Adapter and wiper assembly

Abstract

The present invention proposes an adapter (100) for connecting a wiper blade (200) to a wiper arm and comprising: a base (1) mounted to the wiper blade (200); the adaptive connecting piece (2) is mounted on the base (1) and is provided with a mounting seat part (21) suitable for mounting a wiper arm; and a cover (3) which is configured to be pivotable relative to the adapter (2) and which has a locking position which is locked relative to the position of the adapter (2), in which locking position the cover (3) covers at least a part of the adapter (2) and fixes the wiper arm together with the adapter (2), in which locking position the cover (3) is locked by means of an engagement structure, the cover (3) is provided with an engagement release part (30) adapted to release the engagement action of the engagement structure by manual pressing. According to the adapter, connection between the wiper blade and the wiper arm is reliable, disassembly is easy and convenient, and operation is easy. The invention further provides a corresponding wiper assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle wipers, and more particularly to an adapter for connecting wiper blades to wiper arms and a wiper assembly having the adapter. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with wiper assemblies for cleaning or wiping the surfaces of front and rear windshields. These wiper assemblies include a motor, a wiper arm driven by the motor to oscillate, and wiper blades detachably mounted to the wiper arm via an adapter. The wiper blades slide across the windshield surface using the oscillating motion of the wiper arm, thereby cleaning or wiping the windshield. Therefore, unlike the wiper arm, the wiper blades, which slide in contact with the windshield, are wear parts and need to be replaced when the accumulated wear during daily use exceeds permissible limits. However, existing adapters have significant room for improvement in terms of reliable connection between the wiper blades and wiper arms, as well as ease of disassembly. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adapter for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm and a wiper assembly having the adapter, so as to at least partially overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, making the connection between the wiper blade and the wiper arm reliable and easy to disassemble.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, an adapter is provided for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the adapter comprising:

[0005] Base, the base being mounted on the wiper blade;

[0006] An adapter connector, which is mounted on the base and has a mounting portion suitable for mounting a wiper arm; and

[0007] A cover, configured to pivot relative to the adapter connector and having a locked position relative to the adapter connector, wherein in the locked position, the cover covers at least a portion of the adapter connector and secures the wiper arm together with the adapter connector.

[0008] The cover is locked in the locked position by means of a locking structure, and the cover is provided with a locking release part suitable for manually pressing to release the locking function of the locking structure.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the engaging structure includes a hook formed on at least one sidewall of the cover and an elastic engaging block adapted to engage with the hook, wherein the engaging release portion is formed on the corresponding at least one sidewall at a position opposite to the elastic engaging block in the locked position.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the engagement release portion is formed as a spring piece that is at least partially suspended in the plane of the corresponding sidewall, one end of the spring piece being integrally connected to the corresponding sidewall, and the other end of the spring piece being a free end.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a wiper assembly is provided, comprising:

[0012] Wiper blades;

[0013] Wiper arm; and

[0014] An adapter for connecting the wiper blade to the wiper arm according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention according to the above aspects are that it can provide an adapter and a wiper assembly with the adapter, so that the connection between the wiper blade and the wiper arm is reliable, and the disassembly of the two is simple, convenient and easy to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will provide a better understanding of its principles, features, and advantages. The drawings include:

[0017] Figure 1 A perspective view of an adapter in a partially exploded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0018] Figure 2 A perspective view of an adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the cover is in a pivotable state;

[0019] Figure 3 A perspective view of an adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the cover is in a locked position relative to the adapter connector; and

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic illustration along Figure 3 The image shows a partial cross-sectional view of an adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken by line AA.

