End cap and wiper blade for motor vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an end cap (4) for a windshield wiper blade (500) of a motor vehicle, the shape and dimensions of which ensure high aerodynamic downforce right to the end of the end cap (4), thus guaranteeing effective and efficient contact of the wiper blade (2) of the windshield wiper (500) with a glass surface to be wiped / cleaned on the motor vehicle. This high aerodynamic downforce is achieved in particular by means of a curved shape of the guiding profile (410) along which the deflection device located above the hollow body (40) extends, the curved shape of said guiding profile (410) being oriented towards a front side wall (400a) of the end cap (4) according to the invention. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2a

Description

Title of the invention: End piece and wiper blade for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of wiping the glass surfaces of motor vehicles. The present invention finds a particularly advantageous application to assemblies for wiping a front glass surface such as a windshield of such motor vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to an end piece and a windshield wiper blade for a motor vehicle.

[0002] In a known manner, wiping systems for motor vehicles comprise at least one drive arm and a windscreen wiper blade which comprises a scraper blade intended to be pressed against a glass surface of the motor vehicle. The drive arm is driven in an angular back-and-forth movement against the glass surface of the motor vehicle, and during which it drives the windscreen wiper blade and its scraper blade so that it rubs the glass surface and thus removes water, dirt and dust which may impede the driver of the motor vehicle's vision of his surroundings.

[0003] In a known manner, the wiper blade is attached to the drive arm by a connection assembly which comprises a connector secured to the wiper blade and an adapter configured to cooperate with the wiper blade and with an end portion of the drive arm. This connection assembly is configured, on the one hand, to allow the back-and-forth movements of the scraper blade against the glass surface in question, and, on the other hand, to ensure effective pressing of the scraper blade against the glass surface in order to carry out effective wiping and / or cleaning.

[0004] A disadvantage of known wiping systems for motor vehicles is linked to the lack of uniformity and efficiency of wiping and / or cleaning over the entire length of the scraper blade, and more particularly at one longitudinal end.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel wiper blade end piece in order to at least largely address the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to improve the aerodynamic support of the windscreen wiper blade at its longitudinal end.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to improve the efficiency of cleaning and / or wiping a motor vehicle windshield, in particular at the longitudinal end of the windshield wiper blade.

[0008] Another aim of the invention is to improve the homogeneity of the cleaning and / or wiping of a motor vehicle windshield.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a windshield wiper blade end piece for a motor vehicle, the end piece comprising (i) a hollow body extending, in a longitudinal direction, between a first edge configured to be engaged with a windshield wiper blade end and a second, free edge, configured to be distant from the windshield wiper blade end, (ii) a device for deflecting an air flow extending projecting from the hollow body along a director profile defined by all of the vertices of the deflection device relative to the hollow body, the deflection device extending between the first edge and the second edge of the hollow body. According to the invention, the director profile of the deflection device comprises a curved amplification portion in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and comprising the director profile.

[0010] The plane in which a curved orientation - forming the amplification portion - of the director profile is defined is for example, within the meaning of the invention, the plane formed by the longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0011] The longitudinal direction is the main direction of extension of the windscreen wiper blade and / or its scraper blade. The longitudinal direction is also, by extension, the main direction of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention and according to which the end piece is assembled at the end of the windscreen wiper blade.

[0012] The deflection device extends, on the one hand, in a substantially longitudinal direction, between the first edge and the second edge of the hollow body, and on the other hand, projects in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned longitudinal direction. In a windscreen wiper blade equipped with an end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, the direction of extension of this projection is substantially parallel to a direction of connection of the windscreen wiper blade to its scraper blade. In a motor vehicle equipped with a wiping system comprising such a windscreen wiper blade, the direction of extension of the aforementioned projection is substantially perpendicular to the glazed surface against which the windscreen wiper blade is placed, and it represents a direction of support of the scraper blade against this glazed surface.

[0013] In the context of the invention, the direction of extension of this projection is arbitrarily designated as forming a vertical direction of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention. Furthermore, according to this direction, the part of the deflection device closest, in the aforementioned vertical direction, to the hollow body, is designated as the lower part of the deflection profile, and, additionally, the edge of the deflection device furthest from the hollow body in the vertical direction is designated as the upper edge of the deflection device. Consequently, the deflection device extends, from a lower part which originates on the hollow body of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, to an upper edge distant, in the previously defined vertical direction, from the aforementioned hollow body. The deflection device therefore forms a vertical extension of the hollow body.

