Vehicle wiper blade connector and wiper system

Abstract

Wiper blade connector and vehicle wiper system. The present invention relates to a connector (20) for connecting a wiper blade (2, 5) of a vehicle wiper system (1, 4) to a drive arm (3, 6) of the wiper system (1, 4). The connector (20) comprises at least one mounting portion (200) configured to secure the connector (20) to the wiper blade (2, 5) and a support member (204) for carrying an adapter (31) connecting the drive arm (3, 6) to the connector (20). The connector (20) comprises at least one conduit (21) configured to carry a cleaning fluid. The conveying conduit (21) extends between a cleaning fluid inlet (210) and a cleaning fluid outlet (211) of the connector (20). The connector (20) according to the invention comprises at least one channel (22) configured to inject air into the delivery duct (21). Figure for the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Wiper blade connector and wiping system for vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wiping and / or cleaning glass surfaces of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

[0002] Windshield wipers for motor vehicles generally comprise at least, on the one hand, a wiper blade equipped with a scraper blade made of an elastic material, and, on the other hand, a drive arm connected to the wiper blade and configured to drive the latter in an angular reciprocating movement against a glass surface of the vehicle. By rubbing against the glass surface in this angular reciprocating movement, the scraper blade of the wiper blade sweeps away water and a certain amount of dirt, and evacuates them outside the driver's field of vision.

[0003] The connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm generally comprises at least one connector secured to the wiper blade and an adapter configured to cooperate, on the one hand, with the aforementioned connector, and, on the other hand, with an end portion of the drive arm. The connector and adapter together provide the attachment of the blade to the drive arm and the articulated connection between these two elements.

[0004] The present invention relates more particularly to wiping systems in which the wiper blade is configured to deliver a cleaning fluid as close as possible to the glass surface against which it is placed. In such wiping systems, the connector and the wiper blade each comprise one or more pipes for conveying and distributing a cleaning fluid as close as possible to the glass surface against which the scraper blade of the wiper blade is pressed.

[0005] In the interests of economy, it is sought to reduce the consumption of cleaning fluid: this in fact makes it possible, on the one hand, to reduce the operating cost of the wiping / cleaning system, this also opens up the possibility, on the other hand, of reducing the quantity of cleaning fluid stored in the vehicle and, thus, of reducing the weight of a storage tank for this fluid, and this makes it possible, finally, to reduce the ecological impact of the operations of wiping / cleaning the glass surfaces of the vehicle.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to propose a solution making it possible to reduce the consumption of cleaning fluid, while guaranteeing the effectiveness of the wiping / cleaning carried out, or even improving this effectiveness.

[0007] For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a connector intended to connect a wiper blade of a vehicle wiping system to a drive arm of the wiping system, the connector comprising at least one fixing portion configured to secure the connector to the wiper blade and a carrier member intended to carry an adapter connecting the drive arm to the connector, the connector comprising at least one conduit configured to convey a cleaning liquid, the conveying conduit extending between a cleaning liquid inlet and a cleaning liquid outlet of the connector, characterized in that it comprises at least one channel configured to inject air into the conveying conduit.

[0008] The inlet and outlet of cleaning liquid are here understood according to a direction of circulation of the cleaning liquid from a storage tank thereof in the vehicle to one or more distribution members arranged in the wiper blade.

[0009] Advantageously, the cleaning liquid inlet is arranged in the carrier member configured to carry the adapter connecting the connector according to the invention to the drive arm of the wiping system.

[0010] Advantageously, the cleaning liquid outlet is provided in the fixing portion of the connector according to the invention, configured to secure the latter to the wiper blade.

[0011] It should therefore be understood here that the channel configured to inject air into the aforementioned conveying duct is arranged in such a way that this air is injected into the conveying duct between the cleaning liquid inlet and outlet. This therefore results in a mixing of this air and the cleaning liquid and a dilution of the cleaning liquid with the aforementioned air.

[0012] It follows from the above that it is therefore the mixture of air and cleaning liquid which is distributed by the wiper blade and / or by its scraper blade on the glass surface of the vehicle.

[0013] By foaming the cleaning liquid with the air injected through the previously defined channel, the invention makes it possible to reduce the consumption of cleaning liquid, thus achieving one of the aims it had set for itself.

[0014] According to a characteristic of the invention, the air injection channel comprises an air intake orifice formed in an external peripheral wall of the connector and an air injection orifice which opens onto the previously described conveying duct. The air injection channel thus directly connects the air outside the connector and the inside of the conveying duct in which circulate, respectively, the cleaning liquid upstream of the air injection orifice according to the direction of circulation of the cleaning liquid, and, downstream of the aforementioned air injection orifice, the cleaning fluid consisting of the mixture of cleaning liquid and the air injected by the channel. It should be understood here that a mixing zone of the injected air and the cleaning liquid is formed in the vicinity of the previously described air injection orifice. defined, both upstream and downstream of this air injection orifice with reference to the directions and senses previously defined.

