Adapter for wiping system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter (6) for mounting a wiper blade on an arm of a wiping system. The adapter (6) has a main longitudinal extension and is configured to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation on a connector of the wiper blade. The adapter (6) comprises at least one elastically deformable tab (48) supporting a locking member (56) intended to lock the adapter (6) relative to the arm. The adapter also comprises at least one member (60) for limiting the displacement of the elastically deformable tab (48).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The field of the invention is that of wiping systems designed for motor vehicles and, more particularly, of the connection means realised between the wiper arms and the wipers of such a wiping system. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, automobiles are equipped with wiping systems designed to clean their glass surfaces, in particular their windshields. Such wiping systems comprise at least one wiper arm and a wiper driven by the wiper arm. The wiper arm is connected to an electric motor of the vehicle. The wiper comprises at least one wiper blade designed to contact the glass surface to be wiped. To be able to drive the wiper, an adapter is placed between this wiper and the wiper arm. More specifically, the adapter is placed between the wiper arm and a connector that connects to the wiper.

[0003] The adapter is therefore integral with the wiper arm and more particularly with the cover of the wiper arm. This type of cooperation between the adapter and the cover is releasable so that the wiper arm can be replaced when it wears out. Means are known, such as a blocking unit, which allows the adapter to be removed and attached to the cover of the arm. The blocking unit can be supported on the adapter and cooperate with complementary means supported on the cover. A blocking unit of this type makes it possible to block the position of the adapter relative to the wiper arm. To release the adapter from the cover, it is known to support the blocking unit on an elastically deformable tongue. The tongue makes it possible to separate the blocking unit from the cover and thus the adapter from the cover.

[0004] The problem with blocking units supported by a deformable tongue is that the pressure acting on said tongue to release it from the complementary means supported on the cover causes a large deformation of said tongue, which, if large, causes the problem that this type of deformation of the tongue reduces its elasticity so that it may never again be able to assume its undeformed state. Thus, with this type of tongue with reduced elasticity, the ability of said tongue to hold the wiper together with the wiper arm is reduced, especially when the wiping system is used at high speeds. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the locking of the adapter with the cover of the wiper arm by reducing the risk of excessive deformation of said tongue as well as loss of its elasticity.

[0006] The present invention therefore relates to an adapter for fixing a wiper to an arm of a wiping system, the adapter having a longitudinal direction and configured to be pivotally mounted on a connector of the wiper around a rotation axis, the adapter comprising at least two side walls facing each other in the transverse direction of the adapter and connected to each other by a top wall, the side walls and the top wall forming a body of the adapter at least partially defining a receiving space for the connector, the top wall being extended in the longitudinal direction by at least one protrusion from which extends at least one elastically deformable tongue supporting a blocking unit designed to lock the adapter relative to the arm, the adapter comprising at least one unit for limiting the displacement of the elastically deformable tongue, the limiting unit extending between the body of the adapter and the blocking unit.

[0007] The wiper and the arm form part of a wiping system of a vehicle, designed to at least partially clean a glass surface of said vehicle, and an adapter extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to the main extension direction is therefore pivotally mounted to the connector, so that the wiper, and in particular the blade it supports, follows the curvature of the glass surface.

[0008] The blocking unit allows the adapter to be blocked relative to the arm, in particular relative to a cover provided at the longitudinal end of the arm. The blocking unit may thus take the form of, for example, a blocking stud or blocking button projecting from the tongue and capable of cooperating with complementary means formed on the cover of the wiper arm. The complementary means to the blocking unit of the adapter may for example be a blocking opening formed through the cover of the wiper arm.

[0009] The tongue comprises at least one bar and a block unit. More specifically, the bar of the tongue extends from the free edge of the projection and is extended by the block unit. "Elastically deformable tongue" means that the tongue can be deformed and then return to its initial position before deformation without breaking its material. This type of feature of the tongue can facilitate the insertion of the adapter into the cover of the arm, while when the tongue returns to its initial position, the block unit can be inserted into the block opening of the cover of the wiper arm.

