ADAPTER FOR A WIPER SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The field of the present invention is that of wiping systems for motor vehicles. More particularly, the field of the present invention is that of the connection means implemented between a wiper arm and a wiper blade of such a wiping system.

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with wiper systems designed to clean their glass surfaces, particularly their windshields. Such wiper systems include at least one wiper arm and a wiper blade driven by the wiper arm. The wiper arm is driven back and forth by an electric motor, and the wiper blade, attached to the wiper arm, moves across the glass surface. The wiper blade includes at least one wiping blade adapted to make contact with the glass surface to be wiped and to scrape and clean it as it moves. To transmit the movement from the wiper arm to the wiper blade, an adapter is fitted between these two components. More specifically, the adapter is fitted between the wiper arm and a connector attached to the wiper blade.

[0003] Typically, the adapter is attached to the wiper arm, specifically to a bracket on the wiper arm. This attachment between the adapter and the bracket is removable, allowing the adapter to be detached from the arm to change the wiper blade when it is worn. However, the methods described above for attaching the adapter to the arm, while effective, are being improved and no longer meet new standards. Indeed, currently available adapters may no longer provide the necessary shape matching with the wiper arms for the aforementioned attachment, particularly when wiper arms have new structures and configurations, such as lacking a bracket. DE-A-10 2012 011 225 shows a prior art adapter.

[0004] In this context, the invention relates to an adapter for attaching a wiper blade to an arm of a wiping system, the adapter extending along a main longitudinal elongation direction and being configured to be mounted on a connector of the wiper blade, the adapter comprising at least a base and a cover, the base comprising at least two lateral walls opposed to each other along a transverse direction of the adapter perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the lateral walls being connected to each other by a top wall, such that said lateral walls and the top wall form a body of the base which partially delimits a receiving space for the connector, the base being configured to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation on the connector,the adapter being characterized in that said base comprises a receiving area for the arm of the wiping system in which is formed at least one housing delimited transversely by a support wall and a retaining wall joining in such a way as to form a housing, the cover being movable on the base between a clearance position in which access to the receiving area is unobstructed and a locking position in which the cover covers the receiving area, characterized in that the housing has a V-shaped cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0005] The wiper blade and arm form part of a vehicle's wiping system designed to clean at least part of a glazed surface of said vehicle. The adapter, which extends along a main longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the main axis of extension of the wiper blade, is intended to be fixed to the wiper arm and to be pivotally mounted relative to the connector fixed to the wiper blade, such that the wiper blade, and in particular a blade it carries, can be driven by the movement of the wiper arm along the glazed surface.

[0006] The adapter comprises a base that pivots on the brush via the connector, and a movable cover mounted on this base. The adapter cover locks the arm in position on the base when it is positioned within the base's receiving area. Specifically, the cover moves between the previously mentioned clearance position, in which the arm can be mounted in at least one slot within the receiving area, and the locking position, in which the cover secures the arm in that slot.

[0007] According to one feature of the invention, the support wall and the retaining wall of at least one housing extend along principal planes inclined with respect to a longitudinal and transverse plane L, T of the adapter.

[0008] According to one feature of the invention, the main planes of each of the support walls and retaining walls have an angle ranging from 20° to 60° with respect to the longitudinal and transverse plane of the adapter.

[0009] According to one feature of the invention, these walls move away from each other as the upper wall moves away from the base so as to form the V-shaped cross-section of at least one housing.

[0010] According to the invention, the housing has a V-shaped cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0011] Thus, the invention covers an embodiment in which the adapter for attaching a wiper blade to an arm of a wiping system, the adapter extending along a main longitudinal elongation direction and being configured to be mounted on a connector of the wiper blade, the adapter comprising at least a base and a cover, the base comprising at least two lateral walls opposed to each other along a transverse direction of the adapter perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the lateral walls being connected to each other by a top wall, such that said lateral walls and the top wall form a body of the base which partially delimits a receiving space for the connector, the base being configured to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation on the connector,The adapter is characterized in that said base comprises a receiving area for the wiper system arm in which at least one housing is formed, delimited transversely by a support wall and a retaining wall joining in such a way as to form a housing having a V-shaped cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; the adapter is further characterized in that the cover is movable on the base between a clearance position in which access to the receiving area is unobstructed and a locking position in which the cover covers the receiving area.

[0012] According to one feature of the invention, the receiving area for the wiper arm and the receiving area for the connector are arranged on either side of the upper wall of the base. More precisely, the base has a U-shape, and the receiving area for the connector is formed inside the U, while the receiving area for the arm is formed outside the U. The housing(s) in the receiving area are formed, in particular, by means that project from an external face of the upper wall, facing away from the receiving area for the connector.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the retaining wall of at least one housing includes a positioning member configured to cooperate with a corresponding positioning element of the arm of the wiping system.

