Adapter for an automotive vehicle wiper system

Abstract

1. An adapter (29) for a connection device (7) configured to connect a wiper blade (3) to a drive arm (5) in a wiper system (1) for a motor vehicle, the adapter (29) comprising a first side wall (43) and a second side wall (45) spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by an upper end wall (46), the first side wall (43) and the second side wall (45) comprising a first orifice (47) and a second orifice (49), respectively, suitable for receiving a pin (23) extending in a lateral direction (Oy) from the drive arm (5), the second side wall (45) comprising at least one mounting means (57) for mounting the pin (23) within the second orifice (49), the mounting means being configured to hold the adapter (29) fixed to the drive arm (5) at least in the lateral direction (Oy).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of windshield wiper systems for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a windshield wiper system comprising a wiper blade, a drive arm for said blade, and a connecting device adapted to mechanically connect the wiper blade to the drive arm.

Background Art

[0002] Windshield wiper systems for motor vehicles are designed to remove liquids and dirt that can obstruct the driver's view by wiping. These windshield wiper systems typically comprise a drive arm that performs an angular reciprocating movement and one or more elongated wiper blades to which rubber formed from an elastic material is attached. By rubbing against a shiny surface, these rubbers sweep water or cleaning fluid and part of the dirt from the driver's field of vision.

[0003] Regardless of the layout of the wiper blade, the wiper blade is attached to the drive arm by a connecting device. A connecting device comprising at least one connector and one adapter, the connector being firmly connected to the wiper blade and the adapter being designed to cooperate firstly with the connector and secondly to engage with the end of the drive arm, is known. The connector and the adapter cooperate, in particular by means of a pivot link, to attach the wiper blade to the drive arm and form a articulated link between these two assemblies.

[0004] Vehicles can be equipped with several types of windshield wiper systems in which the shape of the end of the drive arm, and thus the corresponding adapter shape, which is designed to be firmly connected to the adapter in particular, differ from one another. In this context, in the aftermarket of windshield wiper blades, it is known to sell standard windshield wiper blades to which a suitable connector is attached to cooperate with several types of windshield wiper arms.

[0005] These various drive arms include those particularly called "side locks". In such drive arms, the ends have substantially L-shaped lugs and pins that extend transversely to the main extension direction of the drive arm. The pin passes through the adapter and the connector, forming a common pivot axis for the drive arm and the wiper blade, and the lug locks the movement of the adapter relative to the drive arm, at least in the transverse direction, i.e., along the length of the pin, thereby fixing the mechanical link between the drive arm and the wiper blade. One drawback of such a wiper system is the complexity of adjusting the dimensions of the various components, particularly the lugs of the drive arm and the adapter, so as to prevent the wiper blade from moving transversely.

[0006] In the aforementioned aftermarket, it is known to sell standard wiper blades and associated connectors together with a plurality of adapters each designed to specifically cooperate with one of the standard connectors and drive arms. Such an offering may deter users because it involves purchasing adapters that the user does not need.

[0007] Therefore, equipment suppliers provide standard wiper blades equipped with standard connectors and several adapters, and, if possible, a standard adapter that is suitable for a plurality of drive arm types, particularly side lock arms. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention addresses this problem and provides an alternative to the conventional wiper system for achieving a highly reliable, durable, and inexpensive mechanical connection between the wiper blade for a side lock drive arm and the adapter and the connector for each drive arm. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention provides an adapter for a connecting device designed to connect a wiper blade in a wiper system for a motor vehicle to a drive arm, the adapter comprising a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by an upper end wall, the first side wall and the second side wall each having a first orifice and a second orifice designed to receive a pin protruding laterally from the drive arm.

[0010] The adapter is characterized in that the second side wall comprises at least one fastening means for fastening the pin in a second orifice designed to firmly connect the adapter to the drive arm at least in the lateral direction.

[0011] The first orifice formed in the first side wall serves at least to guide the pin of the drive arm through the adapter, in particular through the internal volume of the adapter.

[0012] The fastening means supported on the second side wall secures the lateral position of the pin in the second orifice and thus locks the adapter to the drive arm at least in the lateral direction, i.e., in both lateral directions, such that the adapter is locked to the drive arm.

[0013] In other words, the second side wall has fastening means arranged around the edge of the second orifice or inside the second orifice, designed to prevent the lateral movement of the pin firmly connected to the drive arm within the second orifice formed in the adapter.

[0014] Thus, considering that the longitudinal dimensions of these fastening means can vary for each drive arm, the adapter, and thus the connecting device of the wiper system, can be applied to a wide variety of drive arms regardless of the size of the fastening means protruding from the drive arm and associated with the pin.

[0015] Advantageously, the second orifice may also be designed to keep the adapter firmly connected to the drive arm in the longitudinal direction and / or in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the transverse and longitudinal directions.

[0016] According to a feature of the invention, at least one fastening means is elastically deformable. "Elastically deformable" means that the fastening means is designed to deform when the pin passes through the second orifice and generate an elastic return force tending to return the fastening means to its original position, and this elastic return force enables the position of the adapter to be set relative to the pin.

[0017] In particular, the adapter may be at least partially formed from a polymeric material having more or less elastic properties, such as a thermoplastic polymer such as polyoxymethylene or filled polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the second orifice is a through hole extending between the inner surface of the second side wall directed towards the internal volume of the adapter and the outer surface on the opposite side of the inner surface of the second side wall.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the second orifice is a blind hole, which extends from the inner surface of the second side wall directed towards the internal volume of the adapter and has a lower end wall arranged at a non-zero distance from the outer surface on the opposite side of the inner surface of the second side wall.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one fastening means may be constituted by a constriction of the second orifice, the second orifice having a substantially frustoconical shape and being at least defined by a first major dimension of the second orifice and a second major dimension of the constriction, measured respectively on the inner and outer surfaces of the second side wall, the first major dimension being greater than the second major dimension.

[0021] In particular, the second orifice may have a circular cross-section, in which case the first major dimension and the second major dimension are the diameters of the frustoconical shape of the second orifice passing through the second side wall.

