Connector for windshield wiper blade and wiper system

The new connector for wiper brooms, featuring a cylindrical range for direct coupling with the training arm, addresses the complexity and cost issues of existing systems by simplifying assembly and reducing manufacturing costs.

FR3154683A1Inactive Publication Date: 2025-05-02VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024003243
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-29
Publication Date
2025-05-02
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wiper broom connection modules require complex assembly and disassembly processes, especially with larger windshields, and often necessitate the use of adapters that complicate manufacturing and increase costs.

Method used

A new connector design for wiper brooms that features a cylindrical range extending from its lateral flanks, allowing direct coupling with the training arm's screed, eliminating the need for adapters and simplifying assembly and disassembly.

Benefits of technology

The connector simplifies the assembly and disassembly of wiper brooms, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances ecological sustainability by minimizing the number of parts used.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) for directly coupling a windshield wiper blade (3) to a drive arm (2) of a wiper system (4) for a motor vehicle. The connector (1) comprises at least one cylindrical bearing surface (13, 14) extending from at least one of its lateral sides (11, 12). Each at least one cylindrical bearing surface (13, 14) is configured to engage with at least one orifice (213, 214) provided on at least one lateral edge (211, 212) of a yoke (21) of the drive arm (2), so as to axially lock the drive arm (2) mounted on the connector (1) while allowing the drive arm (2) to rotate about an axis of rotation determined by the at least one cylindrical bearing surface (13, 14) and the at least one orifice. (213, 214). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3
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Description

Title of the invention: Connector 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 connector for mechanically connecting 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 glass surface, such as for example a windshield for example, and likely to disturb a driver of such motor vehicles in his detection of a wheel scene or his environment.

[0003] Such known wiping systems generally comprise a drive arm which performs an angular back-and-forth movement, and a wiper blade equipped with a scraper blade formed of an elastic material, the scraper blade being integral with the wiper blade and attached to it by means of a connector. By rubbing against the glass surface, the scraper blade sweeps away water and dirt, and evacuates them outside the driver's field of vision.

[0004] The wiper blade is attached to the drive arm by a connection module which generally comprises the connector and an adapter. The connector is integral with the wiper blade and allows the scraper blade to be held, while the adapter is a part which is configured, on the one hand, to cooperate with the connector and, on the other hand, to be coupled to a terminal end of the drive arm. Thus, in a known manner, the connector and the adapter cooperate together with the drive arm in order to achieve, on the one hand, the fixing of the wiper blade on said drive arm and, on the other hand, the articulated connection between them.

[0005] In the aftermarket of windshield wiper blades, a common practice is to provide a wiper blade associated with its own connector, usable with several types of drive arms. The objective is therefore to design an adapter usable with the greatest possible number of types of drive arms and types of connections, since it is the adapter which forms the interface between the connector which pre-equips the wiper blade and the terminal end of the drive arm.

[0006] In addition to the desire to have an adapter that can be used on the widest possible variety of drive arms and connection types, there is also the desire to have adapters that can be used regardless of the steering side. of the motor vehicle, that is to say whatever the side of circulation, right or left, of the motor vehicle on the road. Indeed, the side of circulation of the motor vehicle on the road conditions the side, right or left, on which a steering wheel is installed on the motor vehicle, and therefore, the direction in which the sweeping, for example of the windscreen, by a windscreen wiper blade will preferably take place.

[0007] Among these varieties of arms and terminal parts, those of the type known by the Anglo-Saxon name "side-lock" meaning locking from the side are particularly known. In principle, such a connection is obtained by means of a yoke located at the terminal end of the drive arm, the yoke having a section in the shape of an inverted "U" collaborating with the adapter of the wiper blade. The yoke is then coupled to the adapter so as to allow rotation of the wiper blade relative to the drive arm on the one hand, but also so as to achieve an axial stop of the drive arm relative to said adapter. Such a connection is described in particular in document WO2018108509A1.