[0010] The limiting unit therefore allows a limited deformation of the tongue when inserting the adapter into the cover of the arm, thereby limiting the risk of the tongue breaking during its deformation, and it should be noted that the limiting unit also participates in the tongue returning to its initial position.

[0011] It is also understood that certain parts of the adapter, e.g. the main body, have a thickness that ensures the rigidity of said body, while other parts, e.g. the tongue and the limiting unit, have a thickness that allows their elastic deformation.

[0012] According to a feature of the invention, at least one of the limiting units protrudes from an outer surface of the side wall of the body.

[0013] The outer surface of the side wall faces the receiving space of the adapter in the lateral direction of the adapter.

[0014] According to a feature of the invention, the limiting unit protrudes from the side wall at the level of the top wall.

[0015] A longitudinal and transverse plane is defined passing through the adapter. This plane divides the side wall of the adapter into two mutually identical parts, each having a dimension in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the adapter. Thus, a first part of the side wall corresponds to the part from which the top wall extends and a second part of the side wall corresponds to the part comprising each of the free edges of the side walls. Thus, the limiting unit protrudes from the first part of the side wall of the adapter.

[0016] According to a feature of the invention, at least one of the limiting units protrudes from the side wall away from the top wall.

[0017] It is understood that the limiting unit extends from a first portion of the side wall of the adapter, from which the top wall extends, towards a second portion of the side wall, which second portion of the side wall is furthest away from the top wall relative to the first portion, so that the limiting unit extends away from said top wall.

[0018] According to a feature of the invention, at least one of the limiting units extends in a direction intersecting a plane inscribed by the side wall.

[0019] Also, at least one limiting unit extends in a direction intersecting a plane in which the upper wall is inscribed. More specifically, the upper wall is inscribed in a longitudinal and transverse plane, and the limiting unit extends in at least one direction intersecting said plane of the upper wall.

[0020] It will therefore be appreciated that the further the limiting unit is from the side wall, the greater the distance between the unit and the side wall when viewed laterally of the adapter.

[0021] According to a feature of the invention, the limiting unit comprises at least two parts forming a non-zero angle with respect to each other.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the limiting unit comprises a first portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the side wall, the first portion being extended by the second portion such that an angle of between 90° and 170° is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

[0023] According to a feature of the invention, the limiting unit has a thickness in the lateral direction of the adapter, which provides said limiting unit with both a deformation capacity and a capacity to resist deformation of the tongue. From this feature it can be seen that the limiting unit ensures that it brings about deformation of the tongue while being elastically deformable itself. Furthermore, the thickness of the limiting unit ensures a force that opposes the deformation force of the tongue, thereby limiting said deformation.

[0024] According to a feature of the invention, the limiting unit comprises at least one fixed end integral with the body of the adapter and one connecting end integral with the tongue.

[0025] More specifically, the fixed end is the end of the limiting unit that is integral with the side wall of the adapter, the fixed end and the connecting end are opposite each other in the vertical direction of the adapter, and it will be understood that, in particular due to the inclination of the limiting unit with respect to the plane of the side wall, the connecting end is laterally farther from the side wall than the fixed end.

[0026] Also, from the structure of the tongue with the bar extended by the block unit, it can be seen that the connecting end of the limiting unit is integral with said block unit.

[0027] According to a feature of the invention, at least the body, the protrusion, the tongue and the limiting unit of the adapter are obtained from the same material and form an assembly in one piece, "in one piece" meaning that the body, the protrusion, the tongue and the limiting unit of the adapter cannot be disassembled without destroying one or the other of the listed elements.

[0028] According to a feature of the invention, the adapter comprises a head on the opposite side of the body to the projection, a tongue extending from a free edge of the projection in a longitudinal direction in the direction of the head, said tongue extending at least partially laterally on one side of the body of the adapter.

[0029] More specifically, the tongue extends at least alongside a limiting unit which projects laterally from the side wall, whereby the blocking unit which extends the bar of the tongue can be integrated with the limiting unit at its connection end.

[0030] According to a feature of the invention, the tongue comprises at least one gripping area arranged on the block unit, the area for gripping the tongue comprising at least one guide element extending in the longitudinal direction of the adapter.