[0014] The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, such that the longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions together form an orthogonal trihedron of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention. In other words, in a wiping system comprising a windscreen wiper blade equipped with an end piece according to the first aspect of the invention placed against a glass wall of a motor vehicle, such as for example a windscreen, the transverse direction of the end piece - or of the windscreen wiper blade - is the direction taken between a first face - called the front face or front side wall - of the end piece located near a lower edge of the glass wall and a second face - called the rear face of the end piece located near an upper edge of the glass wall.

[0015] By extension, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions of the end piece are also designated in the following as longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions of a windscreen wiper blade equipped with such an end piece according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0016] According to the invention, the hollow body of the end piece extends in the longitudinal direction, parallel to the wiper blade and to the scraper blade of the latter. More particularly, the hollow body of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention forms a cavity in which the end of the wiper blade is intended to be received. Consequently, the first edge of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be placed at the free longitudinal end of the wiper blade, and the second, free, edge of the end piece is distant from the first edge in the previously defined longitudinal direction: it is located at a distance from the free longitudinal end of the wiper blade.

[0017] Advantageously, the hollow body is closed at its end located, in the longitudinal direction, on the side of the second edge, and it is open at its end located, in the longitudinal direction, on the side of the first edge. In other words, the hollow body of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention forms a cap in which the free end of the wiper blade is intended to be fitted. In the remainder of the description, the open longitudinal end of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention will be arbitrarily defined as the first end of the end piece, and the closed longitudinal end of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention will be arbitrarily defined as the second end of the latter. Furthermore, the first edge of the hollow body of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention will also be indifferently designated as the first edge of the end piece, and the second edge of the hollow body of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention will also be indifferently designated as the second edge of the end piece.

[0018] The end piece deflection device according to the invention extends between the first edge and the second edge of the hollow body, projecting from said hollow body in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the previously defined longitudinal direction.

[0019] With reference to the foregoing, in the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, the director profile of the deflection device is formed by all the points, or vertices, defining the upper edge, previously defined, of the deflection device. In other words, the vertices forming the upper edge of the deflection device are those which are located at a greater distance from the hollow body, in a direction perpendicular to a local surface of the hollow body taken vertically above the vertices considered and forming the director profile.

[0020] According to the invention, the previously defined director profile comprises a curved amplification portion in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and comprising the director profile.

[0021] With reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, it should be understood here that the position of the deflection device varies, in the curved amplification portion, relative to a plane containing the longitudinal direction previously mentioned.

[0022] In other words, in the curved amplification portion, a distance measured, in the transverse direction or in the vertical direction, previously defined, between the deflection device and a plane as previously defined containing the longitudinal direction, varies. In other words, in the curved amplification portion of the deflection device, there are at least two tangents to the director profile which are not parallel to each other, that is to say they are intersecting. In other words, within the meaning of the invention, the director profile is curved in its amplification portion when, in the direction transverse to the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, a direction perpendicular to the director profile and which extends from the rear face of the hollow body towards the front side wall of the hollow body, the relative position of the deflection device with respect to the front side wall of the hollow body varies along the amplification portion. In other words, it is understood that the amplification portion of the director profile is curved when it is not rectilinear.

[0023] The deflection device therefore has an evolving shape, particularly in the amplification portion. This evolving shape makes it possible to amplify the aerodynamic support of the end piece according to the invention.

[0024] In the context of the invention, the shape of the director profile and / or its amplification portion in no way presupposes the morphology of the deflection device which projects from the hollow body and along said director profile. In other words, the deflection device can take any shape along the director profile and / or its amplification portion.

[0025] Thus, in the context of the invention according to its first aspect, the deflection device comprises a shape which evolves along a so-called amplification portion of the director profile.

[0026] By evolutionary form, it is understood that the deflection device which extends projecting from the hollow body and along the director profile can take, between the first edge and the second edge of the hollow body:

[0027] - the same general conformation and a variable dimension in at least one direction; and / or

[0028] - the same general conformation and curved director profile on its portion amplification.

[0029] By the same general conformation, it is understood that a transverse section of the deflection device retains the same envelope, possibly to at least one dimension.

[0030] According to a first embodiment, the deflection device has the same transverse section along the director profile, the director profile then necessarily being curved at its amplification portion. According to a second embodiment, the deflection device has several different transverse sections between the first edge and the second edge of the hollow body, the director profile then being curved in its amplification portion. In this second embodiment, the envelope of the deflection device follows, for example, along its director profile and / or its amplification portion, a homothetic evolution between the first edge and the second edge.

