Adapter for wiper system

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (8) configured to attach a wiper blade (4) to a drive arm (2) of a wiper system (1), comprising at least a side wall (14) and a top wall (13) extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction and having a first transverse end (16) and a second transverse end (18), the top wall (13) being connected at its first transverse end (16) to the side wall (14). According to the invention, the adapter (8) comprises at least a first deflection means (34) arranged at the first transverse end (16) and a second deflection means (36) arranged at the second transverse end (18), where each deflection means (34, 36) comprises a ridge protruding from the top wall (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wiper systems for motor vehicles, and more particularly to an adapter forming part of such a wiper system. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are generally equipped with a wiper system for cleaning their glass surfaces, in particular their windshields. Such a wiper system includes at least one drive arm and a wiper blade driven by the drive arm. The drive arm is connected to an electric motor of the vehicle, and the wiper blade includes at least one wiper rubber intended to come into contact with the glass surface to be wiped.

[0003] In order to be able to replace the wiper blade, a connecting device is arranged between the wiper blade and the drive arm. More specifically, the connecting device includes an adapter arranged between the drive arm and a connector connected to the wiper blade. The adapter is then fixed to the drive arm, more specifically to the free end of the drive arm, and this connection is reversible so that the wiper blade can be replaced once it is worn.

[0004] When the motor vehicle is in motion and the wiper system is operating, a negative pressure phenomenon can cause wiper defects or even cause the wiper system to separate from the windshield to which it is mounted.

[0005] One of the solutions capable of overcoming this negative pressure phenomenon is to add a spoiler to the adapter of the wiper system. However, such a spoiler has difficulties in terms of size and is incompatible with the wiper function and the field of view of the vehicle's front passenger. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages by proposing an adapter having an aerodynamic shape that helps to press the wiper system against the windshield rather than detach it from the windshield. This pressing is achieved by a deflection device on the adapter that generates a succession of overpressure and negative pressure zones.

[0007] Thus, a main object of the present invention is an adapter configured to fasten a wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiper system, the adapter including at least one side wall and an upper wall that mainly extends in a longitudinal direction and has a first transverse end and a second transverse end, the upper wall being connected to the side wall at its first transverse end, these walls helping to define a volume in which at least partially there is a receiving cavity configured to receive a connector of the wiper system. According to the invention, the adapter includes at least a first deflection device arranged at the first transverse end and a second deflection device arranged at the second transverse end, each deflection device including at least one ridge protruding from the upper wall.

[0008] The adapter according to the invention is intended to be integrated within a wiper system so as to be fitted onto the glass surface of a motor vehicle. The adapter comprises an upper wall which is laterally delimited by a first lateral end and a second lateral end, the first of these lateral ends being continued by a side wall. Alternatively, the second lateral end may be connected to another side wall or be free. The adapter comprises deflection means whose role is to create a perturbation in the air flow impinging on the adapter. More specifically, these deflection means make it possible to form a succession of overpressure and underpressure zones on the surface of the adapter, thus contributing to pressing the adapter against the glass surface to be wiped by the wiper system, the adapter forming part of the wiper system. To this end, the deflection means are arranged at each lateral end of the upper wall; it will thus be understood that they border this upper wall.

[0009] The deflection means are ridges protruding from the upper wall, i.e. they form a bulge on this substantially flat upper wall.

[0010] According to a feature of the invention, a ridge comprises an edge and two sides, the edge and these two sides protruding from the upper wall.

[0011] The edge of the ridge makes it possible to connect the two sides. It is the furthest protruding point of a given deflection means.

[0012] According to another feature of the invention, at least one deflection means extends along the entire length of the adapter, advantageously, all the deflection means extend along the entire length of the adapter.

[0013] Thus, the deflection means contribute to pressing the adapter against the glass surface of the vehicle along the entire length of the adapter.

[0014] According to a feature, a first deflection means contributes to forming the leading edge of the adapter, while a second deflection means contributes to forming the trailing edge of the adapter.

