrical portion 58 around which an adapter (not shown) is typically mounted, and the hook 56 of the arm 4 is positioned around this cylindrical portion 58 when the wiper is mounted on the vehicle's arm 4. The longitudinal edge 54 of the reinforcing wall 38 abuts against the hook 56, preventing any longitudinal movement of the wiper relative to the hook 56.

[0055] The hinge portion 40 of the rotating cover 18 is located at the first longitudinal end 46 of the cover wall 36 and is configured to engage with at least one of the paired pins 34 or with the shaft of the body 16, all of which have been detailed above.

[0056] The hinge portion 40 includes at least a side web 60 that extends from one of the side edges 50 of the cover wall 36 along the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V toward the bottom wall 20 of the body 16. The side web 60 includes at least one outwardly opening rotary bearing 62, and one of the paired pins 34 or the shaft of the body 16 is received in the rotary bearing 62. It should be understood that the rotary bearing 62 takes the form of a through-hole 64 through the side web 60, the through-hole 64 including a slot 66 leading to the outside of the side web 60. More specifically, the slot 66 extends vertically from the through-hole 64 toward the bottom wall 20 of the body 16. The slot 66 allows one of the paired pins 34 or the shaft of the body 16 to travel toward the through-hole 64, enabling the rotating cover 18 to be mounted on the body 16. In this way, the rotating cover 18 can be rotated about one of the pair of pins 34 or about the axis of the body 16, so that the axis of rotation R of the rotating cover 18 passes through one of the pair of pins 34 or the axis.

[0057] The hinge portion 40 additionally includes a notch 68, different from that of the swivel bearing 62, which facilitates the insertion of one of the paired pins 34 or the shaft of the body 16 into the swivel bearing 62 of the rotating cover 18. Specifically, when one of the paired pins 34 or the shaft is inserted into the swivel bearing 62, at least a portion of the side web 60 (the portion formed between the swivel bearing 62 and the notch 68) tends to elastically deform to allow one of the paired pins 34 or the shaft to be inserted into the through-hole 64 of the bearing. Once one of the paired pins 34 or the shaft has been received in the swivel bearing 62, the portion of the side web 60 formed between the swivel bearing 62 and the notch 68 returns to its initial shape.

[0058] Advantageously, the hinge portion 40 includes two side webs 60 as described above, each side web extending from one of the side edges 50 of the cover wall 36 toward the bottom wall 20 of the body 16.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, the attachment device 42 of the rotating cover 18 includes a support wall 70 and a fixing lug 72 disposed on the support wall 70. The support wall 70 extends from the cover wall 36 toward the bottom wall 20 of the body 16, and is closer to the second longitudinal end 48 of the cover wall 36 than to the first longitudinal end 46 of the cover wall 36. The support wall 70 extends in a plane that intersects with but does not coincide with the plane inscribed in the reinforcing wall 38. More specifically, according to the example shown here, the support wall 70 extends primarily parallel to the transverse direction T and the vertical direction V, that is, forming a cross with the reinforcing wall 38.

[0060] The support wall 70 includes a first portion 74 and a second portion 76, the first portion 74 having a wider width than the second portion 76, the width being measured along an axis parallel to the transverse direction T. The first portion 74 of the support wall 70 extends from the reinforcing wall 38 to the second portion 76, the second portion 76 extending the first portion perpendicularly toward the bottom wall 20 of the body 16.

[0061] The support wall 70 has a free end 78, where a fixing lug 72 for securing the rotating cover 18 to the bottom wall 20 of the body 16 is formed. The fixing lug 72 extends longitudinally from the free end 78 of the support wall 70 toward the first longitudinal end 46 of the cover wall 36.

[0062] The retaining lug 72 of the rotating cover 18 allows the rotating cover 18 to be reversibly attached relative to the bottom wall 20 of the body 16. During the installation of the rotating cover 18, the retaining lug 72 and the support wall 70 deform slightly to be positioned against the outer surface of the bottom wall 20, which is located on the side of the retaining lug 72 opposite to the cover wall. In this way, the retaining lug 72 at least partially secures the rotating cover 18 as it rotates about one of the paired pins 34 or about the axis of the body 16, and at the same time ensures a well-defined position of the rotating cover 18 relative to the body 16. To simplify the deformation of the retaining lug 72 and the support wall 70, the lug has a chamfered surface oriented toward the inner surface of the bottom wall 20, which is oriented toward the internal volume 24 of the body 16.

[0063] According to the present invention, the rotating cover 18 includes a support device 44, via which the rotating cover 18 is supported against the bottom wall 20 of the body 16. Figure 3 and Figure 4In the example shown, the support device 44 of the rotating cover 18 forms a block 82 that protrudes from the support wall 70 toward the hinge portion 40 of the rotating cover 18. More specifically, the block 82 is a cuboid that extends longitudinally from the second portion 76 of the support wall 70 toward the first longitudinal end 46 of the cover wall 36. The block 82 extends laterally across the entire width of the second portion 76 of the support wall 70, but extending only a portion of the width of the second portion 76 of the support wall 70 does not constitute a deviation from the scope of the invention.