[0031] The end piece according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0032] - the deflection device comprises (i) a first portion along which the deflection device has an invariant shape, and (ii) a second portion forming the amplification portion, the second portion being located in the extension of the first portion. It should be noted that the first portion and the second portion of the director profile of the deflection device define a first portion and a second portion of the deflection device whose director profile forms the upper edge as previously described. Here, by invariant shape, it is meant that a transverse section, as previously defined, of the deflection device, has a constant shape and dimensions over the entire length of the first portion of the deflection device and the associated director profile. In other words, the deflection device has the same general conformation, i.e. identical dimensions, along the first portion of the director profile.In other words, along the first part of the director profile, a transverse section of the deflection device remains identical at all points of said director profile along said first part; .

[0033] - the first part of the deflection device is located in the vicinity of the end open end of the hollow body, that is, with reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, in the vicinity of the first edge of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention. The second part of the deflection device, forming the curved amplification portion of the director profile, is located in the vicinity of the second edge of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, that is, also, in the vicinity of the closed end of the hollow body;

[0034] - the director profile is rectilinear along the first part of the device of deflection, and the director profile is curved along the second part of the deflection device;

[0035] - a length of the first part of the director profile of the deflection device, is between about 15% and 25% of a total length of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, measured between the first edge and the second edge of the hollow body;

[0036] - in particular, a length of the first part of the director profile of the device of deflection, is between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters, for example in the order of 6.5 to 7.5 millimeters;

[0037] - the amplification portion has a curved shape whose curvature is directed towards a front side wall of the hollow body. In the context of the invention, the front side wall is the face of the hollow body which is intended to be located on the side of a front hood of a motor vehicle when the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention is mounted on a windshield wiper blade itself implemented on a windshield of a motor vehicle. Additionally, the direction of the curvature of the amplification portion of the director profile is therefore to be considered according to the transverse direction previously defined;

[0038] - the amplification portion has a substantially concave shape, the concavity is directed towards the front side wall of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention. In other words, the amplification portion of the director profile forms a comma oriented towards the front side wall of the hollow body when moving away from the first edge of said hollow body;

[0039] - the curved character of the amplification portion can take many shapes. In particular, and according to different non-limiting variant embodiments of the invention in accordance with its first aspect, the amplification portion of the director profile has, in section along a transverse longitudinal plane, a substantially circular or elliptical shape;

[0040] - in the vicinity of the first edge of the hollow body, a distance, measured according to the transverse direction, between the amplification portion and a vertical longitudinal median plane passing through the middle, in the transverse direction, of the first portion of the director profile, is less than 5 millimeters, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 millimeters, for example of the order of 3 millimeters;

[0041] - a distance, measured in the longitudinal direction, between the first edge of the hollow body and the part of the amplification portion furthest, in the transverse direction, from the aforementioned median plane, is between 5 and 10 millimeters, for example between 7.5 and 8.5 millimeters, for example of the order of 8 millimeters;

[0042] - according to a first variant embodiment, a height of the deflection device varies increasingly along the amplification portion and towards the second edge of the hollow body. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to increase the aerodynamic support in a variable manner, proportionally to the variation in height of the deflection device. The height is here to be understood as a dimension, measured substantially in the vertical direction previously defined, between the lower edge of the deflection device and the director profile of the deflection device. More precisely, at a given point on the director profile of the deflection device, the height of the deflection device is the dimension of the latter, measured between the director profile of the deflection device and the hollow body in a direction perpendicular to said hollow body and passing through the point considered on the director profile;

[0043] - in the case where the height of the deflection device varies in an increasing manner along the amplification portion, from the first edge of the hollow body to the second edge thereof, the height of the deflection device, measured in the vicinity of the second edge of the hollow body of the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention, is therefore greater than the height of the deflection device measured at vicinity of the first edge of the aforementioned hollow body. Advantageously, the difference between these two heights is of the order of a few millimeters, preferably less than 5 millimeters, for example between 1.5 and 2.5 millimeters. According to an advantageous example, this difference in height is of the order of 2 millimeters;

[0044] - according to a second variant embodiment, a height of the deflection device varies decreasingly along the amplification portion and towards the second edge of the hollow body;

[0045] - in the case where the height of the deflection device varies in a decreasing manner the along the amplification portion, a difference between the height of the deflection device measured in the vicinity of the second edge of the hollow body and a height of the deflection device measured in the vicinity of the first hollow edge is of the order of 5 to 10 millimeters, advantageously between 5.5 and 7.5 millimeters, preferably of the order of 6 millimeters. In other words, the height of the deflection device measured in the vicinity of the second edge of the hollow body is less than the height of the deflection device measured in the vicinity of the first edge of the hollow body by approximately 6 millimeters;

[0046] - in the case where the height of the deflection device varies in an increasing manner or decreasing, the height of the deflection device varies, along the amplification portion, in a monotonous manner;

[0047] - in the case where the height of the deflection device varies in an increasing manner or decreasing, the variation in height of the deflection device is, along the amplification portion, linear or non-linear;

[0048] - in the case where the variation in height of the deflection device is non-linear, the variation in height of the deflection device along the amplification portion has an inflection point;

[0049] - according to a third variant embodiment, a height of the deflection device is constant along the amplification portion;

[0050] - at the level of a part of the proximal amplification portion of the second edge of the hollow body, a width of the deflection device is less than the width of said deflection device taken at the first edge of the hollow body. The width is here to be understood as the dimension of the deflection device measured in the transverse direction.