[0015] According to another characteristic of the invention, the conveying duct comprises an inlet sector, an outlet sector and an intermediate sector connecting the inlet sector to the outlet sector, at least two of these sectors extending along intersecting directions. In other words, an axis of the conveying duct comprises, according to the direction of circulation of the liquid and the cleaning fluid previously defined, an inlet portion, an intermediate portion and an outlet portion, at least two of these portions being intersecting with each other. According to an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned inlet portion, the intermediate portion and the outlet portion are rectilinear. According to another exemplary embodiment, these portions have curved profiles. According to such an exemplary embodiment, at least two of the tangents to these different curved profiles are intersecting with each other.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment, the input sector and the output sector previously defined are parallel, or substantially parallel, to each other.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate sector is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the input sector and / or to the output sector.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment, the output sector comprises a first part and a second part located on either side of the intermediate sector. According to different variants, an axis of the input sector, an axis of the intermediate sector, and an axis of the output sector are coplanar or are located in different planes.

[0019] According to different characteristics of the invention, taken separately or in combination:

[0020] - the air injection orifice opens onto the inlet sector of the duct routing.

[0021] - the air injection orifice opens onto the intermediate sector of the duct routing,

[0022] - the air injection orifice opens onto the outlet sector of the duct routing.

[0023] Advantageously, the connector according to the invention comprises a foaming means housed in the conveying duct. This foaming means has the function of creating a foam from the mixture of cleaning liquid and air injected by the air injection channel. It should be noted that cleaning the glazed surface with a foam rather than a liquid allows better evacuation of certain dirt, by a form of coating and mechanical drive. The invention thus makes it possible to improve the efficiency of cleaning the glazed surface, thus achieving another goal that it had set for itself. Preferably, but not exclusively, the foaming means is placed in the mixing zone of the air injected by the air injection channel and the cleaning liquid conveyed through the conveying duct or downstream of this mixing zone, with reference to the direction of circulation of the cleaning liquid in the conveying duct.

[0024] Advantageously, the foaming means comprises a hollow insert which comprises a constriction configured to generate a Venturi effect within it, the hollow insert comprising an air passage arranged in the constriction. It should be understood here that the hollow insert, housed in the previously defined conveying duct, is therefore traversed by the cleaning liquid. It should also be understood here that the air passage is a pipe intended to be traversed by air, which opens, at one of its ends, in a region of the conveying duct in which the constriction of the hollow insert is located, and which opens, at its opposite end, into the air injection channel.This air passage, arranged in the narrowing of the hollow insert, generates a concomitant suction of air and cleaning liquid within the hollow insert, thus increasing both the speed of passage of the cleaning liquid into the hollow insert and the speed of arrival of the air in the cleaning liquid in order to create a foam between these two components.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment in which the air injection orifice opens onto the intermediate sector of the conveying duct, the hollow insert is placed in the aforementioned intermediate sector. More generally, the hollow insert is advantageously placed in the sector of the conveying duct in which the air injection orifice opens.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, the hollow insert is threaded into the intermediate sector through a mouth through which the intermediate sector opens onto the environment outside the connector, the mouth being closed by a plug. Advantageously, according to such an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate sector is substantially perpendicular to the inlet sector and to the outlet sector of the conveying conduit.

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment, the hollow insert is placed in the outlet sector of the conveying duct. Advantageously, in connection with a conventional installation of the connector according to the invention in a substantially median position along the main direction of elongation of the wiper blade, the outlet sector of the conveying duct comprises a first part and a second part arranged on either side of the intermediate sector. In this case, the connector according to the invention advantageously comprises two hollow inserts, each of which is placed in a part of the outlet sector of the conveying duct.

[0028] According to yet another embodiment, the hollow insert is placed in the inlet sector of the conveying duct.

[0029] Advantageously, the connector according to the invention comprises means for locking the hollow insert in the routing conduit, the means of locking being configured to ensure alignment of the air injection port in the delivery duct and the air passage in the hollow insert.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, these locking means take the form of an edge arranged to project from an outer wall of the hollow insert and configured to be engaged in a complementary groove formed in an inner wall of the conveying duct.

[0031] According to another exemplary embodiment, the hollow insert comprises a collar that is substantially flat and perpendicular to a main direction of elongation of the hollow insert, and the aforementioned locking means take the form of one or more notches arranged in this collar and configured to engage with one or more lugs arranged projecting from an outer wall of the connector according to the invention.

[0032] By the simplicity of the means that it proposes to implement, the invention offers an inexpensive solution making it possible both to reduce the consumption of cleaning liquid and to improve the efficiency of cleaning a glass surface of a motor vehicle, thus achieving the goals that it had set itself.