[0014] According to a first example of the invention, the positioning member can be a groove formed in each of the retaining walls and adapted to cooperate with the positioning element of the wiper arm, which here takes the form of a projection. According to a second example of the invention, the positioning member can be a projection extending from the retaining wall of at least one housing and adapted to cooperate with the positioning element of the wiper arm, which is here a groove.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the support wall of at least one housing includes a recess open to the connector receiving area. In other words, the recess is formed in the support wall to allow communication, through the upper wall of the base, between the connector receiving area and the receiving area of ​​the arm.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, the receiving area comprises two housings separated from each other by a central wall extending mainly along the longitudinal direction, each of the housings being configured to receive the arm of the wiping system, said housings being symmetrical along a principal plane of the central wall, each housing comprising a support wall and a retaining wall extending respectively from the central wall and one of the side walls of the base.

[0017] In this configuration, it is noteworthy that the base features a receiving area for the wiper arm, which has two slots into which either wiper arm can be fitted. In other words, each slot has a configuration compatible with the wiper arm's structure, with the arm fitting into one slot or the other depending on the type of vehicle on which the wiper system is installed, and specifically whether the vehicle is designed for left-hand or right-hand drive.

[0018] According to other features of the invention, the positioning elements formed on each of the retaining walls have the same shape and dimensions so as to cooperate with the same positioning element of the wiper arm, depending on which slot of the wiper arm is located in whichever housing of the receiving area. In this context, the positioning elements formed on each of the retaining walls are arranged longitudinally on their respective retaining walls at the same longitudinal position, that is, at the same distance from a common reference point, which may be a longitudinal end of the base. In other words, the positioning element formed in one of the housings is a mirror image of the positioning element formed in the other housing with respect to the central wall.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, the central wall of the base forms a plane of symmetry of the adapter.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the adapter includes means for cooperating the base with the hood. These means are specifically configured to ensure the transverse centering of the hood relative to the base in the locked position.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the cooperation means comprise at least two overthicknesses which each extend longitudinally along the central wall and on either side thereof and which form a stop to the rotational movement of the hood.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, the cooperation means comprise at least one groove formed on the hood and adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal edge of the central wall. The aforementioned raised sections protrude at the base of the longitudinal edge, such that the raised sections act as a stop against the insertion of this longitudinal edge into the groove formed on the hood.

[0023] According to one feature of the invention, the hood comprises a plurality of ribs arranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction, each rib being formed perpendicular to this longitudinal direction and each having a groove, the alignment of the grooves along the longitudinal direction forming the groove. It is thus understood that the ribs are arranged to abut against the overthicknesses of the central wall of the base, while the groove cooperates with the longitudinal edge of the central wall.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the cover comprises at least one longitudinally extending support rail configured to overlap at least one housing in the receiving area. The support rail contributes, in particular, to retaining the wiper arm in the housing of the receiving area in which the arm is to be positioned. The support rail also contributes, in particular, to at least partially closing the housing in the vertical direction and to securing the arm within the housing. The support rail is specifically configured, in the locked position of the cover, to be in contact with the arm and prevent it from moving within the corresponding housing.

[0025] More specifically, the hood includes at least two support rails which extend symmetrically to each other with respect to a median longitudinal plane of the hood, so that either of the support rails is operational, i.e. in contact with the arm when the hood is in the locked position, depending on the housing in which the arm is disposed.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, the hood is rotatably mounted on the base by means of a rotation device for the adapter formed on the base and the hood. The hood is rotatably mounted on the base such that, in the hood's disengaged position, the hood is mostly away from the base, with only the pivoting area of ​​the hood in contact with the base, while in the hood's locked position, the hood extends to cover at least the receiving area of ​​the base.

[0027] According to one feature of the invention, the rotation device comprises at least one orifice formed on one of the side walls of the base opposite the receiving space of the connector and at least one cylindrical lug formed on the hood, and adapted to cooperate with the orifice.

[0028] It is also understood that the invention also covers an embodiment in which the rotation device is such that the orifice is formed on the hood and the cylindrical lug is formed on one of the side walls of the base, opposite the receiving space of the connector.

[0029] According to one feature of the invention, at least one rotation device is formed longitudinally opposite the receiving area of ​​the arm of the wiping system.

[0030] More specifically, considering the base alone, the circular housing or cylindrical block forming at least one rotation device is formed opposite the receiving area when considering the longitudinal direction.

[0031] According to one feature of the invention, the adapter includes at least one means for locking the hood in position on the base in said locking position, the locking means comprising at least one lateral stud formed on an external face of one of the side walls of the base and a locking device formed on the hood and adapted to cooperate with the lateral stud.

[0032] According to one feature of the invention, the base includes at least one stop for the rotation of the hood on the base, formed on an external face of one of the side walls of the base, the stop being able to come into contact with an end edge of the hood to form a stop.

[0033] According to one feature of the invention, the lateral support is arranged near the upper wall and the stop member is arranged near a free end edge of the lateral wall, opposite the upper wall. It is understood that, in this way, the lateral support and the stop member are positioned opposite each other along a vertical direction of the adapter, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0034] According to one feature of the invention, the lateral block and / or the stop member are formed longitudinally opposite the rotation device.

