Adapter for windscreen wiper blade, windscreen wiper and vehicle

Abstract

The invention proposes a windshield wiper blade adapter (16) configured to assemble a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm, the adapter extending in a longitudinal direction (26) between a first longitudinal end (161) configured to receive the arm and a second longitudinal end (162) configured to receive the arm, the adapter further includes an airflow front surface (28) extending in a diverging manner from the first longitudinal end (161) to the second longitudinal end (162). The invention also relates to a windscreen wiper having such an adapter and to a vehicle having such a windscreen wiper. The invention makes it possible to improve wiping quality.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade adapter, a windshield wiper having such an adapter, and a vehicle having such a windshield wiper. Background Art

[0002] The aerodynamic performance of the connection between the windshield wiper arm and the windshield wiper blade does not allow the blade to fully adhere to the window to be wiped. Therefore, the wiping quality of the window is not high enough.

[0003] Therefore, a connection that can improve the wiping quality is needed between the windshield wiper arm and the windshield wiper blade. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection between the windshield wiper arm and the windshield wiper blade that can improve the wiping quality.

[0005] To this end, the present invention proposes a windshield wiper blade adapter configured to assemble a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm, the adapter extending in a longitudinal direction between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end being configured to receive the arm, the adapter further including an air flow front surface that extends in a divergent manner from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end.

[0006] According to a variant, the air flow front surface diverges at an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 35° with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0007] According to a variant, the adapter further includes an air flow rear surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end of the adapter.

[0008] According to a variant, the adapter further includes: an upper wall defined laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction by the air flow front surface and the air flow rear surface; a side wall connected to the upper wall via the air flow rear surface, the upper wall and the side wall defining an internal volume in which an arm receiving housing is arranged and which is accessible via the first longitudinal end.

[0009] According to a variant, the internal volume further includes a cavity for attaching a blade connector.

[0010] According to a variant, the upper wall includes a planar section that is connected to the air flow front surface and the air flow rear surface by a curved section.

[0011] According to a variant, the second longitudinal end extends outward from the air flow front surface towards the air flow rear surface such that the air flow front surface is shorter in the longitudinal direction towards the second end than the air flow rear surface.

[0012] According to one variant, the first longitudinal end extends outwardly from the front air flow surface towards the rear air flow surface such that the front air flow surface is shorter than the rear air flow surface in the longitudinal direction towards the first end.

[0013] The invention also relates to a windshield wiper comprising a windshield wiper arm, a windshield wiper blade and an adapter as described above, the adapter connecting the end of the windshield wiper arm to the windshield wiper blade.

[0014] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a windshield wiper as described above, wherein when the windshield wiper is in the rest position, the front air flow surface of the adapter faces the front of the vehicle.

[0015] All the preferred embodiments and all the advantages of the adapter according to the invention can be transferred, with the necessary modifications, to the windshield wiper and the vehicle of the invention and vice versa. The different embodiments can be used in combination or considered in isolation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description, for the purpose of understanding which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows a view of the windshield wiper; Figure 1 shows a front view of the vehicle;

[0018] Figure 2 shows a top view of the adapter of the windshield wiper according to Figure 2 shows a front view of the vehicle;

[0019] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter of the windshield wiper according to Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter of the windshield wiper according to Figure 1 .

[0020] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter of the windshield wiper according to Figure 4 . Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter of the windshield wiper according to

[0021] The figures in the drawings are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, similar elements are generally denoted by similar reference numerals. In the context of this document, the same or similar elements may have the same reference numerals. Additionally, the presence of reference numerals or letters in the drawings is not to be considered limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] ​​​​The present invention provides a windshield wiper blade adapter configured to assemble a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm. The adapter extends in a longitudinal direction between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end being configured to receive the arm. The adapter further includes an air flow front surface that extends in a divergent manner from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end. This shape of the air flow front surface enables the air flow generated by a moving vehicle to exert pressure on the adapter and thus on the wiper blade of the windshield wiper. The connection between the windshield wiper arm and the windshield wiper blade enables the blade to be better conformed to the window to be wiped, thereby improving the wiping quality.

[0023] Figure 1 is a view of a windshield wiper 10. The windshield wiper 10 includes a windshield wiper blade 12 and a windshield wiper arm 14. The windshield wiper 10 further includes an adapter 16 for assembling or connecting the blade 12 to the arm 14.

[0024] The blade 12 may have an elongated shape. The blade 12 may have a longitudinal shape. In other words, the blade 12 may extend in the longitudinal direction. The blade 12 may include one or more splines (not visible in the drawings) and a blade rubber that can rest against the window of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield) and can wipe the window by means of the reciprocating movement of the windshield wiper 10. The blade 12 can apply pressure to the window to be wiped in a defined pattern in the longitudinal direction. The pressure on the window is variable along the longitudinal shape of the blade 12, with a greater pressure at the center of the blade (at the adapter) to compensate for the aerodynamic lift of the adapter.