[0031] The gripping area facilitates the pressure exerted by the user on the tongue to release the wiper from the arm. More specifically, the gripping area forms a flat surface along the longitudinal and vertical planes of the adapter. It is therefore understood that the gripping area corresponds to a part of the tongue where a force is generated to deform the tongue, and that its special location at the connection end of the limiting unit limits the deformation of said tongue, thus preventing it from deforming beyond the elastic domain of the material that constitutes it.

[0032] The guide element projects from the gripping area opposite the projection of said adapter in the lateral direction of the adapter.

[0033] According to a feature of the invention, the guide element comprises a guide surface adapted to translate along a cover of the arm of the wiping system.

[0034] Advantageously, the guide element comprises a guide surface configured for longitudinal translation along the cover of the wiping system.

[0035] It is understood that when the adapter is inserted into the cover of the arm, said insertion can be guided by a guide element to facilitate cooperation of the blocking unit of the adapter with the blocking opening of the cover, whereby the user of the wiping system can easily fix the adapter in the cover. The guide surface is a guide for the adapter with respect to the cover of the arm.

[0036] According to a feature of the invention, a head projects laterally and longitudinally from the body of the adapter, the head comprising a stud extending along the side wall in the direction of the tongue.

[0037] The studs of the adapter head are configured to cooperate with apertures formed in the cover. More specifically, the cover comprises at least two lateral sides extending in a longitudinal vertical plane. Apertures are formed in the lateral sides to cooperate with the studs of the adapter head. It will be appreciated that due to the geometric complementarity between the studs and the apertures, their overlap blocks vertical movement of the adapter and the cover.

[0038] It will also be appreciated that the guide surfaces of the guide elements may facilitate cooperation of the studs and apertures by guiding the insertion of the adapter into the cover.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a wiper comprising at least one wiper blade, a connector and an adapter according to any one of the above-mentioned features, wherein the blade is supported directly or indirectly by the connector and the adapter is pivotally mounted to the connector.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention, the wiper blade is indirectly supported by a connector, in particular by an elongated support made of synthetic and / or metallic material, or by one or more spines housed in the wiper blade.

[0041] The invention also relates to a wiping system for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper according to the above characteristics and an arm of an adapter connected to the wiper by translation of the arm into the cover.

[0042] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent on reading the description provided below with reference to the drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a wiping system according to the invention, comprising at least one wiper, an arm and an adapter. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1 coupled to the connector of the wiper of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1 showing at least one limiting unit and at least one protrusion from which extends at least one tongue that supports the blocking unit. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1 integral with the cover of the arm of the wiping system of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the at least one tongue and at least one restricting unit of the adapter of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] It should be noted first that the drawings present the present invention in detail for its implementation. It should be understood that these drawings can be used to more clearly define the present invention as necessary. It should also be noted that these drawings merely illustrate the embodiments of the present invention. Finally, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a wiping system 1 according to the invention. As shown, the wiping system 1 comprises at least one wiper 2 and at least one arm 4 connected to each other by at least one adapter 6 according to the invention. More specifically, the adapter 6 allows the connection of a connector 8, shown in Figure 2, carrying a wiper 2 with a blade 10 to the wiper arm 4.

[0046] The blade 10 of the wiper 2 is designed to contact the glass surface of a vehicle (not shown) equipped with a wiping system 1 according to the invention. According to examples of the invention, the wiper 2 may comprise at least one reinforcement unit, for example an elongated support made of synthetic material and / or one or more metal spines.

[0047] On the other hand, the wiper arm 4 is configured to rotate the wiper 2. The arm 4 therefore comprises at least a first end 14 integrated with the adapter 6 and a second end 16 opposite the first end 14 in the main extension direction P of the arm 4. The second end 16 is integrated with a drive motor (not shown) housed in the vehicle. More specifically, the first end 14 of the arm 4 supports a cover 18 capable of cooperating with the adapter 6, thereby integrating the wiper 2 with the arm 4.