[0035] According to one feature of the invention, the central wall comprises at least one beveled end.

[0036] According to one feature of the invention, the hood comprises a locking tab extending along the longitudinal direction and disposed in contact with one end of the central wall, opposite the beveled end. In other words, in the context of a hood rotating relative to the base, the locking tab forms a longitudinal stop for the hood against the central wall, thus helping to lock the hood in position on the base along the longitudinal direction.

[0037] According to an alternative of the invention, the hood is configured to be movable in longitudinal translation on the base.

[0038] According to the alternative of the invention, the adapter includes at least one means for stopping the hood in translation in its locked position on the base.

[0039] According to the alternative of the invention, at least one means of stopping in translation is formed on the base opposite the receiving area along the longitudinal direction.

[0040] According to the alternative of the invention, at least one means of stopping in translation consists of at least one elastic tab formed on the base and adapted to cooperate with a receiving window formed on the hood.

[0041] According to another alternative of the invention, at least one stopping means consists of at least one longitudinal retaining tab formed on the hood and capable of cooperating with a longitudinal crossbar formed on the base.

[0042] According to the alternative of the invention, the groove is made by a slide formed on the hood and adapted to cooperate with the central wall of the base, said slide having a free end open for the insertion of the central wall and an opposite end forming a stop member of the central wall in the slide.

[0043] According to the alternative of the invention, the hood comprises at least one guide rail which extends longitudinally along the hood, the guide rail being able to cooperate with a complementary rail formed on the base.

[0044] According to the alternative of the invention, the hood includes at least one translational stop member adapted to cooperate with a shoulder formed on the base.

[0045] The invention also relates to a wiping brush comprising at least one wiping blade, a connector and an adapter according to any one of the preceding characteristics, the adapter being mounted pivotally relative to the connector made integral with a support for the wiping blade.

[0046] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle wiping system, which includes a wiping blade according to the previous characteristic and an arm connected to the wiping blade via the adapter, said arm being disposed in the receiving area of ​​the adapter.

[0047] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the description given below by way of example in conjunction with drawings in which: [ Fig.1 ] is a general perspective view of a wiping system according to the invention, comprising at least one wiping brush, an arm and an adapter; [ Fig.2 ] is a close-up view of the wiper system of the [ Fig.1 making the cooperation between the adapter and the connector particularly visible, here according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig.3 ] is an exploded perspective view of the adapter and connector visible on the [ Fig.2 ], notably making it visible that the adapter includes a base and a cover; [ Fig.4 ] is a perspective view of the adapter base as seen on the [ Fig.3 ], the base being viewed from below to show a space for receiving the connector; [ Fig.5 ] is a perspective view of the base of the adapter of the [ Fig.3 ], in a top view to show a receiving area for the wiper system arm, the receiving area comprising two symmetrical housings; [ Fig.6 ] is a side view of the base of the adapter of the [ Fig.3 showing part of a hood rotation device on the base as well as a locking device; Fig.7 ] is a perspective view of the adapter cover, viewed from below, showing part of the cover's rotation mechanism on the base and a means of cooperating the cover with the base; Fig.8 ] is a cross-sectional view of the adapter according to the first embodiment showing the cooperation between the base and the cover once the cover is in a locked position after rotation relative to the base; [ Fig.9 ] is a perspective view similar to that of the [ Fig.2 ], making visible an adapter according to a second embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.10 ] is a perspective view, top view, of the base of the adapter of the [ Fig.9 ] ; ] Fig.11 ] is a perspective view, seen from below, of the adapter cover of the [ Fig.9 ] ; ] Fig.12 ] is another perspective view, seen from below, of the adapter cover of the [ Fig.9 ], with a perspective angle that makes a guide rail more visible; [ Fig.13 ] is a side perspective view of the base of the [ Fig.10 ], with a perspective angle that notably reveals an additional rail; [ Fig.14 ] is a perspective view of the adapter cover according to a third embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.15 ] is a perspective view of the base of the adapter according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0048] It should first be noted that while the figures illustrate the invention in detail for its implementation, they can, of course, also be used to further define the invention, if necessary. It should also be noted that these figures only show examples of embodiments of the invention. Finally, the same reference numerals designate the same elements throughout all the figures.

[0049] THE figures 1 et 2 illustrate a wiping system 1 according to the invention. As shown, this wiping system 1 comprises at least one wiping brush 2 and at least one arm 4 connected to each other by at least one adapter 6 according to the invention. More specifically, the adapter 6 allows connection to a connector 8, visible in the [ Fig.2 ] and attached to the wiper blade 2, to the wiper arm 4.

[0050] The wiper blade 2 comprises at least one blade 10 which is intended to come into contact with a glazed surface of a vehicle equipped with the wiper system 1. Without limiting the invention, the wiper blade 2 may include at least one blade support, which may also be equipped with a stiffening element and / or an air deflection element.