[0033] According to another aspect, the invention extends to a wiper blade for a wiping system of a motor vehicle, the wiper blade comprising a connector as just described, this connector being made integral with the wiper blade by means of the fixing portion which it comprises.

[0034] The invention finally extends to a wiping system for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade as mentioned above and a drive arm to which the wiper blade is connected by an adapter connected to the connector by the carrying member of the latter.

[0035] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0036] [Fig.l] is a general view of a motor vehicle equipped with a wiping assembly according to the invention,

[0037] [Fig.2] is a general view of the wiping system installed on a vehicle such as the one illustrated by [Fig.l],

[0038] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a connector according to a first example of embodiment of the invention,

[0039] [Fig.4] is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of a connector such as that illustrated in [Fig.2], showing the hollow insert,

[0040] [Fig.5] is a schematic cutaway view of a connector such as that illustrated by the Figures 2 and 3, showing the hollow insert in section,

[0041] [Fig.6] is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of a connector according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0042] [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of a hollow insert such as that shown in [Fig.6].

[0043] [Fig.8] is a schematic perspective view of a connector according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0044] [Fig.9] is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of a connector such as that illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0045] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0046] Furthermore, the cleaning fluid described in the remainder of the description which follows is advantageously a windshield washer fluid, such as a mixture of water, alcohol and ethylene glycol for example.

[0047] [Fig.l] shows a vehicle 500 equipped with a wiping assembly 100 arranged on a glazed surface 600 of the vehicle 500. According to the example illustrated by [Fig.l], the wiping assembly 100 comprises a first wiping system 1 composed of a first wiper blade 2 and a first wiper arm 3. At one of its ends in its main direction of elongation, the first wiper arm 3 is made integral with the vehicle 500 and, at its opposite end in its main direction of elongation, it is made integral with the first wiper blade 2, the wiper blade 2 being placed against the glazed surface 600 of the vehicle 500.

[0048] More specifically, the first wiping arm 3 is integral with a drive assembly consisting of an electric motor, the drive assembly and the electric motor not being shown in the figures. The electric motor tends to drive the first wiping arm 3 in a back-and-forth movement, the first wiping arm 3 thus driving the first wiper blade 2 in this back-and-forth movement against the glazed surface 600 of the vehicle 500. In this movement, the first wiper blade 2 rubs against the glazed surface 600 of the vehicle 500 to clean it.

[0049] According to the example more particularly illustrated by [Fig.l], the wiping assembly 100 comprises a second wiping system 4 having the same features that the first wiping assembly 1 comprises a second wiping blade 5 and a second wiping arm 6.

[0050] With reference to [Fig.l], the vehicle 500 is also equipped with a cleaning system 7 projecting a cleaning fluid onto the glazed surface 600 of the vehicle 500 to optimize cleaning by the wiping system referenced 1 or 4. The cleaning system 7 comprises a pump 8 propelling the cleaning fluid through a distribution network 70 to at least one projection device 71 arranged on or in the first wiper blade 2. The distribution network 70 therefore connects the pump 8 to the first projection device 71. According to the configuration more particularly illustrated by [Fig.l], the distribution network 70 also connects the pump 8 to a second projection device 72 similar to the first projection device 71, the second projection device 72 being arranged on or in the second wiper blade 5.

[0051] The components of the second wiping system 4 are identical to the components of the first wiping system 1. Thus, the description of the characteristics of the components of the first wiping system 1 which follows is applicable to the components of the second wiping system 4, in particular for the second wiper blade 5 and the second projection device 72.

[0052] [Fig. 2] is a schematic general view of a wiper blade 2 mentioned above, as well than the wiping arm 3 to which this wiping blade is connected.

[0053] With reference to [Fig. 2], the wiper blade 2 is equipped with a scraper blade 9 intended to rub against the glazed surface 600 to clean it, and it is connected to the wiper arm 3 by a connection device 30 which comprises a connector 20 according to the invention and an adapter 31. The connector 20 is made integral with the wiper blade 2, the adapter 31 being configured to cooperate, on the one hand, with the connector 20 and, on the other hand, with the wiper arm 3 in order to produce a pivot connection between the latter and the wiper blade 2.

[0054] In the following, the term "longitudinal" will designate the main direction of extension of the wiper blade 2, materialized in the figures by the axis (Ox). The term "transverse" will apply to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Ox). The transverse direction, materialized by the axis (Oy), is also that of the axis around which the pivoting connection is made between the connector 20 and the adapter 31 of the connection device according to the invention. In the wiping system 1, this direction is substantially that of the movement of the wiper blade 2 against the glazed surface 600. The term "vertical" will designate the direction, materialized by the axis (Oz), perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, such that the trihedron (Oxyz) is an orthogonal trihedron.

