Adapter for attaching a wiper blade to a single wiper arm

Abstract

Adapter (1) for assembling a wiper blade (300) to a wiper arm (200), the adapter (1) comprising a flexible tab (15) carrying a locking button (16), the flexible tab (15) extending from a side (13a) of the body (2) of the adapter (1) into a rear opening (14) formed in the body (2) so as to allow the locking button (16) to pivot about an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction (Y), at least one transverse face of the rear opening (14) and at least one transverse face of the flexible tab (15) extending respectively through a flat wall (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) containing the longitudinal direction (Y), the flat walls (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) being arranged opposite each other with a gap (I) in the transverse direction (X) configured to limit the deformation of the flexible leg (15) in the transverse direction (X). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Adapter for assembling a blade to a windshield wiper arm Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter for assembling a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm. The invention also relates to a wiping device comprising a windshield wiper arm, a windshield wiper blade and an adapter. Technical background

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with wiping systems intended to clean their glass surfaces, and in particular their windshields. Such wiping systems comprise a wiper arm and a wiper blade driven by said arm. The wiper arm is connected to an electric motor of the vehicle and the wiper blade comprises at least one wiping blade adapted to come into contact with the glass surface to be wiped. In order to be able to drive the wiper blade, the wiper is assembled to the wiper arm via an adapter.

[0003] There are different kinds of arms, such as hook arms, lateral pivot axis arms, longitudinal clip arms, rod arms, vertical locking arms, etc.

[0004] An adapter is thus specifically configured to cooperate with the vertical locking arms.

[0005] An adapter is known comprising a flexible tab carrying a locking button extending from a side of the adapter body towards the center of a rear opening provided in the body, so as to allow the locking button to tilt to the side about a longitudinal axis.

[0006] The advantage is that the adapter does not use the front edge of the opening in the yoke to hook the beak of the locking button. The locking of the button becomes independent of the longitudinal position of the opening in the yoke, which makes it possible to guarantee correct locking of the adapter despite the dimensional dispersions of the yokes of the wiper arms.

[0007] To disassemble the adapter, pressing the locking button laterally with the user's finger causes the locking button to tilt to the side, around the longitudinal axis in the opening, which disengages the adapter from the yoke.

[0008] A disadvantage of this system is that it is less robust against a transverse force exerted on the locking button, for example when a user pushes or pulls the locking button in the transverse direction while it is clipped in the screed or when washing rollers pass over the windshield or during the industrialization process, during transport, storage and packaging of the adapter. This force can lead to irreversible deformation of the locking tab and, in the worst case, tearing of the material.

[0009] Increasing the thickness of the locking tab to make it more robust cannot be a solution because this would increase the clipping / unclipping forces of the adapter too much without allowing the locking button to be held better. Summary of the invention

[0010] One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a more robust adapter.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an adapter for assembling a windscreen wiper blade to a windscreen wiper arm, the adapter comprising a flexible tab carrying a locking button, characterized in that the flexible tab extends from a side of the body of the adapter into a rear opening provided in the body so as to allow the locking button to tilt about a pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal direction, at least one transverse face of the rear opening and at least one transverse face of the flexible tab extending respectively by a flat wall containing the longitudinal direction, the flat walls being arranged opposite each other with a gap in the transverse direction configured to limit the deformation of the flexible tab in the transverse direction.

[0012] In the event of transverse forces exerted on the locking button locked in the yoke, the facing flat walls make it possible to limit the movement of the flexible tab due to their abutment. The flexible tab is thus mainly stressed in compression, which reduces the risks of deformation and tearing of the flexible tab. This improves the holding of the locking button without degrading the clipping / unclipping force values.

[0013] The adapter may further comprise one or more of the features described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0014] A transverse face of the rear opening extending through a flat wall containing the longitudinal direction may be that of a tail of the body of the adapter, the opposite flat wall extending from a transverse face of the flexible tab being located on the tail side.