[0051] The wiper arm 4 is configured to drive the wiper blade 2 in rotation. Thus, the arm 4 comprises at least a first end 12 attached to the adapter 6 and a second end 14 opposite to the first end 12 in a principal extension direction P of the arm 4, the second end 14 being attached to a drive motor, not visible, housed within the motor vehicle.

[0052] Adapter 6, most notably visible at figures 2 And 3, extends along a principal elongation direction A substantially parallel to the principal elongation direction P of the arm 4 and along a longitudinal direction L. The adapter includes at least a base 16 and a cover 18.

[0053] The base 16 of adapter 6, visible in particular on the figures 3 à 6 , comprises at least two lateral walls 20 respectively disposed at a transverse end of the base, with reference to a transverse direction T of the adapter 6, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Each lateral wall 20 extends in a longitudinal and vertical plane L, V, with reference to the longitudinal, vertical, transverse trihedron L, V, T illustrated in each of the figures, the vertical direction V being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T.

[0054] The base 16 also includes at least one upper wall 22 which extends mainly in a longitudinal and transverse plane L, T of the adapter 6 and such that said upper wall 22 connects the lateral walls 20 of the adapter to each other. The body 23 of the base 16 thus formed with the lateral walls and the upper wall has a cross-section, in a transverse and vertical plane T, V, which is U-shaped, as can be seen in particular in the [ Fig.8 ]. The internal faces of the side walls 20 and the top wall 22 then delimit at least in part a receiving space 24 for the connector 8.

[0055] The base 16 is configured to be mounted pivoting around a first axis of rotation R1 on the connector 8 of the wiper blade 2, the first axis of rotation R1, visible at the [ Fig.3 ], being parallel to the transverse direction T of the adapter 6. To this end, the base 16 includes means for rotating the base 16 relative to the connector 8, visible at the [ Fig.4 ], at least partly formed on the side walls 20 of the base 16 and which are configured to cooperate with complementary rotation elements 32 formed on the connector 8 and partly visible at the [ Fig.3 ].

[0056] In the illustrated example, the complementary rotation elements 32 are formed by bores arranged transversely on each lateral face of the connector 8, and the rotation means 26 are formed in particular by a cylindrical pad 28, formed in an elastic tab opposite a first lateral wall 20a and adapted to cooperate with one of the bores of the connector, and a bearing formed in the second lateral wall 20b and adapted to cooperate with the other bore. The bearing 30 and the cylindrical pad 28 are aligned transversely and, together with the bores of the connector, form the first axis of rotation.

[0057] As is particularly evident in the [ Fig.5 ], the base 16 includes at least one receiving area 34 for the arm of the wiping system in which at least one housing 34a, 34b is formed. According to a non-limiting feature of the invention, a bottom wall of the housing has a V-shaped profile in a section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal elongation direction, this bottom wall with the V-shaped profile being formed by a support wall 38 and a retaining wall 40.

[0058] In the example more particularly illustrated in the figures, the receiving area 34 comprises two housings 34a, 34b separated from each other by a central wall 36 which extends mainly along the longitudinal direction L, but it should be noted that the receiving area could have a different number of housings, and in particular a single housing unit as long as this housing unit is delimited transversely by a support wall 38 and a retaining wall 40 in accordance with what has just been described, with in particular a section of the housing unit having a V shape.

[0059] In what follows, we will more specifically describe the adapter with two slots and the characteristics specific to one slot can be applied to an adapter comprising a reception area with a single slot.

[0060] In the illustrated example, each of the housings 34a, 34b is configured to receive the arm of the wiping system, which depending on the vehicle on which the wiping system is applied, and in particular depending on whether it is left-hand or right-hand drive, can be placed interchangeably in either of these housings.

[0061] As can be seen in the figures, the receiving area is specifically configured so that the two housings are identical on either side of the central wall 36, each housing forming a mirror image of the other housing with respect to the central wall. In other words, the two housings 34a, 34b of the receiving area 34 are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry formed by a principal longitudinal and vertical plane L, V of the central wall 36.

[0062] The receiving area 34 of the arm is formed on the upper wall 22 of the base 16 such that the receiving area 34 of the wiper system arm and the receiving area of ​​the connector are arranged on either side of the upper wall 22 of the base 16. In other words, and as can be seen at the [ Fig.8 [ ], the receiving space 24 is formed inside the U-shaped section of the base 16 and the receiving area 34 is formed outside this U-shaped section. It is then understood that the receiving area 34 is turned away from the connector when the base 16 of the adapter 6 is mounted on the latter.

[0063] Each of the housing units 34a, 34b of the reception area 34 is delimited transversely by the central wall 36 and one of the lateral walls 20 of the base 16. As previously mentioned, a bottom wall of each housing unit, extending between the central wall and the corresponding lateral wall, has a V-shaped profile in a section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction, this bottom wall with the V-shaped profile being formed by a support wall 38 and a retaining wall 40 which extend respectively from the central wall 36 and one of the lateral walls 20 of the base 16. For each housing unit, the support wall 38 and the retaining wall 40 have an inclined profile with respect to the main longitudinal and vertical plane L, V of the central wall 36 and meet substantially at the center of the housing unit in the transverse direction.The inclination of each of the retaining walls 40 and the support walls 38 of each of the housings 34a, 34b can for example be 40° with respect to the main longitudinal and vertical plane L, V of the central wall 36.