[0022] Furthermore, for example, the first orifice, which is cylindrical, may be characterized by a primary dimension that is substantially equal to the first major dimension of the second orifice. When the first orifice has a circular cross-section, the primary dimension is the diameter. When the first orifice has a polygonal cross-section, the primary dimension is the longest diagonal of the cross-section.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one fastening means may include at least one flexible tab that extends across the second orifice and forms a radially protruding portion from the edge defining the second orifice. "Tab" means a substantially elongate structure, such as a parallelepiped structure, having one free end that can converge towards the axis of the second orifice, for example, the axis of rotation of a connector associated with an adapter for forming a connecting device that can be centered on the second orifice. In particular, such a tab is designed to at least partially contact the pin when the pin is inserted into the second orifice.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one fastening means is an elastic clamping ring made of the material of the second side wall, and the elastic clamping ring is at least partially incorporated into the outer surface of the second side wall.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the elastic clamping ring forming the fastening means is radially defined by a groove around the edge defining the second orifice, and the groove defines at least one slot disposed between the groove and the edge defining the second orifice. At least one notch can be disposed radially in the slot, whereby each slot is separated from an adjacent slot by the notch, and each notch extends radially from the edge defining the second orifice to the groove. "Notch" means a hollow structure that extends inwardly from an outer plane that essentially includes the outer surface of the second side wall.

[0026] According to one feature of the present invention, the second side wall can be provided with a plurality of fastening means. As an example, there may be a second orifice designed such that the envelope defining the orifice has a frustoconical shape, and thus the first fastening means is formed by a constriction as described above, and also a second fastening means formed by a tab protruding radially into the envelope defining the second orifice, and / or a third fastening means formed, for example, in the form of a notch at the edge of the second orifice opening into the second side wall on the outer surface of the second side wall may also exist.

[0027] According to a first embodiment of the wiper system, the adapter may be a one-piece assembly. By "one-piece" it is meant that the adapter consists of a single part and the side walls or the upper end wall cannot be separated from each other without damaging or at least partially destroying the adapter.

[0028] According to a second embodiment, the adapter comprises at least one primary element and one secondary element, the secondary element being attached to and engaging with the primary element. The primary element has a first primary side wall and a second primary side wall that are spaced apart from each other and joined to each other by a primary upper end wall. The secondary element has a first secondary side wall and a second secondary side wall that are spaced apart from each other and joined to each other by a secondary upper end wall. The first side wall of the adapter comprises at least the first primary side wall and the first secondary side wall, and the second side wall of the adapter comprises at least the second primary side wall and the second secondary side wall.

[0029] According to the features of such an embodiment, the secondary element of the adapter includes at least one fastening means and at least partially surrounds the primary element.

[0030] In other words, the secondary element of the adapter comprises the outer surfaces of the second side wall and the first side wall, while the primary element comprises the inner surfaces of the same side walls.

[0031] Such an embodiment allows, in particular, for the primary and secondary elements to be formed from different materials, thereby, for example, enabling the use of a material with elastic properties for the element comprising the fastening means, in this case the second element.

[0032] According to an optional feature of this embodiment, the primary element comprises at least one locking member, and the secondary element comprises at least one complementary locking means designed to cooperate with the at least one locking member, the locking member and the complementary locking means being designed at least to lock the secondary element in the longitudinal direction. For example, at least the locking member and / or the complementary locking means may consist of ribs and slots of complementary shape and size.

[0033] According to an optional feature of this embodiment, the complementary locking means can extend symmetrically on both sides of a median plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the secondary element.

[0034] According to an optional feature of this embodiment, the secondary element can comprise a plurality of complementary locking means, with at least a first complementary locking means and a second complementary locking means arranged symmetrically with respect to each other around a median plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the secondary element.

[0035] Such an arrangement of the complementary locking means makes the secondary element of the adapter reversible, thereby enabling the use of the element in a wiper system where the drive arm extends in a direction opposite to the position previously set with respect to the adapter, i.e., the position where the second primary side wall of the primary element faces the flank of the drive arm supporting the lug. "Reversible" means that the secondary element can be separated from the primary element, rotated 180° about the vertical axis, and then reassembled onto the primary element.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the present invention, regardless of the embodiment implemented, the adapter is designed to at least partially cover the longitudinal end of the connecting device along the longitudinal axis, especially to prevent particles and debris from accumulating in the connecting device, for example at the junction of the connector of the connecting device on the wiper blade. It may have at least one edge.

[0037] In particular, when the adapter is formed according to the second embodiment, the primary element and / or the secondary element can form such an edge.

[0038] Preferably, such an edge may comprise at least one through notch for a wiper blade, for example a deflector of the wiper blade.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a connecting device designed to connect a wiper blade in a wiper system for a motor vehicle to a drive arm, comprising at least one connector firmly connected to the wiper blade and designed to receive a pin, the connector having at least one transverse hole, and the aforementioned adapter rotatably mounted on the connector about a rotation axis for connecting the connector to the drive arm.

[0040] The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle wiper system comprising a wiper blade, a drive arm, and such a connecting device, the drive arm comprising at least one pin and one lug, both of these pins and lugs protruding laterally from the end of the drive arm.

[0041] According to the above, the adapter, and thus the connection device of the wiper system, can be applied in particular to a wide variety of drive arms having different lateral dimensions of the lugs. Therefore, it is not possible to lock a given adapter of standard size laterally by stopping the side surface of the adapter against the inner surface of the lug. Thus, the present invention is designed in particular to ensure such a lateral lock by the cooperation between the pin and the second side wall and / or the second orifice of the adapter, i.e., regardless of the size of the lug, thereby providing an alternative means for improving the reliability of a firm connection of the adapter to drive arms that can be adapted to side lock drive arms of different dimensions.

[0042] Within the adapter, the first orifice and / or the second orifice may be at least partially opposite to at least part of the transverse hole of the connector.