[0015] A transverse face of the rear opening extending through a flat wall containing the longitudinal direction may be that of a face of the rear opening opposite a tail of the body of the adapter, the opposite flat wall extending from a transverse face of the flexible tab being located on the side of a head of the body of the adapter.

[0016] The gap is for example less than 2 mm, such as less than or equal to 1 mm, such that between 0.3mm and 1mm, such as 0.6mm.

[0017] The flat walls may be formed by the lateral faces of ribs projecting respectively from the rear opening and the flexible tab.

[0018] The ribs have, for example, a respective parallelepiped shape.

[0019] A longitudinal clearance between, on the one hand, the longitudinal ends of the ribs of the rear opening and, on the other hand, the transverse faces of the flexible tab or between, on the one hand, the longitudinal ends of the ribs of the flexible tab and, on the other hand, the transverse faces of the rear opening, is for example less than 2 mm, such as less than or equal to 1 mm, such as between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, such as 0.6 mm.

[0020] The body of the adapter extends for example at its front longitudinal end by a head forming a stop for mounting the adapter by translation in the yoke of the wiper arm in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] The invention also relates to a wiping device comprising a windscreen wiper arm and a windscreen wiper blade, characterized in that it comprises an adapter as described above for connecting the windscreen wiper blade to the end of the windscreen wiper arm. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, but in no way limiting, as well as the appended drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wiping device.

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an enlarged and partial view of the wiping device of the [Fig.l].

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a wiper arm of the device wiping [Fig.l].

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an adapter of the wiping device of [Fig.l].

[0027] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is another perspective view of the adapter of [Fig.4].

[0028] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a top view of the adapter of [Fig.4].

[0029] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a sectional view along a transverse plane (X, Z) of the adapter in [Fig.4].

[0030] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an enlarged view of the rear of the adapter of [Fig.6].

[0031] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0032] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0033] In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal Y, vertical Z and transverse X directions indicated in particular in [Fig. 1] by the trihedron (X, Y, Z) fixed relative to the adapter 1 will be adopted without limitation. The longitudinal Y direction corresponds to the main direction in which the adapter 1 extends. The transverse X direction corresponds to the direction of the axis of rotation between the adapter and the connector of the wiper blade. The vertical Z and transverse X directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal Y direction and perpendicular to each other.

[0034] The "front" of the adapter means the side where the head of the adapter is located and the back, the opposite side.

[0035] The term "upper" or "top" refers to the side of the adapter located on the side of the yoke and the term "lower" or "bottom" refers to the opposite side.

[0036] The term “clip / unclip”, “clip / unclip”, “snap / unsnap” means a removable assembly produced by elastic deformation of an element in or on another element.

[0037] [Fig.l] shows an example of a wiping device 100 comprising a windshield wiper arm 200 intended to be connected to a motorized wiping mechanism of a vehicle, to ensure the cleaning of a glazed surface of the vehicle, for example a windshield.

[0038] The wiping device 100 also comprises a windshield wiper blade 300 connected to a yoke 201 at the end of the windshield wiper arm 200, by means of an adapter 1.

[0039] The adapter 1 makes it possible to assemble the arm 200 to a connector 301 of the wiper blade 300 in an articulated manner. The connector 301 is an element of the blade 300 surmounting a wiping blade 302 of the blade 300 in its middle.

[0040] Better visible in Figures 2 and 3, the yoke 201 is fixed to the end of a rod 210 of the sweep arm 200. This yoke 201 has a body extending mainly in a longitudinal direction Y and has at its end, a cross section (in the plane (X, Z)) in the shape of a “U”. The U shape of the yoke 201 has a flat upper wall 203 and two side walls extending from parallel edges of the upper wall.

[0041] An opening 202 is provided in the upper wall 203. The opening 202 has, for example, a rectangular shape, such as a square, the corners possibly being rounded.

