Connector for a wiping system.

Abstract

A connector (7) for connecting a wiper blade (5) to a drive arm (2) and comprising a cleaning fluid delivery circuit delimited within the connector (7), the cleaning fluid delivery circuit comprising at least one distribution conduit (23) extending longitudinally from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other, the connector having at least one distribution zone (25) arranged at least partially along the distribution conduit to allow the presence of a plurality of means for projecting the cleaning fluid, said projection means extending respectively along a projection axis (30) and opening onto an external face (250) of the connector intended to be facing the glass surface, characterized in that at least one distribution zone has a constant thickness, the thickness of the distribution zone being measured between the external face and the distribution conduit. (Figure 4)

Description

Title of the invention: Connector for a wiping system.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wiping systems for glass surfaces, in particular for a windshield or a rear window, of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wiper blade equipping such wiping systems and configured to ensure the projection of a cleaning fluid.

[0002] Commonly, a vehicle comprises different glazed surfaces, and in particular arranged at the front or at the rear of the vehicle, allowing a driver to observe the external environment and more particularly the road scene. For this purpose, the glazed surface must be transparent and optically neutral so that the driver can correctly observe the environment around the vehicle.

[0003] Each glazed surface of the vehicle arranged between the passenger compartment and the external environment is exposed to weather conditions, such as rain for example, but also to certain particles or dirt which can obstruct or hinder at least in part the driver's vision of the external environment.

[0004] To remove these different elements, the vehicle comprises a wiping system capable of wiping and thus removing the water or the different elements likely to be present on the glass surface of the vehicle outside of said glass surface.

[0005] It is known that such wiping systems comprise at least one drive arm and a wiper blade. The drive arm is secured to the vehicle by one of its ends and carries the wiper blade by its opposite end, and it is in particular capable of performing a back-and-forth movement allowing the wiper blade to sweep a large portion of the glass surface.

[0006] The wiper blade comprises for this purpose a wiper blade intended to be pressed against the glass surface, a rigid blade support and a connector intended to connect the blade support to the drive arm of the wiping system. The wiper blade further comprises aerodynamic deflection elements mounted on the rigid blade support and arranged on either side of the connector.

[0007] It is known to equip the vehicle with a system for projecting a cleaning fluid towards the glass surface to facilitate the cleaning of particles and / or dirt present on the glass surface by the wiper blade. This projection system may comprise projection nozzles installed on the hood of the vehicle and / or a projection system mounted directly on the drive arm and / or on the wiper blade.

[0008] In the case of a projection system integrated into a wiper blade, a projection ramp is generally formed within each of the aerodynamic deflection elements so as to communicate with a plurality of holes provided in the corresponding aerodynamic deflection element and through which the fluid is projected towards the glass surface. Each aerodynamic deflection element is connected at a longitudinal end to the connector. It is thus known to have a connector which comprises a routing circuit by which the fluid is able to flow from a fluid inlet of the connector to fluid outlets of the connector to join the projection ramps formed in the deflection elements.

[0009] It is thus known to have a routing circuit within the connector which comprises a routing conduit connected to the fluid inlet and a distribution conduit connected to the fluid outlet, with the routing conduit opening into the distribution conduit forming a distribution node. The production of the distribution conduit, which extends substantially longitudinally within the connector, from one fluid outlet to the other can in particular be carried out by drilling.

[0010] Such an on-board system is particularly effective in that it allows the projection of fluid onto the glazed surface to be targeted just before the wiper blade of the wiper scrapes the glazed surface. The orifices are made at regular intervals in each aerodynamic deflection element so that the glazed surface is sprayed homogeneously. However, the distribution of the orifices along the wiper as known in the prior art does not allow the fluid to be projected homogeneously onto the glazed surface and it results from this distribution that areas of the glazed surface do not receive fluid, or at the very least that an area of ​​the glazed surface opposite an area of ​​the wiper comprising the connector receives a smaller quantity of projected fluid than the neighboring areas opposite areas of the wiper comprising deflection elements.In these areas of the glass surface receiving little or no fluid, the wiping system fails to effectively remove particles and / or dirt.

[0011] The present invention proposes to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular to improve the distribution of the fluid on the glazed surface of the vehicle by means of a connector intended to connect a wiper blade to a drive arm and comprising a cleaning fluid delivery circuit delimited within the connector, the cleaning fluid delivery circuit comprising at least one distribution conduit extending longitudinally from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other, the connector comprising at least one distribution zone arranged at least partially along the distribution conduit to allow the presence of a plurality of cleaning fluid projection means, said projection means extending respectively along a projection axis and opening onto an external face of the distribution zone intended to be opposite the glazed surface,characterized in that the at least one distribution zone has a thickness, constant, the thickness of the distribution zone being measured between the external face and the distribution duct.

[0012] The wiper blade comprises in particular a rigid blade support, made integral with the connector and on which are mounted on the one hand a wiper blade intended to be pressed against the glass surface to be cleaned and on the other hand an aerodynamic deflection element configured to deflect an air flow and to participate in pressing the wiper blade against the glass surface.

