Adapter for a wiper blade connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (1) for a wiper blade (300) configured to co-operate with a wiper arm (200) comprising a yoke (210) and a cover (220) mounted so as to be movable in translation on the yoke (210). The adapter (1) comprises at least one flexible locking tab (6) configured to allow the adapter (1) to be mounted in the yoke (210) along an assembly direction (A) perpendicular to the translation direction (C) of the cover (220) when the cover (220) is in the retracted operating position, wherein the adapter (1) extends at one of its longitudinal ends with a tail (9), which is configured to come into abutment against the cover (220) of the wiper arm (200) when the cover (220) is in the forward position, thereby preventing the adapter (1) from being mounted in the yoke (210) along the assembly direction (A), and wherein the tail (9) can be inserted into the yoke (210) when the cover (220) is in the retracted operating position.

Description

Wiper blade connector adapter

[0001] The invention relates to a wiper blade adapter, configured to cooperate with a wiper arm, in particular of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a wiping system comprising said adapter as well as a method for assembling a wiper blade to a wiper arm by means of said adapter.

[0002] Generally speaking, a vehicle wiping system comprises a wiper arm, rotated by a motorized system to perform an angular back-and-forth movement along a glass surface to be wiped.

[0003] The sweep arm comprises a yoke at its free end and a cover mounted to slide on the yoke between a retracted operating position called locked and an advanced position called unlocked.

[0004] The wiping system further comprises an adapter configured to be mounted on a connector secured to a wiper blade comprising a wiper blade intended to be in contact with the glass surface of the vehicle.

[0005] The adapter makes it possible to create an articulated connection of the wiper blade to the wiper arm. In particular, the adapter is configured to be inserted into the yoke in the forward position of the hood, i.e. when the hood is pulled forward from the yoke by the user wishing to change the wiper blade, and to be retained in the yoke by locking the hood in the rearward operating position, i.e. when the hood is removed rearward by the user.

[0006] An aim of the present invention is to provide an adapter allowing simpler assembly of the wiper blade to the wiper arm.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an adapter for a wiper blade, configured to cooperate with a wiper arm, the wiper arm comprising a yoke and a cover mounted so as to be able to move in translation on the yoke between a forward position and a retracted operating position, characterized in that the adapter comprises at least one flexible locking tab configured to allow the adapter to be mounted in the yoke in an assembly direction perpendicular to the translation direction of the cover when the cover is in the retracted operating position, the adapter extending at one of its longitudinal ends by a tail configured to abut against the cover of the wiper arm when the cover is in the forward position in order to prevent the adapter from being mounted in the yoke in the assembly direction, the tail being able to be inserted into the yoke when the cover is in the retracted operating position.

[0008] The assembly of the broom to the broom arm is made easier for the user because it can be carried out in "direct assembly", without touching the position of the hood which is the operating position, the tail ensuring that the broom cannot be mounted in the forward position of the hood.

[0009] The adapter may further include one or more of the features described below, either alone or in combination.

[0010] The adapter has, for example, a U-shape or bridge shape, with a top wall and two sides.

[0011] The tail is for example formed by a longitudinal extension of at least a portion of the upper wall of the adapter.

[0012] It is understood that the tail formed by the extension of a portion of the upper wall of the adapter is arranged, when the hood is in the advanced position, facing a portion of the hood so as to come into abutment against the hood of the sweeper arm in order to prevent the mounting of the adapter in the yoke following the assembly direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the width of the tail is substantially the same as the width of the top wall of the adapter.

[0014] This allows for better robustness of the tail and makes manufacturing easier.

[0015] For example, the top wall of the adapter extends continuously through the tail, especially towards the rear of the adapter.

[0016] In some embodiments, the tail is connected to at least one flank of the adapter by at least one side fin of the adapter so as to laterally extend the at least one flank of the adapter.

[0017] Thus, at least one lateral fin helps to reinforce the robustness of the tail.