[0015] In this case, the “leading edge” means the part of the adapter which first comes into contact with a given air flow, while the “trailing edge” means the part of the adapter from which the air flow leaves the adapter. Thus, the first deflection means will receive the air flow before the second deflection means.

[0016] According to a feature, the adapter comprises at least one additional deflection means arranged transversely between the first deflection means and the second deflection means.

[0017] This additional deflection means, for example corresponding to a third deflection means, is arranged transversely between the first and second deflection means. As a result, this additional deflection means is arranged on the upper wall, between its first lateral end and its second lateral end.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the deflection means are superposed with a lateral offset.

[0019] The deflection devices are stacked, i.e., they are at different distances from the glass surface, but they are laterally offset because at least one is arranged at the first lateral end and the other is arranged at the second lateral end. Thus, the deflection devices have a stepped configuration. For example, for an embodiment having the third deflection device as described above, the edge of the first deflection device will be arranged vertically lower than the edge of the third deflection device, which itself is arranged vertically lower than the edge of the second deflection device.

[0020] According to one feature, at least one deflection device has a varying height or a longitudinal discontinuity.

[0021] The height of the deflection device, i.e., the dimension measured substantially perpendicular to the upper wall, can alternatively be increased or decreased. For example, it can be envisaged that the deflection device has a greater height near the first longitudinal end of the adapter than another height measured at the second longitudinal end of the adapter. This variation in the height of the deflection device enables its ability to create a negative pressure or an overpressure along the longitudinal direction of the adapter to be changed. According to an example of the discontinuity, the deflection device can have a notch.

[0022] According to a feature of the invention, when viewed from the front, the upper wall and / or the side walls are convex.

[0023] According to another feature, when viewed from the front, the side wall has an extension wall with a concave shape.

[0024] Thus, when viewed from the front respectively, the upper wall, the side walls and optionally the extension wall of this side wall are recessed and thus arched. In combination with the deflection device, this configuration enables a concave ridge to be created when viewed from the front, forming an alternation between convex and concave on the surface of the adapter exposed to the air flow, thereby contributing to disturbing the air flow and thus forming a series of overpressure and negative pressure regions.

[0025] The invention also relates to a wiper system comprising a drive arm, a wiper blade, a connector and an adapter as described in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] With reference to the accompanying drawings, other features, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent by reading the following description and studying the exemplary embodiments given by way of non - limiting indication, wherein;

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of a wiper system including an adapter according to the invention is schematically shown;

[0028] Figure 2 Schematically shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the adapter of the wiper system in

[0029] Figure 3 Schematically shown Figure 2The adapter in Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along section A-A shown in

[0030] Figure 4 schematically shows Figure 2 an alternative embodiment of the adapter in Detailed Description of the Invention

[0031] The features, variations, and various 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, variants of the present invention can be envisaged that include only a selection of the following features, separated from the other features described, provided that such a selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0032] In the drawings, elements common to multiple drawings have the same reference numerals.

[0033] In the following detailed description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the wiper system and the adapter according to the present invention. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main elongation direction of the adapter, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the three-sided body L, V, T shown in the figure. The transverse direction corresponds to the direction in which the first transverse end and the second transverse end are located at opposite ends, which is parallel to the transverse axis T of the coordinate system L, V, T, and the transverse axis T is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, the vertical direction corresponds to the direction parallel to the vertical axis V of the coordinate system L, V, T, and the vertical axis V is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T.

[0034] Therefore, Figure 1 the wiper system 1 is schematically illustrated. The wiper system 1 is intended to clean the glass surface of a vehicle, such as a windshield, in order to improve the visibility of the driver of the vehicle of the road ahead. The wiper system 1 includes at least one drive arm 2, only a part of which is shown here, carrying at one end a wiper blade 4 extending mainly in the longitudinal direction L

[0035] Within the wiper system 1, the drive arm 2 and the wiper blade 4 are interconnected by a connecting device, which includes a connector 6 and an adapter 8, and the adapter 8 covers the connector 6. More specifically, the connector 6 is fixed to the wiper blade 4, while the adapter 8 is fixed to the drive arm 2, and the adapter 8 and the connector 6 are coupled by a pivot connection.