[0013] The connector comprises within it a cleaning fluid conveying circuit which extends between a fluid inlet configured to cooperate with a cleaning fluid supply hose and at least one fluid outlet configured to communicate with a cleaning fluid projection channel within the wiper blade. The conveying circuit comprises at least one conveying conduit, in communication with the fluid inlet, and a distribution conduit, in communication with the fluid outlet(s). The conveying conduit makes it possible to circulate the cleaning fluid to the distribution conduit so that the cleaning fluid entering the connector reaches the distribution conduit by previously circulating through the conveying conduit.

[0014] The routing circuit may comprise a plurality of routing conduits since the connector comprises a distribution node according to the invention with a routing conduit which opens into the distribution conduit. This distribution conduit extends longitudinally along the connector and is bordered at each of its longitudinal ends by a connection element configured to cooperate with a deflection element of the wiper and having the shape of a cannula.

[0015] The projection means are the elements of the connector which allow the cleaning fluid to be projected towards the glass surface of the motor vehicle. These projection means notably comprise projection holes arranged in the at least one distribution zone.

[0016] The distribution zone is an area of ​​the connector intended to be opposite a glazed surface of the vehicle and within which the distribution duct extends. The distribution zone extends longitudinally and is crossed by a plurality of projection means which extend radially from the distribution duct. The thickness of the distribution zone which is considered according to the invention is thus measured for a given radial direction, substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of one of the projection means, between the distribution duct and the external face of the connector in the distribution zone. In other words, the thickness of the at least one distribution zone, constant according to the invention, is measured in a direction parallel to the projection axis of a projection means, between the distribution duct distribution and the external face of the distribution zone opposite the glazed surface.

[0017] It is advantageous according to the invention to have a distribution zone which has a plurality of projection means formed within it and which has a continuous thickness from one longitudinal end to another.

[0018] The continuous thickness makes it possible to ensure that, during the machining of the projection means within the distribution zone, for the same operating conditions, the dispersions of production from one projection means to the other are zero or minimal, which makes it possible to implement a more homogeneous projection of cleaning fluid at the connector and therefore over the total longitudinal dimension of a wiper blade equipped with this connector.

[0019] By way of example, when the projection means formed within the distribution zone are obtained by successive drilling operations, from the external face of the connector in the distribution zone towards the distribution conduit, the continuous thickness of the distribution zone allows the drilling operations to be carried out with a single setting of the machine tool for each of the drilling operations, the machine parameters not needing to be adapted according to the thickness of any particular portion of the distribution zone.

[0020] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection axis of the projection means intersects the distribution conduit. In other words, each of the projection means is configured to open at one end into the distribution conduit and at the opposite end onto the outside of the connector. It is understood that a cleaning fluid circulating in the distribution conduit can be projected outside the distribution conduit through the projection means.

[0021] According to a characteristic of the invention, each of the projection means has a diameter which is between 0.05mm and 0.6mm. Preferably, the diameter of each of the projection means is between 0.05mm and 0.3mm.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the external face of the distribution zone is formed by a flat which extends from one longitudinal end of the at least one distribution zone to an opposite longitudinal end, in a plane substantially perpendicular to a direction parallel to at least one projection axis of one of the projection means. It is understood that the flat extends in a plane advantageously making it possible to drill holes for projecting the cleaning fluid from one longitudinal end to the other of the connector, along a projection axis perpendicular to said plane in which the flat extends. The presence of the flat makes it possible to ensure greater reproducibility of the projection holes since the attack surface on which the laser beam or any other tool impacts is flat. This avoids manufacturing clearances resulting from an operation of drilling holes on a curved surface.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, projection means are provided on the at least one distribution zone at regular intervals. As mentioned, the distribution duct is delimited within the distribution zone arranged opposite the glass surface to be cleaned, a significant number of projection means being formed in the distribution zone to allow the projection of cleaning fluid at regular intervals at the connector, just as this can be done at the rest of the wiper blade. It is understood that the distance separating two adjacent projection means on the distribution zone of the connector, or spacing distance, is a distance determined by the manufacturer of the wiping system.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, each projection means formed in at least one distribution zone is separated from a neighboring projection means by a spacing distance, along the longitudinal direction, of between 0.2 mm and 20 mm. Preferably, the spacing distance between two neighboring projection means is between 0.28 mm and 13.70 mm.

[0025] According to one feature of the invention, the spacing distance is a function of the diameter of each projection means, the diameter of each projection means being able to vary from 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, the spacing distance varying accordingly from 0.28 mm to 13.70 mm. The spacing distance between two projection means is measured from one projection axis of one of the two projection means to the other projection axis. The spacing distance between two adjacent projection means increases with increasing diameter of the projection means.

[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection means are arranged in a symmetrical distribution on either side of a median transverse plane of the connector. This symmetrical distribution of the projection means, in the longitudinal direction, makes it possible to project the cleaning fluid towards the glazed surface in a homogeneous manner along the entire distribution zone of the connector.

[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the distribution zone comprises at least four projection holes. In a case where the distribution zone extends continuously from one longitudinal end to the other of the connector, two projection holes may be arranged on one side of the median transverse plane of the connector which longitudinally separates the connector into two parts of substantially equal longitudinal dimensions and two other projection holes may be arranged on the other side of the median transverse plane.

[0028] In other words, according to a characteristic of the invention, at least two projection holes communicating with the distribution duct are arranged on each side of the median transverse plane of the connector, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the distribution duct, this median transverse plane separating the connector into two parts of the same longitudinal dimension.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the distribution zone comprises at least four projection holes on each side of the median transverse plane of the connector.