[0048] The adapter 6 shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises at least two side walls 20 extending in a longitudinal main extension direction L parallel to the main extension direction P of the arm 4 and facing each other in a transverse direction T of the adapter 6 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Each side wall 20 extends in a plane L, V of a trihedron L, V, T shown in each of the figures. The vertical direction V is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T. The adapter 6 also comprises at least one top wall 22 extending mainly in the plane L, T of the adapter 6. Said top wall 22 thereby connects the side walls 20 of the adapter. The side walls 20 as well as the top wall 22 at least partially define a receiving space 26 of the connector 8.

[0049] The adapter 6 is pivotally mounted on the connector 8 of the wiper 2 about a rotation axis R. The rotation axis R shown in FIG. 2 is parallel to the lateral direction T of the adapter 6. For this purpose, the adapter 6 comprises at least one means for rotating the adapter 6 relative to the connector 8. This means is formed in a side wall 20 of the adapter 6 and opens or projects towards the receiving base of the connector 8. Thus, a first side wall 20a shown in FIG. 3 is defined, which supports a cylindrical stud of the rotation means (not shown) projecting towards the receiving base 26, and a second side wall 20b which supports a bearing (not shown). The bearing and the cylindrical stud are therefore aligned along the rotation axis R. The rotation means can be formed only by a bearing, but also by a combination of a bearing and a cylindrical stud.

[0050] The adapter 6 has a front end 30 and a rear end 32 defined opposite each other in a longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6. The front end 30 of the adapter 6 corresponds to a longitudinal end of the adapter 6 which bears a head 34 of the adapter 6 extending substantially in the plane V, T. More precisely, as shown in FIG. 3, the head 34 projects laterally and longitudinally from the side walls 20 and the top wall 22 of the adapter 6 and participates in at least partially longitudinally closing the receiving space 26 of the connector 8 at the front end 30 of the adapter 6. The head 34 also comprises a stud 36 which extends along the side walls 20 of the adapter 6 towards its rear end 32 in the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6. More precisely, a first stud, not shown, extends along the first side wall 20a of the adapter and a second stud 36b extends along the second side wall 20b of the adapter 6. Each stud is equidistantly disposed between the outer surface of the top wall 22 and a free edge 50 of each side wall 20a, 20b.

[0051] Each of the studs 36 is therefore arranged to cooperate with an aperture 38 formed in a lateral side 40 of the cover 18 of the wiper arm 4, as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the cover 18 of the wiper arm 4 comprises at least one first lateral side 40a and one second lateral side 40b, which extend in planes L, V respectively and are connected to each other by an upper side 42 extending in planes L, T. Each of the first lateral side 40a and the second lateral side 40b therefore comprises a first aperture 38, not shown, respectively, which is formed to cooperate with a first stud 36b, respectively, of the adapter. It is therefore understood that the stud 36 and the aperture 38 cooperate with each other by having a complementary shape, thus blocking the adapter vertically with respect to the open end of the cover.

[0052] This open longitudinal end of the cover 18, including the aperture 38, is disposed against a shoulder 44 of the head 34, which extends laterally and longitudinally beyond the body 24 of the adapter 6. In other words, the lateral side 40 and the upper side 42 are disposed against the shoulder 44 of the head 34 at the open longitudinal end of the cover 18. It will thus be appreciated that, upon insertion of the adapter 6 into the cover 18 by longitudinal translation from the rear end 32 to the front end 30 of the adapter 6, the head 34, and in particular its shoulder 44, forms a longitudinal stop.

[0053] At least one of the side walls 20 of the adapter 6 also comprises at least one undulation 45 formed in the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6, opposite its head 34. More precisely, the undulation 45 extends according to a plane T, V and is formed so as to extend in the plane L, V at a longitudinal end 47 of the side wall 20 opposite the head 34 of the adapter 6. It should be noted that at least one side wall comprises an undulation 45. Advantageously, each of the two side walls 20 comprises a unique undulation as described above.

[0054] 3, the top wall 22 extends vertically and horizontally to connect the undulating portions of the first side wall 20a and the second side wall 20b. Thus, the side wall 20 with the undulating portion 45 formed therein and the top wall 22 form the body 24 of the adapter 6 that at least partially defines the receiving space 26 of the connector 8.

