Adapter for a wiper blade connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (4) arranged to co-operate with a yoke / cover assembly. The adapter (4) comprises at least one elastically deformable tab (22) configured such that, when the adapter (4) is joined to the yoke / cover assembly in which the cap is in the locked position, the tab (22) can be inserted into the assembly in a direction of assembly / disassembly that is substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis (C). The elastically deformable tab (22) comprises a stop (27) that can, in the locked position of the cap and when the tab (22) is confined between the yoke and the cover, co-operate with a complementary stop on the cap (12) so as to prevent the adapter (4) from being removed from the assembly (6) in the assembly / disassembly direction. The tab (22) further comprises a chamfer (29) arranged so as to facilitate the retraction of the tab (22) when the adapter (4) is assembled with the yoke / cover assembly.

Description

Adapter for a wiper blade connector

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter for a wiper blade connector, in particular for a vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising this adapter and a yoke / cover assembly comprising a yoke of a sweep arm and a sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0003] Generally speaking, a vehicle wiping system comprises a drive wiper arm, rotated by a motorized system and intended to perform an angular back-and-forth movement along a glass surface to be wiped.

[0004] The wiping system further comprises an assembly comprising at least one adapter configured to cooperate with a connector, which is in particular secured to a wiper blade comprising a wiper blade intended to be in contact with the glass surface of the vehicle.

[0005] The assembly further comprises a sweep arm yoke arranged to be mounted at a free end of the drive sweep arm and a sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along the sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The yoke and the cover form a yoke / cover assembly.

[0006] The adapter and connector work together to attach the wiper blade to the drive arm and provide an articulated connection between the two.

[0007] In particular, the adapter is arranged to be inserted into the yoke / bonnet assembly in order to provide a mechanical connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm.

[0008] FR 3 072 629 discloses such an assembly comprising the adapter.

[0009] In this context, the invention aims in particular to propose a new type of assembly between an adapter and a yoke / cover assembly, offering reliable safety and greater simplicity of assembly.

[0010] The invention thus relates to an adapter arranged to cooperate with a yoke / hood assembly comprising a yoke of a sweep arm and a sliding hood arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, the adapter comprising at least one elastically deformable tab configured so that, during assembly of the adapter on the yoke / hood assembly in which the hood is in the locked position, the tab can be inserted into said assembly along an assembly / disassembly direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis so that the elastically deformable tab can be trapped between the yoke and the hood, the adapter further comprising a side provided with a closed contour window, and the elastically deformable tab extending into this window, and the elastically deformable tab comprises: a stop which can,in the locked position of the hood and when the tab is trapped between the yoke and the hood, cooperate with a complementary stop of the hood so as to prevent withdrawal of the adapter relative to said assembly, in the direction of assembly / disassembly, and a chamfer, in particular with a progressive contour, arranged to facilitate the retraction of the tab during assembly of the adapter with the yoke / hood assembly.,

[0011] The invention makes it possible, thanks to the chamfer on the elastic tab, to facilitate the installation of this tab in the yoke / hood assembly.

[0012] In particular, the fact that the chamfer is progressive and not at a right angle for example, facilitates the insertion movement of the adapter according to the assembly / disassembly direction in the yoke / hood assembly.

[0013] In addition, the invention allows the adapter to be secured in the assembly / disassembly direction once the adapter is inserted into the yoke / cover assembly, thanks to the cooperation between the adapter stop and the complementary cover stop.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable tongue is entirely surrounded by the window.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable tongue comprises a single chamfer on one of its edges.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the pivot axis of the elastically deformable tab is parallel to an edge of the window.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the pivot axis is formed by a hinge which extends parallel to the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the hinge of the elastically deformable tab extends parallel to the front and rear end edges of the adapter.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises an upper wall and the two sides each connect to an edge of this upper wall.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable tongue is integral with the sidewall.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable tongue comprises a flat flap and a projection on this flap.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, this projection has, in cross section along a plane perpendicular to the sliding axis, a substantially triangular shape.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, this triangular shape is of the right triangle type with the right angle aligned on the side.

[0024] Thus this projection of the elastically deformable tongue flares out towards the free end of the associated side, namely the end of the bottom of the adapter.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the chamfer is formed on this projection.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the chamfer is formed on an edge of this projection.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the chamfer is formed on the edge which is opposite the side on which the hinge of the elastic tab is formed.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the edge on which the chamfer is formed is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge.

[0029] It is understood that the edge on which the chamfer is formed is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge in a plane comprising the sliding axis and the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the chamfer is substantially perpendicular to the stop.

[0031] It is understood that the chamfer is substantially perpendicular to the stop in a plane comprising the sliding axis and the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, this chamfer extends along the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle profile of the projection.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the pivoting hinge of the tab extends between the flat flap of the tab and the side of the adapter.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop of the elastically deformable tongue is a face, in particular a flat face, on the projection of this elastically deformable tongue.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, this stop is oriented towards the free end of the side of the adapter.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the sliding cover comprises at least one rail, in particular in the form of a rib, which, in the locked position of the cover on the yoke, defines the complementary stop which can cooperate with the stop on the elastically deformable tab.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least one locking stud configured to prevent the insertion of the adapter into the yoke / hood assembly when the hood is in the unlocked position in said assembly.

