Adapter for a windscreen wiper, and wiper device

Abstract

An adapter (4) for a windscreen wiper (3) configured to assemble the windscreen wiper (3) to a wiper arm (2), wherein a lateral leading face (31) of a blocking finger (22) abuts the lateral end surface (30) and is configured to first contact the wiper arm (2) when the wiper arm (2) is inserted into the blocking volume (19), the lateral leading face having a ramp shape that is inclined relative to the lateral end surface (30) such that the locking button (20) pivots when the wiper arm (2) enters the blocking volume (19), thereby releasing access for inserting the wiper arm (2) into the end channel (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an adapter for a brush blade configured to assemble the brush blade to a vehicle brush arm. Another subject of the invention is a brush device comprising a brush arm and a brush blade connected to the arm by means of the adapter. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with a wiper system designed to clean the surfaces of their fitted glass, particularly their windshields. Such a wiper system includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade driven by the arm. The wiper arm is connected to a motor in the vehicle, and the wiper blade includes at least one wiper rubber adapted to contact the surface of the fitted glass to be wiped. An adapter is arranged between the connector of the wiper arm and the wiper blade to enable the wiper blade to be driven.

[0003] There are various types of arms, such as hook arms, arms with lateral pivot axes, arms with longitudinal clamp fasteners, and bar arms.

[0004] Therefore, the adapter is specifically configured to work with the lever arm. The lever arm is flat and has the advantage of being compact due to its small thickness.

[0005] When the brush arm is assembled with the adapter, the arm slides into the adapter's housing. During use, the arm is prevented from retracting longitudinally within the adapter's locking zone by releasing the locking button, which engages with a blocking finger in a dedicated lateral cutout on the arm.

[0006] In some adapters, the housing into which the arm is inserted has a first channel and a second channel that are aligned with and spaced apart from each other.

[0007] One drawback is that after passing through the first channel, the arm may deviate from its trajectory due to the blocking finger contacting it from behind. The scraper arm and the blocking finger then push against each other in opposite lateral directions, with the blocking finger abutting the cage of the adapter's connector housing. The scraper arm is then pushed outward into the second channel, and this misalignment of the arm can lead to assembly difficulties, where the arm rests against the second channel. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an adapter that at least partially addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0009] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is an adapter for a brush scraper blade, the adapter being configured to assemble the brush scraper blade to a brush arm, the adapter having: - An arm housing having an entry cage and an end channel aligned and spaced apart from a blocking volume, the arm housing being configured to receive the longitudinally sliding end of the scraper arm, and - A pivot locking button having a blocking finger configured to engage in a recess in a scraper arm in a locked position, the longitudinal end of the blocking finger abutting a transverse surface of the recess to prevent the scraper arm from retracting longitudinally, and the lateral end surface of the blocking finger abutting an edge surface of the recess in the scraper arm, characterized in that the lateral forward guide surface of the blocking finger abuts the lateral end surface and is configured to first contact the scraper arm when the scraper arm is inserted into the blocking volume, the lateral forward guide surface having a ramp shape inclined relative to the lateral end surface so as to cause the locking button to pivot when the scraper arm passes through the blocking volume, thereby releasing the passage for inserting the scraper arm into the end channel.

[0010] It should be understood that the arm housing extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] For example, the adapter extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] When the arm is inserted into the blocking volume between the entry cage and the end channel, the blocking fingers contact the arm at the lateral forward guide surface. The ramp shape of this lateral forward guide surface causes a progressive and continuous contact with the arm as it passes, thereby causing the blocking fingers to rise and pivot, for example, about the longitudinal direction. The arm can then continue to advance unimpeded into the arm housing. The blocking fingers are "beveled" in this way, allowing the arm to be inserted with less effort and resistance, wherein the blocking fingers do not deflect the trajectory of the arm, and the arm can enter the end channel without any alignment difficulties.

[0013] Once the arm has been inserted into contact with the ground, the blocking fingers return to their initial rest position, thereby locking the brush arm in the adapter and occupying clearance due to its elasticity by wedging the arm in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, in the locked position, the blocking fingers apply stress to the arm to press it against the lateral outer edge of the arm housing, thereby allowing clearance to be occupied.