[0051] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a windscreen wiper blade comprising a blade and a support element and in which the blade is secured to the support element by an end piece in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements. Of course, in the context of the present invention, the support element of the windscreen wiper blade comprises one or more vertebrae allowing the windscreen wiper blade to be bent. towards a windshield of a motor vehicle on which the wiper blade is mounted. Thus, the invention according to its first aspect is suitable both for semi-rigid wiper blades, of the “fiat blade” type comprising a single vertebra ensuring the bending of the blade, and for semi-rigid wiper blades comprising two or more vertebrae housed in the support element.

[0052] Generally speaking, the end piece according to the first aspect of the invention is configured to be implemented with any type of windshield wiper blade whose end piece is attached to the support element or whose end piece is made of a single material with said support element.

[0053] Advantageously, the windscreen wiper blade comprises an air deflector whose end piece as previously described forms a longitudinal extension. In other words, the windscreen wiper blade extends, in the longitudinal direction previously defined, between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, at least one of the aforementioned longitudinal ends being received in the hollow body of an end piece according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements, in such a way that the deflection device of said end piece forms a longitudinal extension of the air deflector of the windscreen wiper blade.

[0054] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for wiping a glass surface of a motor vehicle, the wiping system comprising:

[0055] - a windshield wiper blade according to the second aspect of the invention, the blade of windshield wiper being intended to be brought into contact with the glass surface,

[0056] - a wiper arm configured to rotate the wiper blade,

[0057] - a connection device configured to securely fix the wiper blade to the wiper arm.

[0058] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from the embodiment examples given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0059] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a broom windshield wiper according to the second aspect of the invention;

[0060] [Fig.2a] illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tip end according to the invention and implemented on a windshield wiper blade such as that illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0061] [Fig.2b] illustrates a top view of the example embodiment of the tip end shown in [Fig.2a];

[0062] [Fig.3a] illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the tip end;

[0063] [Fig.3b] illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the tip end;

[0064] [Fig.3c] illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of the tip end.

[0065] Of course, 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 or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0066] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0067] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0068] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a windshield wiper blade 500 according to the second aspect of the invention and according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0069] With reference to [Fig. 1], the wiper blade 500 comprises an elongated first part 1, from which extends a scraper blade 2 made of an elastic material. The first part 1 of the wiper blade 500 therefore forms a support element for the scraper blade 2.

[0070] Of course, in the context of the present invention, the first part 1 of the windshield wiper blade 500 comprises one or more vertebrae making it possible to bend the windshield wiper blade 500 in the direction of a windshield of a motor vehicle on which the windshield wiper blade 500 is mounted.

[0071] In the following, the main direction of elongation of the windscreen wiper blade 500 and its scraper blade 2 is designated as the longitudinal direction of the windscreen wiper blade, materialized by the direction of an axis X. With reference to this longitudinal direction, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and connecting the first part 1 of the windscreen wiper blade 500 to the scraper blade 2 is also designated in the following as the vertical direction, materialized by the direction of an axis Z. In a motor vehicle equipped with a windscreen wiper blade 500 according to the invention, the vertical direction is the direction in which the scraper blade 2 bears on the glazed surface to be wiped and / or cleaned, i.e. substantially the direction perpendicular to the latter. In addition, the transverse direction, materialized by the direction of an axis Y, is designated in the following as the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and to the vertical direction Z, such that the reference frame (X, Y, Z) forms an orthogonal trihedron.

[0072] With reference to these different directions and to [Fig.l], the qualifier “front” designates in what follows the positive direction of the transverse axis Y and the qualifier “rear” designates in what follows the negative direction of the transverse axis Y. In a motor vehicle whose front windshield is equipped with a windshield wiper blade 500 according to the invention, the qualifier “front” corresponds to the part first exposed to the wind when the motor vehicle is moving.

[0073] Additionally, the qualifiers “upper” or “above” designate in the following the positive direction of the vertical axis Z and the qualifiers “lower” or “below” designate the negative direction of the vertical axis Z.