[0021] List of reference numerals

[0022] 100 Adapter

[0023] 200 wiper blades

[0024] 1. Base

[0025] 2. Adapter connectors

[0026] 20 Elastic Wall

[0027] 21 Mounting base part

[0028] 22 Pivot seat

[0029] 3 lids

[0030] 30. Card release section

[0031] 31 First sidewall

[0032] 32 Second sidewall

[0033] 33 Third sidewall

[0034] 34 Top Wall

[0035] 35 Extended Wall

[0036] 36 Extended Wall

[0037] 37 Pivot

[0038] 4 Hooks

[0039] 5. Flexible locking blocks

[0040] 6. Bottom Cover Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0042] Figure 1 A perspective view of an adapter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the cover 3 is shown in a state separated from the other parts of the adapter 100. Figure 2 A perspective view of an adapter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically, wherein the cover 3 is in a pivotable state relative to the adapter connector 2. Figure 3 A perspective view of an adapter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically, wherein the cover 3 is in a locked position relative to the adapter connector 2. Figure 4 Schematic illustration along Figure 3 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter connector 2 and cover 3 of the adapter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken by line AA.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, an adapter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention generally includes a base 1, an adapter connector 2, a cover 3, and a bottom cover 6.

[0044] The base 1 is mounted on the wiper blade 200, for example, on a mounting frame (not shown) provided or formed on the wiper blade 200. A bottom cover 6 covers the mounting area between the base 1 and the wiper blade 200. A sidewall of the base 1 extends through an opening formed in the bottom cover 6, allowing the adapter connector 2 to be mounted on the sidewall, particularly pivotally, and thus mounted on the base 1. A cover 3 is mounted to pivot relative to the adapter connector 2 and can be locked in a locked position relative to the adapter connector 2 by means of a snap-fit ​​mechanism, in which the cover 3 covers at least a portion of the adapter connector 2 and, together with the adapter connector 2, secures the wiper arm, thereby securing the wiper blade 200 to the wiper arm via the adapter 100.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the adapter connector 2 has a mounting portion 21 suitable for mounting a wiper arm, a pair of opposing resilient walls 20 extending from both sides of the mounting portion 21 toward one end, and a pivot seat 22 located at the other end of the mounting portion 21 relative to the resilient walls 20. Note that, as used herein and in the context of the present invention, "one end" and "the other end" refer to one end and the other end along the main extension direction of the wiper blade 200, "both sides" refer to both sides perpendicular to the main extension direction of the wiper blade 200 but parallel to the sliding working plane of the wiper blade 200, and similar terms indicating direction, such as "up," "down," "top," and "bottom," appearing in the context, refer to a direction or orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the sliding working plane of the wiper blade 200.

[0046] Mounting portion 21 is configured to mate with at least one wiper arm shape to restrict at least a portion of the wiper arm's degrees of freedom. In one example, mounting portion 21 may mate with a hook-shaped wiper arm. For example, the hook-shaped end of the hook-shaped wiper arm hooks onto mounting portion 21 generally from top to bottom and can only be detached from above, so that when cover 3 is in the locked position, cover 3 covers at least mounting portion 21 of the adapter connector 2 from above, thereby securely restricting the wiper arm between mounting portion 21 and cover 3, thus achieving a reliable connection between wiper blade 200 and wiper arm.