[0038] In this configuration, the adapter locking stud and the hood rail abut against each other to prevent the adapter from being inserted into the yoke / hood assembly when the hood is in the unlocked position in said assembly.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises one or two locking pads on each side of the adapter.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter further comprises a safety member configured to cooperate with the yoke by insertion into an orifice of the yoke so as to retain the adapter on the yoke in the event of breakage of the adapter tab.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the safety member comprises an elastically deformable tab provided with a head arranged to come to bear on the yoke when the elastically deformable tab is inserted into the through-hole of the yoke.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least one locking stud arranged to cooperate with the yoke so as to ensure retention of the adapter relative to the yoke along the sliding axis when the cover is in the locked position in the yoke / cover assembly.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least two elastically deformable tabs, each tab being on one side of the adapter.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least two elastically deformable tabs present on the same side of the adapter.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least two elastically deformable tabs present respectively on two opposite sides of the adapter.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper wall of the adapter comprises a keying device configured to cooperate with an axial slot on the cover of the yoke / cover assembly.

[0047] So when the adapter is mounted on the yoke / cover assembly and the cover is in the locked position, the key is pushed to the bottom of the axial notch, which allows a user to have confirmation of a correctly completed assembly.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the keying device comprises a lug projecting from the upper wall of the adapter.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the lug has a height greater than the thickness of the notch such that the lug protrudes through the notch.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least one male-type pivot element arranged to cooperate with a brush connector to form a pivot connection.

[0051] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the adapter as described above, and a yoke / cover assembly comprising the yoke of a sweep arm and the sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0052] The invention also relates to a method for assembling the adapter as described above, on a yoke / cover assembly comprising a yoke of a sweep arm and a sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, the method comprising the following steps: placing the cover in the locked position, introducing the adapter in the assembly / disassembly direction into the yoke / cover assembly so that at the end of this introduction, the elastically deformable tab is engaged in the yoke / cover assembly.

[0053] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0054] is an overall perspective view of the wiping system according to the invention,

[0055] represents an exploded and partial view of the wiping system of the, in perspective,

[0056] illustrates an adapter according to a first embodiment, visible on the, the adapter being mounted on a connector already mounted on a wiper blade,

[0057] is a perspective view of the yoke comprising the adapter according to the first embodiment,

[0058] is an enlarged view of an elastically deformable tab of the adapter according to the first embodiment,

[0059] is a side view, in perspective, of the sliding cover comprising the adapter according to the first embodiment,

[0060] is a perspective view of the adapter according to a second embodiment,

[0061] is a bottom view of the adapter according to the second embodiment mounted in a yoke / hood assembly,

[0062] represents a top, perspective view of the adapter mounted on the yoke / hood assembly.

[0063] In these figures, the trihedron LVT as well as the references LV and LT will represent the orientation of the connection systems according to the different embodiments. The longitudinal direction L corresponds to an axis parallel to the main axis of the arm and the wiper blade, and the vertical and transverse directions V and T correspond to axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0064] Figures 1 to 2 show an assembly 2 comprising an adapter 4 according to a first embodiment of the invention, and a yoke / cover assembly 6 comprising a yoke 8 of a sweep arm 10 and a sliding cover 12 arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke 8 along a sliding axis C between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0065] The adapter 4 is arranged to cooperate with said yoke / hood assembly 6.

[0066] As visible in Figures 2 and 3 in particular, the adapter 4 further comprises pivot elements 16 of male and female type arranged to cooperate with complementary pivot elements 17 of a wiper blade connector 18 to form a pivot connection.

[0067] Adapter 4 is made in one piece.

[0068] The connector 18 is connected to a wiper blade 20, in a manner known per se.

[0069] As visible in Figures 3 to 6, the adapter 4 comprises two elastically deformable tabs 22 configured so that, when assembling the adapter on the yoke / cover assembly 6 in which the cover 12 is in the locked position, each tab 22 can be inserted into said assembly 6 in an assembly / disassembly direction A substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis C so that each elastically deformable tab 22 can be trapped between the yoke 8 and the cover 12.

[0070] The adapter 4 further comprises two facing flanks 23 each provided with a window 24 of closed rectangular contour, and each elastically deformable tab 22 extending into the associated window 24.

[0071] Each elastically deformable tab 22 comprises: a stop 27 which can, in the locked position of the cover 12 and, when the tab 22 is trapped between the yoke 8 and the cover 12, cooperate with a complementary stop 28 of the cover 12 so as to prevent withdrawal of the adapter 4 relative to said assembly 6, in the assembly / disassembly direction A, and a chamfer 29 with a progressive contour and arranged to facilitate the retraction of the tab 22 during assembly of the adapter 4 with the yoke / cover assembly 6.

[0072] On the, screed 8 is not shown.

[0073] As can be seen in particular, each elastically deformable tab 22 is entirely surrounded by the associated window 24.

[0074] The chamfer 29 is present only on one of the edges 30 of the elastically deformable tongue 22 which has a rectangular shape with four edges or sides.