[0074] With reference to the above, the wiper blade 500 extends mainly longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and the scraper blade 2 extends substantially over the entire longitudinal dimension of the first part 1 of the wiper blade 500, below said first part 1 with reference to the directions and orientations previously defined.

[0075] In order to be able to be connected to a drive arm, not shown in [Fig.l], of a wiping system of the motor vehicle, the windscreen wiper blade 500 is equipped, substantially in the middle position in its longitudinal direction X, with a connector 3 configured to cooperate with an adapter not shown in [Fig.l].

[0076] Furthermore, the windscreen wiper blade 500 comprises, at each of its ends in its longitudinal direction X, an end piece 4 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

[0077] As shown in [Fig.l], each end piece 4 covers a longitudinal end of the first part 1 of the wiper blade 500 while leaving the corresponding longitudinal end of the scraper blade 2 clear.

[0078] According to the embodiment more particularly illustrated by [Fig.l], the first part 1 of the windscreen wiper blade 500 comprises an air deflector 10 which extends, in the previously defined longitudinal direction, substantially over the entire longitudinal dimension of the first part 1. The air deflector 10 also extends in the previously defined vertical direction, above the first part 1 with reference to the previously defined directions and orientations.

[0079] [Fig.2a] is a detailed view of a longitudinal end of a windshield wiper blade 500 such as that illustrated in [Fig.1]. [Fig.2a] shows the windshield wiper blade 500, its first part 1, the scraper blade 2 and the end piece 4.

[0080] With reference to [Fig.2a], the end piece 4 comprises a hollow body 40 configured to receive by fitting the longitudinal end of the first part 1 of the windscreen wiper blade 500.

[0081] The hollow body 40 comprises a front side wall 400a and a rear side wall 400b, of complex shape, joined together by an upper wall 401 of longitudinal and transverse main extension. At one of their longitudinal edges, designated in the following as the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40 and of the end piece 4, the side walls 400a, 400b, and the upper wall 401 are joined together by an end wall 402, such that the hollow body 40 is closed by the end wall 402. This closed end of the hollow body 40 is also designated, by extension, in the following, as the second end 405a of the end piece 4.At their opposite longitudinal edge, designated in the following as first edge 406, the side walls 400a, 400b and the upper wall 401 form an opening of the cavity which they delimit together, cavity which is configured to receive by fitting the free longitudinal end of the first part 1 of the windscreen wiper blade 500. By extension, this first end of the hollow body 40 will also be designated, in the following, as first end 406A of the end piece 4.

[0082] The hollow body 40 is advantageously monolithic, for example obtained by molding or by additive manufacturing, such as by 3D printing. Alternatively, the hollow body 40 is obtained by assembling several parts and linked together by snap-fastening members for example, or glued. The hollow body 40 is preferably formed of plastic.

[0083] The side walls 400a, 400b, the upper wall 401 and the end wall 402 are of complex, non-planar shape, such that the internal volume of the cavity delimited by these walls is complementary to the shape of the first part 1 of the windscreen wiper blade 500 taken at its free longitudinal end, thus allowing the insertion of the free longitudinal end of the windscreen wiper blade 500 into the aforementioned cavity.

[0084] According to the invention, the end piece 4 also comprises a deflection device 41 which extends, in the vertical direction previously defined, from the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40. More precisely, the deflection device 41, of complex shape, extends, with reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, upwards from the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40, substantially perpendicular to said upper wall 401, up to a vertex 410 also designated in the above and in the following as the director profile 410 of the deflection device 4L. The director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 therefore forms the upper edge of said deflection device 4L.

[0085] As visible in [Fig.2a], the deflection device 41 extends from the first edge 406 of the hollow body 40 to the second edge 405 of the latter, forming, at from the first edge 406 and towards the second edge 405, an extension of the air deflector 10 of the first part 1 of the wiper blade 500.

[0086] On the end piece 4, the deflection device 41 follows the director profile 410. In other words, a position and / or an orientation and / or an elongation of the deflection device 41 projecting from the hollow body 40 are defined by the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41.

[0087] Optionally, the deflection device 41 has a transverse section that is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the director profile 410. Alternatively, the deflection device 41 has an asymmetrical transverse section with respect to a vertical plane passing through the director profile 410.

[0088] In the context of the invention, several variant embodiments of a shape and / or an orientation and / or an elongation of the director profile 410 - and, by extension, of the deflection device 41 extending in projection from the hollow body 40 - are provided and illustrated in FIGURES 3a to 3c. In particular:

[0089] - [Fig.3a] illustrates a first embodiment in which the device of deflection 41 follows a curved and forward-oriented director profile 410, a height of the deflection device 41 decreasing towards the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40;

[0090] - [Fig.3b] illustrates a second embodiment in which the device of deflection 41 follows a curved and forward-oriented director profile 410, a height of the deflection device 41 being constant along said director profile 410;

[0091] - [Fig.3c] illustrates a third embodiment in which the device of deflection 41 follows a curved and forward-oriented director profile 410, a height of the deflection device 41 increasing towards the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40.