[0064] The support device 44 and the fixing lug 72 help define a groove 83, which is configured to at least partially receive the bottom wall 20 of the body 16. Specifically, the height of the formed groove 83 is at least slightly greater than the height of the bottom wall 20, such that the bottom wall 20 can extend at least partially between the fixing lug 72 and the block 82 to form the support device 44.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, block 82 has a contact surface facing the bottom wall 20, which contacts the inner surface of the bottom wall 20. Once the rotating cover 18 has been secured to the body 16 by the retaining lug 72, block 82 forms an end stop for abutting the rotating cover 18 against the bottom wall 20. The support device 44 formed here by at least block 82 thereby prevents the rotating cover 18 from being pushed further into the internal volume 24 of the body 16.

[0066] Now refer to Figure 5 and 6 A second embodiment of the invention is described, and in this embodiment, certain reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will also be reused, and these reference numerals are considered to be similar or identical to those of the invention.

[0067] According to the second embodiment and referring to Figure 5 The rotating cover 18 is supported against the bottom wall of the main body via a support device 44, which forms a protrusion 84 of a reinforcing wall 38 extending toward the bottom wall of the main body. This protrusion 84 has a free edge 86 for contacting the bottom wall. More specifically, the reinforcing wall 38 has an inner edge 85 facing the bottom wall, from which the protrusion 84 extends toward the bottom wall of the main body. The height of the protrusion 84 corresponds at least to the height measured between the inner edge 85 of the reinforcing wall 38 and the inner surface of the bottom wall. Furthermore, the protrusion 84 extends only along a portion of the length of the reinforcing wall 38, a length measured along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The protrusion 84 is positioned in the longitudinal direction L between the support wall 70 and the first longitudinal end 46 of the cover wall 36.

[0068] like Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6This is a cross-sectional view of connector 14 on the first plane P, showing the protrusion 84 of reinforcing wall 38 contacting the bottom wall 20 of body 16. More specifically, and according to this second embodiment, the bottom wall 20 includes a slot 88 that at least partially receives the free edge 86 of support device 44. The length and width of the slot 88 are sufficient to allow the free edge 86 of protrusion 84 to at least engage within the slot 88.

[0069] According to an alternative embodiment, the bottom wall 20 is planar, and the protrusion 84 contacts the inner surface of the bottom wall 20 directly. "Planar" means that the bottom wall 20 has neither grooves nor ribs on its inner surface.

[0070] After the arm hook has been installed in the wiper connector 14, the rotating cover 18 is secured to the bottom wall 20 of the body 16 by its retaining lug 72. Once installed, the free edge 86 of the protrusion 84 of the reinforcing wall 38 abuts against the bottom of the slot 88, thereby preventing the rotating cover 18 from being pushed further into the internal volume 24 of the body 16. Furthermore, the free edge 86 of the protrusion 84 and the retaining lug 72 are formed in such a way that the bottom wall 20 is clamped therebetween, and the height of each of these elements is designed to allow for this clamping arrangement.

[0071] Now refer to Figure 7 and 8 The third embodiment is described, and in this embodiment, certain reference numerals used in the description of the foregoing embodiments will also be reused, and these reference numerals are considered to be similar objects of the present invention.

[0072] According to the third embodiment and referring to Figure 7 The rotating cover 18 is supported against the bottom wall of the main body via a support device 44, which also includes a protrusion 84 of the reinforcing wall 38 extending toward the bottom wall of the main body, the protrusion 84 having a free edge 86 for contacting the bottom wall. However, unlike the protrusion 84 described in the second embodiment of the invention above, the height of this protrusion 84 is less than the height measured between the inner edge 85 of the reinforcing wall 38 and the inner surface of the bottom wall.

[0073] like Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8This is a cross-sectional view of connector 14 on the first plane P. The bottom wall 20 includes a rib 90 that protrudes from the bottom wall 20 toward the swivel cover 18 in the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V. When the swivel cover 18 is secured to the bottom wall 20 by the retaining lug 72, the rib 90 has a free end edge 92 that contacts the free edge 86 of the protrusion 84 of the reinforcing wall 38. More specifically, when the swivel cover 18 is secured to the bottom wall 20 by the retaining lug 72, the swivel cover 18, and more specifically the protrusion 84 of the reinforcing wall 38, supports the rib 90 against the bottom wall 20, thereby preventing the swivel cover 18 from being pushed further into the internal volume 24 of the body 16. Furthermore, the free edge 86 of the protrusion 84, the retaining lug 72, and the rib 90 are formed in such a way that the bottom wall 20 is sandwiched therebetween, and the height of each of these elements is designed to allow for this sandwiching arrangement.

[0074] Now refer to Figure 9 and 10 The fourth embodiment is described, and in this embodiment, certain reference numerals used in the description of the foregoing embodiments will also be reused, and these reference numerals are considered to be similar objects of the present invention.