[0042] At least one lateral notch 204 is provided in each lateral wall of the U, by example two lateral notches 204 are provided in each wall, for example opposite one another ([Fig.3]). These lateral notches 204 are open on the side of the front end of the yoke 201.

[0043] The wiping device 100 is said to be “vertically locked”, because the adapter 1 is inserted by translation in the longitudinal direction Y into the yoke 201 of the arm and is locked in position by a locking button 16 of the adapter 1 which can be actuated from the upper wall 203 of the yoke 201.

[0044] Figures 4 to 8 show the adapter 1 in more detail.

[0045] The adapter 1 is a single-piece. It has a body extending mainly in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0046] To connect the adapter 1 to the wiper blade 300, the body 2 of the adapter 1 comprises a connector housing 3 ([Fig.5]) allowing it to receive the connector 301 of the windscreen wiper blade 300 to which it is retained for example by snap-fastening, in particular by means of the pivot elements of the adapter 1 and the connector 301, or by means of pivot elements of the adapter 1 and the connector 301, such as an axle.

[0047] The connector housing 3 of the adapter 1 has a cross-section (in the plane (X, Z)) in the shape of a “U” with external dimensions complementary to those of the internal housing of the yoke 201 and internal dimensions complementary to the top of the connector 301 of the wiper blade 300.

[0048] The pivot elements of the adapter 1, for example of the male and female type, are arranged in the connector housing 3 to cooperate with complementary pivot elements of the connector 301 of the wiper blade 300 to form a pivot connection. The rotation between the adapter 1 and the connector 301 is carried out around an axis of rotation parallel to the transverse direction X.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment of the pivot elements, the adapter 1 comprises on the one hand a cylindrical stud 4 configured to cooperate with a circular orifice of the connector 301, and on the other hand a cavity 5 configured to cooperate with a cylindrical stud of the connector 301, the cylindrical stud 4 and the cavity 5 of the adapter 1 being formed in the parallel and opposite walls of the connector housing 3 (figures 4 and 5).

[0050] The body 2 of the adapter 1 extends at its front longitudinal end by a head 6. The head 6 of the adapter 1 has dimensions in the X, Y, Z directions larger than the side and upper walls of the connector housing 3. The head 6 forms a stop for mounting the adapter 1 by translation in the yoke 201 of the wiper arm 200 in the longitudinal direction Y ([Fig.2]).

[0051] The body 2 of the adapter 1 also has two wings 7a, 7b extending on either side of the head 6, at the rear of the head 6 (figures 4 and 5).

[0052] Each wing 7a, 7b extends rearwardly in the longitudinal direction Y and can carry a respective elastic finger 8. The wings 7a, 7b are configured to cooperate with a respective lateral notch 204 of the yoke 201 in order to clip the adapter 1 to the yoke 201 of the arm 200 ([Fig.2]).

[0053] The body 2 of the adapter 1 has two flanks 13a, 13b in the extension of the side walls of the connector housing 3, the flanks 13a, 13b joining at the rear of the adapter 1, at the opposite longitudinal end of the head 6, by a tail 9 formed by a crosspiece of the body 2 of the adapter 1 in the transverse direction X. The flanks 13a, 13b, the tail 9 and the connector housing 3 delimit a rear opening 14 ([Fig.4]).

[0054] The adapter 1 also comprises a flexible tab 15 extending into the rear opening 14 thus formed in the body 2 of the adapter 1, at the rear of the connector housing 3. The flexible tab 15 carries a locking button 16 at its end (figures 4 and 7).

[0055] The flexible tab 15 extends from a flank 13a of the body 2 of the adapter 1 into the rear opening 14 so as to allow the locking button to tilt to the side, around a pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal direction Y, by deformation of the flexible tab 15.

[0056] The flexible tab 15 extends for example so as to present the locking button 16 above the rear opening 14 and at least partially above an upper wall of the body 2 of the adapter 1 in the rest position.