[0018] For example, the at least one fin extends in the extension of at least a portion of the at least one flank.

[0019] In some embodiments, the tail is connected to the adapter flanks by two side fins of the adapter so as to laterally extend the adapter flanks.

[0020] This further enhances the robustness of the tail.

[0021] Each side may carry at least one locking stud configured to be inserted into a respective lateral notch of the yoke when the hood is in the retracted operating position and to abut against a rail of the hood when the hood is in the advanced position. The at least one locking stud makes it possible to prevent the insertion of the adapter into the yoke in the advanced position of the hood, in particular in the event of an attempt to insert it at an angle relative to the assembly direction with the tail which would be inserted first into the internal housing of the yoke with the intention of passing the adapter under the slides of the hood.

[0022] The at least one locking stud is for example located in a corner of a locking tab closest to a free end of the side of the adapter.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one locking tab is provided in each side.

[0024] The at least one locking tab may have a locking lug forming an insertion ramp in contact with the yoke when mounting the adapter in the yoke to pivot the at least one locking tab.

[0025] The locking lug may have a retaining face in the transverse direction capable of abutting against a hood rail once the adapter is mounted in the yoke.

[0026] The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising a connector, characterized in that it comprises an adapter as described previously mounted on the connector.

[0027] The invention also relates to a wiping system comprising a wiper arm comprising a yoke and a cover mounted to move in translation on the yoke between a forward position and a retracted operating position, characterized in that it comprises a wiper blade as described previously, the adapter of which attaches the wiper blade to the wiper arm.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which an adapter as described above is mounted in a yoke of the wiper arm in an assembly direction perpendicular to the translation direction when the hood is in the retracted operating position. Brief description of the figures

[0029] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0030] It represents a vehicle wiping system.

[0031] Shows a perspective view substantially from below of a yoke of a wiper arm of the wiping system of the.

[0032] The figure shows a perspective view substantially from above of the wiper arm of the wiper system with a hood in the forward position.

[0033] Lamontre shows a reverse view of the sweep arm of the.

[0034] Shows a similar view of the hood sweep arm in the retracted operating position.

[0035] Lamontre shows a reverse view of the sweep arm of the.

[0036] Lamontre shows a perspective view of the sweep arm cover of the.

[0037] Shows a perspective view of an adapter for the wiper system.

[0038] Shows a side view of the adapter.

[0039] Shows a perspective view of a disassembled adapter from a sweep arm with the cover in the forward position.

[0040] Shows a perspective view of an adapter assembled in a sweep arm with the hood in the retracted operating position.

[0041] Shows a sectional view along a transverse cutting plane (X, Z) of the adapter assembled to the sweeper arm of the.

[0042] Shows a perspective view of an adapter being removed from a sweep arm with the cover in the forward position.

[0043] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0044] In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal Y, vertical Z and transverse X directions indicated in particular on the trihedron (X, Y, Z) fixed relative to the sweep arm will be adopted without limitation. The longitudinal Y direction corresponds to the main direction in which the sweep arm extends. The vertical Z and transverse X directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal Y direction and perpendicular to each other.

[0045] The term "under" or "lower" refers to the side of the wiper arm or adapter closest to the wiper blade assembled to the adapter and the term "above" or "upper" refers to the opposite side.

[0046] The "front" refers to the side of the free end of the broom arm and the "rear" refers to the opposite side. Detailed description

[0047] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0048] Lamontre a wiping system 100 comprising a wiper arm 200, a wiper blade 300 and an adapter 1 attaching the wiper blade 300 to the wiper arm 200.

[0049] The wiper arm 200 is configured to be driven in rotation by a motorized system to perform an angular back-and-forth movement along a glass surface to be wiped. It comprises a yoke 210 at its free end and a cover 220 mounted to move in translation on the yoke 210.

