connection module for windshield wiper blade and wiper system

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection module (10) for coupling a windshield wiper blade (2) to a drive arm (3) of a motor vehicle wiper system (4). The connection module (10) comprises a connector (23) configured to interact with a wiper blade (22) and a spacer (1) positioned intermediately between a bearing face of the connector (23) and the drive arm (3). The invention also relates to a wiper system (4) in which the drive arm (3) has an axial end (30) from which a shaft (33) extends towards the windshield wiper blade (2) to couple with the connector (23). The arm extends through the spacer (1), which is located in an intermediate position between the axial end (30) and the connector (23). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Connection module for windshield wiper blade and wiping system

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of windshield wiper blades and wiping systems for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a connection module for mechanically linking a windshield wiper blade to a drive arm.

[0002] Wiping systems for motor vehicles are designed to remove, by sweeping, liquids and dirt present on a glazed surface, such as a windshield. These liquids and dirt are likely to interfere with a driver of such motor vehicles in their ability to detect a road scene or their surroundings.

[0003] Such known wiping systems generally comprise a drive arm that performs an angular reciprocating motion, and wiper blades equipped with wiping blades made of an elastic material. By rubbing against the glass surface, the wiping blades sweep away water and dirt, and remove them from the driver's field of vision.

[0004] The wiper blade is attached to the drive arm by a connection module that generally includes at least one connector and one adapter. The connector is integral with the wiper blade, and the adapter is a part configured, on the one hand, to cooperate with the connector and, on the other hand, to engage with an end piece of the drive arm. The connector and the adapter work together to secure the wiper blade to the drive arm and to create the articulated connection between these two assemblies.

[0005] In the aftermarket for windshield wipers, it is common practice to supply a wiper blade with its own connector for several types of wiper arms. Therefore, it is necessary to design an adapter that can be used with as many types of arms and connection types as possible, since the adapter forms the interface between the connector pre-installed on the wiper blade and each type of drive arm end piece.

[0006] In addition to the desire to have an adapter suitable for use on the widest possible variety of drive arms and connection types, there is also the desire to have adapters suitable for use regardless of the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, that is, regardless of whether the motor vehicle travels on the right or left side of the road. Indeed, the direction in which the motor vehicle travels on the road determines whether a [drive arm] is mounted on the right or left side. steering wheel on the motor vehicle, and therefore, the direction in which the sweeping, for example of the windshield, by a windshield wiper blade will preferentially take place.

[0007] Among these types of arms and end pieces, those of the type known by the Anglo-Saxon term "side-lock" are particularly well-known. In principle, an end piece of this type comprises a shaft and a lateral retaining bracket, essentially L-shaped. The shaft serves as a pivot point between the drive arm and the wiper blade. The lateral retaining bracket secures the mechanical connection between the drive arm and the wiper blade by preventing translational movement of the shaft along the axis.

[0008] As is known, the distance between the connector and the drive arm varies considerably depending on the model, the motor vehicle, and the manufacturer. Thus, for example, there are known narrow side retaining tabs, adapted to connections known as "narrow side-lock," and standard side retaining tabs, adapted to connections known as "standard side-lock."

[0009] Of course, depending on the model and length of the lateral retaining bracket, measured relative to the direction of the shaft it holds between the connector and the drive arm, it is necessary to adjust the shaft length. Furthermore, it is also necessary to be able to adjust, that is, set, the distance between the drive arm and the connector.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a new connection module in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a reliable and durable mechanical connection between the connector and the adapter of a wiper brush and a drive arm respectively.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to allow the use of such a connection module to a wide variety of drive arms, and in particular those corresponding to connections of the type known as "side-lock", regardless of their size and regardless of their direction of connection, so that it can also be applied to the different mounting directions of the wiper blade and the drive arm, depending on the side on which the steering of the motor vehicle is located.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a connection module for coupling a windshield wiper blade to a drive arm of a vehicle wiper system, the connection module comprising:

[0014] - a connector configured to collaborate with a wiping blade;