[0064] Once in position in one of the housings, the arm of the wiping system is both supported against the support wall 38 of this housing and against the retaining wall 40, taking an inclined position relative to the main longitudinal and vertical plane L, V of the central wall 36, each of the walls participating in holding the arm in the housing.

[0065] As can be seen in the [ Fig.5 ], the retaining wall 40 of each of the housings 34a, 34b includes a positioning member 42 configured to cooperate with a corresponding positioning element of the wiper system arm, which is not visible. In the example of the [ Fig.5 ], the positioning member 42 of each of the retaining walls 40 is in the form of a groove 44 made in the thickness of the retaining wall 40. More particularly, the groove 44 of each of the housings 34a, 34b is arranged symmetrically to the other groove with respect to the main plane L, T of the central wall 36. It is understood here that the groove 44 of each of the housings 34a, 34b is configured to cooperate with a projection of the arm of the wiping system, not visible, so as to lock the arm in position with respect to the base 16 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0066] The support wall 38 of each of the housings 34a, 34b also has a recess 46, which passes through the upper wall of the base so as to be open to the receiving space 24 of the connector. More precisely, the recess 46 is formed opposite the rotation means 26 of the base 16 on the connector along the vertical direction V, so as to leave clearance to allow the rotation of the adapter 6 on the connector.

[0067] According to the invention, the cover 18 of the adapter 6, visible figures 7 And 8 , is mobile on the base 16 between a release position, in which the housings are uncovered and the arm can be mounted in one of the housings of the base, and a locking position in which the cover covers the housings so that the cover 18 helps to lock the arm in one of said housings.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the hood 18 is rotatably mounted on the base 16 by means of a rotation device 48 formed on the base 16 and on the hood 18. The rotation device 48 here comprises at least one circular housing 50, visible at the [ Fig.6 ], formed on one of the external faces 52 of one of the lateral walls 20 of the base 16 and at least one cylindrical lug 54, visible at the [ Fig.7 ], formed on the hood 18 and dimensioned to cooperate, by complementarity of shapes, with the circular housing 50 of the base 16. It should be noted that without leaving the context of the invention, the male elements formed by the cylindrical lug(s) and the female elements formed by the circular housing(s) could be interchanged and arranged respectively on the base and the hood.

[0069] The rotation device 48 is formed on the adapter near a longitudinal end opposite the receiving area 34 of the arm. More specifically, with reference to the base, the circular recesses 50 of the rotation device are formed on each of the lateral walls 20 of the base 16, such that they are longitudinally opposite the receiving area 34 of the wiper system arm.

[0070] The cover 18 has a shell 56 which defines an internal space 58 suitable for housing the base 16 of the adapter 6 when the cover is in the locked position. The cylindrical lug 54 is located in the internal space 58 of the cover 18.

[0071] According to the example of the invention, each of the side walls 20 of the base 16 includes the circular housing 50 formed on its external face 52, and the hood 18 includes two cylindrical lugs 54 each formed in the internal space on an internal face 60 of the shell 56 opposite each other along the transverse direction T, and such that they are able to cooperate with the circular housings 50 formed on each of the side walls 20 of the base 16.

[0072] It is understood from the above that the rotation device 48 of the cover 18 on the base 16 ensures the mobility of the cover 18 on the base 16 along a second axis of rotation R2, parallel to the first axis of rotation of the base 16 on the connector 8 and visible at the [ Fig.7 A second axis of rotation R2 thus ensures the mobility of the hood 18 on the base 16 from the clearance position, in which the hood 18 is at a distance from the base 16, to a locking position, in which the hood 18 extends, at least partially covering the base 16 of the adapter 6. More precisely, a first longitudinal end 62 of the hood 18 is defined, at which the cylindrical lugs 54 are formed, and a second longitudinal end 64 of the hood 18 is defined, opposite the first longitudinal end 62 along the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6. Thus, it is understood that the hood 18 is rotationally mobile on the base 16 at its first longitudinal end 62 between its clearance position, in which its second longitudinal end 64 is vertically away from the base 16, and its locking position, in which its second longitudinal end 64 is closest to the base 16.

[0073] To ensure that the cover 18 is locked in position on the base 16, the adapter 6 includes at least one locking means 66 formed by components of the cover and the base. In the first embodiment, this locking means 66 includes at least one lateral stud 68 formed on the outer face 52 of one of the side walls 20 of the base 16 and a locking device 70 formed on the cover 18 and adapted to cooperate with the lateral stud 68, as can be seen in particular in the figures 6 et 7 The lateral stud 68 is formed on the base 16 opposite the circular housing 50 along the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6 and at the level of the upper wall 22 of the base 16. Without limiting this embodiment, each of the lateral walls 20a, 20b of the base 16 may include such a lateral stud 68 formed on its external face 52.