[0055] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates in perspective a connector 20 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0056] As shown in [Fig. 3], the connector 20 extends mainly in the longitudinal direction (Ox) previously defined, and it notably comprises a portion 200 for fixing to the wiper blade 2, not shown in [Fig. 3].

[0057] With reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, the attachment portion 200 of the connector 20 on the wiper blade 2 extends substantially longitudinally and transversely, and it defines a housing 201 for receiving the wiper blade 2. More precisely, the receiving housing 201 is delimited, on the one hand, by an upper wall 202 of substantially longitudinal and transverse extension and, on the other hand, by two lateral walls 203 of substantially longitudinal and vertical extension, such that it is open to receive the wiper blade 2 in engagement between the aforementioned walls 202, 203. Advantageously, the lateral walls 203 form a jaw for retaining the wiper blade 2 in the receiving housing 201.

[0058] The connector 20 also comprises a carrier member 204, of longitudinal and vertical main extension, configured to receive the adapter 31 of the wiping device 1, not shown in [Fig. 3]. The cooperation between the adapter 31 and the carrier member 204 is, for example, achieved by engagement of an axis carried by the adapter 31 in a through orifice 205 formed substantially transversely in the carrier member 204.

[0059] The carrier member 204 and the fixing portion 200 are connected to each other by a body 206 of the connector 20 according to the invention. According to the exemplary embodiment more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 3], the carrier member 204 is arranged in a substantially median position, along the transverse (Oy), relative to the fixing portion 200.

[0060] The connector 20 according to the invention also comprises a conduit 21 for conveying a cleaning fluid within it. In [Fig. 3] an inlet end piece 210 is visible, as well as two outlet end pieces 211 of the conveying conduit 21. The inlet end piece 210 and the outlet end pieces 211 each have a substantially cylindrical shape whose axis is substantially, within manufacturing tolerances, parallel to the longitudinal axis (Ox) previously defined. The inlet end piece 210 is arranged in longitudinal projection from the carrier member 204 previously described, substantially in the middle position thereof in the transverse direction (Oy). The outlet end pieces 211 are arranged in longitudinal projection from the fixing portion 200 previously described, each outlet end piece 211 extending from a longitudinal end of a side wall 203 of the fixing portion 200. The outlet end pieces 211 are therefore substantially symmetrically arranged on either side. and on the other side of a median transverse vertical plane 215 of the connector 20 passing through the middle, in the longitudinal direction (Ox), of the connector 20. The connector 20 being, in the wiping system 1, placed in a substantially median position of the wiper blade 2 in the longitudinal direction, the presence of the two outlet end pieces 211 makes it possible to convey the cleaning fluid over the entire length of the wiper blade 2, up to the longitudinal ends of the latter.

[0061] It must therefore be understood here that the conveying conduit 21 extends, according to the embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 3], from the inlet end piece 210 to the two outlet end pieces 211, through, respectively, the carrier member 204, the body 206 and the fixing portion 200 of the connector 20.

[0062] [Fig. 4] is a partially cut-away schematic perspective view of a connector 20 according to the invention such as that illustrated by [Fig. 3]. More specifically, [Fig. 4] is a schematic view of such a connector partially cut along the median transverse vertical plane 215 previously defined.

[0063] [Fig.4] shows the connector 20, its fixing portion 200, its carrier member 204, as well as the input end piece 210 and an output end piece 211 previously described.

[0064] [Fig. 4] also shows the path of the routing conduit 21 within the connector 20. The routing conduit 21 comprises an inlet sector 212 into which the inlet end piece 210 opens. The routing conduit 21 also comprises an outlet sector 213 which opens into the two outlet ends 211. More precisely, the outlet sector 213 comprises a first portion 2131 and a second portion 2132, each of which opens into an outlet end piece 211. Only the first portion 2131 of the outlet sector 213 is visible in [Fig. 4] due to the section, the portions 2131, 2132 of the outlet sector 213 being arranged symmetrically in a mirror image with respect to the section plane 215 previously defined.Between the inlet sector 212 and the outlet sectors 213, the routing conduit comprises an intermediate sector 214 which connects the inlet sector 212 to the two portions 2131, 2132 of the outlet sector 213 by opening out between them in a substantially median position along the longitudinal direction (Ox) of the connector 20.

[0065] According to the example more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 4], the inlet sector 212, the outlet sector 213, and the intermediate sector 214 each have a substantially cylindrical shape. More precisely, the outlet sector 213 and the inlet sector 212 are substantially parallel to each other as well as to the longitudinal direction (Ox), and the intermediate sector 214 connects the inlet sector 212 to the outlet sector 213 substantially perpendicular thereto. In other words, an axis 2140 of the intermediate sector 214 is substantially perpendicular to an axis 2120 of the inlet sector 212 and to an axis 2130 of the outlet sector 213, the axes 2120 and 2130 respectively of the input sector 212 and of the output sector 213 being substantially parallel to each other, within manufacturing tolerances.