[0015] - a spacer configured to be placed in an intermediate position between a connector support face and a wiper blade drive arm with which the connection module is intended to collaborate.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the connection module is an interface component configured to mechanically link the wiper blade with the drive arm. In the context of the present invention, the connection module is intended to work with a wiper blade to form a wiper blade; and the connection module, thus associated with the wiper blade, is intended to work with the drive arm to form a wiping system.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the connector is a mechanical part for interfacing the wiper blade to connect it to the drive arm. Furthermore, the connector includes a linkage device located opposite the drive arm, with which a shaft connecting the drive arm to the connector is engaged. Thus, through the connector and the shaft, the drive arm is held at a predetermined distance from the wiper blade. The connector is, for example, made of a plastic material and advantageously produced by molding.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the spacer forms a component intended to be located between the connector and the drive arm with which the connection module conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be associated. The spacer defines a center distance between the connector and the drive arm. This center distance varies depending on the wiper blade and drive arm models. Advantageously, the invention, according to its first aspect, thus provides a connection module compatible with such a spacer, so that the connection module can easily be adapted to several types of wiper blades and drive arms through the interchangeability of the spacer. Additionally, the spacer prevents the drive arm from moving too close to the connector when it is moved across the windshield, for example.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the connector bearing face—or bearing surface—is the face against which the spacer is supported, on the connector side. According to a first embodiment, the bearing face is a face of the connector located opposite the drive arm intended to interact with the connection module, referred to as the second bearing surface. According to a second embodiment, the bearing face is a face of the connector located opposite the drive arm with which the connection module is intended to interact, relative to the connector, referred to as the first bearing surface. According to a third embodiment, the connector comprises a first bearing face located opposite the drive arm, and a second bearing face located opposite the drive arm with which the connection module is intended to collaborate, relative to the connector. The bearing face extends mainly along a longitudinal elongation direction of the connector, corresponding to a proper elongation direction of a wiper blade of the windshield wiper.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the drive arm, when it interacts with the connection module according to the invention, is not located directly above the connection module, the wiper blade, or the cleaning blade. On the contrary, the drive arm is misaligned, that is, offset from the cleaning blade and the connection module. More particularly, in the context of integration into a cleaning system applied to a motor vehicle windshield, the drive arm is located in front of—or possibly behind—the connector or the cleaning blade, relative to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle extending from the rear to the front of said motor vehicle.Thus, the connection module, through its offset mounting via the spacer and its specific connection with the connector, allows for adjustment – ​​according to the axial dimensions of the chosen spacer – of the center distance separating the drive shaft from the connector.

[0021] Thus, the connection module according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to achieve a reliable and durable mechanical connection with the drive arm. Consequently, it is possible to adapt the connection module to any type of drive arm and wiper blade by simply adjusting the dimensions of the spacer to set and define a gap between the wiper blade, and in particular its wiping blade, and the drive arm. The connection module according to the invention thus offers great adaptability to numerous models, simplifying industrial processes and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0022] The connection module 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:

[0023] - the spacer has a cylindrical shape. The spacer has a rectilinear elongation, relative to a proper axis intended to be parallel and coaxial with the shaft enabling the coupling of the drive arm and the connector. Preferably, the spacer has, on either side of its proper axis, two bearing faces. A first bearing face is configured to bear against the connector, and in particular against the bearing face of the connector, while a second bearing face, located opposite the first bearing face relative to the proper axis, is configured to be able to bear against a face of the drive arm;

[0024] - the spacer has a circular profile in order to simplify its manufacture and reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, such a profile is more easily compatible with any geometry of the drive arm and / or connector;

[0025] - the length of the spacer is between 2 mm and 12 mm. The length is measured relative to the proper axis;

[0026] - preferably, the spacer takes the form of a hollow cylinder, a shaft of the The drive arm is designed to extend through the hollow cylinder. This configuration is particularly advantageous for optimizing the compactness of the connection module and the wiper system in which it is intended to be mounted. Of course, the dimensions of the spacer are then adapted according to the dimensions of the shaft, that is to say, according to the type of drive arm and the type of wiper blade to be interfaced;