[0008] A disadvantage of these known connection modules lies in the fact that, in order to couple or uncouple the drive arm to the adapter, it is necessary to pivot the drive arm relative to the wiper blade in order to axially disengage the drive arm from said adapter. Such an assembly or disassembly method is made increasingly uncomfortable and difficult with the increase in the size of motor vehicle windshields and, consequently, the increase in the size of the drive arms.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a new connector in order to respond at least to a large extent to the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to simplify the assembly and disassembly of a windscreen wiper blade on its drive arm.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to reduce the number of parts used for such a connector and to reduce the manufacturing costs.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a connector for a windscreen wiper blade, the connector extending along a specific elongation axis and comprising a coupling face with a scraper blade of the windscreen wiper blade and, relative to a transverse axis taken perpendicular to the specific elongation axis, a first lateral flank and a second lateral flank, characterized in that the connector further comprises at least one cylindrical bearing surface which extends along the transverse axis from the first lateral flank and / or from the second lateral flank.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the proper elongation axis is taken according to a proper elongation direction of the wiper blade. For example, the proper elongation axis is parallel to an extrusion direction of the wiper blade. From this proper elongation axis, a transverse axis is defined which extends perpendicular to the proper elongation axis, so as to delimit a front edge and a rear edge of the wiper blade. Finally, a vertical axis is also defined, taken simultaneously perpendicular to the proper elongation axis and the transverse axis. The vertical axis corresponds to a direction which extends from a wiping lip of the wiper blade to the connector.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the connector is an interface part configured to mechanically connect the wiper blade to the drive arm. More particularly, the connector is a mechanical part for interfacing the scraper blade and configured to be able to collaborate with a yoke of the drive arm with which the connector is intended to collaborate. The connector is for example formed from a plastic material and advantageously obtained by molding. Relative to the transverse axis, the connector is delimited by the first lateral flank and the second lateral flank. Each lateral flank extends mainly along the vertical axis and the proper elongation axis.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the at least one cylindrical bearing surface is intended to collaborate with the yoke of the drive arm so as to allow the mounting of the drive arm to be locked onto the connector. This locking is achieved by inserting the at least one cylindrical bearing surface into at least one corresponding office located opposite on the yoke of the drive arm - at an axial termination. Thus, inserting the at least one cylindrical bearing surface through the at least one corresponding orifice of the drive arm makes it possible to achieve axial locking of the drive arm on the connector, while allowing the rotation of said drive arm around said connector, and more particularly around the at least one cylindrical bearing surface which thus materializes, with the at least one corresponding orifice, an axis of rotation of the wiper blade with respect to the drive arm.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the drive arm, when it collaborates with the connector according to the invention, is coupled in rotation with said connector, by means of the at least one cylindrical bearing surface. Thus, in a particularly clever and efficient manner, the drive arm can now be fixed directly to the connector, without requiring the use of an adapter between said connector and said drive arm.

[0017] Thus, the connector according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to simplify the assembly and disassembly of a windshield wiper blade on its drive arm. Furthermore, the use of an adapter is no longer essential in the context of the present invention, which makes it possible to reduce manufacturing and marketing costs. lization of such a connector.

[0018] Finally, such a connector makes it possible to reduce its ecological impact, particularly on the aftermarket.

[0019] The connector 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:

[0020] - a diameter of the at least one cylindrical bearing is between 4 mm and 10 mm, preferably equal to 6 mm;

[0021] - Water less a cylindrical bearing is derived from material with the first lateral flank and / or the second lateral flank. By material issue, it is understood that the at least one cylindrical bearing surface and the at least one lateral flank from which it extends cannot be separated from each other without being deteriorated or damaged. The at least one cylindrical bearing surface and the at least one corresponding lateral flank are advantageously produced from the same manufacturing process. Generally speaking, the connector according to the first aspect of the invention forms a single monolith;

[0022] - according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first lateral flank comprises a first cylindrical bearing surface which projects from the first lateral flank and the second lateral flank comprises a second cylindrical bearing surface which projects from the second lateral flank. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the collaboration between the connector and the yoke of the drive arm. Preferably, the first cylindrical bearing surface and the second cylindrical bearing surface are coaxial with each other. More generally, the first cylindrical bearing surface and the second cylindrical bearing surface are parallel;

[0023] - the first cylindrical bearing extends from the first lateral flank and in a direction opposite to the second lateral flank. In other words, the first cylindrical bearing extends outward from the connector, relative to the transverse axis;

[0024] - the first cylindrical bearing extends from the first lateral flank and in the direction of the second lateral flank. In other words, the first cylindrical bearing extends towards the inside of the connector, relative to the transverse axis;

[0025] - the second cylindrical bearing extends from the second lateral flank and in a direction opposite to the first lateral flank. In other words, the second cylindrical bearing extends outward from the connector, relative to the transverse axis;

[0026] - the second cylindrical bearing extends from the second lateral flank and in direction of the first lateral flank. In other words, the second cylindrical bearing extends towards the inside of the connector, relative to the transverse axis;