[0036] A more detailed description of the adapter 8 will now be made with reference to Figures 2 to 4 The adapter 8 extends in the main elongation direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction L. It has a first longitudinal end 10 and a second longitudinal end 12, which are located at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction L. The adapter 8 has a body 11 formed by an upper wall 13 and at least one side wall 14. According to an embodiment, the adapter 8 may include one or two side walls 14. In Figure 2and 3 A first embodiment of an adapter 8 with a single sidewall 14 is shown in Figure 4 while a second embodiment with two sidewalls 14 is shown.

[0037] The upper wall 13 and one or more sidewalls 14 mainly extend along the longitudinal direction L. The upper wall 13 is laterally bounded by a first transverse end 16 and a second transverse end 18.

[0038] As Figure 3 shown, the first transverse end 16 forms a connection between the upper wall 13 and the sidewall 14; in other words, the upper wall 13 and the sidewall 14 are connected at the first transverse end 16. In the embodiment with two sidewalls 14, the second transverse end 18 forms an intersection between the upper wall 13 and the other sidewall 14.

[0039] When viewed from the front, i.e., according to the viewing point in Figure 2 , the upper wall 13 and the sidewall 14 arranged at its first transverse end 16 are convex. In some embodiments, as Figure 4 shown, the sidewall 14 may have an extension wall 19, which forms an extension in the generally vertical direction V. In this case, when viewed from the front, the extension wall 19 has a concave shape, which can be seen from the perspective view of the arrow with reference numeral A in Figure 4 .

[0040] When the air flow A reaches near the adapter 8, these convex or concave shapes of the upper wall 13, the sidewall 14, and the optional extension wall 19 help to disturb the air flow A, as shown by the black arrows in Figure 4 .

[0041] The upper wall 13 has an upper surface 20 and a lower surface 22, which are located on opposite sides of each other in the vertical direction V. The lower surface 22 is intended to face the connector 6, the wiper blade 4, and the drive arm 2. For this purpose, the upper wall 13 and one or more sidewalls 14 are arranged to define a volume 24 of the adapter 8 therebetween, which is specifically shown in Figure 3 and 4 .

[0042] The volume 24 contains a plurality of recesses, which are intended to accommodate the components of the wiper system 1, and these are shown particularly clearly in Figure 3 . In terms of these recesses, the volume 24 particularly includes a receiving housing 26 configured to receive the drive arm 2 and a receiving cavity 28 configured to receive the connector 6.

[0043] The receiving housing 26 is formed within the volume 24 of the lower surface 22; more specifically, it extends therefrom along the second transverse end 18 of the upper wall 13. The drive arm 2 can slide within the adapter 8 until it abuts its receiving recess 26.

[0044] Similarly, the receiving cavity 28 extends from the lower surface 22 and at least partially enters the volume 24 at a certain distance therefrom. It has the shape of a cuboid and is laterally centered within the volume 24; in other words, it should be understood that the receiving cavity 28 is substantially equidistant from each of the lateral ends 16, 18 of the upper wall 13. The receiving cavity 28 receives the connector 6 such that when the connector 6 is integrated into the wiper system 1, the connector 6 is interlocked therein.

[0045] To lock or unlock the drive arm 2, the adapter 8 includes a locking device 30. The function of the locking device 30 is to prevent or allow translational movement of the drive arm 2 relative to the adapter 8. For this purpose, the locking device 30 includes a button flush with the upper wall 13 of the adapter 8. The locking member 30 is arranged within an opening 32 formed in the upper wall 13 and extending from the upper surface 20 to the lower surface 22 of the wall. In this case, the locking member 30 has a generally rectangular shape. It is arranged on the upper wall 13 so as to be substantially equidistant from the two lateral ends 16, 18.