[0027] - generally speaking, an inside diameter of the hollow cylinder is between between 4 mm and 6 mm, preferably 5 mm, and / or an outside diameter of the hollow cylinder between 7 mm and 9 mm, preferably 8 mm. The inside diameter is measured perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder forming the spacer, between inner walls of the hollow cylinder, proximal to the axis and the shaft when the connecting module is mounted in a wiping system. The outside diameter is measured perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder forming the spacer, between outer walls of the hollow cylinder, distal to the axis and the shaft when the connecting module is mounted in a wiping system;

[0028] - the spacer includes a coupling device for rotation with the connector or with the drive arm. The rotational coupling device can take any form. The rotational coupling device prevents any relative rotation between the spacer on one side and the connector or drive arm on the other. Indeed, when the connection module is mounted in a wiper system and the drive arm moves back and forth across a glass surface, rotation occurs between the wiper blade and the drive arm. This rotation causes friction between one of the spacer's contact faces and the connector's contact face and / or the drive arm's contact face. This friction can then lead to premature wear of the connector and / or the spacer and / or the drive arm. Thus, such a rotational coupling eliminates this relative movement, at least on one side of the spacer relative to its axis.

[0029] - according to a first embodiment, the rotational coupling device includes, at the level of a distal axial end of the connector, at least one first spline which extends parallel to the shaft, the drive arm comprising, on one face opposite the spacer, a second spline configured to collaborate with the first spline. At least one second spline is located on the bearing face of the spacer located opposite the drive arm;

[0030] - according to a second embodiment, the rotational coupling device comprises, at an axial end of the spacer located opposite the connector, at least one first spline extending parallel to the shaft, the first spline being configured to collaborate with a second spline, of complementary shape, formed on the bearing face of the connector. At least one first spline is located at the bearing face of the spacer located opposite the connector;

[0031] - according to a first embodiment, the spacer is made of material with the The connector, with the spacer extending protruding from the connector's mounting face towards the wiper arm with which the connection module is intended to be coupled. Alternatively, the spacer may be formed from a single piece of material along with the drive arm, with the spacer extending protruding from a face of the drive arm located opposite the connector and towards the connection module. "Formed from a single piece of material" means that the spacer and the connection module, or the spacer and the drive arm, are produced, for example, by the same manufacturing process and together form a single monolith. They cannot then be separated without compromising their physical integrity, or damaging or even destroying all or part of either of them.

[0032] - according to a second preferred embodiment, the spacer is attached to the connector. The spacer thus forms a part independent of the connector, attached and placed between the drive arm and said connector. Advantageously, the spacer remains axially free, i.e. not linked to the connector and / or the drive arm, so as to facilitate and simplify the assembly operations;

[0033] - according to a particularly interesting embodiment, the spacer comprises A conduit that passes completely through the spacer. The conduit is defined as an extrusion formed in the spacer, either by machining the spacer to create a recess that passes locally and completely through it, or by attaching a conduit to the spacer. The conduit is configured to allow the flow of a fluid without loss. This advantageous configuration allows a washer fluid distribution system to be fluidly coupled to the connection module via the spacer, thus enabling the washer fluid to be sprayed onto the wiper blade or cleaning blade. The connection module then facilitates the fluid connection of a wiper blade to the distribution system.

[0034] - preferably, the conduit is provided in the cylinder forming the spacer, between an inner face and an outer face together defining the hollow cylinder of the spacer;

[0035] - the conduit extends perpendicularly to the shaft;

[0036] - the conduit extends in a straight line;

[0037] - the conduit is located between the inner wall and the outer wall of the hollow cylinder forming the spacer;

[0038] - the spacer is made of a material comprising plastic and / or metal. The spacer is preferably obtained by molding.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the invention, a wiping system is proposed comprising a connection module conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements, a wiping blade coupled to the connector of the connection module, and a drive arm comprising, at an axial termination of said drive arm:

[0040] - a tree that extends secantly with respect to the axial termination, the tree being configured to mate with the connector of the connection module;

[0041] - a lateral retaining tab for the drive arm, intended to rest against a support face of the connector of the connection module, the retaining tab having an L-shape and having a lateral support face located opposite the axial termination, the spacer of the connection module being provided between the axial termination and the lateral support face of the retaining tab.