[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection means are arranged so as to form a single longitudinal row.

[0031] According to an alternative characteristic of the invention, the projection means are arranged in a staggered pattern, in at least two distinct longitudinal rows. It is thus possible to optimize the direction of projection of the cleaning fluid onto several distinct areas of the glass surface to be cleaned.

[0032] According to a characteristic of the invention, each projection means has a diameter equal to the average diameter of the neighboring projection means.

[0033] According to a characteristic of the invention, the at least one distribution zone is continuous, from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other longitudinal end.

[0034] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection means are obtained by means of laser drilling. A drilling operation by a laser source can advantageously make it possible to form orifices of small diameters with great precision. The implementation of such a drilling operation in a distribution zone having a constant thickness makes it possible to form projection means of small dimensions and in a repeatable manner from one projection means to another.

[0035] According to a characteristic of the invention, the routing circuit further comprises a routing conduit opening into the distribution conduit at a distribution node which comprises an opening on the external face of the distribution zone, or external face of the connector, said opening being closed by a cover, said connector comprising two distribution zones of constant thickness, arranged longitudinally on either side of said cover.

[0036] A first distribution zone of constant thickness is continuous between the cover and a first longitudinal end of the connector. A second distribution zone of constant thickness is continuous between the cover and a second longitudinal end of the connector.

[0037] The production of the routing conduit by a drilling operation involves an opening on the outside of the connector in the distribution node at the junction of the routing conduit and the distribution conduit, this opening being formed in a wall of the connector in the extension of the routing conduit. This opening is closed by the cover so that the cleaning fluid which passes through the distribution node can for the most part be directed into the distribution conduit and then into the projection ramps formed within aerodynamic deflection elements of the wiper and connected to the connector at the end of the distribution conduit.

[0038] According to a characteristic of the invention, the cover is pierced with at least one orifice of Projection. It is understood that this at least one projection orifice is through-hole, meaning that it opens from the hood at one end into the distribution channel and at the opposite end outside the connector. In this way, a small portion of the cleaning fluid passing through the distribution node can be projected outside the connector and directed onto the glass surface opposite the connector. This helps to distribute the cleaning fluid more evenly across the glass surface, since cleaning fluid is projected at the connector both by the projection means located on either side and by the projection means, in this case the projection orifice, located on the hood.

[0039] When a cover is necessary to close an opening formed at the distribution zone, it is advantageous for this cover to be pierced with a projection means, advantageously of a shape and dimensions similar to those arranged elsewhere in the distribution zone of the continuous thickness connector according to the invention. The presence of this at least one projection orifice specifically arranged in a cover dedicated to closing an opening makes it possible to achieve functional integration at the level of the cover since the latter is on the one hand configured to participate in the delimitation of the distribution conduit and on the other hand configured to allow a projection of cleaning fluid onto the glazed surface.

[0040] The arrangement of at least one projection orifice provided in the cover has the advantage of being able to be carried out before the assembly of the cover with the connector, that is to say before arranging the cover in the opening. It is therefore possible to preform covers with a projection orifice, for example by an additive manufacturing operation, or by a laser welding operation which is simpler to implement when the cover is not mounted on the connector, in order to then assemble the covers having a projection orifice with connectors comprising a distribution node, and more precisely an opening opening towards the outside of the connector.

[0041] The cover is a separate part from the connector body, and is attached to this body to close the opening. The opening and the routing conduit can in particular be obtained by a drilling operation.

[0042] Alternatively, the cover is produced in one piece with the body of the connector, for example by additive manufacturing, the various conduits and in particular the routing conduit arranged in the axis of the opening being produced by this additive manufacturing operation.

[0043] According to a characteristic of the invention, and whatever the embodiment of the cover, the cover can be arranged so as to be flush with the external face of the distribution zone, in particular the cover has a thickness equal to the thickness of the distribution zone.

[0044] According to a characteristic of the invention, the at least one projection orifice is advantageously provided in the hood in a direction which, when the hood is assembled to the connector, is substantially parallel to a main axis of elongation of the conveying duct. Furthermore, the axis of the projection orifice is configured so that the cleaning fluid is projected from the projection orifice towards the glazed surface of the vehicle.

[0045] According to a characteristic of the invention, the cover is pierced with a single projection orifice, centered on the external surface of the cover.

[0046] According to another characteristic of the invention, projection holes are formed in the distribution zone, on either side of the cover within which the at least one projection orifice is made. The projection holes formed in the material of the connector and the projection orifice here form the projection means previously mentioned. The projection holes present in the distribution zone are distributed regularly on either side of the cover.

[0047] According to a characteristic of the invention, the hood is centered on the distribution zone.

[0048] The median transverse plane of the connector, previously mentioned, can separate the cover into two equal parts, the projection orifice being arranged on this median transverse plane.

[0049] The invention also relates to a wiper blade of a vehicle wiping system comprising at least one connector conforming to one of the aforementioned characteristics and intended to connect the wiper blade to a drive arm of the wiping system.

[0050] According to one feature of the invention, the wiping brush has holes formed on deflection elements or a blade support and through which cleaning fluid is able to be projected onto a glass surface to be cleaned, the projection means being arranged in the distribution area so that a spacing distance between two neighboring projection means is substantially equal to an average value of the distances between two neighboring holes of the wiping brush.