[0027] - the first cylindrical bearing surface extends from a free end of the first flank lateral, the free end of the first lateral flank being located at a distance from the scraper blade of the wiper blade; and / or the second cylindrical surface extends from a free end of the second lateral flank, the free end of the second lateral flank being located at a distance from the scraper blade of the wiper blade.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, a wiping system for a motor vehicle is proposed, the wiping system comprising:

[0029] - a windshield wiper blade comprising a scraping blade;

[0030] - the connector according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements, the coupling face of the connector being integral with the scraper blade of the windshield wiper;

[0031] - a drive arm extending along the proper elongation axis and comprising, at an axial end, a yoke comprising a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and an orifice formed on at least one of the lateral edges, the yoke being configured to collaborate with the first lateral flank and / or the second lateral flank of the connector, the at least one cylindrical surface of the connector extending through the orifice of at least one lateral edge of the yoke.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the yoke is located at the terminal end of the drive arm, and it has an inverted "U" shaped section in order to collaborate with the connector of the wiper blade according to the first aspect of the invention. More particularly, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge extend opposite each other and are configured to couple with the connector. In other words, the first lateral edge of the yoke collaborates with the first lateral flank of the connector and / or the second lateral edge of the yoke collaborates with the second lateral flank of the connector. By "collaborates" it is understood that the lateral flank of the connector is located opposite the corresponding lateral edge of the yoke, so that said lateral edge is for example in abutment against the corresponding lateral flank, relative to the transverse axis.

[0033] When the yoke of the drive arm is mounted on the connector of the connection module, the at least one orifice provided on one and / or the other of the lateral edges of the yoke is made coaxial with the at least one cylindrical bearing surface of the connector, in order to allow the insertion of said cylindrical bearing surface into said orifice. In the context of the present invention, the orifice of the yoke is of the type of a through orifice on the at least one lateral edge on which it is formed.

[0034] In the context of the present invention, the orifice has a shape and / or dimensions similar to those of the at least one bearing surface provided on the connector and with which it collaborates.

[0035] The wiping system according to the second 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:

[0036] - the at least one cylindrical bearing surface of the connector is mounted through the at least one cylindrical bearing surface of the connector. at least one corresponding orifice of the drive arm with minimal radial clearance. In other words, the at least one cylindrical bearing surface of the connector is fitted and slidably mounted in and through the at least one corresponding orifice of the drive arm, with minimal radial clearance between said cylindrical bearing surface and said orifice. By minimal radial clearance, we understand a mechanical tolerancing of type H7, that is to say a dimensional tolerance on a diameter of the at least one cylindrical bearing surface of between 0 μm and 15 μm compared to the nominal diameter mentioned above;

[0037] - according to a first variant embodiment, the yoke is configured to encase the connector, the first lateral flank and the second lateral flank being housed inside the yoke, that is to say between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. In this case, the first cylindrical bearing associated with the first lateral flank of the connector extends along the transverse axis in a direction opposite to the second lateral flank and collaborates with the orifice of the first lateral edge of the yoke, so that said first cylindrical bearing engages in said orifice; and / or the second cylindrical bearing associated with the second lateral flank of the connector extends along the transverse axis in a direction opposite to the first lateral flank and collaborates with the orifice of the second lateral edge of the yoke, so that said second cylindrical bearing engages in said orifice;

[0038] - according to a second variant embodiment, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge of the yoke are located between the first lateral flank and the second lateral flank of the connector. In this case, the first cylindrical bearing surface associated with the first lateral flank of the connector extends along the transverse axis towards the second lateral flank and collaborates with the orifice of the first lateral edge of the yoke, so that said first cylindrical bearing surface engages in said orifice; and / or the second cylindrical bearing surface associated with the second lateral flank of the connector extends along the transverse axis towards the first lateral flank and collaborates with the orifice of the second lateral edge of the yoke, so that said second cylindrical bearing surface engages in said orifice.

[0039] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0040] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0041] [Fig.l] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a wiping system according to an example of carrying out the invention;

[0042] [Fig.2] illustrates a detailed view of the wiping system illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0043] [Fig.3] illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the wiping system according to the invention and illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

[0044] [Fig.4] illustrates a connector of the wiping system according to the invention.