[0042] In the context of the present invention, the axial termination of the drive arm is the part of the drive arm located at a free end of the drive arm. The axial termination is the part at which the connection module is coupled, via the shaft and the spacer.

[0043] In the case of a wiping system connected to the wiper blade via a narrow connection, the shaft extends directly from the axial end of the drive arm. Conversely, in the case of a wiping system connected to the wiper blade via a wide connection, the shaft extends from a yoke formed at the axial end of the drive arm.

[0044] In the case of a wiping system connected to the wiper blade via a wide connection, the yoke is configured to receive an axial end of the shaft, allowing connection with the connection module. The shaft may be formed from the same material as the yoke or be attached and fixed to it. Generally, the shaft extends transversely to a wall delimiting the yoke, that is, transversely to the axial termination of the drive arm. The yoke has a general U-shape. The yoke includes a connecting element for the shaft, configured to allow mechanical coupling between the shaft and the yoke. For example, the element the link takes the form of an opening of complementary shape to the tree so as to allow the tree to engage in said opening.

[0045] In wiper systems connected via a wide connection to the wiper blade or in wiper systems connected via a narrow connection to the wiper blade, that is, whether or not there is a yoke at the axial end of the drive arm, the shaft extends at an angle perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axial end of said drive arm. By substantially perpendicular, it is understood that the angle between the shaft and the axial end is between 80° and 100°.

[0046] In the context of the present invention, the retaining tab extends projecting from the axial end of the drive arm, or even from the yoke in the case of a wide-type connection between the drive arm and the wiper blade, and towards the connection module. The retaining tab has a general L-shape so as to cooperate with the connector to provide an axial stop in the direction of shaft elongation between the drive arm and the connector. Thus, the drive arm is connected to the connector, firstly, by the spacer located between the axial end—or even the yoke—and the connector, thereby preventing the drive arm from moving closer to the connector relative to the spacer's axis, and secondly, by the retaining tab attached to the connector, which prevents the drive arm from moving away from the connector.Thus, such a fixing, shared between the shaft, the spacer, the axial termination - or even the clevis in the case of a wide type connection to the wiper blade, the retaining tab and the connector, allows the drive arm and the connection module to be fixed securely and in a non-permanent, i.e. detachable, manner.

[0047] In the context of the present invention, the shaft is a cylindrical bearing extending between the drive arm and the connector, so as to connect them. The shaft is formed from the same material as the drive arm, and in particular its axial end, or even the yoke in the case of a wide-type connection to the wiper blade, or preferably attached. To this end, the axial end of the drive arm, or the yoke in the case of a wide-type connection to the wiper blade, includes a connecting element with the shaft, configured to allow mechanical coupling between said shaft and said axial end. For example, the connecting element takes the form of an opening with a shape complementary to the shaft so as to allow the shaft to be fitted or inserted into said opening, preferably without play.

[0048] The cleaning system according to the second aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the following improvements, the characteristics techniques comprising these improvements can be used alone or in combination:

[0049] - according to a first embodiment, the length of the spacer is included between 9 mm and 12 mm when a width of the retaining tab, taken between the axial termination or the clevis in the case of a wide type connection to the wiper blade and the lateral bearing face of said retaining tab, is equal to 22 mm;

[0050] - according to a second embodiment, the length of the spacer is between 2 mm and 5 mm when a width of the retaining tab, taken between the axial termination or the clevis in the case of a wide type connection to the wiper blade and the lateral bearing face of said retaining tab, is equal to 15 mm;

[0051] - the spacer forms a hollow cylinder, the shaft of the drive arm extending to through said hollow cylinder. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to reduce the compactness of the wiping system. Of course, the dimensions of the spacer are then adapted according to the dimensions of the shaft, that is to say according to the type of drive arm and the type of wiper blade to interface;

[0052] - the spacer comprises, at the level of a distal axial end of the connector, at less a first spline which extends parallel to the shaft, the axial termination of the drive arm or the clevis in the case of a wide type connection to the wiper blade of the wiper blade having, at the level of a face opposite the spacer, a second spline configured to collaborate with the first spline.