[0050] The yoke 210 of the wiper arm 200 cooperates with the adapter 1 to assemble the wiper arm 200 to a connector 301 of the wiper blade 300 in an articulated manner.

[0051] The yoke 210 is fixed on a rod 230 of the sweep arm 200. Better visible on the, this yoke 210 has a body extending mainly in a longitudinal direction Y which has at its end, a cross section (in the plane (X, Z)) in the shape of a “U”. The U shape of the yoke 210 has an upper wall and two side walls 211 extending from parallel edges of the upper wall.

[0052] At least one lateral notch 212 is provided in each lateral wall 211 of the U, for example two lateral notches 212 are provided in each wall 211, for example facing each other. These lateral notches 212 are open on the side of the opening of the U.

[0053] The cover 220 of the sweep arm 200 is mounted to move in translation on the yoke 210 in a translation direction C parallel to the longitudinal direction Y of the sweep arm 200. It can take an advanced position (figures 3A, 3B) and a retracted operating position (figures 4A, 4B) on the yoke 210.

[0054] In the advanced position (Figures 3A, 3B), the cover 220 is further forward on the yoke 210 towards the end of the sweep arm 200 than in the retracted operating position (Figures 4A, 4B).

[0055] In use, when the wiper blade 300 is assembled and locked to the wiper arm 200, the cover 220 is in the retracted operating position.

[0056] Best seen in the, the hood 220 has a body extending mainly in a longitudinal direction Y and has a cross-section (in the plane (X, Z)) in the shape of a “U”. The hood 220 has a top wall, a front wall extending from the front edge of the top wall and two side walls 221 extending from parallel edges of the top wall.

[0057] Each side wall 221 of the cover 220 extends to the rear by a respective wing 222 whose ends are curved towards the inside of the cover 220 to form slides 223 for the side walls 211 of the yoke 210 (figures 3B, 4B).

[0058] Each side wall 221 of the cover 220 is also curved at its free end towards the inside of the cover 220, forming at least one rail 224. There are, for example, two rails 224 aligned in the longitudinal direction Y at the end of each side wall 221, the rails 224 being separated in the middle of each side wall 221 of the cover 220. These rails 224 close the lateral notches 212 of the yoke 210 in the retracted operating position () and free up access to the lateral notches 212 in the advanced position of the cover 220 (), the rails 24 being offset to the front of the accesses of the notches 212 when the cover 220 is advanced on the yoke 210.

[0059] The yoke 210 makes it possible to assemble a wiper blade 300 via a prior art adapter having two or four cylindrical studs projecting in the transverse direction (not shown). To mount a wiper blade 300 on the wiper arm 200 by means of the prior art adapter, the user advances the cover 220 on the yoke 210 to the advanced position, called the unlocking position, which moves the rails 224 forward, freeing access to the lateral notches 212 () for the insertion of the studs of the prior art adapter. The user then returns the cover 220 to the rearward operating position, called the locking position, which replaces the rails 224 in front of the notches 212 (), trapping the studs in the notches 212, which locks the prior art adapter in the yoke 210.

[0060] The yoke 210 also makes it possible to assemble a wiper blade 300 via an adapter 1 according to the invention.

[0061] Figures 6 and 7 show an example of an adapter 1 of the present invention.

[0062] The adapter 1 is a single-piece. It has a body extending mainly in a longitudinal direction Y and has a cross-section (in the plane (X, Z)) in the shape of a “U”. The adapter 1 has, for example, a bridge shape of a shape substantially complementary to the internal housing of the yoke 210. The adapter 1 in the shape of a bridge has an upper wall 2 and two flanks 3 extending from parallel edges of the upper wall 2.

[0063] To connect the adapter 1 to the wiper blade 300, the adapter 1 is mounted on the connector 301 of the wiper blade 300 to which it is retained for example by snap-fastening, in particular by means of the pivot elements of the adapter 1 and the connector 301, or by means of pivot elements of the adapter 1 and the connector 301, such as an axle. The connector 301 is an element of the wiper blade 300 surmounting a wiper blade 302 of the wiper blade 300 in its middle ().