[0047] The pivot seat 22 is adapted to mount the pivot 37 of the cover 3, which will be described later, so that the cover 3 can pivot about the axis of the pivot 37 relative to the adapter connector 2. For example, a spring is installed within the pivot seat 22, which, when the cover 3 is locked in the locked position, is compressed or tensioned to generate an elastic restoring force that pivots the cover 3 away from the locked position. When the cover 3 is released from the locked position, the cover 3 pivots away from the locked position due to this elastic restoring force of the spring.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover 3 includes a first sidewall 31, a second sidewall 32, a third sidewall 33, and a top wall 34. When the cover 3 is in the locked position, the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 are located on opposite sides and face each other, and are respectively opposed to the elastic walls 20 of the adapter connector 2; the third sidewall 33, as an end wall, is connected to the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 and covers the elastic walls 20 of the adapter connector 2 from the end side; the top wall 34 is located on the top side and is connected to at least a portion of the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32, preferably also to at least a portion of the third sidewall 33, and covers at least a portion of the adapter connector 2, particularly the mounting base portion 21, from the top side. The cover 3 also includes a pair of extension arms 35 and 36 that are continuous with the first sidewalls 31 and the second sidewalls 32 on both sides and extend toward the other end, i.e., the end where the pivot seat 22 of the adapter connector 2 is located. A pivot 37 is provided on the pair of extension arms 35 and 36. The pivot 37 can be installed in the pivot seat 22 so that the cover 3 can pivot about the axis of the pivot 37 relative to the adapter connector 2. Of course, in some optional embodiments, the first sidewalls 31 and the second sidewalls 32 themselves can extend to the position area of ​​the pivot seat 22, so that the pivot 37 can also be directly provided on the first sidewalls 31 and the second sidewalls 32. In addition, the cover 3 also has a locking release part 30 suitable for manually pressing to release the locking function of the locking structure.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the engaging structure includes a hook 4 and an elastic engaging block 5 capable of engaging with each other to restrict the pivoting movement of the cover 3 relative to the adapting connector 2. Figure 4 As shown, the hooks 4 are formed in pairs and opposite to each other on the inner wall surfaces of the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 of the cover 3. Correspondingly paired elastic engaging blocks 5 are protrusions protruding from the outer wall surfaces of each elastic wall 20 facing opposite sides, such that when the cover 3 is in the locked position, the elastic engaging blocks 5 protrude towards the adjacent first sidewall 31 and second sidewall 32. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, when the cover 3 is in the locked position, the bottom surface of the hook 4 is formed as an inclined surface that tilts upward as it moves away from the corresponding first sidewall 31 or second sidewall 32. Correspondingly, the surface of the elastic locking block 5 opposite to the corresponding first sidewall 31 or second sidewall 32 is formed as an inclined surface that moves closer to the corresponding first sidewall 31 or second sidewall 32 as it approaches the bottom. In this way, the locking operation between the hook 4 and the elastic locking block 5 can be performed easily and smoothly, and the locking reliability after the locking operation is completed can be ensured. That is, the hook 4 is not likely to disengage from the elastic locking block 5 under the action of the elastic restoring force of the spring, causing the cover 3 to be released from the locked position.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pair of release portions 30 are formed on the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 at positions opposite to the elastic locking blocks 5 when the cover 3 is in the locked position. The release portion 30 is formed as a spring piece that at least partially extends in the plane of the corresponding first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32, one end of which is integrally connected to the corresponding first sidewall 31 or the second sidewall 32, and the other end is a free end, allowing the spring piece to elastically deflect relative to other parts of the corresponding sidewall. With the aid of such a spring-type release portion 30, the elastic locking blocks 5 can be pressed inward by pressing the release portion 30 formed on the corresponding sidewall from the outside of the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32, causing the elastic locking blocks 5 to move closer together and disengage from the corresponding hooks 4, thereby releasing the position lock of the cover 3. Subsequently, under the elastic restoring force of the spring, the cover 3 leaves the locked position, releasing the fixation of the wiper arm. Because of the presence of such a locking release part 30, when the locking action of the locking structure is released by manual pressing, the finger does not need to go through the opening on the side wall and insert too much, or even into the cover 3. Thus, the pressing operation of the finger is not obstructed by the corresponding side wall of the cover 3, and it is easier to manually release the lock of the cover 3 relative to the adapter connector 2. This makes the disassembly and reassembly between the wiper blade and the wiper arm simpler, more convenient and easier to operate.

[0051] The adapter 100 of the present invention is not limited to the construction described in the above exemplary embodiments. For example, in an optional exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the spring piece serving as the engagement release portion 30 may be formed with a plurality of protrusions and / or grooves, thereby increasing the surface friction coefficient of the spring piece and facilitating manual pressing operations. Alternatively or additionally, the inner surface and / or outer surface of the spring piece may be formed with a protrusion protruding from the wall surface of the corresponding sidewall, which can further reduce the amount of finger entering the corresponding sidewall during manual pressing, thereby further facilitating convenient and comfortable manual pressing operations.