[0053] - according to a first embodiment, the spacer is located between, on the one hand, the axial termination or clevis in the case of a wide-type connection to the wiper blade and, on the other hand, the connector. In this embodiment, the spacer is located directly in an intermediate position, between a face of the axial termination or clevis located opposite the connector and the bearing face of said connector. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to define and adjust - through the choice of spacer - a center distance between the drive arm and the axial termination or clevis in the case of a wide-type connection to the wiper blade, so that the drive arm is offset relative to the connector and the cleaning blade, forward when the cleaning system is mounted on a windshield of a motor vehicle, for example;

[0054] - according to a second embodiment, the spacer is located between the leg of lateral retention and the connector. In this embodiment, the spacer is indirectly located between, on the one hand, the axial termination or the clevis in the case of a wide-type connection to the wiper blade and, on the other hand, the connector. More specifically, the spacer is located opposite the drive arm, relative to the connector. The spacer is thus supported, at the level of a first bearing face, against the retaining tab of the axial termination or the clevis, and at the level of a second bearing face, against a face of the connector located opposite the bearing face of said connector, relative to the direction of longitudinal elongation of the cleaning blade and the connector. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to define and adjust - through the choice of the spacer - a center distance between the drive arm and the axial termination or the clevis, so that the drive arm is offset relative to the connector and the cleaning blade, backwards when the cleaning system is mounted on a windshield of a motor vehicle for example;

[0055] - according to a third embodiment, the wiping system comprises a a first spacer located between the axial end of the drive arm and the connector, and a second spacer provided between the lateral retaining tab and the connector. This embodiment combines the two previous embodiments and allows setting a first center distance in front of the connector and a second center distance behind the connector, between said connector and the drive arm;

[0056] - in any of the embodiments, when the module spacer of The connection includes a through-conduit; the wiping system includes at least one fluid connector extending through the conduit provided in the spacer, the fluid connector being coupled to the connector. This advantageous configuration allows washing fluid to be projected onto the wiper blade or cleaning blade.

[0057] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0058] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0059] [Fig-1] illustrates an exploded view of an example embodiment of a wiping system conforming to the second aspect of the invention and implementing a connection module conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0060] [Fig.2] illustrates a three-dimensional and assembled view of the wiping system illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0061] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a second example of an embodiment of the connection module conforming to the first aspect of the invention.

[0062] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other, according to various combinations, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0063] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0064] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0065] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention addresses a wiping system 4 comprising:

[0066] - a connection module 10 for coupling a wiper blade 2 to a drive arm 3 of the wiping system 4, the connection module 10 comprising a connector 23 configured to collaborate with a wiping blade 22 and a spacer 1 placed in an intermediate position between a second support wall 232 of the connector 23 and a drive arm 3;

[0067] - the wiping blade 22 of the wiper blade 2, the wiping blade 22 being coupled to connector 23 of connection module 10;

[0068] - the training arm 3.

[0069] More specifically, the drive arm 3 comprises, at an axial termination 30:

[0070] - a cleat 32 linked to a shaft 33 which extends outside the cleat 32, on the side of the connector 23, so as to allow the shaft 33 to couple with the connector 23 of the connection module 10;

[0071] - a lateral retaining tab 31 configured to bear against a first wall of support 231 of connector 23 of connection module 10, the retaining tab 31 having an L-shape and having a lateral bearing face 312 located opposite the clevis 32 and the connector 23, the spacer 1 of connection module 10 being provided between the clevis 32 and the lateral bearing face 312 of the retaining tab 31.

[0072] In FIGURES 1 to 3 described below, a wiping system 4 is shown associated with a wide connection between the wiper blade 2 and the drive arm 3, the drive arm having, at its axial end 30, the yoke 32. Of course, as mentioned previously, the invention is not limited to this single connection between the drive arm 3 and the wiper blade 2, and the present invention applies mutatis mutandis to a close connection between the drive arm 3 and the wiper blade 2 through which the shaft 33 extends directly projecting and across the axial termination 30, said axial termination 30 then being without a clevis 32.