[0066] It follows from the above that the two portions 2131, 2132 of the output sector 213 are arranged on either side of the intermediate sector 214 in the longitudinal direction (Ox) of the connector 20.

[0067] According to the example illustrated by [Fig.4], the intermediate sector 214 of the conveying conduit 21 extends beyond the outlet sector 213 and it opens into the environment outside the connector 20 via an inlet mouth 2141 closed by a plug 2142. The function of these two elements will be specified later.

[0068] According to the invention, the connector 20 comprises an air injection channel 22 connecting the conveying duct 21 with the environment outside the connector 20. It is understood here that the air injection channel 22 opens, at one of its ends, into the environment outside the connector 20 via an air intake orifice 220 pierced in an external peripheral wall of the connector 20, and that, at its opposite end in its direction of elongation, the air injection channel 22 opens into the conveying duct 21 via an air injection orifice 221. The air injection channel 22 allows the arrival of outside air in the cleaning liquid which circulates in the conveying duct 21 and, thus, the creation of a mixture between this air and this cleaning liquid, leading to foaming of the cleaning liquid.According to the example more particularly illustrated by figures 3 and 4, the air injection channel 22 opens into the intermediate sector 214 of the conveying duct 21.

[0069] According to the invention, the connector 20 also comprises a hollow insert 23.

[0070] As shown in [Fig.4], the hollow insert 23 has a general shape substantially cylindrical, and it is placed inside the conveying duct 21, coaxially with the latter. More precisely, the shapes and dimensions of the hollow insert 23 are defined in such a way that a maximum external diameter of the hollow insert 23 is very slightly smaller than an internal diameter of the conveying duct 21, so that the hollow insert 23 can be inserted into the intermediate sector easily but without excessive radial play. It follows from the above that the cleaning fluid which circulates in the conveying duct 21 also circulates inside the hollow insert 23.

[0071] As also shown in [Fig. 4], the hollow insert 23 has a narrowing 230. According to the example illustrated by [Fig. 4], the narrowing 230 also has a cylindrical shape whose axis coincides with the axis of the hollow insert 23. Advantageously, the narrowing 230, visible on the external walls of the hollow insert 23 in [Fig. 4], is accompanied by a narrowing of the internal cavity of the hollow insert 23. The invention also provides that the hollow insert 23 comprises, arranged in the aforementioned narrowing 230, an air passage 231 which connects the external environment to the hollow insert 23 and the internal cavity of the latter.

[0072] According to the invention, the hollow insert 23 is placed in the conveying duct 21 in such a way that the air passage 231 which it comprises is aligned with the air injection orifice 221 through which the air injection channel 22 opens into the conveying duct 21.

[0073] Thus, the air coming from outside the connector 20 enters the latter through the air intake orifice 220, then it is conveyed through the air injection channel 22 to the air injection orifice 221, and, finally, through the air passage 231, it is conveyed to the inside of the hollow insert 23 in which the cleaning fluid circulates.

[0074] According to the example more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 4], the hollow insert 23 is placed in the intermediate sector 214 of the conveying conduit 21. More precisely, according to this exemplary embodiment, the invention provides that the hollow insert 23 is threaded into the aforementioned intermediate sector 214 through the mouth 2141 previously defined by which the intermediate sector 214 opens onto the environment outside the connector 20. The plug 2142 makes it possible to close the mouth 2141 once the hollow insert 23 is installed in the intermediate sector 214. It should be noted that the shapes and dimensions of the plug 2142 make it possible to guarantee the sealing of the conveying conduit 21 against any leakage of cleaning fluid: for example, the plug 2142 can be equipped with a seal or be ultrasonically welded to the body of the connector.

[0075] To ensure alignment of the air passage 231 arranged in the hollow insert 23 with the air injection orifice 221 of the air injection channel 22, the invention provides that the connector 20 comprises a means for locking the hollow insert 23 in the routing duct 21.

[0076] According to the example more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 4], this locking means takes the form of an edge 232 arranged projecting from an external wall of the hollow insert 23, and configured to engage in a complementary groove 216 arranged in an internal wall of the conveying duct 21. More precisely, according to this example, the edge 232 extends in a direction substantially parallel to that of the axis of the hollow insert 23, substantially coincident, within manufacturing tolerances, with the axis 2140, previously defined, of the intermediate sector 214. According to the example more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 4], the edge 232 is arranged in such a way that its main axis of elongation contains the center of the air passage 231 previously defined. Alternatively, the edge 232 may be arranged at any angular position with respect to the axis of the air passage 231.