[0092] According to an exemplary embodiment visible in [Fig.2b], the deflection device 41 has a curved shape whose center of curvature is located, in the transverse direction Y, on the side of the front lateral wall 400a of the hollow body 40. In other words, in this exemplary embodiment, the director profile 410 that the deflection device 41 follows has, in a plane - called transverse longitudinal - formed by the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the end piece 4, a curved extension over all or part of said director profile, between the first edge 406 and the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40. In other words again, the director profile 410 has, in this plane, a comma shape oriented towards the front of the hollow body 40. In other words again, the director profile 410 and the deflection device 41 have a concavity on the side of a front lateral wall of the hollow body 40.The embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 3a, 3b and 3c all derive from this exemplary embodiment.

[0093] Thus, [Fig.2b] illustrates more particularly an end piece 4 such as that represented by [Fig.2a], in top view, that is to say, with reference to the directions previously defined, in view in a transverse longitudinal plane. [Fig.2b] shows the windscreen wiper blade 500, its first part 1 and its air deflector 10, as well as the end piece 4, its hollow body 40 and its deflection device 41, as well as the first edge 406 and the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40. More precisely, [Fig.2b] makes visible the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41.

[0094] As shown in [Fig.2b], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41, that is to say the upper edge of said deflection device 41, comprises, from the first edge 406 and in the direction of the second edge 405, a first portion 4100 which is substantially rectilinear and parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and a second portion 4101, called the amplification portion 4101a, which is curved and which extends from the first portion 4100 and which extends to the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40 and of the end piece 4.

[0095] Advantageously, the first portion 4100 of the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 covers between 15% and 25% of a total length of the end piece 4, measured between the first edge 406 and the second edge 405 of the latter. The length of the first portion 4100 of the director profile 410 is, for example, between 5 and 10 millimeters, for example between 6.5 and 7.5 millimeters, preferably of the order of 7 millimeters.

[0096] In this exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2b], a distance, measured in the transverse direction Y, between the second portion 4101, of the director profile 410 and a surface 460 containing the front lateral wall 400a of the hollow body 40 and extending said front lateral wall 400a in the vertical direction Z, decreases in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4.

[0097] More precisely, with reference to a vertical longitudinal plane 450 visible in [Fig.2a], passing through the middle, in the transverse direction Y, of the first portion 4100 of the director profile 410, a distance, measured in the transverse direction Y, between the vertical longitudinal plane 450 and the second curved portion 4101 of the director profile 410 increases from the first portion 4100 towards the second edge 405 of the end piece 4.

[0098] Advantageously, in the vicinity of the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40, a distance, measured in the transverse direction Y, between the second portion 4101 and the vertical longitudinal plane 450, is less than 5 millimeters, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 millimeters, for example of the order of 3 millimeters.

[0099] Advantageously, a distance, measured along the longitudinal direction X, between the first edge 406 of the hollow body 40 and the part of the second portion 4101 further away, in the transverse direction Y, from the vertical longitudinal plane 450, is between 5 and 10 millimeters, for example between 7.5 and 8.5 millimeters, for example of the order of 8 millimeters.

[0100] It should be noted, as shown in FIGURES 2a and 2b, that a width, measured in the transverse direction Y, of the deflection device 41 decreases in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In other words, the deflection device 41 thins transversely in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4, in particular at the level of the second portion 4101 of its director profile 41.

[0101] Several embodiments of the end piece 4 according to the invention will now be described.

[0102] [Fig.3a] illustrates more particularly an end piece 4 such as that shown in FIGURES 2a and 2b, and according to a first embodiment. [Fig.3a] illustrates the end piece 4 in a side view, that is to say, with reference to the directions previously defined, in view in a vertical longitudinal plane. [Fig.3a] shows the windscreen wiper blade 500, its first part 1 and its air deflector 10, as well as the scraper blade 2 and the end piece 4, its hollow body 40 and its deflection device 41, as well as the first edge 406 and the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40. More precisely, [Fig.3a] makes visible the front side wall 400a of the hollow body 40, as well as the deflection device 41 and its director profile 410. As visible in [Fig.3a], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 comprises the first portion 4100, substantially rectilinear and the second portion 4101, curved.