[0073] As seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, the connection module 10 allows the wiper blade 2 to be mechanically linked together with the drive arm 3, through the connector 23, the axial termination 30 of the drive arm 3, and in particular the clevis 32, the shaft 33 and the retaining tab 31. In particular, the connector 23 has a linking device located opposite the drive arm 3 and with which the shaft 33 used to connect the drive arm 3 to said connector 23 is engaged. The linking device is for example an opening made on the connector 23 which extends along an axis 01 transverse to the wiping blade 22, and through which the shaft 33 can be engaged in order to couple the connector 23 to the axial termination 30 of the drive arm 3, and in particular to the yoke 32 of the drive arm 3 to which the shaft 33 is connected through its opposite end.

[0074] As can be seen in the FIGURES, the spacer 1 is located between the connector 23 and the drive arm 3. The spacer 1 allows defining a center distance between the connector 23 and the drive arm 3, which varies according to the models of the wiper blade 2 and the drive arm 3. The spacer 1 extends parallel to the retaining tab 31 in order to lock, with said retaining tab 31, a position between the drive arm 3 and the wiper blade 2. More specifically, the spacer 1 prevents the drive arm 3 from approaching the connector 23, relative to the transverse axis 01, thanks to the support of the spacer 1 against, simultaneously, the connector 23 and the axial termination 30 of the drive arm 3, and in particular the clevis 32.The retaining tab 31 prevents the drive arm 3 from moving away from the connector 23, relative to the transverse axis 01, thanks to the support of the retaining tab 31 against the first support wall 231 of the connector 23. .

[0075] More particularly, the spacer 1 has a cylindrical shape. A generatrix is ​​rectilinear and extends along the transverse axis 01, between the axial termination 30 of the drive arm 3, and in particular the clevis 32, and the connector 23, while a guide curve is preferably of the type of a circle. The spacer 1 has a first bearing face 12 configured to bear against the connector 23, and in particular against the first bearing wall 231 of the connector 23 or, preferably, against the second bearing wall 232 of said connector 23, while a second bearing face 11, located opposite the first bearing face 12 relative to the generatrix of the spacer 1, is configured to be able to bear against a face opposite the axial termination 30 of the drive arm 3 and, more particularly, the clevis 32.

[0076] A length of the spacer 1 is between 2 mm and 12 mm, measured relative to the transverse axis 01.

[0077] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the spacer 1 takes the form of a hollow cylinder, delimited radially outwards by an outer wall 14 and radially inwards by an inner wall 13. The shaft 33 of the drive arm 3 extends through said hollow cylinder, inside the inner wall 13.

[0078] An internal diameter of the hollow cylinder, measured at its inner wall 13, is between 4 mm and 6 mm, preferably equal to 5 mm. An external diameter of the hollow cylinder, measured at its outer wall 14, is between 7 mm and 9 mm, preferably equal to 8 mm.

[0079] As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the shaft 33 extends out of the axial termination 30 of the drive arm 3, and in particular out of the yoke 32, towards the wiper blade 2 and the connector 23, so as to allow said shaft 33 to couple with the connecting device of the connector 23. The shaft 33 may be formed from the material with the axial termination 30 or the yoke 32, or attached and coupled to said axial termination 30 or said yoke 32, by means of a connecting member of the yoke 32 which may take the form of a slot in which the shaft 33 is engaged, preferably by force.

[0080] The axial termination 30, and in particular the bracket 32, has a third bearing wall 321 which faces the connector 23. When the wiping system 4 is mounted, the spacer 1 is in planar bearing, through its second bearing face 11, against the third bearing wall 321 of the bracket 32. Thus, the spacer 1 is held between the third bearing wall 321 of the bracket 32 ​​and the second bearing wall 232 of the connector 23, thus making it possible to determine a distance separating the bracket 32, and more generally the drive arm 3, from the connector 23, and more generally from the wiper blade 2.

[0081] The spacer 1 extends preferentially in line with the retaining tab 31. Furthermore, the retaining tab 31 has, at its distal end of the axial termination 30 and the clevis 32, a lateral bearing surface 311 that extends secantly to the retaining tab 31 and allows it to bear against a face opposite the connector 23. The lateral bearing surface 311 has, opposite the connector 23, a lateral bearing face 312 that is configured to bear against the first bearing wall 231 of the connector 23. This configuration makes it possible to maintain a constant axial distance between the drive arm 3 and the connector 23, in conjunction with the spacer 1.