[0074] In addition, the hood 18 includes two locking devices 70, each capable of cooperating with one of the lateral studs 68 of the base 16. More precisely, the locking devices 70 consist of a rib projecting from the shell 56, extending into the internal space 58 of the hood. As the hood 18 rotates towards its locked position, these locking devices contact the lateral studs 68 of the base 16. The locking means in position 66 is configured to operate by elastic deformation and latching. In particular, the fastening devices 70 and the lateral studs 68 have inclined planes that facilitate the separation of the hood shell walls, allowing the fastening devices to extend beyond the lateral studs and lock behind them once the shell walls have returned to their original position.

[0075] Following the example of the invention of the [ Fig.6 ], the base 16 includes at least one stop member 72 of the cover 18 on the base 16. At least one stop member 72 is formed on the external face 52 of one of the side walls 20 of the base, so as to cooperate with an end edge 74 of the cover 18. More specifically, the stop member 72 is arranged in the vicinity of a free end edge 76 of the side wall 20. The stop member 72 here has a ramp shape with a receiving surface 78 that extends in a plane inclined relative to a longitudinal and transverse plane, thus ensuring a complementary shape with the end edge 74 of the cover 18. As this is particularly visible in the [ Fig.6 ], the stop member 72 can in particular be arranged opposite the circular housing 50 of the base 16, along the longitudinal direction L. And the base 16 advantageously comprises two stop members 72 arranged on the external face 52 of the first lateral wall 20a and the second lateral wall 20b.

[0076] The stop member 72 ensures the blocking of the rotation of the hood 18 on the base 16 in the direction of rotation from the release position to the locking position, and the locking means in position 66 ensures that the hood 70 is held in the locking position by blocking its movement in the direction of rotation from the locking position to the release position.

[0077] As can be seen in the [ Fig.8 ], the adapter 6 includes means 80 for cooperating the base 16 with the hood 18, which are configured in particular to allow the transverse centering of the hood on the base at the end of rotation. In the first embodiment, the means 80 for cooperating the hood 18 include a plurality of ribs 84, visible at the [ Fig.7 ], arranged parallel to each other, in a transverse orientation perpendicular to the principal elongation direction of the adapter. These ribs are particularly special in that a trench 86 is formed in each rib 84, these trenches 86 being aligned along a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction L so as to form a groove 88. The groove 88 of the cover 18 is then able to cooperate with a longitudinal edge 90 of the central wall 36 as visible in the [ Fig.8 ].

[0078] The means of cooperation 80 may also include at least one additional thickness 82 which extends longitudinally along the central wall 36, so as to form a stop to the rotation of the hood 18, by contact between this additional thickness 82 and the walls of the ribs delimiting the groove 88 of the hood.

[0079] In the first embodiment, as illustrated on the [ Fig.6 ], the central wall 36 of the base 16 may include a beveled end, so as to facilitate the rotation of the hood 18 on the base 16 when mounting the wiping system.

[0080] In particular, this beveled end allows for a progressive and easy docking of the hood 18 when it is closed on its base 16. Such a beveled shape also allows for centering of the trench 86 of the ribs 84 of the hood 18 on the longitudinal edge 90 of the central wall 36.

[0081] More precisely, an internal end 92 of the central wall 36 and an external end 94 of the central wall 36 are defined as being opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6, the internal end 92 being turned towards the end of the base 16 comprising the circular housing 50 and the external end 94 being opposite the internal end 92 along the longitudinal direction L. Thus, in the example of the invention of the [ Fig.6 ], the beveled end is formed at the internal end 92 of the central wall 36.

[0082] As can be seen in the [ Fig.7 The cover 18 includes at least one locking tab 96 extending along the longitudinal direction L and intended to be in contact with the outer end of the central wall 36 when the cover is in the locked position on the base. The locking tab 96 has, in particular, a cross-section, in a vertical and transverse section plane, that is similar to that of the central wall.The function of this locking tab is, on the one hand, to ensure that the hood 18 is locked in position on the base along the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6, and on the other hand, to help to keep the arm in the housing, by providing a secondary locking function on the arm in position in the housing, this tab being designed to deform laterally in contact with the arm when the hood 18 is closed and to return to its initial shape simultaneously when the hood is locked on the base with the locking means in position 66.

[0083] The hood 18 also includes at least one support rail 98, visible at figures 7 And 8, which extends longitudinally within the internal space 58 of the cover 18, and such as to at least partially overlap one of the housings 34a, 34b of the receiving area 34 of the base 16 when said cover 18 is in its locked position. The support rail 98 can, in particular, extend along the longitudinal direction L from the second longitudinal end 64 of the cover 18 and longitudinally such as to cover the entire support wall 38 of the housing 34a, 34b up to the recess 46. Furthermore, as can be seen in the [ Fig.8 ], the support rail 98 extends substantially parallel to the support wall 38 of the housing and in such a way that it is at least partly in contact with the retaining wall 40 of said housing.