[0052] Furthermore, the placement of the hooks, elastic engaging blocks, and corresponding engaging / disengaging parts is not limited to those described in the above exemplary embodiments. For example, in an optional exemplary embodiment, the hook 4 and the corresponding engaging / disengaging part 30 may be formed only on one of the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32, and the adapter connector 2 may have only an elastic wall 20 extending near one of the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32, on which a corresponding elastic engaging block 5 is formed. Such a structure can also achieve locking and releasing of the cover 3 in the locked position. Alternatively, the hook 4 and the corresponding engaging / disengaging part 30 may be formed on the third sidewall 33, which serves as an end wall, and the adapter connector 2 may have an elastic wall facing the third sidewall 33 in the locked position, on which an elastic engaging block is formed, thereby enabling locking and releasing of the cover 3 in the locked position at the end of the adapter 100. Of course, the specific construction of the locking structure and the locking release part is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art can implement various designs as needed, as long as their construction can satisfy the functions of position locking and easy locking release between the cover and the adapter connector.

[0053] According to another aspect of the present invention, a wiper assembly is provided, which includes a wiper blade 200, a wiper arm, and an adapter 100 according to any exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adapter (100) for connecting a wiper blade (200) to a wiper arm, said adapter (100) comprising: Base (1), said base (1) is mounted on the wiper blade (200); The adapter connector (2) is mounted on the base (1) and has a mounting portion (21) suitable for mounting the wiper arm; and A cover (3) configured to pivot relative to the adapter connector (2) and having a locking position relative to the adapter connector (2), in which the cover (3) covers at least a portion of the adapter connector (2) and secures the wiper arm together with the adapter connector (2). The cover (3) is locked in the locked position by means of a locking structure, and the cover (3) is provided with a locking release part (30) suitable for manually pressing to release the locking function of the locking structure.

2. The adapter (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The engaging structure includes a hook (4) formed on at least one sidewall of the cover (3) and an elastic engaging block (5) adapted to engage with the hook (4), and the engaging release part (30) is formed on the corresponding at least one sidewall at a position opposite to the elastic engaging block (5) in the locked position.

3. The adapter (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The engagement release part (30) is formed as a spring piece that is at least partially suspended in the plane of the corresponding sidewall, one end of the spring piece being integrally connected to the corresponding sidewall, and the other end of the spring piece being a free end.

4. The adapter (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The outer surface of the spring is formed with multiple protrusions and / or grooves; and / or The inner and / or outer surfaces of the spring are formed with protrusions that protrude from the wall surface of the sidewall.

5. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The cover (3) includes a first sidewall (31) and a second sidewall (32) located on both sides and opposite to each other, and a third sidewall (33) located at the end and connected to the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32). The hook (4) and the engagement release part (30) are formed on at least one of the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32) or on the third sidewall (33); and / or The elastic locking block (5) is formed on the adapter connector (2).

6. The adapter (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The hooks (4) are formed in pairs and opposite to each other on the inner wall surfaces of the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32), and the cover (3) includes the engagement release portions (30) correspondingly formed in the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32); and / or The adapter connector (2) is formed with a pair of opposing elastic walls (20) extending toward the third sidewall (33) of the cover (3) in the locked position, and the elastic locking block (5) is formed as a protrusion protruding from each elastic wall (20) toward the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32) of the cover (3) in the locked position.

7. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, The bottom surface of the hook (4) in the locked position is formed as an inclined surface that slopes upwards as it moves away from the corresponding sidewall; and / or The surface of the elastic locking block (5) opposite the locking release portion (30) at the locking position is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the corresponding side wall of the cover (3) as it approaches the bottom.

8. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, A pivot (37) is provided on the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32) on both sides of the cover (3), or on a pair of extended walls (35, 36) continuous with the first sidewall (31) and the second sidewall (32). The adapter connector (2) forms a pivot seat (22). The pivot (37) is adapted to be mounted in the pivot seat (22) so that the cover (3) can pivot about the axis of the pivot (37) relative to the adapter connector (2); and / or The cover (3) includes a top wall (34) that, in the locked position, covers at least the mounting portion (21) of the adapter connector (2).

9. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The adapter (100) also includes a base cover (6) configured to at least partially cover the mounting area between the base (1) and the wiper blade (200).

10. A wiper assembly comprising: Wiper blade (200); Wiper arm; and An adapter (100) for connecting the wiper blade (200) to the wiper arm according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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