[0077] Advantageously, the groove 216 configured to receive the edge 232 extends to the end of the intermediate sector 214 at which the previously mentioned mouth 2141 is arranged, and it is open at this end. In other words, the groove 216 advantageously opens into the aforementioned mouth 2141, in order to allow easy engagement of the hollow insert in the intermediate sector 214.

[0078] Once the edge 232 is engaged in the groove 216, the hollow insert 23 is locked in rotation relative to the routing duct 21, guaranteeing the alignment of the air injection orifice 221 and the air passage 231.

[0079] [Fig.5] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], in which the hollow insert 23 is shown in section along the median vertical transverse plane 215 previously defined. [Fig.5] shows the main elements described and illustrated by [Fig.4],

[0080] [Fig. 5] further shows the inner cavity 233 of the hollow insert 23. As shown in [Fig. 5], the previously described narrowing 230 results, within the cavity 233, in a corresponding narrowing 2330. It follows from the above that the previously described air passage 231 opens into the inner narrowing 2330 of the hollow insert 23.

[0081] When the cleaning liquid, circulating in the direction illustrated by the arrow F1 in the conveying duct 21 and, in particular, in the intermediate sector 214 thereof, approaches the narrowing 2330 of the interior cavity 233 of the hollow insert 23, it is placed in contact with the air conveyed by the air injection channel 22 in the direction illustrated by the arrow F2 and injected into the aforementioned narrowing 2330. It then results, on the one hand, from the shape of the interior cavity 233 of the hollow insert 23 and, on the other hand, from the location of the air passage 231, a suction of both cleaning liquid and air by the Venturi effect, as well as an increase in the speed of passage of these two elements in the aforementioned narrowing 2330. The combination of these suctions and these increases in passage speed results in the formation of a foamy mixture of air and cleaning liquid.

[0082] [Fig. 6] illustrates a connector 20 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. This figure shows the connector 20 according to the invention in perspective partially cut along a vertical longitudinal plane 250 containing the axis 2130 of the outlet sector 213 of the conveying conduit 21. [Fig. 6] shows the connector 20, its fixing portion 200, its carrier member 204, as well as the conveying conduit 21 and, in particular, the mouth 2141 through which the intermediate sector 214 thereof, not visible in [Fig. 6], opens onto the external environment of the connector 20. [Fig. 6] also shows the outlet sector 213 of the conveying conduit 21 and its two portions 2131, 2132, previously defined.

[0083] According to the example more particularly illustrated by [Fig.6], the connector 20 according to the invention comprises two hollow inserts 23, each of which is inserted into a portion 2131, 2132 of the outlet sector 213 of the conveying conduit 21. Each hollow insert 23 is here threaded into a portion 2131, 2132 of the outlet sector 213 in such a way that the narrowing 230 which it comprises is located in the vicinity of the mouth 2141 previously defined.

[0084] It should be noted that according to this exemplary embodiment, the air injection channel 22, not visible in [Fig. 6], is pierced in the upper wall 202 of the fixing portion 200 of the connector 20. More precisely, according to this example, the air injection channel 22 comprises, on the one hand, a first part arranged opposite the air passage 231 of the hollow insert 23 inserted in the first portion 2131 of the outlet sector 213 of the conveying duct 21, and, on the other hand, a second part arranged opposite the air passage 231 of the hollow insert 23 inserted in the second portion 2132 of the outlet sector 213 of the conveying duct 21. In other words, according to the exemplary embodiment more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 6], the air injection channel 22 is presented as the shape of two through holes provided in the upper wall 202 of the fixing portion 200 of the connector 20, opposite the air passages 231 of the two hollow inserts 23 of the connector 20..

[0085] According to the embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 6], as well as according to the embodiment illustrated by figures 4 and 5, the interior cavity 233 of each hollow insert 23, not visible in [Fig. 6], has, at the level of the narrowing 230, a narrowing 2330 making it possible to carry out the foaming of the mixture of cleaning liquid and air as previously described.

[0086] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates in perspective a hollow insert 23 such as those of the connector 20 illustrated by [Fig. 6]. We find on the hollow insert the narrowing 230, the air passage 231, and the cavity 233 in which the narrowing 230 corresponds to a narrowing 2330 not visible in [Fig. 7].

[0087] According to this exemplary embodiment, the hollow insert 23 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 234 in which the previously mentioned narrowing 230 is formed, as well as a collar 235 which is substantially flat and substantially perpendicular, to within manufacturing tolerances, to the body 234 of the hollow insert 23. More precisely, the collar 235 has the general shape of a disc whose diameter is greater than the outside diameter of the body 234 of the hollow insert 23, centered on the axis of the cylinder forming the body 234 of the hollow insert 23, and it comprises at least one notch 236. According to the exemplary embodiment more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 7], the collar 235 comprises two notches 236 angularly offset from each other, and each notch 236 extends radially from the outer periphery of the collar 235 to the outer wall 2340 of the body 234 of the hollow insert 23.