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

[0046] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0047] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0048] In FIGURES 1 to 4 described below, a specific elongation axis X is defined along a specific elongation direction of the wiper blade 3, and more particularly parallel to a direction of extrusion of a scraper blade 32 of the wiper blade 3. In addition, a transverse axis Y is also defined which extends perpendicular to the specific elongation axis X, so as to delimit a front edge and a rear edge of the wiper blade 3. Finally, a vertical axis Z is defined, taken simultaneously perpendicular to the specific elongation axis X and to the transverse axis Y. The vertical axis Z corresponds to a direction which extends from a wiping lip of the scraper blade 32 and in the direction of a connector 1 of the wiper blade 3.

[0049] With reference to [Fig.l], such a windshield wiper blade 3 comprises:

[0050] - a scraping blade 32 which extends along the proper elongation axis X;

[0051] - a deflector 31 which extends directly above the scraping blade 32, relative to the vertical Z axis;

[0052] - two end caps 33, each end cap 33 being located at level of a terminal end of the scraper blade 32 and the deflector 31;

[0053] - a connector 1 coupled to the scraping blade 32, the connector 1 now even actually in place one or more vertebrae 34 coupled to the scraping blade 32, each at least one vertebra 34 being configured to stiffen the scraping blade 32 relative to the own elongation axis X.

[0054] The connector 1 is coupled to the scraper blade 32 at a coupling face 10 of said connector 1, the coupling face 10 and the scraper blade 32 being connected to each other. the other by commitment of complementary forms for example.

[0055] The connector 1 allows coupling of the wiper blade 3 with a drive arm 2 of a wiping system 4. Relative to the proper elongation axis X, the drive arm 2 comprises a yoke 21 at a longitudinal end of said drive arm 2. The drive arm 2, when its yoke 21 is coupled to the wiper blade 3 as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, collaborates directly with the connector 1 to achieve a rotational coupling with said connector 1. Thus, in a particularly clever and effective manner, the drive arm 2 is fixed directly to the connector 1, without the use of an adapter between said connector 1 and said drive arm 2 as is often the case in prior wiping systems.

[0056] As visible in [Fig. 3], the yoke 21 has a section in the shape of an inverted “U” in order to collaborate with the connector 1 of the wiper blade 3. Thus, relative to the transverse axis Y, the yoke 21 is delimited by a first lateral edge 211 and a second lateral edge 212. The first lateral edge 211 and the second lateral edge 212 extend opposite one another and are configured to couple with the connector 1. When the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 is mounted on the connector 1 to be coupled to it, the first lateral edge 211 of the yoke 21 is located in abutment against - preferably without transverse play or with a transverse play of less than approximately 100 μm - a first lateral flank 11 of the connector 1; and the second lateral edge 212 of the yoke 21 is located in abutment against - preferably without transverse play or with a transverse play less than approximately 100 pm - a second lateral flank 12 of said connector 1.The first lateral edge 211 and the second lateral edge 212 of the yoke 21 are connected to each other by an upper edge 210.

[0057] Additionally, the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 comprises at least one orifice 213, 214 arranged on at least one of the first lateral edge 211 and the second lateral edge 212. The at least one orifice 213, 214 takes the form of a through hole arranged on one and / or the other of the lateral edges 211, 212 of the yoke 21.

[0058] Preferably, in the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURES, the first lateral edge 211 of the yoke 21 comprises a first orifice 213, and the second lateral edge 212 of the yoke 21 comprises a second orifice 214. The first orifice 213 and the second orifice 214 are advantageously aligned with each other, relative to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis Z. Preferably, the first orifice 213 and the second orifice 214 are coaxial.

[0059] As mentioned previously, the drive arm 2 collaborates at its yoke 21 with the connector 1 to establish a mechanical coupling allowing the rotation of the connector 1 with respect to the yoke 21. For this purpose, the connector 1, illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, includes:

[0060] - a base 16 which extends mainly in a plane formed by the transverse axis Y and the longitudinal axis X. Generally, the base 16 has a parallelepiped shape. The base is located on the side of the wiper blade 3 and makes it possible to establish, at a lower face located opposite the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2, means of coupling with the wiper blade 3;

[0061] - a coupling face 10 with a scraping blade 32 of the windshield wiper blade 3;

[0062] - a first lateral flank 11 located on a first side of the connector 1 relative to the transverse Y axis;

[0063] - a second lateral flank 12 located on a second side of the connector 1 opposite the first side, relative to the transverse axis Y. Relative to the transverse axis Y, the first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 of the connector 1 are located inside the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2, so as to allow the insertion of said connector, at least at the level of its upper part, relative to the vertical axis Z, in the yoke 21. More particularly, relative to the transverse axis Y, the first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 of the connector 1 are located respectively inside the first lateral edge 211 and the second lateral edge 212 of the yoke 21;

[0064] - at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 which extends along the transverse axis Y from the first lateral flank 11 and / or from the second lateral flank 12. More particularly, each cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 extends at a free end of the corresponding lateral flank 11, 12. The free end is here considered to be that located at a distance from the base 16 of the connector 1.