[0043] The connector can in particular have a base firmly connected to the blade and a low wall protruding from the base on the opposite side of the blade. Also, the adapter and the connector may be arranged relative to each other in particular so as to define a seat designed such that the side wall of the adapter receives the low wall of the connector, and the side wall of the adapter is arranged on both sides of the wall. The means for rotating the adapter relative to the connector are supported by the low wall and the side wall respectively.

[0044] According to one feature of the present invention, the end of the drive arm has at least a first flange and a second flange, at least the second flange supports a pin, and the second flange abuts at least partially against the outer surface of the first wall of the adapter.

[0045] In other words, according to the present invention, the side wall of the adapter, in this case the second side wall, is furthest from the drive arm, in particular from the second flange, and comprises fastening means designed to lock the adapter laterally.

[0046] Conversely, in the first side wall, the first orifice may form a substantially cylindrical shape having an arbitrary shape, for example, a circular or polygonal cross section, and may or may not be in contact with the pin at least partially.

[0047] According to a feature of the present invention, the lug comprises at least one end stop flange for the adapter disposed on the opposite side of the second side wall of the adapter.

[0048] Specifically, the lug is defined by a lateral dimension measured between the inner surface of the second flange and the end flange, and the lateral dimension is strictly larger than the corresponding lateral dimension of the adapter measured between the outer surface of the first side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall, and the inner surface of the end flange is disposed at a non-zero distance from the outer surface of the second side wall of the adapter.

[0049] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the wiper system described above.

[0050] Other features, details and advantages will be more clearly explained in the following detailed description given in connection with different exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures by way of example.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0051]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] First, the figures show the present invention in detail so as to enable the implementation of the present invention, and it should be noted that these figures can necessarily be used to better define the present invention where appropriate.

[0053] The features, modifications, and different embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in different combinations if they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, it can be envisaged to consider a modification of the present invention that comprises only the selected features described below, separated from the other features described, when this selection of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle wiper system 1 comprising a wiper blade 3, a drive arm 5, and a connecting device 7.

[0055] The wiper blade 3 is designed to be articulated so as to move relative to the glossy surface of a motor vehicle, for example a windscreen. The wiper blade 3 mainly extends in the longitudinal direction Ox and comprises at least one flexible rubber 9 made of, for example, an elastomeric material and designed to come into contact with the glossy surface of the motor vehicle, and a reinforcing assembly 11 which cooperates with the rubber and which can be constituted, as a non-exhaustive example, by one or more metal splines. Furthermore, the wiper blade 3 may comprise at least one aerodynamic deflector 13.

[0056] As will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the connecting device 7 is arranged between the wiper blade and the drive arm so as to rotatably connect the wiper blade to the drive arm 5, in this case in the central region of the wiper blade 3.

[0057] The drive arm 5 extends substantially in the aforementioned longitudinal direction Ox and comprises a first end, which is connected to a drive mechanism and is not shown here, and an end 21 on the opposite side of the first end which cooperates with the connecting device 7. This end 21 has an inverted "U" structure, in which case a first flange 15 and a second flange 17 form the branches of the "U", and an upper flange 19 connecting the first flange 15 and the second flange 17 forms the base. In particular, the first flange 15 and the second flange 17 extend at least partially parallel to each other.

[0058] The end 21 of the drive arm 5 comprises at least one pin 23 and one lug 25, both of which project from said end 21 in a transverse direction Oy perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Ox. Such a drive arm 5 is in particular known as a "side lock" drive arm, and the pin 23 is designed to provide a rotary mechanical link between the connecting device 7 and the drive arm 5 about a rotation axis 300 centered on the pin 23.

[0059] The connecting device 7 comprises at least one connector 27 and one adapter 29. The connector 27 is designed to be firmly connected to the wiper blade 3. This connector provides a complete mechanical link with the wiper blade 3, i.e., it gives rigidity in rotation and translation, so that when the connector is mounted on the wiper blade, the connector has no degree of freedom with respect to the blade.

[0060] The connector 27 comprises a base 31 which extends mainly in the extension direction of the wiper blade 3, in this case the longitudinal direction Ox, and which defines at least one claw 37 designed to engage with the wiper blade 3 and, for example, one or more longitudinal grooves 35 formed, for example, at the lower part of the base 31, to help define, for example, a reinforcing spline where said spline projects laterally from rubber, a zone 33 for firmly attaching the connector 27 to the wiper blade 3. At the upper end of the base 31 there is at least one substantially vertical low wall 39 which is formed from the same material as the base 31 and is pierced by a transverse through-hole 41 with a circular cross-section about a rotation axis 400 which coincides with the rotation axis 300 of the aforementioned pin 23 when the blade and the associated connector 27 are mounted on the arm.

[0061] The adapter 29 is pivotably mounted about a rotation axis 400 on the connector 27 and connects the connector 27 to the drive arm 5. The adapter 29 has, as a non-exhaustive example, an overall parallelepiped structure that can be substantially elongated in the longitudinal direction Ox defined by the wiper blade 3. The adapter 29 comprises a first side wall 43 and a second side wall 45 spaced apart from each other. These walls are connected to each other by an upper end wall 46 extending along a longitudinal axis 100 substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction Ox. In particular, the first side wall 43 and the second side wall 45 may extend parallel to each other. Thus, the adapter includes a hollow space forming a receiving sheet for the lower wall of the connector.

[0062] By convention, throughout this document, the term "longitudinal" refers to the main direction of the upper end wall 46 of the wiper blade 3 or the adapter 29, the term "transverse" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction defined by the main extension direction of the pin 23 of the drive arm 5, and the term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions. In each of the associated figures, the longitudinal direction is indicated by the axis Ox, while the axes Oz and Oy represent the vertical and transverse directions respectively. Together, these axes define a reference coordinate system Oxyz in which "upper end" or "upper side" is represented by the positive direction of the axis Oy and "lower end" or "lower" is represented by the negative direction of the same axis Oy.

[0063] According to a first embodiment of the wiper system 1, the adapter 29 is a one-piece assembly. In other words, this adapter is formed as a single part and the side walls 43, 45 and / or the upper end wall 46 cannot be separated from each other without damaging or destroying the adapter 29.