[0103] In particular to the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3a], a height, measured in the vertical direction Z, of the deflection device 41 taken between the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410, decreases from the first portion 4100 and in the direction of the second edge 405, or even up to the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In other words, the height of the deflection device 41 taken between the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and a top of the deflection device 41 represented by its director profile 410 is, at the level of the second portion 4101 of said director profile 410, decreasing in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In this first embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig.3a], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 of the end piece 4 therefore has a substantially rectilinear shape on the first portion 4100, the deflection device 41 having a constant height over the entire first portion 4100; and the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 of the end piece 4 has a curved shape oriented in the direction of the front side wall 400a on the second. portion 4101, the deflection device 41 having a decreasing height over the entire second portion 4101.

[0104] In this first embodiment of the end piece 4 according to the invention, the second portion 4101, or amplification portion 4101a, is curved at the same time:

[0105] - with respect to the plane 450 visible in [Fig.2a] and containing the longitudinal direction X and the 410 director profile, and

[0106] - relative to a transverse longitudinal plane not shown in [Fig.3a] and containing, in particular, the first portion 4100 of the director profile 410.

[0107] Advantageously, the difference between the height of the deflection device 41, measured at the common end of the first portion 4100 and the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410, and the height of the deflection device 41, measured at the level of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4, is of the order of a few millimeters, preferably less than 5 millimeters, for example between 1.5 and 2.5 millimeters. According to an advantageous example, this difference in height is of the order of 2 millimeters.

[0108] According to different variations of this first embodiment of the invention, the decrease in the height of the deflection device 41 taken along the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410 and in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4 may be linear or non-linear. In the case where this variation in height is linear, the height of the deflection device 41 in the second portion 4101 decreases constantly in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In other words, in side view, the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 has, in its second portion 4101, a substantially rectilinear shape in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4.

[0109] According to the example more particularly illustrated in [Fig.3a], the decrease in the height of the deflection device 41 in the curved portion 4101 previously mentioned is non-linear, such that, in side view as illustrated by [Fig.3a], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 has, in its second portion 410, a curved shape in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4.

[0110] [Fig.3b] illustrates more particularly an end piece 4 such as that shown in FIGURES 2a and 2b, and according to a second embodiment. [Fig.3b] illustrates the end piece 4 in a side view, that is to say, with reference to the directions previously defined, in view in a vertical longitudinal plane. [Fig.3b] shows the windscreen wiper blade 500, its first part 1 and its air deflector 10, as well as the scraper blade 2 and the end piece 4, its hollow body 40 and its deflection device 41, as well as the first edge 406 and the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40. More precisely, [Fig.3b] makes visible the front side wall 400a of the hollow body 40, as well as the deflection device 41 and its director profile 410. As visible in [Fig.3b], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 comprises the first portion 4100, substantially rectilinear and the second portion 4101, curved.

[0111] In particular to the second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3b], a height, measured in the vertical direction Z, of the deflection device 41 taken between the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410, is constant over the entire second portion 4101. In other words, the height of the deflection device 41 taken between the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and a top of the deflection device 41 represented by its director profile 410 is, at the level of the second portion 4101 of said director profile 410, identical at all points of the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410. In this second exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig.3b], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 of the end piece 4 therefore has a substantially rectilinear shape on the first portion 4100, the deflection device 41 having a constant height there over the entire first portion 4100; and the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 of the end piece 4 has a curved shape oriented in the direction of the front side wall 400a on the second portion 4101, the deflection device 41 having a constant height there over the entire second portion 4101.

[0112] In this second embodiment of the end piece 4 according to the invention, the second portion 4101, or amplification portion 4101a, is curved only with respect to the plane 450 visible in [Fig.2a] and containing the longitudinal direction X and the director profile 410.

[0113] [Fig.3c] illustrates more particularly an end piece 4 such as that shown in FIGURES 2a and 2b, and according to a third embodiment. [Fig.3c] illustrates the end piece 4 in a side view, that is to say, with reference to the directions previously defined, in view in a vertical longitudinal plane. [Fig.3c] shows the windscreen wiper blade 500, its first part 1 and its air deflector 10, as well as the scraper blade 2 and the end piece 4, its hollow body 40 and its deflection device 41, as well as the first edge 406 and the second edge 405 of the hollow body 40. More precisely, [Fig.3c] makes visible the front side wall 400a of the hollow body 40, as well as the deflection device 41 and its director profile 410. As visible in [Fig.3c], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 comprises the first portion 4100, substantially rectilinear and the second portion 4101, curved.