[0051] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0052] [Fig-1] illustrates a wiping system comprising a drive arm and a wiping blade according to the invention, connected to the arm in particular by a connector and extending mainly in a longitudinal direction;

[0053] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in perspective, a connector of a broom wiping area conforming to that of [Fig. 1], the connector comprising a dis continuous thickness tribution with eight cleaning fluid projection holes arranged on either side of a median transverse plane on which is arranged a projection orifice formed in a cover;

[0054] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a partial sectional view of the connector shown by [Fig.2];

[0055] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a sectional view of the connector according to the plane of BB section illustrated in [Fig.3], making visible the thickness of the distribution zone, at the level of the hood;

[0056] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a sectional view of the connector according to the plane of AA section illustrated in [Fig.3], making visible the thickness of the distribution zone, of a value equal to that of the thickness of the distribution zone in [Fig.4];

[0057] [Fig.6] illustrates schematically and in perspective a first variant of rea lization of the connector of [Fig.2], the connector comprising a continuous thickness distribution zone with ten cleaning fluid projection holes arranged on either side of a median transverse plane of the connector;

[0058] [Fig.7] illustrates schematically and in perspective a second variant of rea lization of the connector of [Fig.2], the connector comprising a continuous thickness distribution zone with ten cleaning fluid projection holes arranged on either side of a median transverse plane of the connector, the projection holes being arranged so as to form two separate parallel rows;

[0059] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view similar to that of [Fig.5], a third variant embodiment of the connector of [Fig.2], the connector comprising a distribution zone of continuous thickness at the level of which the external face of the distribution zone is not produced by a flat but has a rounded shape.

[0060] 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.

[0061] Furthermore, in the following description, reference will be made to an orientation based on the Longitudinal, Vertical, and Transverse axes as arbitrarily defined by the L,V,T trihedron shown in Figures 1 to 8, the longitudinal direction corresponding to the principal elongation direction of the brush. The choice of names for these axes does not limit the orientation that the device in its application to a motor vehicle.

[0062] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a wiping system 1 ensuring the cleaning of a glazed surface of a vehicle, for example a windshield, so as to improve the visibility of a driver of the vehicle, for example in rainy weather or to rid the glazed surface of particles and / or dirt. The wiping system 1 comprises at least one drive arm 2 which extends between a connection end 3 and a linking end 4, opposite the connection end 3. The connection end 3 is configured to carry a wiper blade 5, which extends along a main longitudinal elongation axis, substantially parallel to the axis L. The linking end 4, opposite the connection end 3, is connected to the vehicle and more particularly to a motorized device allowing an angular back and forth movement of the drive arm and therefore of the wiper blade.A connection system is arranged between the connection end 3 of the drive arm and the wiper blade 5 to be able to drive the wiper blade in the angular back and forth movement, this connection system comprising an adapter 6 secured to the connection end 3 and a connector 7 secured to the wiper blade 5, the adapter 6 being pivotally mounted on the connector 7.

[0063] The connector 7 of the connection system is fixed on a rigid support 19, which extends over the entire longitudinal dimension of the wiper brush 5 and which carries in particular a wiper blade 8 intended to be in contact with the glass surface.

[0064] The rigid support, or rigid blade support, 19 also carries at least one aerodynamic deflection element 10 arranged longitudinally next to the connector 7. In the embodiment shown, the connector 7 is interposed between two separate deflection elements 10, each deflection element 10 extending the connector 7 at one of the longitudinal ends of the connector 7.

[0065] Each deflection element 10 has a first end 11, called the proximal end in that it is connected to the connector 7, and a second end 12, called the distal end. The wiper blade 5 comprises at each of its longitudinal ends, that is to say at the level of the second end 12 of each deflection element 10, an end piece 9 ensuring that the various elements of the wiper blade 5, namely the rigid blade support, the blade 8 and the deflection element 10, are held in longitudinal position. It follows from the above that both the connector 7 and the end piece 9 form an element of the wiper blade 5 connected to the deflection element 10.

[0066] The wiping mop includes an integrated cleaning fluid supply and projection system, which allows cleaning fluid to be projected onto the glass surface from the mop head, thus in a targeted manner, before the wiping blade passes over the glass surface. Advantageously, the system is integrated on the mop head The wiping system includes fluid conveying and distribution channels formed both within the connector 7 and within the deflection elements, as well as projection means distributed both on these deflection elements and on the connector.

[0067] According to the invention, and as detailed below, the connector comprises a distribution zone intended to be visible from the glazed surface when the wiper system is mounted on the vehicle. This distribution zone is particular in that, firstly, it includes a plurality of projection means opening onto an external face of the connector and allowing the projection of a cleaning fluid onto the glazed surface, and secondly, it has a continuous thickness over a determined longitudinal dimension along which several successive projection means are formed. The advantage of such a distribution zone of continuous thickness will be mentioned below, particularly for the standardization of machining operations of the various projection means within the distribution zone and the resulting homogenization of the cleaning fluid projection at the connector.

[0068] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate, respectively, an overall view and a partial cross-sectional view of connector 7, according to an embodiment of the invention. Connector 7 extends along a main longitudinal elongation direction, substantially parallel to axis L.