[0064] Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 or 5, the longitudinal end 59 of the connecting device 7, in particular the adapter 29, may be at least partially closed by an edge 61 that is specifically designed to prevent the accumulation of particles and debris within the connecting device 7, for example at the junction between the connector and the wiper blade. Preferably, such an edge 61 may comprise at least one through notch 611 for the wiper blade, for example for one of the deflectors 13 of the wiper blade 3. In this case, such an edge 61 is included in the head 63 of the adapter 29 according to a non-exhaustive example. For the purposes of the following description, it is understood that the adapter 29 may include, for example as shown in FIG. 4, an edge and / or notch 611 and / or head 63.

[0065] As shown in at least one of FIGS. 2 to 5, the first side wall 43 and the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 each comprise a first orifice 47 and a second orifice 49 designed to receive the pin 23 of the drive arm 5.

[0066] The first orifice 47 extends between the inner surface 431 of the first side wall 43, which is directed towards the inner volume 500 of the adapter 29, i.e., the sheet defined inside the adapter, and the outer surface 432 of the first side wall 43 opposite the inner surface 431 of the first side wall 43. Each orifice is defined radially by an edge 69 that forms a cylindrical envelope within the corresponding side wall. The first orifice 47 is at least designed to guide the pin 23 into the inner volume 500 of the adapter 29. For example, the first orifice may have at least a partially cylindrical, for example circular or polygonal, cross-section. Further, when the pin 23 extends through the first orifice 47, the pin may or may not contact the edge 69 that defines the first orifice 47 radially.

[0067] The second orifice 49 is an orifice extending through the thickness of the second side wall 45 and opening towards the internal volume 500 of the adapter 29 at least at the inner face 451 of this second side wall 45. Preferably, the first orifice 47 and the second orifice 49 are coaxial and can be centered on the same axis, for example the axis of rotation 400 of the connector 27 on the pin 23.

[0068] With the exception of FIG. 8, in the example shown in the figures, the second orifice 49 is a through-hole extending across the entire lateral dimension of the second side wall 45, specifically from the inner face 451 to the outer face 452 of the second side wall 45 opposite the inner face 451.

[0069] In the variant shown in FIG. 8, the second orifice 49 is a blind orifice extending through the thickness of the second side wall 45 from the inner face 451, and the second orifice is laterally delimited by a lower end wall 490.

[0070] Regardless of the embodiment of the adapter, the adapter can in particular be mounted on a connector firmly connected to the blade, after which the pin is inserted into the adapter with the blade inclined, for example, at 45° with respect to the arm so that the lug 25 does not stop against the adapter 29, and then the blade is rotated about the axis formed by the pin so as to oppose the lug to the side wall of the adapter.

[0071] When the wiper system 1 is assembled, the adapter 29 is thus mounted on the drive arm 5, whereby the outer face 432 of the first side wall 43 at least partially supports the second flange 17 of the drive arm 5, i.e. the flange of the drive arm 5 closest to the adapter 29 that at least partially supports the pin 23. Thus, the pin 23 extends through the first orifice 47, the internal volume 500, and the second orifice 49 of the adapter 29.

[0072] Connector 27 is designed to extend at least partially within the internal volume 500 defined by adapter 29. In particular, the low wall 39 is disposed within the internal volume 500 so as to place the transverse hole 41 on the opposite sides of the first orifice 47 and the second orifice 49 of the adapter 29. The connection between the connector 27 and the adapter 29 may be made, as a non-exhaustive example, by an elastic snap fit, and the inner surfaces 431, 451 of the adapter 29 may in particular include one or more cylindrical strands 51 designed to delimit the first orifice 47 and / or the second orifice 49 and cooperate with the low wall 39 of the connector 27. Preferably, such a configuration enables the connector 27 to engage the adapter 29 when the wiper system 1 is assembled, whereby the adapter 29, and thus the arm firmly connected thereto, can be rotated relative to the connector 27, and thus the wiper blade.

[0073] The lug 25 of the drive arm 5 extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction Ox and overlaps the upper end wall 46 of the adapter 29 in the transverse direction Oy in this case. The lug 25 includes at least one end stop flange 53 for the adapter 29 that extends perpendicularly opposite the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29. When the adapter and the lug have matching transverse dimensions, the lug 25 is adapted to contact the side wall of the adapter on the opposite side of the drive arm via the end flange, in this case the second side wall, in which case the adapter is sandwiched between the end flange and the flank of the drive arm closest thereto. Thus, such a lug 25 is adapted to fix the mechanical link between the drive arm 5 and the wiper blade 3 by locking the movement of the adapter 29 relative to the drive arm 5 at least in the transverse direction Oy, i.e., the direction of extension of the pin 23.

[0074] As described above, the present invention relates to the standardization of the connecting device 7 for the wiper system 1, enabling such a device to be used with drive arms 5 of various shapes and sizes. Thus, the lateral dimensions of the lugs and adapters do not necessarily match as described above. The adapter 29 of the wiper system 1 according to the present invention is advantageously designed to lock the connecting device 7 to the drive arm 5 in the lateral direction Oy, regardless of any difference between the lateral dimensions of the drive arm 5 and the drive arm lug 25 and the lateral dimension of the adapter.

[0075] According to the present invention, unlike the prior art, the lug 25 directed towards the second flange 17 of the drive arm 5, more specifically the inner surface 55 of the end flange 53 of the lug 25, can be arranged at a non-zero distance from the second side wall 45 while enabling the adapter to be locked in the lateral position relative to the arm. The locking of the lateral or transverse movement is more specifically achieved by the cooperation of the adapter 29 and the pin 23, thereby enabling the use of this system with an adapter having a width not explicitly designed for this type of fastening.

[0076] An example of such an assembled wiper system 1 is shown in FIG. 3. The lateral dimension 50 of the lug 25 of the drive arm 5 measured between the second flange 17 and the inner surface 55 of the end flange 53 is strictly larger than the corresponding lateral dimension 290 of the adapter 29 between the outer surface 432 of the first side wall 43 and the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45. The inner surface 55 of the end flange 53 is arranged at a non-zero distance from the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29, thereby creating a gap between the end flange 53 and the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29. In a conventional wiper system, the adapter 29 cannot be locked to the drive arm 5 in at least one orientation in the lateral direction Oy.