[0055] The rear end 32 of the adapter 6 shown in Figure 3 corresponds to the end of said adapter 6 carrying a projection 46 from which at least one elastically deformable tongue 48 extends. More specifically, the projection 46 extends longitudinally from the top wall 22 of the body 24 of the adapter 6, opposite the head 34, and in a plane inclined with respect to the main plane L, T along which the top wall 22 extends, so that said projection 46 is contained between the main plane L, T of the top wall 22 and the plane L, T comprising the free edge 50 of the side wall 20, while being spaced from said top wall 22.

[0056] According to the illustrated example of the invention, in a direction having a non-zero angle with respect to the planes L, V and in the direction of the head 34, a first tongue 48a extends from a first free edge 52a of the projection 46 and a second tongue 48b extends from a second free edge 52b of the projection 46 opposite the first free edge 52a. The tongue 48 thus serves to lock the adapter 6 to the cover 18 of the arm 4, in particular by means of at least one blocking unit 56, which will be described later in the detailed description. As shown in FIG. 3, the first tongue 48a extends in a longitudinal direction and is at least partially aligned with the body 24 of the adapter 6 in its transverse direction T. More specifically, the first tongue 48a extends in a longitudinal direction and is at least partially aligned with the relief 45 of the first side wall 20a in the transverse direction T of the adapter 6.

[0057] The first tongue 48a comprises a bar 54 and a block unit 56. More specifically, the bar 54 of the first tongue 48a extends from the first free edge 52a of the projection 46, and the integrated area between the bar 54 of the first tongue 48a and the first free edge 52a of the projection 46 forms a hinge area 58. The bar 54 arranged opposite the hinge area 58 is thus extended in the longitudinal and transverse directions by a block unit 56 designed to lock the adapter 6 to the cover 18 of the arm 4. It is therefore understood that the bar 54 and the block unit 56 extend relative to each other according to a first angle α between 30° and 175°. The block unit 56 can be, for example, a block stud protruding from the first tongue 48a opposite the projection 46. It is also understood from the above that at least a part of the block unit 56 is aligned in the transverse direction T with the relief 45 of the first side wall 20a of the adapter 6.

[0058] As mentioned above, the first tongue 48a is elastically deformable, and therefore can be deformed and then return to its initial state without its material breaking. More specifically, the first tongue 48a is configured to deform in the transverse direction T of the adapter 6 towards the undulating portion 45 of the first side wall 20 against which the first tongue 48a at least partially extends. Thus, deformation mainly occurs in the hinge region 58 of the first tongue 48a.

[0059] It should be considered that all the features described for the first tongue 48a apply mutatis mutandis to the case where the adapter 6 comprises a single tongue as well as to the case where the adapter 6 comprises multiple tongues. Thus, in the illustrated example, the features of the first tongue 48a also apply mutatis mutandis to the second tongue 48b.

[0060] According to the invention, the adapter 6 is provided with at least one unit 60 for limiting the displacement of one of the tongues 48, as shown in particular in Figures 3 and 5, the unit 60 extending between the body 24 of the adapter 6 and the block unit 56.

[0061] The first limiting unit 60a extends between the first side wall 20a and the block unit 56 of the first tongue 48a, and the second limiting unit 60b extends between the second side wall 20b and the block unit of the second tongue 48b. The first limiting unit 60a and / or the second limiting unit 60b protrude from an outer surface 62 that defines the undulating portion 45 of the first side wall 20a or the second side wall 20b, respectively, and that faces the space 26 for receiving the adapter 6.

[0062] The first limiting unit 60a may for example be in the form of a blade and comprises at least one fixed end 64 which is integral with the first side wall 20a in its relief 45 and a connecting end 66 which is integral with the corresponding first tongue 48a, more particularly with the block unit 56. The connecting end 66 of the tongue 48 and the fixed end 64 are opposite each other in the vertical direction V of the adapter 6. It will thus be seen that the first tongue 48a is first integral with the free edge 52a of the projection 46 and then with the connecting end 66 of the first limiting unit 60a.