[0046] According to the invention, the adapter 8 includes at least two deflection devices 34, 36 which, when the air flow A contacts the adapter 8, contribute to disturbing the air flow A. In particular, the presence of these deflection devices 34, 36 makes it possible to form a succession of overpressure and underpressure zones on the upper surface 20 of the upper wall 13, which increases the pressing of the adapter 8 on the glass surface on which it is mounted.

[0047] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 a first embodiment, more specifically, the adapter 8 has a first deflection device 34 and a second deflection device 36, the first deflection device 34 being arranged at the first lateral end 16 of the upper wall 13 and the second deflection device 36 being arranged at the second lateral end 18 of the upper wall 13. It should thus be understood that the first deflection device 34 and the second deflection device 36 are located at opposite ends in the lateral direction T.

[0048] The first deflection device 34 forms the leading edge 38 of the adapter 8, i.e., the leading edge intended to first receive the air flow A. Conversely, the second deflection device 36 forms the trailing edge 40 of the adapter 8, which is the trailing edge where the air flow A leaves the adapter 8.

[0049] In Figure 4 the second embodiment shown, the adapter includes at least one additional deflection device 42, which is in this case a third deflection device 42. The third deflection device 42 is arranged laterally between the first deflection device 34 and the second deflection device 36. As Figure 4 shown, the third deflection device 42 is substantially equidistant from the first lateral end 16 and the second lateral end 18.

[0050] These deflection devices 34, 36, 42 can be separate elements fastened to the upper wall 13. Preferably, they are elevations on the upper wall 13, i.e., they are made of the same material as the upper arm, as is the case in the two embodiments shown here. The deflection devices 34, 36, 42 extend along the longitudinal direction L from the first longitudinal end 14 to the second longitudinal end 16. These deflection devices 34, 36, 42, whether two or three, can extend over the entire length of the adapter 8 or only over a part of that length, thus forming deflection devices shorter than the adapter or discontinuous portions along these deflection devices 34, 36, 42.

[0051] In the first and second embodiments, each deflection device 34, 36, 42 includes a ridge protruding from the upper wall 13. Thus, when the deflection device 34, 36, 42 is viewed in cross-section as in Figure 3 or 4, it has a raised profile, i.e., it rises above the upper wall 13.

[0052] The ridge corresponds to an assembly formed by an edge 44 and two side faces 46 meeting at this edge 44, which assembly protrudes from the upper wall 13. In other words, the edge 44 constitutes the furthest protruding point of a given deflection device 34, 36, 42, and the two side faces 46 extend in the longitudinal direction on either side of this edge 44.

[0053] According to an advantageous aspect, considering the adapter 8 from the front, the first side face 46a is convex, while the second side face 46b is concave when viewed from the same observation point.

[0054] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 , only the first deflection device 34 is formed in this way. The second deflection device 36 only has a first concave side face, and the convex part is formed at the junction between the upper wall 13 and the second deflection device 36.

[0055] Particularly as Figure 2 clearly shows, at least one of the deflection devices 34, 36 has a constant height, i.e., the dimension between a point on its edge 44 and the nearest point on the lower surface 22 of the upper wall 13 is constant over the entire length of the deflection devices 34, 36.

[0056] Alternatively, although not shown in the figures, it is conceivable to have deflection devices 34, 36, 42 with a varying height by contrast. Their height can then vary between the first longitudinal end 10 and the second longitudinal end 12. For example, the height of the deflection devices 34, 36, 42 at the first longitudinal end 10 can be greater than at the second longitudinal end 12, or the deflection devices 34, 36, 42 can have similar heights near the first and second ends 10, 12, but have a reduced or even increased height in the central longitudinal part of the deflection devices 34, 36, 42.