[0082] With reference to [Fig. 3], and according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention allowing fluidic coupling of the connection module 10 and, by extension, of the corresponding wiper blade 2, with a system of For the distribution of a washing liquid coupled to the cleaning system, the spacer 1 of the connection module 10 has a conduit 15 which passes completely through said spacer 1. The conduit 15 thus forms an extrusion made in the spacer 1, for example by machining or by molding the spacer 1. The conduit 15 thus forms a straight elongated recess which locally and completely passes through said spacer 1 in order to allow the circulation of the washing liquid in the conduit 15.

[0083] Alternatively, and as illustrated in [Fig.3], the conduit 15 of the spacer 1 can be traversed by a fluidic connector 24 which allows for fluidic coupling with the wiper blade 2, the latter having a network of conduits 241 provided in the body of the wiper blade 2 or attached to it in order to be able to convey the washing fluid in several positions along the cleaning blade.

[0084] The conduit 15 is provided in the cylinder forming the spacer 1, between the inner face and the outer face delimiting the hollow cylinder, so that the conduit 15 does not intersect with the shaft 33 passing through the hollow cylinder of the spacer 1. The conduit 15 extends in a straight line and perpendicular to the shaft 33.

[0085] In summary, the invention relates to a connection module 10 for coupling a windshield wiper blade 2 to a drive arm 3 of a motor vehicle wiper system 4, the connection module 10 comprising a connector 23 configured to collaborate with a wiper blade 22 and a spacer 1 placed in an intermediate position between a bearing face of the connector 23 and the drive arm 3. The invention also relates to a wiper system 4 in which the drive arm 3 has a U-shaped bracket 32 ​​from which a shaft 33 extends towards the windshield wiper blade 2 in order to couple with the connector 23, said arm extending through the spacer 1 which is located in an intermediate position between the bracket 32 ​​and the connector 23.

[0086] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Connection module (10) for coupling a wiper blade (2) to a drive arm (3) of a wiping system (4) for a motor vehicle, the connection module (10) comprising: - a connector (23) configured to collaborate with a wiper blade (22); - a spacer (1) forming a part independent of the connector (23) configured to be attached and placed in an intermediate position between a bearing face of the connector (23) and the drive arm (3) of the wiper blade (2) with which the connection module (10) is intended to collaborate, the spacer (1) remaining axially free.

2. Connection module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the spacer (1) takes the form of a hollow cylinder, a shaft (33) of the drive arm (3) being intended to extend through said hollow cylinder.

3. Connection module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (1) has a coupling device that rotates with the connector (23).

4. Connection module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (1) is reported on the connector (23).

5. Connection module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (1) has a conduit (15) which passes through said spacer (1).

6. A wiping system (4) comprising a connection module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, a wiping blade (22) coupled to the connector (23) of the connection module (10), and a drive arm (3) comprising, at an axial termination (30) of said drive arm (3): - a shaft (33) extending secantly from the axial termination (30), the shaft (33) being configured to couple with the connector (23) of the connection module (10); - a lateral retaining tab (31) of the drive arm (3), intended to bear against a bearing face of the connector (23) of the connection module (10), the retaining tab (31) having an L-shape and comprising a lateral bearing face (312) located at with regard to the axial termination (30), the spacer (1) of the connection module (10) being provided between the axial termination (30) and the lateral support face (312) of the retaining tab (31).

7. Wiping system (4) according to claim 6, wherein the spacer (1) is located between the axial termination (30) and the connector (23).

8. Wiping system (4) according to claim 6, wherein the spacer (1) is provided between the lateral retaining tab (31) and the connector (23).

9. Wiping system (4) according to claim 6, wherein the wiping system (4) comprises a first spacer (1) located between the axial termination (30) and the connector (23), and a second spacer (1) provided between the lateral retaining tab (31) and the connector (23).

10. Wiping system (4) according to any one of claims 6 to 9 taken in combination with the connection module (10) according to claim 5, wherein the wiping system (4) comprises at least one fluidic connector (24) extending through the conduit (15) formed in the spacer (1), the fluidic connector (23) being coupled to the connector (23).

Images