[0069] The connector 7 comprises in particular a base 15 forming a portion for fixing to the wiper blade 5 and a wall 13 forming a vertical projection, relative to the axis V, and configured to cooperate with the adapter 6 and allow a relative rotational movement of the adapter relative to the connector along the transverse axis T. The wall 13 cooperates with the adapter 6 in particular by the engagement of an axis carried by the latter in a transverse bore 14.

[0070] The base 15 extends along the connector 7, parallel to the axis L, and includes a housing 16 for receiving the wiper blade 5 and, more particularly, as illustrated in more detail in [Fig.5], a housing for receiving the rigid blade support 19 intended to support the wiper blade 8. The rigid blade support 19 also forms a support for a flexible element 20, known in particular as a stiffening vertebra, which helps in particular to allow the rigid blade support 19 and the associated wiper blade 8 to be pressed against the glass surface.More particularly, the combination of the rigid blade support 19 and the flexible element 20 allows the wiping blade 8 to match the shape of the glazed surface, for example a slightly curved shape, while ensuring that the wiping blade 8 is pressed against the glazed surface to allow, during the back and forth movements of the wiping system 1, the removal of particles, water and / or dirt from the glazed surface.

[0071] The connector 7 comprises a circuit for conveying a cleaning fluid delimited within the connector 7. The conveying circuit extends between a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and comprises at least one conveying conduit and one distribution conduit.

[0072] The fluid inlet is formed by a supply member 17 intended to be housed in a vehicle supply hose. More particularly, the supply hose is a flexible element connected at one end to a vehicle cleaning fluid reservoir, and at the opposite end to the supply member 17 of the connector 7, and which can notably extend along the drive arm 2, by being clipped to it.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, and more particularly visible in [Fig. 4], the fluid conveying circuit within the connector 7 is formed of a first conveying conduit 21, a second conveying conduit 22 and a distribution conduit 23. The first conveying conduit 21 extends substantially parallel to the axis L from the supply member 17 to a longitudinally median portion 18 of the connector 7. The cleaning fluid is pumped from the vehicle's tank and circulates through the supply hose to reach the supply member 17 and then the first conveying conduit 21.

[0074] The second delivery conduit 22 extends substantially perpendicularly to the first delivery conduit 21, mainly along a vertical and transverse elongation plane, so as to connect the first delivery conduit 21 located in the wall 13 to the distribution conduit 23 located in the base 15. It is understood that the cleaning fluid from the vehicle's fluid reservoir enters the connector 7 through the supply member 17 and flows through the first delivery conduit 21 and then through the second delivery conduit 22 to reach the distribution conduit 23.

[0075] As previously mentioned, the delivery circuit extends between a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the connector 7 comprises two fluid outlets, each of these outlets being formed by a cannula 24 intended to fit into a projection channel of a deflection element 10. The projection channel extends along the associated deflection element 10 and is perforated with a plurality of holes through which the cleaning fluid is able to be projected towards the vehicle's glass surface. It is understood that the cannulas 24 each form a means of connection between the connector 7 and a deflection element 10 of the wiper blade 5, allowing the cleaning fluid to flow from the connector 7 to the projection channel of an associated deflection element 10.

[0076] The distribution conduit 23 extends longitudinally from one longitudinal end of the connector 7 to the other. It should be noted that the distribution conduit 23 is delimited longitudinally strictly between the cannulas 24 forming the fluid outlets. In other words, the cannulas 24 forming the fluid outlets of the connector 7 are not part of the distribution conduit 23 and each cannula 24 delimits within itself a circulation conduit distinct from the distribution conduit.

[0077] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown, the conveying circuit comprises two conveying conduits 21, 22, but that without leaving the context of the invention, the conveying circuit may comprise a single conveying conduit or a greater number of conveying conduits provided that at least one conveying conduit, here the second conveying conduit 22, opens into the distribution conduit 23 to form a distribution node 40 visible in particular on [Fig.4].

[0078] The distribution conduit 23 extends more particularly within a distribution zone 25 which forms a lateral part of the base 15, from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other, intended to be facing the glazed surface of the vehicle. More specifically, the distribution zone 25 has an external face 250 intended to be facing the glazed surface.

[0079] This distribution zone, as mentioned above, comprises a plurality of projection holes 26a, here forming part of the projection means 26, which open respectively onto the external face 250 of the connector, being formed by machining, for example by laser drilling, within the distribution zone of continuous thickness. By continuous thickness, it should be understood that over a longitudinal dimension of the distribution zone large enough for this distribution zone to comprise within it several projection means, the thickness 100, defined as the radial dimension between an internal face of the distribution zone delimiting the distribution duct 23 and the external face 250 of the distribution zone, remains constant from one end to the other, within manufacturing tolerances.

[0080] A first embodiment is more particularly described with reference to Figures 2 to 5, this first embodiment being particular in that the projection holes made in a distribution zone of continuous thickness are arranged on either side of a cover arranged in this distribution zone. It can be interpreted in this context that two distribution zones, each of a continuous thickness in accordance with the invention, are arranged on either side of the cover, a first distribution zone extending over a first longitudinal dimension L1 from a longitudinal end of the connector to the cover and a second distribution zone extending over a second longitudinal dimension L2 from a longitudinal end of the connector to the cover.