[0057] In addition, without departing from the scope of the present invention, at least one discontinuous embodiment of the deflection devices 34, 36, 42 can be envisaged. Then it can be envisaged that there are incisions in this or these deflection devices 34, 36, 42.

[0058] In particular as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the deflection devices 34, 36, 42 are arranged in a stepped configuration. This means that these deflection devices 34, 36, 42 are stacked on top of each other while presenting an offset in the transverse direction T. This results, for example, for a second embodiment with three deflection devices 34, 36, 42, in that the edge 44 of the first deflection device 34 is arranged vertically lower than the edge 44 of the third deflection device 42, which itself is arranged vertically lower than the edge 44 of the second deflection device 36.

[0059] As described above, when the air flow approaches the adapter 8, the presence of the deflection devices 34, 36, 42 and the special shape of the walls 12, 14, 19 of the adapter 8 contribute to disturbing the air flow. This disturbance will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4 This disturbance will now be described in more detail with reference to

[0060] The air flow A circulates laterally along the adapter 8 at its extension wall 19 and its side wall 14. Since the extension wall 19 has a concave shape when viewed from the arrow A, it generates an overpressure of the air flow A at its location, which overpressure is represented here by the arrow B pointing downwards. In contrast, when viewed from the front, i.e., from the arrow A, the side wall 14 has a convex shape, which generates a negative pressure represented by the arrow C pointing upwards.

[0061] The edges 44 of the deflection devices 34, 36, 42 form a boundary between a first side 46a upstream of the edge 44 and a second side 46b downstream of the edge 44 in the direction of movement of the air flow A on the one hand and the direction of movement of the air flow A on the other hand, thereby generating a negative pressure C. This alternation of crests and troughs, and subsequently this succession of overpressure and negative pressure regions, increases the pressing of the adapter 8 against the glass surface to which it is fitted.

[0062] Accordingly, the present invention proposes an adapter having an aerodynamic shape, which is provided with deflection devices, which makes it possible to increase the pressing of the wiper blade against the glass surface to be wiped by the wiper system.

[0063] However, the present invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and illustrated herein and can also extend to any equivalent devices and configurations and any combination of technical operations of such devices.

Claims

1. An adapter (8) configured to fasten a wiper blade (4) to a drive arm (2) of a wiper system (1), comprising at least one side wall (14) and an upper wall (13), the upper wall extending mainly in a longitudinal direction (L) and having a first transverse end (16) and a second transverse end (18), the upper wall (13) being connected to the side wall (14) at its first transverse end (16), these walls (12, 14) contributing to define a volume (24) in which a receiving cavity (28) is at least partly arranged, the receiving cavity (28) being configured to receive a connector (6) of the wiper system (1), the adapter (8) being characterized in that it comprises at least a first deflection means (34) arranged at the first transverse end (16) and a second deflection means (36) arranged at the second transverse end (18), each deflection means (34, 36) comprising at least one ridge protruding from the upper wall (13).

2. The adapter (8) according to the previous claim, wherein, The ridge comprises an edge (44) and two sides (46, 46a, 46b), the edge (44) and the two sides (46, 46a, 46b) protruding from the upper wall (13).

3. The adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the deflection means (34, 36) extends along the entire length of the adapter (8).

4. The adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first deflection means (34) contributes to form a leading edge (38) of the adapter (8), while the second deflection means (36) contributes to form a trailing edge (40) of the adapter (8).

5. The adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one additional deflection means (42) arranged transversely between the first deflection means (34) and the second deflection means (36).

6. The adapter (8) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The deflection means (34, 36, 42) are stacked with a lateral offset.

7. The adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the deflection means (34, 36, 42) has a constant height along the entire length of the adapter (8).

8. The adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the deflection means (34, 36, 42) has a varying height or is longitudinally discontinuous.

9. The adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, When viewed from the front, the upper wall (13) and / or the side wall (14) has a convex shape.

10. A wiper system (1), comprising a drive arm (2), a wiper blade (4), a connector (6) and an adapter (8) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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