[0084] This ensures optimal support of the arm when it is positioned in one of the housings 34a, 34b, the support rail 98 locking the arm in position in one of said housings 34a, 34b along the vertical direction V. According to the example of the invention, the cover 18 comprises two support rails 98, each intended to cover one of the housings 34a, 34b of the receiving area 34 of the base 16.

[0085] According to one feature of the invention, the hood 18 includes force-response means 102. Thus, according to the example of the invention visible in the [ Fig.7 ], the load-bearing means 102 comprise at least one reinforcing block 104 which protrudes into the internal space 58 of the cover 18 and a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs 106. More precisely, the reinforcing block 104 protrudes into the internal space 58 between the cylindrical lugs 54 of the rotation means 48 and the ribs 84, so as to be positioned in contact with a load-bearing surface 108 formed on the base 16 and visible at the [ Fig.5 ], when the cover is in the locked position, the reinforcement block 104 partially ensures the transfer of force along the vertical direction V between the base 16 and the cover 18 of the adapter 6. As can be seen on the [ Fig.5 ], the force recovery surface 108 of the base 16 is formed on the upper wall 22 of the base 16 opposite longitudinally from the receiving surface 34.

[0086] Furthermore, the lateral reinforcing ribs 106 extend along the vertical direction V and are arranged along the internal faces 60 of the hood 18, in the internal space 58, and in such a way that they are in contact with the external faces of the first side wall and the second side wall of the base 16. It is understood that the lateral reinforcing ribs 106 ensure in particular a transfer of force between the hood 18 and the base 16 along the transverse direction T of the adapter 6.

[0087] A second embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the figures 9 à 13 It is therefore appropriate to consider that only the distinct characteristics of the first embodiment will be described, and that for the common characteristics, reference should be made to the description just given with reference to the figures 1 à 8 .

[0088] In this second embodiment of the invention, the cover 18 is movable in longitudinal translation on the base 16. Thus, the adapter 6 includes at least one stop 110 for the cover 18 to be held in its locked position on the base 16, the stop 110 being equivalent to the locking means mentioned previously. In this second embodiment, the stop 110 consists of an elastic tab 112 formed on the base 16 and a receiving window 114 formed on the cover 18, the elastic tab 112 being able to cooperate with the receiving window 114. More precisely, the elastic tab 112, visible in the [ Fig.10 ], is formed longitudinally opposite the reception zone 34 of the arm.

[0089] The cover 18 is configured to slide longitudinally until the receiving window 114 engages with the elastic tab 112. To achieve this, the adapter base is inserted into the cover by inserting the longitudinal end of the base carrying the elastic tab 112 into the cover at the second longitudinal end 64 of the latter. The base and the cover are then moved longitudinally relative to each other along the longitudinal direction until the elastic tab 112 opens into the receiving window 114. The elastic tab 112 is capable of deforming and then returning to its initial position without breaking. This allows the elastic tab 112 to deform in order to fit into the receiving window 114 of the cover 18 as the latter slides along the base 16, and then to lock into the receiving window 114.

[0090] In order to allow the hood 18 to slide on the base 16, the hood 18 includes at least one guide rail 116, particularly visible to figures 11 And 12 , which extends substantially perpendicularly to the side walls of the hood shell, and longitudinally originating at the second longitudinal end 64 of the hood 18. This guide rail 116 is configured to cooperate with a complementary rail 118 formed along the base 16 and visible at the [ Fig.13 More precisely, the supplementary rail 118 extends longitudinally along the outer face 52 of at least one of the side walls 20 of the base 16. Furthermore, the guide rail 116 includes at least one translational stop 120 at its end facing the first longitudinal end 62 of the hood 18, adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 121 formed on the base, notably visible on the [ Fig.13 ], so as to block the longitudinal translation of the hood 18 on the base 16 when the elastic tab 112 is housed in the receiving window 114.

[0091] As illustrated in figures 11 And 12The adapter also includes additional guiding means, here comprising at least one guide block 125 disposed near the guide rail 116 on the cover 18 at the second longitudinal end 64, this guide block being able to fit into a portion of the supplementary rail 118. The guide block 125 then contributes to locking the cover 18 in position on the base along the vertical direction V. The guide block 125, which cooperates with the supplementary rail 118, also provides a longitudinal translation stop function for the cover 18, the cooperation of the guide block with the shoulder 121 formed on the base serving to block the longitudinal opening translation of the cover 18 along the direction L. The base of the adapter also includes at least one retaining wall 127, visible at the [ Fig.13 ], which extends longitudinally along the external face 52 of one of the side walls 20, the retaining wall 127 ensuring in particular the locking in position of the guide rail 116 in the complementary rail 118 along the vertical direction V. According to the example of the invention each of the side walls 20 of the base 16 comprises two retaining walls 127 arranged on their external faces 52 and opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L.