[0081] At the distribution node 40, in the extension of the routing conduit opening into the distribution conduit, here the second routing conduit 22, an opening 28 is formed on the outside of the connector 7, in particular by a drilling operation allowing the production of said routing conduit. The opening 28 thus has a dimension, and here a diameter, substantially equal to the corresponding dimension of the routing conduit which it extends axially, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

[0082] This opening 28 is closed by the previously mentioned cover 29 in order to allow the majority of the cleaning fluid arriving via the conveying conduit to circulate in the distribution conduit, and this cover 29 is in this first embodiment perforated with at least one projection orifice 26b, participating in forming with the projection holes 26a the projection means 26 of the connector.

[0083] Fig. 4 illustrates more particularly the projection orifice 26b provided in the hood 29. More particularly, Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connector 7 according to the section plane BB shown in Fig. 3, which notably makes visible the integration of function at the distribution node 40, with an opening generated in the material of the connector to allow a simplified realization of the conveying channel by drilling, the presence of the hood 29 to close the opening 28 and allow the cleaning fluid to be channeled and the presence of the projection orifice 26b within the hood to allow a projection of cleaning fluid at the connector.

[0084] The cover 29 is arranged in the distribution zone to close this opening 28. It should be noted that the cover has a main body housed in the opening and a head, protruding from the opening and flush with the external face of the distribution zone, that is to say the external face of the connector at the level of the distribution zone, the head forming a stop means when positioning the cover in the opening. The main body is of shape and dimensions substantially identical to the shape and dimensions of the opening 28 to allow the cover to be held in the opening by an appropriate operation, whether it be a press fit, a gluing operation or a welding operation.

[0085] More specifically, the cover 29 has an internal surface 291, at the free end of the main body, which faces the distribution conduit 23, and an external surface 292, at the free end of the head, which faces outwards from the connector 7. The internal surface 291 of the cover 29 helps to define the distribution conduit 23 at the distribution node, and therefore has a concave shape that is an extension of the wall defining the distribution conduit 23 on either side of the second routing conduit. The surface external 292 of the hood 29 is substantially flat and it is advantageous that it be flush with the external face of the connector, or external face 250 of the distribution area, so as not to generate disturbances that are both aesthetic and aerodynamic.

[0086] It follows from the above, as can be seen by comparing Figures 4 and 5, that the thickness 100 of the cover, that is to say the dimension of the cover in a radial direction between the internal surface and the external surface, is the same as the thickness 100 of the distribution zone 25 measured between the distribution duct 23 and the external face 250.

[0087] The projection orifice 26b is made so as to be through, that is to say to extend from the internal surface 291 of the cover to the external surface of this cover. A portion of the cleaning fluid passing through the distribution node 40 is thus capable of being projected onto the glazed surface, thus ensuring wetting of a portion of the glazed surface opposite the connector.

[0088] In order to ensure that only a minimal part of the cleaning fluid passes through the spray orifice 26b, the remainder being directed to the spray holes 26a and to the fluid outlets of the connector via the distribution conduit, and in order to ensure that sufficient pressure, suitable for ensuring a cleaning function of the glass surface, is generated at the outlet of the hood, the spray orifice may have a diameter which is between 0.05mm and 0.6mm, and preferably between 0.05mm and 0.3mm.

[0089] In the example illustrated, the projection orifice 26b has a projection axis 30, visible in [Fig. 4], which is parallel to a main axis of elongation of the conveying conduit opening into the distribution conduit, here the second conveying conduit 22, and this has an advantage in facilitating the projection of the cleaning fluid through this projection orifice without pressure loss, but it should be noted that a projection axis of the projection orifice formed in the cover with an orientation different from that illustrated would also be within the scope of the invention.

[0090] Furthermore, in the example illustrated, a single projection orifice 26b is formed substantially in the center of the cover 29, but it should be noted that several projection orifices could be provided in the cover without departing from the context of the invention.

[0091] The cover 29 is here arranged longitudinally in the center of the connector 7, that is to say on a median transverse plane 31 extending along the axis T and the axis V, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the distribution duct 23. This median transverse plane 31 separates the connector 7 into two parts whose longitudinal dimensions are identical.

[0092] As mentioned, the connector here comprises two distribution zones 25 extending longitudinally from the cover 29 and the distribution node 40, each distribution zone being pierced with projection holes 26a and having a continuous thickness over its longitudinal dimension. These projection holes, formed additionally The projection means at the spray orifice increase the extent of the cleaning fluid spray at the connector. In other words, in this embodiment, the connector has a plurality of spray means 26 opening into the distribution conduit 23 and through which the cleaning fluid can be projected towards the vehicle's glazed surface. More specifically, the spray means 26 include at least one spray orifice 26b provided through the hood 29 and the spray holes 26a provided on either side of the hood 29.

[0093] In the example illustrated, the external face 250 of a distribution zone 25, intended to be opposite the glazed surface, is formed by a flat 27, which extends from one longitudinal end to the other of the distribution zone 25, being interrupted locally by the presence of the cover 29. Each of the projection holes 26a opens onto this flat 27. The cover 29, or more particularly the head of the cover, is arranged in the opening 28 so as to be flush with the flat 27 of the distribution zone 25 and thus participate in forming a flat surface from one longitudinal end to the other of the connector.