[0014] The adapter may also have one or more of the features described below, which may be used individually or in combination.

[0015] The slope of the ramp is, for example, between 5° and 20°.

[0016] The slope can be constant or variable.

[0017] In the case of a variable slope ramp, the slope can be reduced in the direction the arm is moving forward.

[0018] For example, the lateral leading surface and the lateral end surface are connected by a chamfered lateral edge.

[0019] For example, the lateral forward guide surface is inclined in a first direction relative to the lateral end surface so as not to prevent the arm from advancing into the arm housing. In particular, this allows the arm to pass through without encountering a stop.

[0020] For example, the lateral leading surface is inclined in a second direction relative to the lateral end surface to allow the blocking finger to pivot about the longitudinal direction, and thus allow the blocking finger to move to one side for the arm to pass through.

[0021] For example, the first direction and the second direction are tilted relative to each other.

[0022] For example, the first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0023] For example, the normals of the lateral leading surface and the lateral end surface are inclined relative to each other in all planes.

[0024] For example, the blocking fingers are configured to pivot about the longitudinal direction.

[0025] For example, the lock button is configured to pivot about the longitudinal direction.

[0026] The arm housing may have a longitudinal stop that protrudes into the blocking volume and is configured to cooperate with the brush arm to prevent the brush arm from being inserted longitudinally into the arm housing.

[0027] The adapter may have a connector housing configured to cooperate with the connector of the brush blade, blocking the fingers around two mutually perpendicular walls of the connector housing.

[0028] The inner side of the access channel to the inner side of the cage and the end channel of the arm housing has a corresponding rounded "U" shape, for example, complementary to the rounded edge surface of the scraper arm.

[0029] The inner side of the cage and the inner side of the end passage can also have internal longitudinal ribs.

[0030] The arm housing can be configured to hold the brush arm in an inclined position.

[0031] Another subject of the invention is a scraping device comprising: a scraper arm, particularly a bar arm; and a scraper blade, characterized in that the scraper device includes an adapter as described above for connecting the scraper blade to an end of the scraper arm. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Further advantages and features will become apparent as one studies the following description and accompanying drawings of specific, but not entirely limiting, embodiments of the invention, in which: [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the scraping device.

[0033] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 It is connected to Figure 1 A perspective view of the adapter of the scraper arm of the scraper device.

[0034] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A side view of the components.

[0035] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 A view of one end of the bar of the brush arm.

[0036] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 It shows from Figure 2 The view shown below the adapter in the image.

[0037] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 It shows from Figure 2 Another view seen below the adapter in the image.

[0038] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 A perspective view shows an intermediate step of inserting the bar of the scraper arm into the adapter.

[0039] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 The bar of the brush arm is shown in the locked position in the adapter.

[0040] In these figures, the same elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, it is not necessarily true that every reference numeral refers to the same embodiment, or that these features are applicable only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0042] In the remainder of the specification, specific provisions will be adopted in a non-limiting manner, particularly... Figure 1The coordinate system (L, T, V) relative to the adapter indicates the longitudinal, vertical, and lateral directions. The longitudinal direction L corresponds to the adapter's principal direction. The vertical direction V and the lateral direction T are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to each other.

[0043] Figure 1 An example of the scraper device 1 is shown.

[0044] The brushing device 1 includes a brush arm 2, which is designed to be connected to the vehicle's motorized brushing mechanism, and one end of the brush arm is connected to the brush blade 3 by means of an adapter 4, in order to clean the vehicle's fitted glass surface, such as the windshield.

[0045] Arm 2 is a lever arm type, comprising a rod connected to a base of arm 2, the base itself being intended for connection to a motor mechanism. The rod extends between an end connected to the base and an end cooperating with adapter 4 to connect to scraper 3. The term "rod" should be understood to mean a solid element whose end extends in the longitudinal direction L.

[0046] As in Figure 4 As can be seen more clearly, the rod of arm 2 is "flat," meaning it has two parallel planes. The cross-section of the rod is, for example, rectangular, with rounded edges outside the locking area.