[0025] The arm 14 is driven to move at one of its ends by a drive means and drives the blade 12 at its other end 141. The arm 14 is connected to the blade 12 via a connecting member including the adapter 16. The adapter 16 can be attached to the end 141 by inserting the end 141 of the arm 14 into a housing to receive the arm within the adapter 16.

[0026] Figure 2 ​​is a front view of vehicle 18. Vehicle 18 includes a front hood 20 and a roof 22, as well as a windshield 24 between the hood 20 and the roof 22. As an example, windshield wiper 10 is shown as having two pairs of wiper blades 12 and arms 14. A single pair of wiper blades 12 and arms 14 can be contemplated. Windshield wiper 10 moves back and forth such that wiper blades 12 wipe the windshield. Windshield wiper 10 can move between a rest position and a parked position, in which rest position, wiper blades 12 and arms 14 are located substantially along the upper edge of hood 20 (and transverse to the travel direction of vehicle 18) at the bottom of the windshield, and in which parked position, wiper blades 12 and arms 14 are extended (and substantially in the travel direction of the vehicle). Figure 2 The position in Figure 2 is an intermediate position when moving towards the parked position. Windshield wiper 10 is shown in

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of adapter 16 of the windshield wiper in Figure 2 . Adapter 16 enables the windshield wiper blade 12 to be assembled to the windshield wiper arm 14. The assembly of wiper blade 12, arm 14, and adapter 16 is shown in a vertical position substantially corresponding to the position of windshield wiper 10 in Figure 2 . Adapter 16 extends in a longitudinal direction 26. Wiper blade 12 also extends substantially in the longitudinal direction 26. Adapter 16 includes a first longitudinal end 161 and a second longitudinal end 162. Thus, adapter 16 extends between the first longitudinal end 161 and the second longitudinal end 162 in the longitudinal direction 26. The first end 161 is configured to receive arm 14. In other words, arm 14 is coupled to adapter 16 via the first end 161. The second end 162 is located at the end opposite to the first end 161, and thus at the end opposite to arm 14. Thus, when the windshield wiper is in the position in Figure 2 , the first end 161 is lower than the second end 162. As the windshield wiper moves, adapter 16 rotates about an axis corresponding to the axis of rotation of arm 14 (which can also be combined with translational movement), and is then located in a position lower than Figure 3 . Arrow 27 shows the movement of wiper blade 12, arm 14, and adapter 16, however this movement can be combined with translational movement, and Figure 3 the windshield wiper in

[0028] The adapter further includes an air flow front surface 28. The air flow front surface 28 corresponds to the portion or region of the adapter 16 where the air flow of the adapter 16 arrives. More specifically, when the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position, the air flow front surface 28 corresponds to the portion of the adapter 16 facing the front of the vehicle. The air flow front surface 28 corresponds to the portion of the adapter 16 where the air flow generated by the vehicle speed arrives at the adapter 16, especially when the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position. When the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position, the air flow generated by the moving vehicle arrives at the adapter substantially in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction 26 (substantially perpendicular to the adapter 16 at the front surface 28). When the windshield wiper 10 moves towards its end position, the wiper blade 12 straightens on the window in such a way that the longitudinal direction 26 of the adapter 16 extends towards the flow axis of the air flow generated by the vehicle on the windshield. In this way, the air flow generated by the vehicle arrives at the adapter at the first end 161 of the adapter 16.

[0029] In order to better exploit the pressure of the airflow generated by the vehicle during the movement of the windscreen wiper 10 on the adapter 16 (and therefore on the wiper blade 12), the airflow front surface 28 extends in a diverging manner from the first longitudinal end 161 to the second longitudinal end 162. The front surface 28 extends in a diverging manner from the first longitudinal end 161 to the second longitudinal end 162 relative to the longitudinal direction 26 of the adapter 16. In other words, the front surface 28 expands outwards between the first end 161 and the second end 162. The front surface 28 extends from the first end 161 to the second end 162 of the adapter 16 along a line 30 that faces away from the longitudinal direction 26. The front surface 28 forms a non-zero angle 32 between its extension line 30 and the longitudinal direction 26. The front surface 28 is not parallel to the longitudinal direction 26 between the first end 161 and the second end 162. When the windscreen wiper 10 is in the end position, the front surface 28 expands outwards towards the roof 22 of the vehicle. This configuration of the adapter 16 makes it possible to take advantage of the pressure exerted on the adapter 16 by the airflow generated by the vehicle, even if the windscreen wiper 10 is no longer in a position transverse to the airflow generated by the vehicle. Although the adapter 16 straddles the airflow generated by the vehicle to a lesser extent when the windscreen wiper 10 moves towards its terminal position, the divergence of the front surface 28 from the first end 161 towards the second end 162 makes it possible to collect the pressure of the airflow on the adapter. The angle included between the front surface 28 and the longitudinal direction 26 makes it possible to collect the pressure of the airflow on the adapter when the airflow is no longer perpendicular to the wiper blade 12. This makes it possible to continue to exert pressure on the adapter 16 and therefore on the wiper blade 12, thereby improving the wiping of the vehicle window when the windscreen wiper 10 moves away from its rest position. The angle included between the front surface 28 and the longitudinal direction 26 makes it possible to increase the aerodynamic performance of the connection between the arm 14 and the wiper blade 12. The front surface 28 is thus optimized and better oriented, thereby improving the pressure of the wiper blade on the vehicle window.