[0065] As visible in the FIGURES and in particular in FIGURES 3 and 4, the connector 1 extends mainly along a specific elongation axis X

[0066] The first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 extend mainly along the vertical axis Z and the specific elongation axis X of the connector 1. The first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 are for example parallel to each other.

[0067] As visible in FIGURES 3 and 4, the first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 are located at a distance from each other, relative to the transverse axis Y. The first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 together delimit an interior space 15 directly above the coupling face 10 of the connector 1. The interior space 15 advantageously remains empty when the connector 1 is coupled to the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2.

[0068] As visible in FIGURES 2 and 3, the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 of the connector 1 collaborates with the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 so as to allow the mounting of the drive arm 2 to be locked on the connector 1. This locking is achieved by inserting the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 into at least one corresponding orifices 213, 214 located opposite on the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 - at the level of the first lateral flank 11 and / or the second lateral flank 12. Thus, the insertion of the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 through the at least one corresponding orifice 213, 214 of the drive arm 2 makes it possible to achieve axial locking of the drive arm 2 on the connector 1, while allowing the rotation of said drive arm 2 around said connector 1, and more particularly around the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 which thus materializes, with the at least one corresponding orifice 213, 214, an axis of rotation of the wiper blade 3 with respect to the drive arm 2.

[0069] A transverse section of the cylindrical bearing surface, taken perpendicular to the transverse axis Y, advantageously has a circular shape. Furthermore, a contour of each at least one orifice 213, 214 of the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 also has a circular contour in order to collaborate with said at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 and to allow its insertion, preferably without play.

[0070] As visible in [Fig. 3], when the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 is mounted on the connector 1, the at least one orifice of the yoke 21 is coaxial with the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 formed from one and / or the other of the lateral flanks 11, 12 of the connector 1. It is then possible to insert the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 into the yoke 21 and through the at least one orifice 213, 214 located opposite. This insertion is enabled by elastic deformation of at least one of the lateral edges 211, 212 of the yoke 21 and / or of at least one of the lateral flanks 11, 12 of the connector 1. When the at least one cylindrical bearing surface is engaged in the at least one corresponding orifice 213, 214, the lateral edge(s) 211, 212 of the yoke 21 and / or the lateral flank(s) 11, 12 of the connector 1 resume their undeformed configuration.

[0071] A diameter of the first orifice 213 arranged on the first lateral edge 211 of the yoke 21 is greater than or equal to a diameter of the first cylindrical bearing surface 13 formed from the first lateral flank 11 of the connector 1, such that said first cylindrical bearing surface 13 is mounted in a fitted and sliding manner in said first orifice 213. Complementarily or alternatively, a diameter of the second orifice 214 arranged on the second lateral edge 212 of the yoke 21 is greater than or equal to a diameter of the second cylindrical bearing surface 14 formed from the second lateral flank 12 of the connector 1, such that said second cylindrical bearing surface 14 is mounted in a fitted and sliding manner in said second orifice 214.

[0072] In the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURES, the yoke 21 of the drive arm 2 is configured to encase the connector 1. In other words, the first lateral flank 11 and the second lateral flank 12 are housed inside the yoke 21, that is to say between the first lateral edge 211 and the second lateral edge 212. In this case, the first cylindrical bearing surface 13 associated with the first lateral flank 11 of the connector 1 extends along the transverse axis Y in a direction opposite to the second lateral flank 12 and collaborates with the first orifice 213 of the first lateral edge 211 of the yoke 21, so that said first cylindrical bearing surface 13 engages in said first orifice 213. Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURES, the second cylindrical bearing surface 14 associated with the second lateral flank 12 of the connector 1 extends along the transverse axis Y in a direction opposite to the first lateral flank 11 and collaborates with the second orifice 214 of the second lateral edge 212 of the yoke 21, so that said second cylindrical bearing surface 14 engages in said second orifice 214.

[0073] In this embodiment, each cylindrical bearing surface extends from the associated lateral flank 11, 12 in a direction opposite to the other lateral flank 11, 12. In other words, each cylindrical bearing surface extends, relative to the transverse axis Y, towards the outside of the connector 1, so as to be able to collaborate with the corresponding orifice 213, 214 on the lateral edge of the yoke 21 located opposite.