[0092] In this second embodiment of the invention and as seen in the [ Fig.11 The means of cooperation 80 of the base 16 with the hood 18 include at least one slide 122 formed in the internal space 58 of the hood 18 and adapted to cooperate with the central wall 36 of the base 16, in a manner equivalent to that described in the first embodiment for the groove. Again, the slide 122 is adapted to cooperate with the longitudinal edge 90 of the central wall 36. In other words, during the longitudinal translation of the hood 18 on the base 16, the slide 122 is adapted to slide along the longitudinal edge 90 of the central wall 36 of the base 16.For this purpose, the slide 122 is open at one longitudinal end to allow the insertion of the longitudinal edge, and it has at the opposite longitudinal end a stop member 124 of the central wall 36 in the slide 122, so as to block the longitudinal translation of the slide 122 along the central wall 36, in particular when the cover 18 is in its locking position.

[0093] Furthermore, and as can be seen in the [ Fig.10 [ ], the positioning member 42 of the retaining wall 40 of each of the housings 34a, 34b is here a block 126 projecting from the retaining wall 40 of each of the housings 34a, 34b. It is then understood that in such an example of the invention, the positioning member 42 is able to cooperate with a groove formed on the arm, not visible.

[0094] A third embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the figures 14 et 15 It is therefore appropriate to consider that only the distinct characteristics of the first and second embodiments will be described, and that for common characteristics, reference should be made to the descriptions provided with reference to the figures 1 à 13 .

[0095] This third embodiment of the invention differs from what has been previously described in that the stopping means 110 consists of at least one longitudinal retaining tab 128 formed on the hood 18 opposite a longitudinal opening 132 of the hood, formed at the second longitudinal end 64, and adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal cross member 130 formed on the base 16 of the hood opposite the receiving area 34. It is understood in particular that the longitudinal cross member 130 forms a receiving housing for the retaining tab 128 ensuring locking in longitudinal translation at the end of translation, once the retaining tab 128 has passed beyond said longitudinal cross member 130.

Claims

1. An adapter (6) for attaching a wiper blade (2) to an arm (4) of a wiping system (1), the adapter (6) extending in a longitudinal (L) main direction of extension (A) and being configured to be mounted on a connector (8) of the wiper blade (2), the adapter (6) comprising at least a base (16) and a cover (18), the base (16) comprising at least two side walls (20, 20a, 20b) opposite one another in a transverse direction (T) of the adapter (6) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the side walls (20, 20a, 20b) being connected to one another by an upper wall (22), such that said side walls (20, 20a, 20b) and the upper wall (22) form a body (23) of the base (16) which partially delimits a receiving space (24) for the connector (8), the base (16) being configured to be pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation (R1) on the connector (8), the said base (16) comprising a receiving area (34) for the arm (4) of the wiping system (1) in which is formed at least one housing (34a, 34b) delimited transversely by a support wall (38) and a retention wall (40), the support wall (38) and the retention wall (40) meeting in such a way as to form a housing (34a, 34b), the cover (18) being movable on the base (16) between a release position in which access to the receiving area (34) is clear and a locking position in which the cover (18) covers the receiving area (34) for the arm (4), characterized in that the housing (34a, 34b) has a V-shaped section, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

2. The adapter (6) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the receiving area (34) for the arm (4) of the wiping system (1) and the receiving space (24) for the connector (8) are arranged on either side of the upper wall (22) of the base (16).

3. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retention wall (40) of the at least one housing (34a, 34b) comprises a positioning member (42) configured to interact with a corresponding positioning element of the arm (4) of the wiping system (1).

4. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support wall (38) of the at least one housing (34a, 34b) comprises a recess (46), open to the receiving space (24) for the connector (8).

5. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving area (34) comprises two housings (34a, 34b) separated from one another by a central wall (36) which extends mainly in the longitudinal direction (L), each of the housings (34a, 34b) being configured to receive the arm (4) of the wiping system (1), said housings (34a, 34b) being symmetrical about a main plane (L, V) of the central wall (36), each housing (34a, 34b) comprising a support wall (38) and a retention wall (40) extending from the central wall (36) and one of the side walls (20, 20a, 20b) of the base (16), respectively.

6. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (6) comprises interaction means (80) for interaction between the base (16) and the cover (18).

7. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (18) comprises at least one support rail (98) which extends longitudinally and which is configured to cover the at least one housing (34a, 34b) of the receiving area (34).

8. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (18) is rotatably mounted on the base (16) by means of a rotation device (48) of the adapter (6) formed on the base (16) and the cover (18).

9. The adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (18) is configured to be movable in longitudinal translation on the base (16).

10. A wiper blade (2) comprising at least one wiper strip (10), a connector (8) and an adapter (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the adapter (6) being pivotably mounted relative to the connector (8) rigidly secured to a holder for the wiper strip.

11. A wiping system (1) for a motor vehicle, which comprises a wiper blade (2) as claimed in the preceding claim, and an arm (4) which is connected to the wiper blade (2) by means of the adapter, said arm being arranged in the receiving area (34) of the adapter (6).