[0030] As an example, the airflow front surface 28 diverges at an angle 32 greater than 0° and less than or equal to 35° relative to the longitudinal direction 26 (in a counterclockwise direction from the longitudinal direction 26). Such an angle 32 balances the pressure maintained when the windshield wiper 10 moves with the size of the adapter 16 (and therefore the volume of the adapter 16).

[0031] The adapter 16 further includes a rear airflow surface 34 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction 26 from a first longitudinal end 161 to a second longitudinal end 162 of the adapter 16. Figure 3, the rear surface 34 extends along a line 36 parallel to the longitudinal direction 26. The rear surface 34 corresponds to the portion or region where the air flow of the adapter 16 exits the adapter 16. More specifically, when the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position, the rear surface 34 of the air flow corresponds to the portion of the adapter 16 that faces away from the front of the vehicle (or faces the rear of the vehicle). The rear surface 34 of the air flow corresponds to the portion where the air flow generated by the vehicle speed exits the adapter 16, especially when the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position. When the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position, the air flow generated by the moving vehicle exits the adapter substantially in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction 26 (substantially perpendicular to the adapter 16 at the rear surface 34). When the windshield wiper 10 moves towards its end position, the wiper blade 12 straightens on the window in such a way that the longitudinal direction 26 of the adapter 16 extends towards the flow axis of the air flow generated by the vehicle on the windshield. Thus, since the rear surface 34 is parallel to the longitudinal direction 26, the air flow generated by the vehicle is not disturbed when flowing along the rear surface 34. This allows the adapter to have an aerodynamic shape and avoids turbulence at the rear of the adapter 16.

[0032] In Figure 3 , the angle 32 between the line 30 and the line 36 is indicated in order to indicate that the front surface 28 is divergent rather than parallel to the rear surface 34. The indicated angle value 32 is between the front surface 28 extending along the line 30 and the longitudinal direction 26 or the rear surface 34 extending along a line 36 parallel to the longitudinal direction 26.

[0033] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter 16 of the windshield wiper according to Figure 1 . Figure 4 ​is a view of the end portion 161 along the direction 26. The adapter 16 is connected to the connector 38 of the wiper blade 12. The arm 14 and the wiper blade 12 are connected by a connecting member including the adapter 16 and the connector 38 attached together. The end portion 161 of the adapter 16 is configured to receive the arm at the end portion 141 of the arm 14. The air flow front surface 28 is divergent with respect to the longitudinal direction 26. The rear surface 34 is parallel to the longitudinal direction 26. The adapter 16 includes an upper wall 40 defined transversely to the longitudinal direction 26 by the air flow front surface 28 and the air flow rear surface 34. The adapter 16 further includes side walls 42 connected to the upper wall 40 by the air flow rear surface 34. The upper wall 40 and the side walls 42 define an internal volume of the adapter 16 in which an arm receiving housing is arranged and can be accessed via the first longitudinal end portion 161. The side walls 42 and the upper wall 40 each extend in a separate plane. The housing for receiving the arm 14 includes means for attaching the end portion 141 of the arm 14 to the adapter 16. In addition, the internal volume includes a cavity for attaching the connector 38 of the wiping system. The connector 38 is attached to the adapter 16 within the internal volume of the adapter 16 (which can be attached by hinging). The divergence of the leading edge 28 also enables there to be more space in the internal volume for attaching the arm 14 to the adapter 16 and for attaching the connector 38 to the adapter 16.

[0034] As can be seen in Figure 4 , the upper wall 40 includes a planar section 44 which is connected to the air flow front surface 28 and the air flow rear surface 34 respectively by curved sections 46 and 48. This gives the adapter 16 an aerodynamic profile such that the air flow generated by the vehicle and arriving at the adapter 16 from the Figure 4 left side in Figure 4 (especially when the windshield wiper 10 is in the rest position) flows along the upper surface 40 towards the Figure 4 right side without turbulence. The flow of the air flow exerts a pressure on the profile of the adapter 16 which is transmitted to the connector 38 and the wiper blade 12. When the windshield wiper leaves its rest position, the air flow arrives at the adapter 16 approximately vertically; as the windshield wiper moves towards its end position, the air flow arrives at the adapter to a greater extent in the longitudinal direction 26, and the divergence of the front surface 28 enables the pressure of the air flow on the adapter 16 to continue to be beneficial.