[0088] The notch(s) 236 here constitute the means for locking the hollow insert 23 in the outlet sector 213 of the conveying duct 21, as can be seen in [Fig.6].

[0089] According to the embodiment illustrated by Figures 6 and 7, each hollow insert 23 is therefore threaded into a portion 2131, 2132, of the outlet sector 213 of the conveying duct 21, in such a way that the previously described narrowing 230 is located, in the longitudinal direction (Ox) of the connector 20, on the side of the intermediate sector 214 of the conveying duct 21. Advantageously, the outside diameter of the body 234 of the hollow insert 23 is defined slightly smaller than the inside diameter respectively of the first portion 2131 and of the second portion 2132 of the outlet sector 213, in such a way that the hollow insert is easily fitted into the latter but without excessive radial play.

[0090] When the hollow inserts 23 are inserted into the portions 2131, 2132 of the output sector 213, the collar 235 that they carry bears longitudinally, in particular, against the thickness of the upper wall 202 of the fixing portion 200, thus constituting a longitudinal stop for the insertion of each hollow insert 23 into the two portions 2131, 2132 of the output sector 213. In other words, when it is placed in the output sector 213, each hollow insert 23 extends in longitudinal projection from the fixing portion 200 of the connector 20.

[0091] Advantageously, the dimensions of the hollow insert 23 and, in particular, the location, along the main direction of elongation thereof, of the collar 235, are defined in such a way that, when the collar 235 is in longitudinal abutment against the thickness of the upper wall 202 of the fixing portion 200, the air passage 231 is located opposite an air injection orifice 221.

[0092] Furthermore, the engagement of the notch 236 with the previously defined lug 2020 forms an angular locking of the hollow insert 23 in the outlet sector 213, thus ensuring the alignment of the air passage 231 with the air injection orifice 221.

[0093] It should be noted that, according to this exemplary embodiment, the same hollow insert 23 can be used in each portion 2131, 2132 of the output sector, the two hollow inserts 23 being here identical and placed in mirror image of one another with respect to the median vertical transverse plane 215 previously defined.

[0094] It should also be noted that, according to this exemplary embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the portion of the body 234 of the hollow insert 23 located, in the longitudinal direction (Ox), opposite the narrowing 230 relative to the collar 235, has, at its longitudinal end projecting relative to the fixing portion 200 of the connector 20, a substantially frustoconical shape such as that of a tip end pieces 210, 211, previously described. According to such an exemplary embodiment, the hollow inserts 23 therefore also form output end pieces 211 of the connector 20. This makes it possible to simplify the production of the connector 20 and, in particular, to reduce its cost by eliminating a manufacturing step.

[0095] [Fig. 8] shows schematically in perspective a connector 20 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. This figure shows the connector 20, its fixing portion 200 and its carrier member 204, the output end pieces 211 as well as the hollow insert 23.

[0096] According to the embodiment more particularly illustrated by [Fig. 8], the air injection channel 22, of which only the air intake orifice 220 is visible in [Fig. 8], is arranged in the carrier member 204 of the connector 20. It follows that, as shown in [Fig. 8], the hollow insert 23 is placed in the inlet sector 212 of the conveying duct 21.

[0097] This is more visible in [Fig.9] which shows, in partial section along a median vertical longitudinal plane 260 parallel to the plane 250 previously defined and passing through the middle of the connector 2 in the transverse direction (Oy), a connector 20 such as that illustrated in [Fig.8]. [Fig.9] shows the connector 20, its carrier member 204, its fixing portion 200, an outlet end piece 211, and the hollow insert 23. [Fig.9] also shows in perspective the hollow insert, its narrowing 230 and the air passage 231.

[0098] According to the example more particularly illustrated by figures 8 and 9, the hollow insert 23 is of a type similar to that more particularly illustrated by figures 6 and 7, that is to say that it comprises a substantially cylindrical body 234, of longitudinal extension, in which the narrowing 230 is formed, and a collar 235 which is in the form of a substantially flat disc, of an external diameter greater than the external diameter of the body 234, and perpendicular, to within manufacturing tolerances, to the axis of the cylindrical body 234.

[0099] In a similar manner to the example illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7, the collar 235 forms a longitudinal insertion stop for the hollow insert 23 in the inlet sector 212 of the conveying duct 21.

[0100] According to the example illustrated by figures 8 and 9, it is also noted that the body 234 of the hollow insert comprises a first part 2341, located outside the connector 20, and a second part 2342 in which the narrowing 230 is formed. More precisely, the first part 2341 and the second part 2342 of the body 234 are located in the extension of one another in the longitudinal direction (Ox), and they are separated from one another by the collar 235.