[0077] To lock the adapter 29 in the transverse direction Oy, the adapter is designed to comprise at least one fastening means 57 which is designed to firmly connect the adapter 29 to the drive arm 5, at least in the transverse direction Oy, by engaging, in particular, the second side wall of the side walls 45 with the pin 23 of the drive arm 5. The fastening means 57 according to the invention is arranged on the second side wall in the vicinity of the edge 69 defining the second orifice 49 so as to enable cooperation with the pin 23 seated in the second orifice.

[0078] It should be noted that the fastening means 57 cooperate with the free end portion of the pin 23, i.e., the portion that extends away from or at least at a distance from the flank of the drive arm where the pin projects. For this purpose, the fastening means 57 is included in the side walls 43, 45 furthest from the drive arm 5, in this case the second side wall 45.

[0079] The adapter 29 can be provided with one or more fastening means 57 which can be formed according to various alternative forms, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 6 to 10. Such examples are in no way limiting, and it is understood that the adapter 29 can include combinations of such fastening means 57 not shown. These different alternatives can relate, in particular, to the shape and / or material of the second side wall 45 and the edge defining the second orifice 49 of that side wall, and the presence of further members incorporated in the second side wall 45 in the vicinity of the edge defining the second orifice 49 to ensure the engagement of the adapter 29 with the pin 23 of the drive arm 5.

[0080] The second side wall 45 may be configured such that the edge 69 defining the second orifice 49 has a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially frustoconical shape. Hereinafter, the cylindrical or frustoconical shape of the edge defining the second orifice, or the cylindrical or frustoconical shape of the second orifice, will be referred to interchangeably.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the second orifice 49 is substantially cylindrical, the cross-section of the second orifice 49 taken perpendicular to the transverse direction Oy is characterized by the main dimension 491 of the second orifice 49, which is substantially constant over the entire transverse dimension or thickness 450 of the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29, in this case the diameter. Such a main dimension 491 is specifically determined to enable the insertion of the pin 23 of the drive arm 5 during the assembly of the wiper system 1.

[0082] As described above, the first orifice 47 may be at least partially cylindrical. The cross-section of the first orifice 47 taken perpendicular to the transverse direction Oy is defined by at least one main dimension 471 of the first orifice 47, in this case the diameter, which may be greater than or equal to the main dimension 491 of the second orifice 49, for example, so that the pin actually passes through the first orifice to cooperate with the second orifice after passing through the lower wall of the connector (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the second orifice 49 is substantially frustoconical, the second orifice 49 is defined by at least a first main dimension 4911 and a second main dimension 4912 that is smaller than the first main dimension. In particular, the first main dimension 4911 is a characteristic of the first cross-section of the second orifice 49 measured in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction Ox and the vertical direction Oz along the inner surface 451 of the second side wall 45. The second main dimension 4912 is a characteristic of the second cross-section measured in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction Ox and the vertical direction Oz on the side opposite the inner surface 451, and this second cross-section may be at the same height as the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 when the second orifice 49 is a through hole as shown in FIG. 7, or at the same height as the lower end wall 490 when the second orifice 49 is a blind hole as shown in FIG. 8.

[0084] In this case, the second orifice 49 has substantially circular first and second cross-sections, and the main dimensions 4911, 4912 are the diameters of the said cross-sections.

[0085] Similar to the above, the first orifice 47 may be at least partially cylindrical. The cross-section of the first orifice 47 taken perpendicular to the transverse direction Oy is defined by a major dimension 471 such as a diameter or diagonal, which may be substantially equal to or larger than the first major dimension 4911 of the first cross-section of the second orifice 49 as a non-exhaustive example.

[0086] As described above, the adapter has at least one fastening means 57 on the second side wall 45. These fastening means 57 are elastically deformable. In other words, the fastening means 57 is designed to deform under the effect of inserting the pin 23 into the second orifice 49 to allow the pin to pass through, return to its original position while engaging with the pin, and lock the pin laterally by radial compression of the fastening means on the pin.

[0087] For example, according to a first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, which will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 9, this at least one fastening means 57 may be arranged on the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45 at the junction with the edge 69 defining the second orifice 49.

[0088] In particular, the adapter 29 may be at least partially formed from a synthetic material such as a polymeric material having more or less elastic properties, such as a thermoplastic polymer such as polyoxymethylene, fiber-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or filled polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), depending on the desired degree of elasticity.

[0089] In the above example of the second frustoconical orifice, the reduction in cross-section forms a constriction 65 that constitutes a second example of at least one fastening means 57 with the second major dimension 4912.

[0090] More specifically, the second major dimension 4912 has a value slightly smaller than the corresponding dimension of the pin 23, specifically the cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction, whereby at least the constriction 65 facing outward from the adapter 29 is engaged with the pin 23. Specifically, at least the constriction 65 has a shape adapted to the pin 23.

[0091] Referring to the second frustoconical orifice, the insertion of the pin tends to elastically deform the second side wall when the free end of the pin is close to the constriction, and to enlarge the second major dimension 4912 of the edge 69 defining the second orifice. The degree of elasticity of the selected material enables the edge defining the second orifice to be clamped around the pin in the constriction forming at least one fastening means, locking the pin in place.

[0092] Furthermore, regardless of the shape of the second orifice 49, the second side wall 45 may comprise one or more fastening means 57 according to other embodiments, as schematically and non-limitingly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0093] In these cases, the fastening means 57 are arranged on the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45, for example in the peripheral part close to the edge 69 defining the second orifice 49.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows the fastening means 57 according to the aforementioned first exemplary embodiment in the form of an elastic clamping ring 70 made of the material of the second side wall. More specifically, the second side wall 45 has at least one notch 67 at the junction of the outer surface 452 and the edge 69 defining the second orifice, which notch extends radially from the edge 69 defining the second orifice towards the axis of this orifice and serves to form this elastic clamping ring designed to grip the free end portion of the pin 23 by elastic deformation.