[0094] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connector 7 along the section plane AA shown in Figure 3. More particularly, Figure 5 illustrates a projection hole 26a formed in the distribution area 25 of the connector and opening into the distribution channel 23. The projection hole 26a illustrated by Figure 5 advantageously comprises, like all the projection means 26 of the connector 7, a projection axis 30 around which each projection means 26 extends, from the distribution channel 23 to the flat 27 in the case of projection holes 26a, and from the distribution channel 23 to the external surface 292 of the cover 29 in the case of projection holes 26b.

[0095] The projection means 26 are produced by means of laser drilling. The implementation of such a manufacturing means makes it possible to form projection means 26 having a diameter around the projection axis 30 between 0.05 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.05 and 0.3 mm, and more preferably equal or substantially equal to 0.2 mm. Theoretically, within manufacturing tolerances, each projection means 26 has a diameter equal to the average diameter of the neighboring projection means 26. The projection orifice 26b may, advantageously, be preformed during the manufacture of the cover 29, for example during a material injection operation or during an additive manufacturing operation, or be formed, like the projection holes 26a, by a laser drilling method.

[0096] It should be noted that the diameter of the projection means 26, and for example if it is equal to 0.2 mm, can in particular be similar to the diameter of the holes provided on the deflection elements 10, which makes it possible to project the cleaning fluid towards the glazed surface at a similar pressure over the entire longitudinal dimension of the wiper. wiping 5, both at the level of the deflection elements and the connector.

[0097] When the external face of the distribution zone 25 is formed by the flat 27, the projection axis 30 of the projection means 26 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of elongation of the flat 27 such that the projection axis 30 of the projection means 26 intersects the distribution duct 23. The flat 27 advantageously makes it possible to improve the precision of the laser drilling by providing a flat surface on which to carry out said drilling, in a direction perpendicular to the distribution duct 23. It is understood that the flat 27 and the external surface 292 of the cover 29 have a similar shape when the cover is housed in the opening 28. More precisely, and as mentioned previously, the cover 29 is flush with the flat 27 such that during the drilling process the inclination of the surface is identical between the flat 27 and the cover 29. Such a similarity facilitates the production of the different projection means. 26.

[0098] As mentioned previously, the distribution zone 25 has a thickness 100 between the distribution duct 23 and the flat 27 which remains constant, that is to say which remains the same apart from manufacturing tolerances, over a longitudinal dimension going from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other longitudinal end of the connector or to the cover. The thickness 100 is measured in a direction parallel to the projection axis 30 of a projection means 26, between an internal face 251 of the distribution zone 25 which delimits the distribution duct and the external face 250 intended to be turned towards the glazed surface.As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the thickness value 100 can be considered the same at the hood or in the distribution zone(s) on either side of the hood, so that the constant thickness of the distribution zone 25 can advantageously extend from one longitudinal end of the distribution zone 25 to the other. In this way, each projection means 26 is made of an amount of material equivalent to that in which the other projection means 26 are made. This constant thickness from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other, between the distribution zone 25 and the hood 29, can thus make it possible not to modify the parameters of the laser source used to perform the drilling of each of the projection means 26 over the entire distribution zone 25.

[0099] Furthermore, as visible in [Fig. 3], the projection holes 26a are arranged on either side of the median transverse plane 31 of the connector 7, it being understood that in the illustrated embodiment, the projection orifice 26b formed on the cover 29 is arranged at the level of said plane 31.

[0100] Advantageously, the connector 7 comprises at least two projection holes 26a on either side of the median transverse plane 31. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], the connector 7 comprises four projection holes 26a arranged on either side of the median transverse plane 31 of the connector 7, with here said plane 31 passing through the projection orifice 26b formed in the cover 29.

[0101] The distribution of the projection holes 26a is symmetrical on either side of the median transverse plane 31 of the connector 7. More particularly, the projection means 26, that is to say both the projection holes and the projection orifice, are substantially aligned longitudinally along the distribution zone 25.

[0102] The projection means 26 are arranged longitudinally at regular intervals on the distribution zone 25. It is understood that there is therefore a continuity of projection means 26 from one end of the connector 7 to another with the projection orifice 26b in the center.

[0103] And, considering the wiper as a whole, the regular interval formed between two neighboring projection means 26 of the connector 7 is the same or substantially the same as the interval between two neighboring holes allowing the projection of cleaning fluid at the deflection elements. For example, the spacing distance can vary from 0.28 mm to 13.7 mm. It should be noted that this spacing distance between two neighboring projection means 26 is measured longitudinally from the projection axis 30 of a projection means 26 to the projection axis 30 of a neighboring projection means 26.

[0104] The spacing distance between two neighboring projection means 26 can advantageously be equal to an average value of the distances between two neighboring holes formed on a deflection element 10. In this way, the same spacing between two cleaning fluid projection elements is maintained from one longitudinal end to the other of the wiper blade 5 and a uniform projection of cleaning fluid is ensured over the entire blade.

[0105] This arrangement of the projection means 26, and more particularly the associated spacing distance, may be a function of the diameter of the projection means 26. Indeed, as described previously, the projection means 26 have a diameter of between 0.05 mm and 0.6 mm and the spacing distance between two neighboring projection means 26 may increase with the increase in the diameter of the projection means 26.