[0063] A plane L, T, understood as plane A in FIG. 3, is defined, which passes through the adapter 6 and divides it into two adapter parts with the same vertical dimension. A first part 68a of the adapter is defined, which comprises the top wall 22, and a second part 68b of the adapter is defined, which comprises the free edge 50 of the side wall 48. The first limiting unit 60a therefore projects from the first side wall 20 at the first part 68a of the adapter, i.e. at the top wall 22. More precisely, the first limiting unit 60a extends from the first side wall 20a towards the free edge 50 of the side wall 20, away from the top wall 22. In other words, the first limiting unit 60a extends from the first adapter part 68a to the second adapter part 68b.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the first limiting unit 60a extends in at least one direction I intersecting the plane B shown in FIG. 3 and parallel to the planes L and V in which the side wall 20 is inscribed. More specifically, the first limiting unit 60a includes a first portion 70 that protrudes from the first side wall 20a at the undulating portion 45 and includes a fixed end portion 64. The first portion 70 of the first limiting unit 60a extends substantially perpendicular to the first side wall 20a. The first portion 70 of the first limiting unit 60a is extended by a second portion 72 that extends relative to the first portion 70 according to a second inclination angle of 90° to 170°.

[0065] It is therefore understood that between the first limiting unit 60a and the first side wall 20a from which it extends, the distance D along a straight line parallel to the transverse direction T of the adapter 6 increases from the fixed end 64 to the connecting end 66 of the first limiting unit 60a. Also, according to the invention, it must be taken into account to determine the thickness E of the first limiting unit 60a along a straight line parallel to the transverse direction T of the adapter 6 in such a way that it allows the first limiting unit 60a to deform elastically, while reliably holding the first tongue 48a during said deformation. In other words, the thickness E of the first limiting unit 60a allows the unit to deform and then to return to its initial state before deformation.

[0066] It should be considered that the set of features described for the first limiting unit 60a applies mutatis mutandis to the adapter 6 in the case where it has a single limiting unit or in the case where it has a plurality of limiting units. Thus, in the illustrated example, the features of the first limiting unit 60a apply mutatis mutandis to the second limiting unit 60b.

[0067] When a user wants to separate the adapter according to the invention from the cover, he exerts pressure on at least one of the blocking units 56 in the lateral direction T of the adapter 6 and in the direction of each of the side walls 20. This causes at least one of the limiting units 60 to deform, bringing the connection end 66 closer to the side wall 20. In this way, the limiting unit 60 can cause a deformation, in particular of the tongue 48, while limiting said deformation. Indeed, the structure of the limiting unit 60 described above, in particular its thickness E, its material and / or its first and second parts 70 and 72, which are inclined relative to one another, can generate a holding force that counteracts the thrust force of the deformation of the tongue 48. This limits the risk of irreversible deterioration of the tongue 48, in particular the risk of breakage in each of its hinge regions 48 following excessive deformation.

[0068] As shown in particular in FIG. 3, at least one gripping area 74 is formed on one of the block units 56 of one of the tongues 48. The gripping area 74 comprises at least one guide element 76 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6. More specifically, the gripping area 74 comprises a flat surface 78 extending in a plane L, V, which facilitates gripping the tongue 48 by a user of the wiping system. The gripping area 74 is therefore formed on one of the tongues 48, opposite its projection 46 in the transverse direction T of the adapter 6. According to the illustrated example of the invention, the first tongue 48a and the second tongue 48b each comprise the above-mentioned gripping area 74.

[0069] A guide element 76, which is particularly shown in FIG. 5, extends at the vertical end of the gripping area 74 for one of the tongues 48. Said guide element 76 extends along the gripping area 74 in the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6. More specifically, the guide element 76 projects from the gripping area 74 in the transverse direction T and extends opposite one of the side walls 20 of the adapter 6. The guide element 76 thus comprises a guide surface 80 adapted for translation longitudinally along the cover 18 of the arm of the wiping system. It can thus be seen that the insertion of the adapter 6 is facilitated by a longitudinal translational movement, with a free edge 82 of each of the transverse sides 40 of the cover, shown in FIG. 4, being supported against the respective guide surface 80 of the guide element 76. According to an example of the invention, each of the tongues 48 comprises a guide element 76 as described above.