[0035] As can be seen in Figure 3As can be seen, the second longitudinal end portion 162 can extend outwardly from the air flow front surface 28 towards the air flow rear surface 34 such that the air flow front surface 28 is shorter than the air flow rear surface 34 in the longitudinal direction towards the second end portion 162. The second end portion 162 is not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 26. This enables the improvement of the aerodynamics of the windshield wiper on the wiper blade 12. This enables the air flow to flow around the second end portion 162 of the adapter 16 without generating turbulence when the windshield wiper moves. In addition, the first longitudinal end portion 161 can extend outwardly from the air flow front surface 28 towards the air flow rear surface 34 such that the air flow front surface 28 is shorter than the air flow rear surface 34 in the longitudinal direction towards the first end portion 161. The first end portion 161 is not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 26. This also enables the improvement of the aerodynamics of the windshield wiper on the wiper blade 12. In other words, the front surface 28 can be shorter than the air flow rear surface 34 in the longitudinal direction towards the second end portion 162 and towards the first end portion 161. The first end portion 161 and the second end portion 162 converge towards the air flow front surface 28 (or diverge towards the air flow rear surface 34). In a top view, the adapter 16 has a trapezoid-like shape, but the short base (front surface 28) is inclined with respect to the long base (rear surface 34).

[0036] The invention also relates to a windshield wiper 10, which comprises a windshield wiper arm 14 and a windshield wiper blade 12. The windshield wiper 10 further comprises an adapter 16, which connects the end portion 141 of the arm 14 to the blade 12. The invention also relates to a vehicle 18 comprising the windshield wiper 10. When the windshield wiper is in the rest position, the air flow front surface 28 of the adapter 16 faces the front of the vehicle. When the windshield wiper is in the rest position, the air flow rear surface 34 of the adapter 16 faces the rear of the vehicle. The windshield wiper can move between a plurality of positions as described above. The windshield wiper can move between the rest position and the end position. In the end position, the front surface 28 diverges in a direction away from the arm 14; the front surface 28 diverges towards the roof of the vehicle 18. During the movement, the divergence of the air flow front surface 28 enables the benefit of the pressure exerted by the air flow on the adapter to increase the pressure of the blade against the window of the vehicle. This improves the wiping of the window.

[0037] The invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, which are only illustrative in value and should not be considered restrictive. In general, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples shown and / or described above.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper blade adapter (16) configured to assemble a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm, the adapter extending in a longitudinal direction (26) between a first longitudinal end (161) and a second longitudinal end (162), the first longitudinal end (161) being configured to receive the arm, the adapter further including an air flow front surface (28) that extends in a divergent manner from the first longitudinal end (161) to the second longitudinal end (162).

2. The adapter (16) according to the previous claim, wherein, The air flow front surface (28) diverges at an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 35° with respect to the longitudinal direction (26).

3. The adapter (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, further including an air flow rear surface (34) that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction (26) from the first longitudinal end (161) to the second longitudinal end (162) of the adapter.

4. The adapter (16) according to the preceding claim, further including ● an upper wall (40) defined transversely to the longitudinal direction (26) by the air flow front surface (28) and the air flow rear surface (34), ● side walls (42) connected to the upper wall (40) by the air flow rear surface (34), the upper wall (40) and the side walls (42) defining an internal volume in which an arm receiving housing is arranged and can be accessed via the first longitudinal end (161).

5. The adapter (16) according to the previous claim, wherein, The internal volume further includes a cavity for attaching a blade connector (38).

6. The adapter (16) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein, The upper wall (40) includes a planar section that is connected to the air flow front surface (28) and the air flow rear surface (34) by curved sections (46, 48).

7. The adapter (16) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The second longitudinal end (162) extends outward from the air flow front surface (28) towards the air flow rear surface (34) such that the air flow front surface (28) is shorter in the longitudinal direction towards the second end (162) than the air flow rear surface (34).

8. The adapter (16) according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, The first longitudinal end (161) extends outward from the air flow front surface (28) towards the air flow rear surface (34) such that the air flow front surface (28) is shorter in the longitudinal direction towards the first end (161) than the air flow rear surface (34).

9. A windshield wiper (10) including a windshield wiper arm (14), a windshield wiper blade (12), and an adapter (16) according to one of the preceding claims, the adapter (16) connecting an end (141) of the windshield wiper arm (14) to the windshield wiper blade (12).

10. A vehicle (18), the vehicle comprising a windscreen wiper (10) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein, When the windshield wiper is in the rest position, the air flow front surface (28) of the adapter (16) faces the front of the vehicle.

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