[0075] According to the fourth embodiment and referring to Figure 9 The rotating cover 18 is supported against the bottom wall of the main body by a support device 44, which includes at least one tab 94, 96. The tab 94, 96 extends from the cover wall 36 toward the bottom wall of the main body, parallel to the main extension plane of the reinforcing wall 38 of the rotating cover 18.

[0076] More specifically, according to the example shown herein, the support device 44 includes a first tab 94 and a second tab 96, each tab extending from one of the side edges 50 of the cover wall 36 toward the free end 98. The two tabs 94, 96 are advantageously aligned with each other along an axis parallel to the transverse direction T, and simultaneously extend in mutually different and parallel planes. The two tabs 94, 96 have the same height, corresponding to a height measured between a line and the free end 98, from which one of the tabs 94, 96 begins at one of the side edges 50 of the cover wall 36.

[0077] like Figure 10 As shown, Figure 10 Connector 14 is parallel to the lateral direction T and the vertical direction V and in Figure 2The cross-sectional view on the second plane Q shown in the figure indicates that the free ends 98 of each tab 94, 96 of the rotating cover 18 contact the bottom wall 20, and the first and second tabs 94, 96 of the rotating cover 18 extend along the side wall 22 of the body 16. More specifically, when the rotating cover 18 is fastened to the bottom wall 20 by the retaining lugs 72, the tabs 94, 96 of the rotating cover 18 are supported against the bottom wall 20 via their free ends 98, thereby preventing the rotating cover 18 from being pushed further into the internal volume 24 of the body 16. The position where the free ends 98 are supported against the bottom wall 20 is advantageously adjacent to the corner formed between the bottom wall 20 and the side wall 22 in the internal volume 24.

[0078] However, the invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and shown herein, but extends to any equivalent devices or configurations described and shown herein, and also to any equivalent devices or configurations and any combination of technical operations of such devices. Specifically, the position of the protrusions or tabs of the rotating cover may vary beyond the example embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are not strictly limiting and may be combined with one or more other embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A connector (14) for a wiper (6), comprising at least a body (16) and a rotating cap (18), said body (16) comprising at least a bottom wall (20) and two side walls (22), said bottom wall (20) and two side walls (22) contributing to defining an internal volume (24) at least partially closed by said rotating cap (18), said rotating cap (18) comprising at least a cap wall (36), a reinforcing wall (38), a hinge (40), and a connector for relative to said body ( The bottom wall (20) of the body (16) secures the attachment device (42) of the rotating cover (18), the cover wall (36) extending longitudinally between two longitudinal ends (46, 48), the hinge (40) being formed at one of the longitudinal ends (46, 48) of the cover wall (36) and allowing the rotating cover (18) to rotate about the axis (R), the reinforcing wall (38) extending from the cover wall (36) toward the bottom wall (20) of the body (16), characterized in that, The rotating cover (18) includes a support device (44), which supports the rotating cover (18) against the bottom wall (20) of the main body (16). The attachment device (42) includes a support wall (70) and a fixing lug (72), the support wall (70) extending from the cover wall (36) toward the bottom wall (20) of the body (16) and having a free end (78), the fixing lug (72) being formed at the free end (78) of the support wall (70) to attach the rotating cover (18) to the bottom wall (20) of the body (16), and wherein the support device (44) and the fixing lug (72) define a groove (83) configured to at least partially receive the bottom wall (20) of the body (16).

2. The connector (14) according to claim 1, wherein, The support wall (70) of the attachment device (42) extends in a plane that intersects with but is different from the plane containing the reinforcing wall (38).

3. The connector (14) according to claim 1, wherein, The support device (44) of the rotating cover (18) forms a block (82) protruding from the support wall (70).

4. The connector (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support device (44) forms a protrusion (84) of the reinforcing wall (38) extending toward the bottom wall (20) of the body (16), and the support device (44) includes a free edge (86) configured to contact the bottom wall (20).

5. The connector (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cover wall (36) includes two side edges (50) extending between each longitudinal end (46, 48) of the cover wall (36) and configured to contact the side wall (22) of the body (16). The support device (44) includes at least one tab (94, 96) extending in a plane parallel to the main extension plane of the reinforcing wall (38) and projecting from one of the side edges (50) of the cover wall (36) toward the bottom wall (20) of the body (16).

6. The connector (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The cover wall (36) of the rotating cover (18) is housed in the internal volume (24) of the main body (16).

7. The connector (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The hinge (40) includes at least one rotary bearing (62), which is open and receives at least one pin (34) of the body (16). The rotating cover (18) pivots about the pin (34) of the body (16). The hinge (40) includes at least one recess (68) that is different from the rotary bearing (62) and facilitates the insertion of the pin (34) of the body (16) into the rotary bearing (62).

8. A wiper (6) comprising at least one connector (14) according to any of the preceding claims.

Images