[0095] As shown in the figure, the elastic clamping ring 70 is formed by a plurality of slats 73 separated from each other by at least one notch 67 and made flexible by the presence of an outer peripheral groove 71.

[0096] More specifically, at least one notch 67 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and extends through an elastic clamping ring 70 disposed around the second side wall, its outer surface 452, and the entire second orifice 49. In this case, this clamping ring forming the fastening means 57 comprises four notches 67 distributed at regular angular intervals. These notches 67 extend inwardly from an outer plane 455 substantially including the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45 to the thickness 450 of the second side wall 45. The number, shape, and position of the notches 67 shown in FIG. 9 are in no way limiting and can be changed.

[0097] The elastic clamping ring 70 extends around the entire edge 69 defining the second orifice 49 and is defined radially with respect to the axis of the second orifice by a groove 71 defining at least one slot 73 between this groove 71 and the second orifice 49. Each slot is separated from an adjacent slot by a notch 67, and each notch extends radially from the edge 69 defining the second orifice to the groove 71.

[0098] The respective protruding profiles of the slots 73 brought about by the positioning of the slots 73 between the groove 71 and the second orifice 49 may be designed such that each of these slots is at least partially flush with the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45, for example, such that each is partially included in the outer plane 455.

[0099] Accordingly, in this case, the fastening means 57 comprises four slots 73 each partially defined by two notches 67. As described above, the number, shape, and position of the groove 71 and / or the slots 73 shown in FIG. 9 are in no way limiting and can be changed.

[0100] When the pin is inserted into the second side wall, the slat 73 tends to move radially away in the direction of the groove 71 to allow the free end portion of the pin 23 to pass through, and its elasticity is emphasized by the angled cutout created by the notch, tending to return the slat towards the axis of the second orifice and to hold the pin by radial compression.

[0101] According to a third exemplary embodiment of the fastening means 57, said means may alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, or in combination with the aforementioned elastic clamping ring, extend across the second orifice 49 and comprise at least one flexible tab 75 forming a radially projecting portion from the edge 69 defining the second orifice 49.

[0102] The tab 75 has an elongate shape, in particular, although not necessarily, a substantially parallelepiped shape. The tab extends radially from the edge 69 defining the second orifice, in this case at the junction between this edge and the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45, for example towards the axis of rotation 400. The tab 75 is thin and can be elastically deformed so that, firstly, the pin 23 can be inserted through the second orifice 49 and, secondly, the pin 23 is gripped by elastic return when the wiper system 1 is assembled.

[0103] Thus, the second side wall 45 may comprise one or more fastening means 57 which can comprise, for example, a combination of a constriction 65 and / or at least one elastic clamping ring 70 and / or at least one tab 75. As previously mentioned, each of these alternative embodiments of the adapter 29 may also be at least partially formed of an elastically deformable material so as to optimize the function of fastening the pin using the second side wall 45 and the associated fastening means 57.

[0104] Specifically, the adapter 29 may be formed in one piece by injection molding of several materials having different elastic properties, and at least one elastic clamping ring 70 and / or at least one tab 75 are formed of a material that is more elastic than the rest of the adapter.

[0105] As described above, when assembling the wiper system 1, the drive arm 5 is mounted on the connecting device 7. The pin 23 is then inserted into the second orifice 49 by a translational movement in the lateral direction Oy until the second lateral flange 17 of the drive arm 5 abuts against the outer surface 432 of the first side wall 43 of the adapter 29, and engages with the first orifice 47 in the lateral hole 41 of the connector 27 extending into the internal volume 500 of the adapter 29. In this position, at least one fastening means 57 included in the second side wall 45 helps to lock the connecting device 7 in the lateral direction Oy by continuing to engage with the pin 23 of the drive arm 5 through the second side wall 45. Next, the drive arm 5 is rotated downward about the pivot axis 300 so as to move the lug 25 towards the connecting device 7 until the end flange 53 of the lug 25 faces the outer surface 452 of the second side wall 45.

[0106] To disassemble the wiper blade 3 with the connecting device 7 of the drive arm attached, the steps of the above-described assembly sequence may be performed in the reverse order.

[0107] Figures 11 to 17 are different views of a second embodiment of the wiper system 1 that is substantially the same as the second embodiment, and thus the above description can be applied with necessary modifications. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the adapter 29 includes a plurality of parts attached to and engaging with the primary element 77, in particular at least one primary element 77 and one secondary element 79.

[0108] The primary element 77 has a first primary side wall 771 and a second primary side wall 772 that are spaced apart from each other and joined to each other by a primary upper end wall 773.

[0109] Similarly, the secondary element 79 has a first secondary side wall 791 and a second secondary side wall 792 that are spaced apart from each other and joined to each other by a secondary upper end wall 793.

[0110] Accordingly, the primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 are designed to cooperate such that the first side wall 43 of the adapter 29 comprises at least the first primary side wall 771 and the first secondary side wall 791, while the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 comprises at least the second primary side wall 772 and the second secondary side wall 792, and the upper end wall 46 of the adapter 29 comprises the primary upper end wall 773 and the secondary upper end wall 793. In other words, the primary element 77 comprises the inner surfaces 431 of the first side wall 43 and 451 of the second side wall 45 as described above, and the secondary element 79 comprises the outer surfaces 432 of the first side wall 43 and 452 of the second side wall 45. The secondary element 79 overlaps the primary element 77 and they each have a profile that at least partially coincides.

[0111] Similarly, the first secondary side wall 791 and the second secondary side wall 792 of the secondary element 79 each comprise an intermediate inner surface 794, 794' on the side opposite to the outer surfaces 432, 452 of the secondary element 79. Similarly, the first primary side wall 771 and the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77 each comprise an intermediate outer surface 774, 774' on the side opposite to the inner surfaces 431, 451 of the adapter 29, and the intermediate inner surfaces 794, 794' of the secondary element 79 are in at least partial contact with the intermediate outer surfaces 774, 774' of the primary element 77. The cooperation between the primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 is described in more detail below.