[0047] As in Figure 2 As can be seen more specifically, the adapter 4 extends primarily along the longitudinal direction L of the end of the arm 2. The adapter includes an upper wall 11 with, for example, a smooth and curved profile, which is visible when the brush device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0048] On the back of the upper wall 11, and as in Figure 5 As can be seen, the adapter 4 has multiple components that, on the one hand, allow the arm 2 to be locked to the adapter 4, and on the other hand, allow the scraper blade 3 to be articulated to the scraper arm 2.

[0049] To connect the adapter 4 to the scraper blade 3, the adapter 4 has a complementary rotating member to the connector 8 of the scraper blade 3. The connector 8 is an element of the scraper blade 3, mounted above the center of the scraper rubber 10 of the scraper blade 3. Figure 1 The rotation between adapter 4 and connector 8 is achieved around a rotation axis parallel to the lateral direction T.

[0050] In this example, adapter 4 includes connector housing 12 having, for example, four walls inscribed in a parallelepiped shape, and connector housing 12 is configured to cooperate with connector 8 of brush blade 3.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the rotating component of the adapter 4, the adapter 4 includes, on one hand, a cylindrical stud 13 configured to cooperate with the circular orifice of the connector 8. Figure 6 ), and on the other hand, includes a circular hole 14 designed to cooperate with the cylindrical studs of the connector 8. The cylindrical studs 13 and the circular hole 14 are formed, for example, in parallel and opposing walls of the connector housing 12. Figure 5 and Figure 6 A cylindrical stud 13 may be formed in a resiliently deformable tongue 15 disposed in the wall of the connector housing 12 to allow the adapter 4 to be mounted on the connector 8.

[0052] In order to receive the end of arm 2 that is connected to adapter 4, adapter 4 has arm housing 16, which is also located on the back of upper wall 11.

[0053] The arm housing 16 extends through the longitudinal direction L and is configured to receive the scraper arm 2, particularly the end of the rod, which slides along the longitudinal direction L.

[0054] The arm housing 16 has an entry cage 17 and an end channel 18 aligned in the longitudinal direction L of the arm 2. The entry cage 17 and the end channel 18 are arranged at a distance from each other such that the rod of the arm 2 can be received in the entry cage 17 and the end channel 18 and pass through the blocking volume 19 between the entry cage and the end channel.

[0055] The entry cage 17 and the end channel 18 extend through each other. The entry cage 17 is, for example, longer than the end channel 18 in the longitudinal direction, which receives the end of the arm 2. The cross-sections (V, T) of the entry cage 17 and the end channel 18 can be the same. During installation, the arm 2 first slides into the entry cage 17 and then into the end channel 18.

[0056] The inner surfaces of the entry cage 17 and the end channel 18 of the arm housing 16 have corresponding rounded "U" shapes, for example, complementary to the rounded edge surfaces of the rod of the arm 2, so that the arm 2 can be slidably guided in the arm housing 16. The inner surfaces of the entry cage 17 and the end channel 18 may also have internal longitudinal ribs 29.

[0057] Furthermore, in this example, the arm housing 16 is configured to hold the brush arm 2 in an inclined position, specifically relative to the vertical direction V, with the parallel plane of the arm inclined at an angle, for example, between 40° and 60°, such as 45°, to the vertical plane (L, V) of the adapter 4. Figure 3 ).

[0058] Adapter 4 also includes a locking button 20, which is mounted to pivot relative to the upper wall 11 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking button 20 blocking arm 2, which is in a stationary position, retracts in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 8 In this unlocked position, the locking button unlocks the longitudinal displacement of arm 2.

[0059] For this purpose, the locking button 20 has an activation pad 21 on the upper wall 11 side, on which the user can press to pivot the locking button 20 to the unlocked position so that the arm 2 can be retracted. Figure 2 The locking button 20 also has a blocking finger 22, which is integrated with the activation pad 21 and located on the back of the activation pad. Figure 5 ).

[0060] According to one exemplary embodiment, the activation pad 21 is connected to the upper wall 11 by a hinge 23 formed on one side of the multiple sides of the activation pad 21, and allows the locking button 20 to pivot about the longitudinal axis L. The hinge 23 has, for example, a "U"-shaped cross-section extending below the upper wall 11.