[0070] 5, at least one of the blocking units 56 comprises at least one chamfered edge. More specifically, at least one of the blocking units 56 comprises an upper chamfer 84 formed on a vertical end of said blocking unit 56 opposite the guide element 76. In particular, the upper chamfer 84 extends in the longitudinal direction L of the adapter 6, for example over the entire longitudinal dimension of the gripping area 74.

[0071] 3 and 5, at least one block unit 56 includes a first side chamfer 86 and a second side chamfer 88, each located at a longitudinal end of the block unit 56. Each side chamfer 86, 88 thus extends substantially across the entire vertical dimension of the block unit 56 in the vertical direction V of the adapter 6. According to an example of the present invention, each block unit 56 of each tongue 48 includes a side chamfer 56, 88 and an upper chamfer 84.

[0072] It can therefore be seen that the side chamfers 86, 88 and the upper chamfer 84 of the blocking unit 56 facilitate translation of the adapter 6 during insertion into the wiper arm cover 18. In particular, the side chamfers 86, 88 can firstly limit blocking of the adapter 6 from translating longitudinally within the cover 18 and secondly cause the tongue 48 to transition from the deformed state to the initial state or vice versa upon completion of assembly, thereby limiting the risk of degradation of the tongue material.

[0073] According to a feature of the invention shown in Figure 3, each of the tongues 48, and in particular each of the blocking units 56, extends laterally beyond the plane L, V in which the side walls 20 of the adapter 6 extend. In particular, with a feature of this type, when the adapter 6 is assembled to the cover 18, the blocking units 56 can be received in the blocking openings 90 of the cover 18 shown in Figure 4. This ensures that the translation of the arms of the adapter 6 relative to said cover 18 is locked.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 18 has at least a block opening 90 for the block unit 56 of the adapter 6. More specifically, the first lateral side 40a of the cover 18 has a first block opening (not shown) capable of receiving the first block unit of the first tongue of the adapter, and the second lateral side 40b of the cover has a second block opening 90 for the second block unit 56 of the second tongue 48b of the adapter 6. Each of the block openings 90 of the cover 18 is open at each of the free edges 82 of the lateral side 40 of the cover 18. Moreover, the block openings 90 and the block units 56 have complementary shapes, so that they cooperate to ensure the fixation of the adapter 6 to the cover 18 of the wiper arm at least in the directions L and V.

[0075] The method for assembling the adapter 6 to the cover 18 will now be described with reference to Figure 4. It should be taken into account that the adapter 6 is designed to be received in a receiving receptacle 92 of the cover defined by the lateral side 40 and the upper side 42, said receiving receptacle 92 being longitudinally open at least at the longitudinal end of the cover bearing the aperture 38.

[0076] The method comprises a first step of placing the rear end 32 of the adapter 6 against the longitudinal opening of the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18. In a second step of the method, a longitudinal translation of the adapter 6 towards the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18 is performed. More specifically, in the second step of the method, it is ensured that each of the guide surfaces 80 of each of the elements 76 for guiding the tongues 48 slides along each of the free edges 82 of each of the lateral sides 40 of the cover 18. In this way, a precise and controlled translation of the adapter 6 in the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18 is made possible. These technical measures improve the ergonomics of the assembly of the wiper on its arm.

[0077] It will also be appreciated that during longitudinal translation of the adapter 6 in the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18, each of the outer surfaces 62 of the side walls 20 of the adapter 6 slides along the inner surface 94 of each of the lateral sides 40 of the cover 18, with the inner surfaces 94 facing the receiving receptacle 92. Optionally, the top wall 22 of the adapter 6 slides longitudinally along the inner surface of the top side 42 of the cover 18.

[0078] By this means, each of the tongues 48 will deform laterally towards the side wall 20, thereby urging the block unit 56 closer to said side wall 20. It will thus be appreciated that this deformation is facilitated by at least the first side chamfer 86 of the block unit 56, the first side chamfer 86 being located at the longitudinal end of said block unit 56 furthest from the head 34.