[0064] The pivot elements of the adapter 1, for example of the male and female type, are arranged to cooperate with complementary pivot elements of the connector 301 of the wiper blade 300 to form a pivot connection. The rotation between the adapter 1 and the connector 301 is carried out around an axis of rotation parallel to the transverse direction X.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment visible on the, the adapter 1 comprises on the one hand a cylindrical stud 4 configured to cooperate with a circular orifice of the connector 301, and on the other hand a hole 5 configured to cooperate with a cylindrical stud of the connector 301, the cylindrical stud 4 and the hole 5 of the adapter 1 being formed in the parallel and opposite flanks 3 of the body of the adapter 1.

[0066] The adapter 1 further comprises at least one flexible locking tab 6 configured to allow the adapter 1 to be mounted in the yoke 210 in an assembly direction A (in the vertical direction Z in the figures) perpendicular to the translation direction C of the cover 220, when the cover 220 is in the retracted operating position.

[0067] The adapter 1 comprises for example a locking tab 6 or in the illustrative example, two locking tabs 6, arranged in each flank 3, i.e. two or four locking tabs 6 configured to cooperate with a respective lateral notch 212 of the yoke 210.

[0068] According to an exemplary embodiment, the locking tabs 6 provided in the flanks 3 of the adapter 1 have flat flaps connected to the body of the adapter 1 by a respective hinge 7 extending in the assembly direction A so as to allow the flap of the tab 6 to pivot in associated openings in the flanks 3 of the adapter 1.

[0069] According to an exemplary embodiment, each locking tab 6 has a locking lug 8 projecting from a flap of the tab 6.

[0070] The locking lug 8 has, for example, a general triangular prism shape and a substantially right-angled triangle cross-section widening towards the free end of the flank 3 of the adapter 1, such that the hypotenuse of the locking lug 8 forms an insertion ramp in contact with the yoke 210 when the adapter 1 is mounted in the yoke 210 in the assembly direction A. The ramp shape of the retaining lug 8 allows the tab 6 to be progressively pivoted by the yoke 210 towards the inside of the adapter 1 when the adapter 1 is mounted.

[0071] The locking lug 8 may also have a retaining face in the transverse direction capable of coming into abutment against a rail 224 of the cover 220 once the adapter 1 is mounted in the yoke 210 (). The retaining face is for example flat. The retaining face makes it possible to prevent the adapter 1 from coming out once it is mounted in the yoke 210.

[0072] During assembly, the flexible locking tabs 6 retract to fit into the lateral notches 212 of the yoke 210 in the assembly direction A, bypassing the rails 224 of the cover 220 in the retracted operating position without it being necessary to free access to the lateral notches 212. Once assembled, each locking tab 6 is trapped in a respective notch 212 of the yoke 210 under the cover 220.

[0073] The adapter 1 extends at one of its longitudinal ends by a tail 9 (figures 6 and 7). This tail 9 is configured to come into abutment against the cover 220 of the sweep arm 200 when the cover 220 is in the advanced position in order to prevent the mounting of the adapter 1 in the yoke 210 in the assembly direction A. The tail 9 can be inserted into the yoke 210, between the wings 222 of the yoke 210, when the cover 220 is in the retracted operating position.

[0074] More specifically, the tail 9 of the adapter 1 abuts against the slides 223 of the cover 220 in the advanced position of the cover 220 (), the tail 9 being wider (in the transverse direction) than the spacing between the slides 223 to prevent the tail 9 from passing through the slides 223 when the adapter 1 is pushed against the yoke 210 in the assembly direction A.

[0075] The tail 9 is for example formed by the longitudinal extension of the upper wall 2 of the adapter 1 towards the rear. The width of the tail 9 is for example the same as that of the upper wall 2 of the adapter 1, the upper wall 2 of the adapter 1 then being continuously extended by the tail 9, in particular towards the rear of the adapter 1.