[0061] The blocking finger 22 extends beyond the activation pad 21 into the arm housing 16, for example, parallel to the hinge 23 of the activation pad 21 and extending on the opposite side of the hinge into the blocking volume 19 located between the entry cage 17 and the end channel 18. The blocking finger 22 has, for example, an "L" shape, with one branch integral with the activation pad 21 and the other branch supporting the protruding end. According to an exemplary embodiment, the blocking finger 22 surrounds two mutually perpendicular walls of the connector housing 12 ( Figure 6 ).

[0062] The blocking finger 22 is configured to engage with the notch 24 of the arm 2 when the adapter 4 is in the locked position. Figure 4 In the arm 2, the notch 24 has, for example, a parallelepiped shape in which lateral discontinuities are formed in the edge face of the arm 2.

[0063] When adapter 4 is in the locked position, the blocking finger 22 prevents arm 2, which is received in the housing of arm 16, from retracting longitudinally. Figure 8 ).

[0064] More specifically, in the locked position, the longitudinal end of the blocking finger 22 engaged in the notch 24 abuts against the transverse surface 25 of the notch 24 at the blocking volume portion 19. This transverse surface is, for example, planar and located on the same side as the end of the arm 2, in order to prevent the arm 2 from retracting in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 8 Furthermore, the lateral end surface 30 (e.g., flat) of the blocking finger 22 rests against the edge surface of the notch 24 of the scraper arm 2. Figure 5 and Figure 8 ).

[0065] The lateral forward guide surface 31 of the blocking finger 22 is adjacent to the lateral end surface 30 and is configured to first contact the brush arm 2 when the brush arm 2 is inserted into the blocking volume 19. The lateral forward guide surface has a ramp shape that is inclined relative to the shape of the lateral end surface 30 so as to cause the locking button 20 to pivot when the brush arm 2 passes through the blocking volume 19, thereby releasing the passage for inserting the brush arm 2 into the end channel 18.

[0066] The slope of the ramp of the lateral leading surface 31 in the plane (L, T) is, for example, between 5° and 20°. Figure 6 The slope can be constant or variable. In particular, in the case of a variable slope ramp, the slope can decrease in the direction of arm 2's advance. Furthermore, the lateral forward guide surface 31 and the lateral end surface 30 are preferably connected by a chamfered lateral edge.

[0067] The arm housing 16 may also have a longitudinal stop 26 that protrudes into the blocking volume 19 and is configured to cooperate with a complementary surface 27 formed in the edge face of the brush arm 2. Figure 4 ), so as to prevent the brush arm 2 from being inserted longitudinally into the arm housing 16 ( Figure 8 The complementary surface 27 of arm 2 is formed in the edge face of the rod, for example, between the end of arm 2 and the transverse face 25 of the notch 24 that cooperates with the blocking finger 22.

[0068] The longitudinal stop 26 can be carried by a protrusion 28 of the adapter 4, which is arranged, for example, on the back side of the wall of the connector housing 12.

[0069] The longitudinal stop 26 of the adapter 4 restricts the translational movement of the arm 2 when the arm 2 is inserted into the adapter 4, in order to ensure the integrity of the adapter 4. Once the insertion of the arm 2 into the adapter 4 has been secured by the cooperation of the longitudinal stop 26 of the adapter 4 and the complementary surface 27 of the arm 2, the arm 2 can be locked in place without the risk of damage.

[0070] In the locked position, the arm housing 16 has, for example, a first support area for abutting the edge surface of the arm 2, said area being formed, for example, in a protrusion 28 and complementary to the planar edge surface of the arm 2. Figure 3 ); and two second support areas for abutting opposite edge surfaces, the areas being formed, for example, in the inner surfaces of the end channels 18 leading into the cage 17 and the arm housing 16, the first and second support areas being arranged to alternately abut each edge surface along the arm 2.

[0071] The first support area may be formed in the corner of the protrusion 28 of the adapter 4, the corner having, for example, an obtuse angle, an acute angle, or a right angle, the corner being formed on one hand by the first support area and on the other hand by the longitudinal stop portion 26 of the adapter 4.