[0106] By way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, the spacing distance between two projection means close together with a diameter of 0.05mm is 0.28mm, the spacing distance between two projection means close together with a diameter of 0.15mm is 2.65mm, the spacing distance between two projection means close together with a diameter of 0.2mm is 5mm, the spacing distance between two projection means close together with a diameter of 0.3mm is 13.7mm.

[0107] It should however be noted that in this first embodiment, just as in the variants which will be described, one could provide without departing from the context of the invention that the spacing distance between two neighboring projection means is not the same from one longitudinal end to the other of the contact, and that the different spacing distances can vary, linearly or not.

[0108] We will now describe a first embodiment of the invention, with reference to [Fig. 6], which differs from what has just been described in that the distribution zone 25 extends continuously from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other, i.e., without a cover arranged across the distribution zone. At least one routing conduit, forming the connection node with the distribution conduit, is here offset longitudinally compared to what was illustrated in the first embodiment and is arranged within a routing column 32. It is also noteworthy that, although not essential in this first embodiment, two distribution conduits, and therefore two associated distribution zones, are arranged parallel to each transverse side of the connector.

[0109] In this first variant, for at least one transverse flank of the connector, it is understood that a single distribution zone 25, of a continuous thickness in accordance with the invention, extends over a longitudinal dimension L from a longitudinal end of the connector to an opposite longitudinal end of the connector.

[0110] On this longitudinal dimension L, the distribution zone has a section, in each vertical and transverse plane V, T extending between the two longitudinal ends of the connector, which is similar to that illustrated in [Fig.5], with a thickness 100 which remains constant for each section.

[0111] In accordance with what has been described for the first embodiment, the projection holes 26a are aligned in the longitudinal direction L and regularly spaced from each other, but here there are ten of them.

[0112] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 7] and differs from the first embodiment in that the projection holes formed in the distribution zone 25 extend over two levels. In other words, the projection holes are grouped into a first subset in which some of the projection holes are aligned on a first longitudinal axis A1 and into a second subset in which the other projection holes are aligned on a second longitudinal axis A2.

[0113] In the illustrated example, the holes are distributed alternately in the first and second subsets.

[0114] It is understood that this variant makes it possible to direct the cleaning fluid projected via the connector onto different areas of the glass surface, and therefore to improve the cleaning performance of the wiping system.

[0115] A third variant is illustrated in [Fig. 8]. This differs from what has been previously described and illustrated in that the external face 250 of the distribution zone is here curved and does not have a flat surface. Here again, as for each of the embodiment variants presented, the thickness 100 of the distribution zone, measured radially between the distribution duct and the external face 250 of the distribution zone, is continuous over the longitudinal dimension of the distribution zone.

[0116] It appears from the description of the various embodiments and variants which preceded that the invention indeed achieves the aim which it had set itself by proposing a wiper blade whose distribution of the fluid is improved in particular at the level of the connector making it possible to secure the wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiping system, by producing at least one distribution zone within which projection means are produced and which has a continuous thickness from one longitudinal end to the other of the connector.

[0117] The invention as just described cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations exclusively described and illustrated, and also applies to all equivalent means or configurations and to any combination of such means or configurations.

Claims

Claims

1. Connector (7) intended to connect a wiper blade (5) to a drive arm (2) and comprising a cleaning fluid delivery circuit delimited within the connector (7), the cleaning fluid delivery circuit comprising at least one distribution conduit (23) extending longitudinally from one longitudinal end of the connector (7) to the other, the connector comprising at least one distribution zone (25) arranged at least partially along the distribution conduit (23) to allow the presence of a plurality of cleaning fluid projection means (26), said projection means extending respectively along a projection axis (30) and opening onto an external face (250) of the connector intended to be opposite the glazed surface, characterized in that the at least one distribution zone has a constant thickness,the thickness of the distribution zone being measured between the external face and the distribution conduit, and the routing circuit further comprises a routing conduit opening into the distribution conduit (23) at a distribution node (40) which comprises an opening (28) on the external face (250) of the distribution zone (25), said opening being closed by a cover (29), said connector comprising two distribution zones of constant thickness, arranged longitudinally on either side of said cover, and the cover (29) is arranged so as to be flush with the external face (250) of the distribution zone (25).,

2. Connector (7) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of the projection means (26, 26a, 26b) has a diameter which is between 0.05mm and 0.6mm.

3. Connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external face (250) of the distribution zone (25) is formed by a flat (27) which extends from a longitudinal end of the at least one distribution zone (25) to an opposite longitudinal end, in a plane substantially perpendicular to a direction parallel to at least one projection axis (30) of one of the projection means (26, 26a, 26b).

4. Connector (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that projection means (26, 26a, 26b) are provided on the at least one distribution zone (25) at regular intervals.

5. Connector (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection means (26, 26a, 26b) are arranged so as to form a single longitudinal row.

6. Connector (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one distribution zone (25) is continuous, from one longitudinal end of the connector to the other longitudinal end.

7. Connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (29) has a thickness equal to the thickness of the distribution zone (25).

8. Wiper assembly comprising at least one wiper blade (5) and a connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the spacing distance in the longitudinal direction between two projection means (26, 26a, 26b) adjacent to the connector (7) is equal to the spacing distance between two holes formed in the blade.

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