[0076] The length of the tail 9 (in the longitudinal direction) is for example at least as long as the length of the slides 223 and less than the travel of movement of the hood 220 between the forward and backward operating positions.

[0077] The tail 9 can be connected to the sides 3 of the adapter 1 by two lateral fins 10 of the adapter 1 so as to laterally extend the bridge (). The lateral fins 10 make it possible to reinforce the robustness of the tail 9.

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment, each flank 3 of the adapter 1 carries at least one locking stud 11 projecting in the transverse direction X, configured to be inserted in the assembly direction A into a respective lateral notch 212 of the yoke 210, when the cover 220 is in the retracted operating position () and to come into abutment against a rail 224 of the cover 220 when the cover 220 is in the advanced position.

[0079] The locking stud 11 makes it possible to prevent the insertion of the adapter 1 into the yoke 210 in the advanced position of the cover 220, in particular in the event of an attempt to insert it at an angle relative to the assembly direction A with the tail 9 which would be inserted first into the internal housing of the yoke 210 with the intention of passing the adapter 1 under the slides 223 of the cover 220.

[0080] The locking stud 11 has, for example, the shape of a parallelepiped block. It is, for example, located in the lower part of the adapter 1, near the opening of the adapter 1, for example in a corner of the locking tab 6 closest to a free end of the side 3, for example next to the locking tabs 6 located at the front, for example between the tab 6 and the hole 5 of the pivot connection on one side 3 () and between the tab 6 and the cylindrical stud 4 of the pivot connection on the opposite side 3. This position allows the locking stud 11 to come into abutment at the end of the attempt to insert the adapter 1 at an angle.

[0081] The adapter 1 may further comprise a keying device 12 configured to be inserted into an opening 213 provided in the upper wall of the yoke 210 (FIGS. 3A, 7). The keying device 12 prevents the adapter 1 from being mounted if it is presented upside down. Thus, the user is assured of the correct orientation of the adapter 1 for its insertion into the yoke 210.

[0082] A head 13 made of elastic material, for example rubber, can be arranged under the yoke 210, at the longitudinal end of the adapter 1 opposite that of the tail 9 (figures 8, 9A).

[0083] When a user wishes to assemble a wiper blade 300 to the wiper arm 200 by means of the adapter 1, he mounts the adapter 1 in the yoke 210 of the wiper arm 200 in the assembly direction A perpendicular to the translation direction C when the cover 220 is in the retracted operating position.

[0084] If the cover 220 is in the advanced position (figures 3A, 3B), the tail 9 of the adapter 1 comes into abutment against the slides 223 of the cover 220 (), which prevents the adapter 1 from being mounted in the yoke 210 in the assembly direction A.

[0085] If the user tries to insert the adapter 1 in an assembly direction at an angle relative to the assembly direction A by placing the tail 9 first in the internal housing of the yoke 210 with the intention of passing the adapter 1 under the slides 223 of the cover 220, the locking studs 11 come into abutment against the rails 224 of the cover 220, preventing the adapter 1 from being folded down into the yoke 210.

[0086] If the cover 220 is in the retracted operating position (figures 4A, 4B), the slides 223 are moved to the rear of the yoke 210 so that the tail 9 of the adapter 1 can be inserted into the yoke 210 in the assembly direction A, between the wings 222 of the yoke 210.

[0087] The flexible locking tabs 6 then retract to fit into the lateral notches 212 of the yoke 210, bypassing the rails 224 of the cover 220 without it being necessary to free access to the lateral notches 212.

[0088] The retaining lugs 8 facilitate the progressive pivoting of the tabs 6 by the yoke 210 towards the inside of the adapter 1.

[0089] The locking studs 11 fit into a respective lateral notch 212 of the yoke 210 ().