[0079] The longitudinal translation of the adapter 6 in the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18 continues until each of the block units 56 of each of the tongues 48 is received in the block opening 90 in the lateral side 40 of the cover 18 as described above. Thus, when the block units 56 are received in the block openings 90, it will be appreciated that the tongues 48 return to their initial state and the second lateral chamfers formed on the longitudinal ends of the block units 56 closest to the head 34 are involved in effecting the transition of the tongues 48 from the deformed state to the initial state. This prevents abrupt transition of the tongues 48 from the deformed state to the initial state, which could cause damage to the tongues due to excessive elastic recovery.

[0080] Simultaneously with receipt of the block unit 56 in the block opening, each of the studs 36 of the head 34 is received in a respective aperture 38 in the lateral side 40 of the cover 18. This ensures proper positioning of the adapter 6 in the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18 of the wiper arm.

[0081] It is therefore understood that when it is necessary to separate the adapter 6 from the cover 18 of the wiper arm, it is sufficient to perform a longitudinal translation in the direction opposite to the insertion direction while applying pressure to the area 74 for gripping the tongue 48 towards the side wall 20 of the adapter 6 in order to separate the adapter and the cover.

[0082] It is also seen that the limiting unit 60 provides and limits the deformation of the elastically deformable tongues 48 both during insertion of the adapter 6 into the receiving receptacle 92 of the cover 18 and during their separation, thereby limiting the risk of their material rupture, especially in the hinge area 58. Thus, retention of the adapter 6 in the cover 18 of the wiper arm is improved during use of the wiping system.

[0083] However, the above-described invention is not limited solely to the means and arrangements described and illustrated, but also applies to all equivalent means or arrangements and to any combination of such means or arrangements.

Claims

1. An adapter (6) for fixing a wiper (2) to an arm (4) of a wiping system (1), a longitudinal direction and configured to be pivotally mounted on the connector (8) of the wiper (2) about a rotation axis (R); a body (24) including a top wall (22) and at least two side walls (20) facing each other in a lateral direction (T) of the adapter (6), the side walls (20) being connected to each other by the top wall (22), the side walls (20) and the top wall (22) defining a receiving space (26) therein for at least partially receiving the connector (8); said upper wall (22) is extended longitudinally by at least one projection (46) from which extends at least one elastically deformable tongue (48) supporting a blocking unit (56) designed to lock said adapter (6) relative to said arm (4); The adapter (6) comprises at least one limiting unit (60) for limiting the displacement of the elastically deformable tongue (48), the limiting unit (60) being disposed between the body (24) and the block unit (56).

2. The adapter (6) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the limiting units (60) protrudes from an outer surface (62) of the side wall (20) of the body (24).

3. A first portion (68a) constituting an upper half of the adapter (6) and comprising the upper wall (22), and a second portion (68b) constituting the lower half of the adapter (6) and comprising a free edge portion (50) of the side wall (20) located opposite the upper wall (22), The adapter (6) of claim 2, wherein the limiting unit (60) protrudes from the side wall (20) at the first portion (68a).

4. The adapter (6) of claim 2, wherein at least one of the limiting units (60) protrudes from the side wall (20) away from the top wall (22).

5. The adapter (6) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the limiting units (60) has an elongated shape along a direction (I) intersecting a plane (B) inscribed by the side wall (20).

6. The adapter (6) of claim 1, wherein the limiting unit (60) comprises at least two portions (70, 72) that form a non-zero angle with respect to each other.

7. 2. The adapter (6) of claim 1, wherein the limiting unit (60) comprises at least one fixed end (64) integral with the body (24) and one connecting end (66) integral with the tongue (48).

8. the tongue (48) comprises at least one gripping area (74) disposed on the block unit (56); 2. The adapter (6) of claim 1, wherein the gripping area (74) for gripping the tongue (48) comprises at least one guide element (76) elongated along the longitudinal direction (L) of the adapter (6).

9. 9. The adapter (6) of claim 8, wherein the guide element (76) comprises a guide surface (80) configured to translate along a cover (18) of the arm (4) of the wiping system (1).

10. A wiper (2) comprising at least one wiper blade (10), a connector (8) and an adapter (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The wiper blade (10) is supported directly or indirectly by the connector (8); The adapter (6) is pivotally mounted to the connector (8).

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