[0114] In particular to the third embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3c], a height, measured in the vertical direction Z, of the deflection device 41 taken between the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410, increases from the first portion 4100 and in the direction of the second edge 405, or even up to the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In other words, the height of the deflection device 41 taken between the upper wall 401 of the hollow body 40 and a top of the deflection device 41 represented by its director profile 410 is, at the level of the second portion 4101 of said director profile 410, increasing in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In this third exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig.3c], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 of the end piece 4 therefore has a substantially rectilinear shape on the first portion 4100, the deflection device 41 there having a constant height over the entire first portion 4100; and the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 of the end piece 4 has a curved shape oriented in the direction of the front side wall 400a on the second portion 4101, the deflection device 41 there having an increasing height over the entire second portion 4101.

[0115] In this third embodiment of the end piece 4 according to the invention, the second portion 4101, or amplification portion 4101a, is curved at the same time:

[0116] - with respect to the plane 450 visible in [Fig.2a] and containing the longitudinal direction X and the 410 director profile, and

[0117] - relative to a transverse longitudinal plane not shown in [Fig.3c] and containing, in particular, the first portion 4100 of the director profile 410.

[0118] Advantageously, the difference between the height of the deflection device 41, measured at the common end of the first portion 4100 and the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410, and the height of the deflection device 41, measured at the level of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4, is of the order of a few millimeters, preferably less than 5 millimeters, for example between 1.5 and 2.5 millimeters. According to an advantageous example, this difference in height is of the order of 2 millimeters.

[0119] According to different variations of this third embodiment of the invention, the increase in the height of the deflection device 41 taken along the second portion 4101 of the director profile 410 and in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4 may be linear or non-linear. In the case where this variation in height is linear, the height of the deflection device 41 in the second portion 4101 increases constantly in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4. In other words, in side view, the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 has, in its second portion 4101, a substantially rectilinear shape in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4.

[0120] According to the example more particularly illustrated in [Fig.3c], the growth in the height of the deflection device 41 in the curved portion 4101 previously mentioned is non-linear, such that, in side view as illustrated by [Fig.3c], the director profile 410 of the deflection device 41 has, in its second portion 4101, a curved shape in the direction of the second edge 405 of the end piece 4.

[0121] In summary, the invention proposes an end piece 4 for a windshield wiper blade 500 of a motor vehicle, the shape and dimensions of which make it possible to guarantee efficient aerodynamic support up to the end of the end piece 4, thus guaranteeing effective and efficient pressing of the scraper blade 2 of the windshield wiper blade 500 on a glazed surface to be wiped / cleaned of the motor vehicle. This efficient aerodynamic support is obtained in particular thanks to a curved shape of the director profile 410 along which the deflection device extends located above the hollow body 40, the curved shape of said director profile 410 being oriented towards a front side wall 400a of the end piece 4 according to the invention.

[0122] 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. In particular, the different characteristics and variants of implementation of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. End piece (4) of a windshield wiper blade (500) for a motor vehicle, the end piece (4) comprising: - a hollow body (40) extending, in a longitudinal direction (X), between a first edge (406) configured to be engaged with a windshield wiper blade end (500) and a second edge (405), free, configured to be distant from the windshield wiper blade end (500); - a device (41) for deflecting an air flow extending in projection from the hollow body (40) along a director profile (410) defined by all the vertices of the deflection device (41) relative to the hollow body (40), the deflection device (41) extending between the first edge (406) and the second edge (405) of the hollow body (40);the director profile (410) of the deflection device (41) comprising an amplification portion (4101a) curved in a plane (450) parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) and comprising the director profile (410), characterized in that a height of the deflection device (41) varies in an increasing manner along the amplification portion (4101a) and in the direction of the second edge (405) of the hollow body (40).;

2. End cap (4) according to the preceding claim, in which the director profile (410) of the deflection device (41) comprises: - a first portion (4100) along which the deflection device (41) has an invariant shape; and - a second portion (4101) forming the amplification portion (4101a), the second portion (4101) being located in the extension of the first portion (4100).

3. An end cap (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the amplification portion (4101a) has a curved shape whose curvature is directed towards a front side wall (400a) of the hollow body (40).

4. An end cap (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein, at a portion of the amplification portion (4101a) proximal to the second edge (405) of the hollow body (40), a width of the deflection device (41) is less

5.

6. to the width of said deflection device (41) taken at the level of the first edge (406) of the hollow body (40). Windscreen wiper blade (500) comprising a scraper blade (2) and a support element (1) and in which the scraper blade (2) is secured to the support element (1) by an end piece (4) according to any one of the preceding claims. System for wiping a glass surface of a motor vehicle, the wiping system comprising: - a windshield wiper blade (500) according to the preceding claim, the windshield wiper blade (500) being intended to be placed in contact with the glass surface, - a wiper arm configured to rotate the wiper blade (500), - a connection device configured to securely attach the wiper blade (500) to the wiper arm.

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