[0090] The key 12 prevents the adapter 1 from being mounted upside down.

[0091] Once mounted, each locking tab 6 is trapped in a respective notch 212 of the yoke 210 under the cover 220 (figures 9A, 9B).

[0092] The flat retaining face of the lugs 8 prevents the adapter 1 from coming out.

[0093] It is understood that the assembly of the broom 300 to the broom arm 200 is made easier for the user because it can be carried out in “direct assembly”, without touching the position of the cover 220 which is the operating position.

[0094] To disassemble the wiper 300 from the wiper arm 200, the user moves the cover 220 to the advanced position (), so that the rails 224 free the accesses to the lateral notches 212, allowing the release of the adapter 1 and therefore of the wiper 300 in the disassembly direction D, parallel and opposite to the assembly direction A.

Claims

Adapter (1) for a wiper blade (300), configured to cooperate with a wiper arm (200), the wiper arm (200) comprising a yoke (210) and a cover (220) mounted movable in translation on the yoke (210) between an advanced position and a retracted operating position, characterized in that the adapter (1) comprises at least one flexible locking tab (6) configured to allow the adapter (1) to be mounted in the yoke (210) in an assembly direction (A) perpendicular to the translation direction (C) of the cover (220) when the cover (220) is in the retracted operating position, the adapter (1) extending at one of its longitudinal ends by a tail (9) configured to abut against the cover (220) of the wiper arm (200) when the cover (220) is in the advanced position in order to prevent the adapter (1) from being mounted in the yoke (210) along the assembly direction (A),the tail (9) being able to be inserted into the yoke (210) when the cover (220) is in the retracted operating position., Adapter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an upper wall (2) and two sides (3). Adapter (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the tail (9) is formed by a longitudinal extension of at least a portion of the upper wall (2) of the adapter (1). Adapter according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the width of the tail (9) is substantially the same as that of the upper wall (2) of the adapter (1), the upper wall 2 of the adapter 1 then extending continuously by the tail 9, in particular towards the rear of the adapter 1 Adapter according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tail (9) is connected to at least one flank (3) of the adapter (1) by at least one lateral fin (10) of the adapter (1) so as to laterally extend the at least one flank (3) of the adapter. Adapter according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tail (9) is connected to the sides (3) of the adapter (1) by two lateral fins (10) of the adapter (1) so as to laterally extend the sides (3) of the adapter. Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has two sides (3), each side (3) carrying at least one locking stud (11) configured to be inserted into a respective lateral notch (212) of the yoke (210) when the cover (220) is in the retracted operating position and to come into abutment against a rail (224) of the cover (220) when the cover (220) is in the advanced position. Adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one locking stud (11) is located in a corner of a locking tab (6) closest to a free end of the side (3) of the adapter (1). Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a bridge shape having two sides (3), at least one locking tab (6) being provided in each side (3). Adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one locking tab (6) has a locking lug (8) forming an insertion ramp in contact with the yoke (210) when mounting the adapter (1) in the yoke (210) to pivot the at least one locking tab (6). Adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking lug (8) has a retaining face in the transverse direction capable of coming into abutment against a rail (224) of the cover (220) once the adapter (1) is mounted in the yoke (210). Wiper blade (300) comprising a connector (301), characterized in that it comprises an adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims mounted on the connector (301). Wiping system (100) comprising a wiper arm (200) comprising a yoke (210) and a cover (220) mounted to move in translation on the yoke (210) between a forward position and a retracted operating position, characterized in that it comprises a wiper blade (300) according to the preceding claim, the adapter (1) of which attaches the wiper blade (300) to the wiper arm (200). Method for assembling a wiper blade (300) to a wiper arm (200) in which an adapter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 is mounted in a yoke (210) of the wiper arm (200) in an assembly direction (A) perpendicular to the translation direction (C) when the cover (220) is in the retracted operating position.

Images