[0074] Thus, in a particularly simple and clever manner, it is now possible to couple the drive arm 2 to the connector 1 of a windshield wiper blade 3 by a simple translational movement relative to the vertical axis Z, leading to an engagement of the yoke 21 around the connector 1. As mentioned previously, during this vertical movement, the lateral edges 211, 212 of the yoke 21 and / or the lateral flanks 11, 12 of the connector 1 deform elastically in order to allow indexing of the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 with the at least one orifice 213, 214. Once engaged, the at least one orifice present on at least one of the lateral edges 211, 212 of the yoke 21 is made coaxial with the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 formed on at least one of the lateral flanks 11, 12 of the connector 1, allowing the insertion of said at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 through said at least one orifice 213, 214.

[0075] This coupling of the drive arm 2 on the connector 1 simultaneously leads to an axial stop of the arm on the connector 1, relative to the proper elongation axis X, while allowing rotation around the transverse axis Y of the wiper blade 3 relative to the drive arm 2.

[0076] In summary, the invention relates to a connector 1 for directly coupling a windshield wiper blade 3 to a drive arm 2 of a wiping system 4 for a motor vehicle, the connector 1 comprising at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 which projects from at least one of its lateral flanks 11, 12, each at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 being configured to engage in at least one orifice 213, 214 provided on at least one lateral edge 211, 212 of a yoke 21 of the drive arm 2, so as to axially block the drive arm 2 mounted on the connector 1 while allowing rotation of the drive arm 2 around an axis of rotation determined by the at least one cylindrical bearing surface 13, 14 and the at least one orifice 213, 214.

[0077] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Connector (1) for a windscreen wiper blade (3), the connector (1) extending along a proper elongation axis (X) and comprising a coupling face (10) with a scraper blade (32) of the windscreen wiper blade (3) and, relative to a transverse axis (Y) taken perpendicular to the proper elongation axis (X), a first lateral flank (11) and a second lateral flank (12), characterized in that the connector (1) further comprises at least one cylindrical bearing surface (13, 14) which extends along the transverse axis (Y) from the first lateral flank (11) and / or from the second lateral flank (12).

2. Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one cylindrical bearing surface (13, 14) is made in one piece with the first lateral flank (11) and / or the second lateral flank.

3. Connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lateral flank (11) comprises a first cylindrical bearing surface (13) which projects from the first lateral flank (11) and the second lateral flank (12) comprises a second cylindrical bearing surface (14) which projects from the second lateral flank (12).

4. Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first cylindrical bearing surface (13) extends from the first lateral flank (11) and in a direction opposite to the second lateral flank (12).

5. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the first cylindrical bearing surface (13) extends from the first lateral flank (11) and towards the second lateral flank (12).

6. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the second cylindrical bearing surface (14) extends from the second lateral flank (12) and in a direction opposite to the first lateral flank (H).

7. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the second cylindrical bearing surface (14) extends from the second lateral flank (12) and towards the first lateral flank (11).

8. Wiping system (4) for a motor vehicle, the wiping system (4) comprising: - a windscreen wiper blade (3) comprising a scraper blade (32); - the connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the coupling face (10) of the connector (1) being integral with the scraper blade (32) of the windscreen wiper blade (3); - a drive arm (2) extending along the proper elongation axis (X) and comprising, at an axial end, a yoke (21) comprising a first lateral edge (211), a second lateral edge (212) and an orifice formed on at least one of the lateral edges (211, 212), the yoke (21) being configured to collaborate with the first lateral flank (11) and / or the second lateral flank (12) of the connector (1), the at least one cylindrical bearing surface (13, 14) of the connector (1) extending through the orifice of at least one lateral edge (211, 212) of the yoke (21).

9. Wiping system (4) according to claim 8, wherein the yoke (21) is configured to encase the connector (1), the first lateral flank (11) and the second lateral flank (12) being housed inside the yoke (21), i.e. between the first lateral edge (211) and the second lateral edge (212).

10. Wiping system (4) according to claim 8, wherein the first lateral edge (211) and the second lateral edge (212) of the yoke (21) are located between the first lateral flank (11) and the second lateral flank (12) of the connector (1).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Connection device for linking a wiper blade to a drive arm for a vehicle

    WO2018108509A1

  • Wiper blade adapter device

    EP3475128B1

  • Adapter unit

    EP4253167A2

  • Windshield wiper device

    US20100017994A1

  • Wiper device

    US20150096142A1