[0072] When the brush arm 2 is installed in the adapter 4, first insert the brush arm 2 into the cage 17.

[0073] Then, when arm 2 is inserted into the blocking volume 19 between the entry cage 17 and the end channel 18, the blocking finger 22 contacts arm 2 at the lateral forward guide surface 31. Figure 7 As arm 2 passes, the sloping shape of the lateral leading surface 31 causes progressive and continuous contact with arm 2, which causes the blocking finger 22 to rise and pivot about the longitudinal direction. Figure 7 (Arrow F1 in the image).

[0074] Arm 2 can then continue to advance unimpeded into arm housing 16 (“snowplow effect”). Figure 7 (Arrow F2 in the image).

[0075] The blocking finger 22 is "beveled" in this way, allowing the arm 2 to be inserted with less effort and resistance, wherein the blocking finger 22 does not deflect the trajectory of the arm 2, which can enter the end channel 18 without any alignment difficulties.

[0076] Once arm 2 has been inserted into the ground, the blocking finger 22 returns to its initial stationary position, thereby locking the scraper arm 2 in the adapter 4 and occupying the clearance due to its elasticity by wedging arm 2 in the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T. Figure 8 ).

[0077] When the user presses the activation pad 21, the pivoting of the activation pad 21 causes the blocking finger 22 to move away from the lateral surface 25 of the notch 24, and this allows the arm 2 to retract in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. An adapter (4) for a scraper blade (3), the adapter being configured to assemble the scraper blade (3) to a scraper arm (2), the adapter (4) having: - An arm housing (16) having an entry cage (17) and an end channel (18) aligned and spaced apart from a blocking volume (19), the arm housing (16) being configured to receive the end of the scraper arm (2) sliding in the longitudinal direction (L), and - A pivot locking button (20) having a blocking finger (22) configured to engage in a recess (24) of the brush arm (2) in a locked position, the longitudinal end of the blocking finger (22) abutting against the lateral surface (25) of the recess (24) to prevent the brush arm (2) from retracting in the longitudinal direction (L), and the lateral end surface (30) of the blocking finger (22) abutting against the edge surface of the recess (24) of the brush arm (2), characterized in that The lateral forward guide surface (31) of the blocking finger (22) is adjacent to the lateral end surface (30) and is configured to first contact the scraper arm (2) when the scraper arm (2) is inserted into the blocking volume (19). The lateral forward guide surface has a ramp shape that is inclined relative to the lateral end surface (30) so as to cause the locking button (20) to pivot when the scraper arm (2) passes through the blocking volume (19), thereby releasing the passage for inserting the scraper arm (2) into the end channel (18).

2. The adapter (4) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The slope of the ramp is between 5° and 20°.

3. The adapter (4) as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, The lateral leading surface and the lateral end surface are connected by a chamfered lateral edge.

4. The adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The lateral leading surface is inclined relative to the lateral end surface in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being inclined relative to each other.

5. The adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The blocking fingers are configured to pivot about the longitudinal direction.

6. The adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The arm housing (16) has a longitudinal stop (26) that protrudes into the blocking volume (19) and is configured to cooperate with the brush arm (2) to prevent the brush arm (2) from being inserted longitudinally into the arm housing (16).

7. The adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The adapter has a connector housing (12) configured to cooperate with the connector (8) of the scraper blade (3), and the blocking fingers (22) surround two mutually perpendicular walls of the connector housing (12).

8. The adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The inner side of the entry cage (17) and the inner side of the end channel (18) of the arm housing (16) have corresponding rounded "U" shapes that are complementary to the rounded edge surface of the scraper arm (2).

9. The adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The arm housing (16) is configured to hold the scraper arm (2) in an inclined position.

10. A scraping device (1), the scraping device comprising: A scraper arm (2), particularly a lever arm; and a scraper blade (3), characterized in that the scraper device includes an adapter (4) as described in any one of the preceding claims, the adapter being used to connect the scraper blade (3) to the end of the scraper arm (2).

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