[0057] One end of the locking button 16 is extended laterally by at least one locking beak 17, a retaining edge of which extends in a longitudinal direction Y of the adapter 1 to cooperate with a lateral edge of the opening 202 of the yoke 201 of the wiper arm 200 to lock the assembly of the adapter 1 in the yoke 201.

[0058] The retaining edge of the locking spout 17, on the lower face, may be flat. It forms a stop for the yoke 201 in the vertical direction Z, which allows the locking button 16 to be clipped to the yoke 201 and therefore the assembly of the adapter 1 with the wiper arm 200 to be locked.

[0059] As better visible in [Fig.8], at least one transverse face (X, Z) of the rear opening 14 of the body 2 of the adapter 1 and at least one transverse face (X, Z) of the flexible tab 15 extend respectively by a flat wall 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b containing the longitudinal direction Y.

[0060] A transverse face of the rear opening 14 extending by a flat wall 10a containing the longitudinal direction Y may be that of the tail 9, the opposite flat wall 11a extending from a transverse face of the flexible tab 15 being located on the side of the tail 9.

[0061] Alternatively or in addition, a transverse face of the rear opening 14 extending by a flat wall 10b containing the longitudinal direction Y can be that of a face of the rear opening 14 opposite the tail 9, the flat wall 11b opposite extending from a transverse face of the flexible tab 15 located on the side of the head 6.

[0062] The flat walls 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b are for example formed by the lateral faces of ribs 18, 19 projecting respectively from the rear opening 14 and from the flexible tab 15. There is for example a rib 18 projecting respectively from the opposite transverse faces of the rear opening 14 and a rib 19 projecting respectively from the opposite transverse faces of the flexible tab 15 (Figures 6 and 8). The ribs 18, 19 project in the longitudinal direction Y. The ribs 18, 19 have for example a respective parallelepiped shape.

[0063] The flat walls 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b are arranged opposite each other with a respective gap I in the transverse direction X configured to limit the deformation of the flexible tab 15 in the transverse direction X ([Fig.8]).

[0064] The gap I is for example less than 2 mm, such as less than or equal to 1 mm, such as between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, such as 0.6 mm.

[0065] When mounting the wiper blade 300 in the yoke 201 of the wiper arm 200, the user approaches the adapter 1 to the yoke 201 by positioning the adapter 1 at an angle so as to be able to introduce it into the yoke 201, in particular to introduce the wings 7a, 7b of the adapter 1 into the lateral cavities 204 of the yoke 201.

[0066] Then, the user raises the rear of the adapter 1 in the yoke 201, which causes the adapter 1 to automatically clip into the yoke 201 due to the progressive pivoting of the locking button 16 around the longitudinal pivot axis by the upper surface of the locking button 16 coming into contact with the yoke 201, allowing it to rise through the opening 202. The wings 7a, 7b are inserted into a respective lateral notch 204 of the yoke 201.

[0067] When the yoke 201 abuts against the head 6 of the adapter 1, the wings 7a, 7b are engaged in the lateral notches 204, clipping the adapter 1 to the yoke 201 of the arm 200. The locking button 16 is repositioned by elasticity of the flexible tab 15, engaging the locking button 16 by elastic snap-fastening in the corresponding opening 202 of the yoke 201. The retaining edge of the locking beak 17 of the adapter 1 forms a stop for the yoke 201 in the vertical direction Z, which locks the assembly of the adapter 1 with the yoke 201 of the wiper arm 200.

[0068] To disassemble the adapter 1, a lateral press on the locking button 16 with the user's finger causes the locking button 16 to tilt to the side, around the longitudinal pivot axis in the opening 202, which disengages the adapter 1 from the yoke 201.

[0069] In the event of transverse forces exerted on the locking button 16 locked in the yoke 201, the flat walls 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b facing each other make it possible to limit the movement of the flexible tab 15 due to their abutment. The flexible tab 15 is thus mainly stressed in compression, which reduces the risks of deformation and tearing of the flexible tab 15. This improves the holding of the locking button 16 without degrading the clipping / unclipping force values.