[0101] As shown in [Fig.9], an outer diameter of the first part 2341 is greater than an outer diameter of the second part 2342. In addition, the first part 2341 has, at its longitudinal end located outside the connector 20, a truncated cone shape such as that of an input end piece 210 as previously defined. It should therefore be understood that, according to this particular example of embodiment, the hollow insert 23 also fulfills the function of input end piece 210 of the connector 20, as previously defined. This makes it possible to simplify the production of the connector 20 and, in particular, to reduce its cost by eliminating a manufacturing step.

[0102] According to the example illustrated by Figures 8 and 9, moreover, it is also noted that the collar 235 does not include a notch 236 as previously defined. Indeed, according to such an exemplary embodiment, due to the configuration of the carrier member 204, a length of the air injection channel 22 is sufficiently short so that the air passage 231 of the hollow insert 23 is, whatever its angular position with respect to the air injection orifice 221 previously described, not visible in [Fig. 9], correctly supplied with air in order to allow the desired foaming to be achieved between the cleaning liquid circulating in the conveying duct 21 and the air injected by the injection channel 22.

[0103] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, as indicated previously, all the characteristics mentioned in the description of the different exemplary embodiments can be associated with each other in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive with respect to each other.

[0104] The invention, as just described, achieves the aims it set itself, and makes it possible to propose a connector for a wiper blade of a wiping system of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, in which a cleaning fluid is injected as close as possible to the glass surface to be cleaned, and in which this cleaning fluid is a foam obtained by mixing, using a hollow insert placed within the connector itself, a cleaning liquid and air injected into a cleaning liquid conveying duct. The formation of a foam allows, in addition to a reduction in the consumption of cleaning liquid, an improvement in the cleaning efficiency for certain types of dirt.Furthermore, the simplicity of producing the hollow insert as mentioned above, and the wide range of possibilities for installing such a hollow insert within the connector, make it possible to envisage a wide range of solutions for installing such a device in different types of connectors, thus making it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of this element.

Claims

Claims

1. Connector (20) intended to connect a wiper blade (2, 5) of a wiping system (1, 4) of a vehicle (500) to a drive arm (3, 6) of the wiping system (1, 4), the connector (20) comprising at least one fixing portion (200) configured to secure the connector (20) to the wiper blade (2, 5) and a carrier member (204) intended to carry an adapter (31) connecting the drive arm (3, 6) to the connector (20), the connector (20) comprising at least one conduit (21) configured to convey a cleaning liquid, the conveying conduit (21) extending between a cleaning liquid inlet (210) and a cleaning liquid outlet (211) of the connector (20), the connector comprising at least one channel (22) configured to inject air into the delivery duct (21), the connector is characterized in that it comprises a foaming means (23, 230, 231) housed in the delivery duct (21) and in that the foaming means (23, 230,231) comprises a hollow insert (23) which has a constriction (230) configured to generate a Venturi effect therein, the hollow insert (23) comprising an air passage (231) arranged in the constriction (230).,

2. Connector (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air injection channel (22) comprises an air intake orifice (220) formed in an external peripheral wall of the connector (20) and an air injection orifice (221) which opens onto the routing duct (21).

3. Connector (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the routing conduit (21) comprises an inlet sector (212), an outlet sector (213, 2131, 2132) and an intermediate sector (214) connecting the inlet sector (212) to the outlet sector (213, 2131, 2132), at least two of these sectors extending along intersecting directions.

4. Connector (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air injection orifice (221) opens onto the inlet sector (212).

5. Connector (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the air injection orifice (221) opens onto the intermediate sector (214).

6. Connector (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the air injection orifice (221) opens onto the outlet sector (213, 2131, 2132).

7. Connector (20) according to claim 1 and claim 5, characterized in that the hollow insert (23) is placed in the intermediate sector (214) in which the air injection orifice (221) opens, the hollow insert (23) being threaded into the intermediate sector (214) by a mouth (2141) by which the intermediate sector (214) opens onto the environment outside the connector (20), the mouth (2141) being closed by a plug (2142).

8. Connector (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow insert (23) is placed in the outlet sector (213, 2131, 2132) of the conveying conduit (21) into which the air injection orifice (221) opens.

9. Connector (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow insert (23) is placed in the inlet sector (212) of the routing conduit (21) into which the air injection orifice (221) opens.

10. Connector (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (216, 232, 235, 236, 2020) for locking the hollow insert (23) in the routing duct (21), the locking means (216, 232, 235, 236, 2020) being configured to ensure alignment of the air injection orifice (221) in the routing duct (21) and the air passage (231) in the hollow insert (23).

11. Wiper blade (2, 5) comprising a connector (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, the connector (20) being integral with the wiper blade (2, 5) by means of its fixing portion (200).

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