[0112] Such a configuration of the adapter 29 allows the adapter to be formed of different materials. In particular, either the primary element 77 or the secondary element 79 can be made of a substantially rigid thermoplastic polymer material in order to reinforce the structure of the adapter 29 while providing the aforementioned function of locking the pins in the lateral direction, and the other can be made of a softer material having higher elastic deformation properties than the thermoplastic element. As a non-exclusive example, at least the element of the adapter 29 comprising at least one fastening means 57, in this case the secondary element 79, is made of an elastically deformable polymer material.

[0113] Regarding the second orifice 49, all of the features described above in the first embodiment are applicable mutatis mutandis to this embodiment, except that instead of the second orifice 49 integrally formed in the thickness 450 of the second side wall 45, the second orifice 49 of the adapter 29 according to the second embodiment comprises a first portion 81 of the second orifice 49 included in the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77 and a second portion 83 of the second orifice 49 included in the second secondary side wall 792 of the secondary element 79. When the secondary element 79 is arranged so as to overlap the primary element 77 so as to form a continuous orifice designed to receive the pin 23 of the drive arm 5, the first portion 81 of the second orifice 49 and the second portion 83 of the second orifice 49 are arranged at least partially opposite to each other. Specifically, they can be centered on the same axis, for example the axis of rotation 400 of the connector 27 on the adapter 29.

[0114] Furthermore, the first portion 81 of the second orifice 49 and the second portion 83 of the second orifice 49 may be designed such that the second orifice 49 has a substantially cylindrical shape as described above with reference to FIG. 6, or a frustoconical shape as described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Similarly, the second portion 83 of the second orifice 49 of the adapter 29 and / or the second secondary side wall 792 of the secondary element 79 may comprise any of the exemplary embodiments of at least one fastening means 57 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. According to an example not shown, the second portion 83 of the second orifice 49 may comprise the constriction 65 of the fastening means 57.

[0115] Similar to the first embodiment, the adapter 29 may optionally include an edge 61 at its longitudinal end 59. Preferably, such an edge 61 can include a primary edge 612 included in the primary element 77 and / or a secondary edge 613 that at least partially coincides with and at least partially surrounds the primary edge 611. The same applies to the aforementioned notch 611 and / or head 63, which may be transposed to be incorporated into the primary element 77 and / or the secondary element 79.

[0116] Accordingly, the adapter 29 may include an edge 61 including the primary edge 611 alone or in combination with the secondary edge 613, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, or may be open at its longitudinal end 59, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0117] To keep the primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 firmly connected to each other, particularly in the longitudinal direction Ox, the primary element 77 includes at least one locking member 85, and the secondary element 79 includes at least one complementary locking means 87 designed to cooperate with the at least one locking member 85.

[0118] Preferably, the adapter 29 can include a plurality of locking members 85 and complementary locking means 87, different examples of which are shown in FIGS. 11-17. These may have the same or different structures as shown in the figures. The adapter 29 may be designed to include only some of the different locking members 85 and complementary locking means 87 shown in the figures.

[0119] A first example of the locking member 85 according to the present invention is composed of at least one locking rib 89 that can project from the primary upper end wall 773, or more specifically, from an undercut formed in the primary upper end wall 773, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example. In the illustrated example, the locking member 85 extends in the longitudinal direction Ox. Alternatively, such a locking rib 89 may extend in the lateral direction Oy. Preferably, the primary element 77 of the adapter 29 includes a plurality of locking ribs 89.

[0120] The secondary element 79 comprises at least one complementary locking means 87 designed to cooperate with the locking rib 89 so as to prevent the secondary element 79 from moving at least in the longitudinal direction Ox. In this case, the secondary element 79 comprises a window 91 having at least one peripheral portion 93 designed such that at least one of the locking ribs 89 extends therein and forms a stopper for the locking rib 89 in the longitudinal direction Ox. In this case, the secondary element 79 comprises a window 91 in which various locking ribs 89 extend.

[0121] The locking member 85 of the second example may be constituted by at least one spot surface, called a primary spot surface 95, of the primary element 77 which may be formed, for example, on the first primary side wall 771 and / or the second primary side wall 772 and / or the primary upper end wall 773. Such a primary spot surface 95 is designed to cooperate with at least one complementary locking means 87, in this case a spot surface of a matching shape called a secondary spot surface 97, comprised in the secondary element 79, as shown, for example, in FIG. 13 or FIG. 17.

[0122] A third example of complementary locking means for the secondary element 79 may be constituted by at least one secondary tooth 99 shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 17 which projects from at least one of the inner intermediate surfaces 794, 794' of the first secondary side wall 791 and / or the second primary side wall 772 towards the inner volume 500 of the adapter 29, that is to say towards the primary element 77 of the adapter 29. Such a secondary tooth 99 may be designed to cooperate, as a non-exhaustive example, with at least one locking member 85 having a primary slot 101 of a matching shape which opens out onto at least one of the outer intermediate surfaces 774, 774' of the first primary side wall 771 and / or the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77, arranged on the opposite side of the secondary tooth 99.

[0123] According to a specific embodiment of the wiper system 1 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17, for example, when at least the secondary element 79 has an open longitudinal end 59, that is, has no edge 61, the element may preferably be designed such that at least one complementary locking means 87 extends symmetrically on both sides of the vertical and lateral median plane 250 of the secondary element 79, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 100 of the secondary element 79.

[0124] Such an arrangement preferably enables the secondary element 79 on the primary element 77 to be reversible. In other words, the aforementioned secondary element 79 can be disassembled from the secondary element 79, rotated 180° around the vertical direction Oz, and then reassembled on the primary element 77 such that the first primary side wall 771 is on the opposite side of the second secondary side wall 792 and the second primary side wall 772 is on the opposite side of the first secondary side wall 791. Therefore, the connecting device 7 of the wiper system 1 according to the present invention can also be used together with a drive arm 5 designed to be arranged on the other side of the outer plane 455 of the second side wall 45, for example, facing the adapter 29 in the lateral direction Oy, instead of the position adopted by the drive arm 5 as described above.