[0070] Furthermore, in the event of longitudinal forces exerted on the locking button 16 locked in the yoke 201, the longitudinal clearance J1 between the longitudinal ends of the ribs 18 of the rear opening 14 and the transverse faces of the flexible tab 15 or the longitudinal clearance J2 between the longitudinal ends of the ribs 19 of the flexible tab 15 and the transverse faces of the rear opening 14, makes it possible to limit the movement of the flexible tab 15 in the longitudinal direction Y ([Fig.6]).

[0071] For this purpose, a longitudinal clearance J1 of less than 2 mm, such as less than or equal to 1 mm, such as between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, such as 0.6 mm, may be provided between, on the one hand, the longitudinal ends of the ribs 18 of the rear opening 14 and, on the other hand, the transverse faces of the flexible tab 15, or a longitudinal clearance J2 of less than 2 mm, such as less than or equal to 1 mm, such as between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, such as 0.6 mm between, on the one hand, the longitudinal ends of the ribs 19 of the flexible tab 15 and, on the other hand, the transverse faces of the rear opening 14.

[0072] This avoids any permanent deformation or breakage of the locking button 16 in the longitudinal Y and transverse X directions.

Claims

Claims

1. Adapter (1) for assembling a windscreen wiper blade (300) to a windscreen wiper arm (200), the adapter (1) comprising a flexible tab (15) carrying a locking button (16), characterized in that the flexible tab (15) extends from a flank (13a) of the body (2) of the adapter (1) into a rear opening (14) provided in the body (2) so as to allow the locking button (16) to tilt about a pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal direction (Y), at least one transverse face of the rear opening (14) and at least one transverse face of the flexible tab (15) extending respectively by a flat wall (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) containing the longitudinal direction (Y), the flat walls (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) being arranged in opposite with a gap (I) in the transverse direction (X) configured to limit the deformation of the flexible tab (15) in the transverse direction (X).

2. Adapter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a transverse face of the rear opening (14) extending by a flat wall (10a) containing the longitudinal direction (Y) is that of a tail (9) of the body (2) of the adapter (1), the opposite flat wall (11a) extending from a transverse face of the flexible tab (15) being located on the side of the tail (9).

3. Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transverse face of the rear opening (14) extending by a flat wall (10b) containing the longitudinal direction (Y) is that of a face of the rear opening (14) opposite a tail (9) of the body (2) of the adapter (1), the opposite flat wall (11b) extending from a transverse face of the flexible tab (15) being located on the side of a head (6) of the body (2) of the adapter (1).

4. Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gap (I) is less than 2mm, such as less than or equal to 1mm, such as between 0.3mm and 1mm, such as 0.6mm.

5. Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat walls (10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) are formed by the lateral faces of ribs (18, 19) projecting respectively from the rear opening (14) and the flexible tab (15).

6. Adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ribs (18, 19) have a respective parallelepiped shape.

7. Adapter (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that a longitudinal clearance (Jl, J2) between on the one hand, the longitudinal ends of the ribs (18) of the rear opening (14) and on the other hand, the transverse faces of the flexible tab (15) or between on the one hand, the longitudinal ends of the ribs (19) of the flexible tab (15) and on the other hand, the transverse faces of the rear opening (14), is less than 2mm, such as less than or equal to 1mm, such as between 0.3mm and 1mm, such as 0.6mm.

8. Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (2) of the adapter (1) extends at its front longitudinal end by a head (6) forming a stop for mounting the adapter (1) by translation in the yoke (201) of the wiper arm (200) in the longitudinal direction (Y).

9. Wiping device (100) comprising a wiper arm (200) and a wiper blade (300) characterized in that it comprises an adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims for connecting the wiper blade (300) to the end of the wiper arm (200).

Images