[0125] In such an inverted layout (not shown), the first side wall 43 of the adapter 29 includes the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77 and the first secondary side wall 791 of the secondary element 79 as described above, while the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 comprises the first primary side wall 771 and the second secondary side wall 792. In other words, the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 is the wall of the adapter 29 that includes the second secondary side wall 792, that is, the side wall that can at least partially include the fastening means 57. Similarly, the orifice comprising the second part 83 that can at least partially include the fastening means 57 is called the second orifice 49.

[0126] Therefore, such a configuration is suitable for the drive arm 5 designed to face the second primary side wall 772 rather than the first side wall including the first primary side wall as described above. Similarly to the above, at least one fastening means 57 is included in the side wall of the adapter 29 furthest from the drive arm 5.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 17, the adapter 29 can comprise a plurality of complementary locking means 87 including at least a first complementary locking means 871 and a second complementary locking means 872 arranged symmetrically with respect to each other around a median plane 250 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Ox of the secondary element 79. The first complementary locking means 871 and the second complementary locking means 872 may be formed according to any of the above-described embodiments, i.e., the means may be constituted by a plurality of windows 91 and / or secondary spot faces 97 and / or secondary teeth 99, or any other alternative form of the above-described exemplary embodiments. In this case, in the exemplary secondary element 79 shown in FIG. 17, the first complementary locking means 871 and the second complementary locking means 872 are constituted by secondary teeth 99.

[0128] According to the above, the present invention provides, in a connection device of a wiper system, an adapter comprising at least one rotary pin of a drive device designed to be adapted to a plurality of different drive arms, in particular a side-lock drive arm, i.e., extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of said arm. Therefore, the adapter of the connection device comprises at least a first side wall and a second side wall each having a first orifice and a second orifice designed to receive the pins of the drive arm, and the second side wall comprises at least one fastening means designed to lock the adapter at least transversely in the Oy direction with respect to the pins of the drive arm.

[0129] However, the present invention is in no way limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, but extends to any equivalent means or configurations and any technically operable combinations of such means. In particular, the shape and / or dimensions of the adapter of the connecting device, or of the locking member and / or complementary locking means, can be modified without impairing the present invention, provided that these components ultimately perform the same function as the components described in this document.

Claims

1. An adapter (29) for a connecting device (7) designed to connect a wiper blade (3) in a wiper system (1) for a motor vehicle to a drive arm (5), comprising a first side wall (43) and a second side wall (45) spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by an upper end wall (46), the first side wall (43) and the second side wall (45) each comprising a first orifice (47) and a second orifice (49) designed to receive a pin (23) protruding laterally (Oy) from the drive arm (5), the second side wall (45) comprising at least one fastening means (57) for fastening the pin (23) within the second orifice (49), designed to firmly connect the adapter (29) to the drive arm (5) at least in the lateral direction (Oy), the adapter (29) comprising a primary element (77) and a secondary element (79) attached to the primary element (77) so as to at least partially surround the primary element (77), the primary element (77) comprising an inner surface (431) of the first side wall (43) and an inner surface (451) of the second side wall (45), the secondary element (79) comprising an outer surface (432) of the first side wall (43) and an outer surface (452) of the second side wall (45), the secondary element (79) comprising the at least one fastening means (57), the primary element (77) comprising a thermoplastic polymer material, the secondary element (79) comprising a polymer material having elastic deformation properties higher than those of the thermoplastic polymer material of the primary element (77), the adapter (29).

2. The at least one fastening means (57) is constituted by a constriction (65) of the second orifice (49), the second orifice (49) having a substantially frustoconical shape and being defined by at least a first major dimension (4911) of the second orifice (49) and a second major dimension (4912) of the constriction (65), measured respectively on the inner surface (451) and the outer surface (452) of the second side wall (45), the first major dimension (4911) being greater than the second major dimension (4912), Adapter (29) according to claim 1.

3. The at least one fastening means (57) includes at least one flexible tab (75) that extends across the second orifice (49) and forms a radially projecting portion from an edge (69) that defines the second orifice, Adapter (29) according to claim 1.

4. The at least one fastening means (57) is an elastic clamping ring (70) made of the material of the second side wall (45), the elastic clamping ring (70) being at least partially incorporated into the outer surface (452) of the second side wall (45), Adapter (29) according to claim 1.

5. A connecting device (7) designed to connect a wiper blade (3) in a wiper system (1) for a motor vehicle to a drive arm (5), At least one connector (27) designed to be firmly connected to the wiper blade (3) and including at least one transverse hole (41) designed to receive the pin (23), An adapter (29) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, mounted on the connector (27) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (400) for connecting the connector (27) to the drive arm, Connecting device (7).

6. A wiper system (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade (3), a drive arm (5), and a connecting device (7) according to claim 5, The drive arm (5) has at least one pin (23) and one lug (25), and both the pin and the lug project laterally (Oy) from an end (21) of the drive arm (5). Windshield wiper system (1). **Claim 7** The end (21) of the drive arm (5) has at least a first flange (15) and a second flange (17), and at least the second flange (17) supports the pin (23). The windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second flange (17) abuts at least partially against an outer surface (432) of the first side wall (43) of the adapter (29). **Claim 8** The lug (25) includes at least one end flange (53) for the adapter (29) that is arranged opposite the second side wall (45) of the adapter (29). Windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 7. **Claim 9** The lug (25) is defined by a lateral dimension (50) measured between the second flange (17) and an inner surface (55) of the end flange (53). The lateral dimension (50) is strictly larger than a corresponding lateral dimension (290) of the adapter (29) measured between the outer surface (432) of the first side wall (43) and the outer surface (452) of the second side wall (45). The inner surface (55) of the end flange (53) is arranged at a non-zero distance from the outer surface (452) of the second side wall (45) of the adapter (29). Windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 8. **Claim 10** An automotive vehicle having the windshield wiper system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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