[0075] The pivot axis of each elastically deformable tab 22 is formed by a hinge 31 which extends parallel to the assembly / disassembly direction A, as can be seen for example in the.

[0076] The adapter 4 has an upper wall 33 and the two sides 23 connect to two parallel edges of this upper wall 33.

[0077] Each elastically deformable tab 22 comprises a flat flap 36 and a projection 37 on this flap 36, as illustrated for example in Figures 5 and 6.

[0078] The pivoting hinge 31 of the tab 22 extends between the flat flap 36 of the tab 22 and the flank 23 of the adapter 4.

[0079] The projection 37 has, in cross section along a plane PP perpendicular to the sliding axis C, a shape substantially in the form of a right triangle.

[0080] Thus this projection 37 of the elastically deformable tongue 22 widens in the direction of the free end 39 of the associated flank 23, namely the bottom end of the adapter 4.

[0081] The chamfer 29 is formed on this projection 37, in particular on the edge of this projection 30, edge which is opposite the side 40 on which the hinge 31 of the elastic tongue 22 is formed.

[0082] The edge (30) on which the chamfer (29) is formed is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge (31).

[0083] In other words, the chamfer is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge (31)

[0084] In the transverse plane PP, this chamfer 29 extends along the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle profile of the projection 37, as illustrated in the.

[0085] The stop 27 of the elastically deformable tongue 22 is a flat face 41 on the projection 37 of this elastically deformable tongue 22.

[0086] This stop 27, and therefore the flat face 41 also, are oriented towards the free end 39 of the side 23 of the adapter.

[0087] The chamfer 29 is substantially perpendicular to the stop 27.

[0088] In other words, the chamfer 29 is substantially perpendicular to the face 41.

[0089] The sliding cover 12 comprises two pairs of rails 44, each rail 44 being in the form of a rib, which, in the locked position of the cover 12 on the yoke 8, defines the complementary stop 28 which can cooperate with the stop 27 on the elastically deformable tongue 22.

[0090] The adapter 4 comprises locking studs 50 configured to prevent the insertion of the adapter 4 into the yoke / cover assembly 6 when the cover 12 is in the unlocked position in said assembly.

[0091] In this configuration, each locking stud 50 of the adapter 4 and the rail 44 of the cover 12 abut against each other to prevent the insertion of the adapter 4 into the yoke / cover assembly 6 when the cover is in the unlocked position in said assembly.

[0092] In the example described, the adapter 4 comprises two locking studs 50 on each side 23 of the adapter 4.

[0093] The adapter 4 further comprises a safety member 52 configured to cooperate with the yoke 8 by insertion into an orifice 53 of the yoke 8 so as to retain the adapter 4 on the yoke 8 in the event of breakage of one of the tabs 22 of the adapter 4.

[0094] The safety member 52 comprises an elastically deformable tab 54 provided with a head 55 arranged to come to bear on the yoke 8 when the elastically deformable tab 54 is inserted into the through-hole 53 of the yoke.

[0095] The invention makes it possible to have an oblique mounting of the adapter 4 in the yoke 8 by first inserting the front, therefore the part with elastically deformable tabs 22, of the adapter 4 into the yoke 8. Then the adapter 4 is tilted with a rotary movement to lock the safety member 52. The chamfer 29 therefore makes it possible to approach the yoke / cover assembly 6 along a slope created by the chamfer 29.

[0096] In another example of implementation of the invention described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the adapter 60 comprises two elastically deformable tabs 22 present respectively on two opposite sides 23 of the adapter.

[0097] Thus the adapter 60 comprises a total of four elastically deformable tabs 22 while the adapter 4 of the previous example has two.

[0098] In the example of Figures 7 to 9, the upper wall 61 of the adapter 60 comprises a keying device 65 configured to cooperate with an axial notch 66 on the cover 12 of the yoke / cover assembly 6.

[0099] Thus when the adapter 60 is mounted on the yoke / cover assembly 6 and the cover 12 is in the locked position, the keying device 65 is pushed to the bottom of the axial notch 66, which allows a user to have confirmation of a correctly completed assembly.

[0100] The keying device 65 is in the form of a lug, with a height greater than the thickness of the notch 66 so that the lug 65 protrudes through the notch 66.

[0101] To assemble the adapter 4 or 60 with the yoke / cover assembly 6, the following steps are to be carried out: place the cover 12 in the locked position, introduce the adapter 4 or 60 following the assembly / disassembly direction A into the yoke / cover assembly 6 so that at the end of this introduction, the elastically deformable tabs 22 are engaged in the yoke / cover assembly 6.

[0102] Nomenclature:

[0103] 2: assembly

[0104] 4, 60: adapter

[0105] 6: yoke / hood assembly

[0106] 8: screed

[0107] 10: broom arm

[0108] 12: sliding hood

[0109] 16: Adapter pivot elements

[0110] 17: complementary pivot elements of a connector

[0111] 18: Wiper blade connector

[0112] 20: wiper blade

[0113] 22: elastically deformable tongue

[0114] 23: adapter side

[0115] 24: window

[0116] 27: elastically deformable tongue stop

[0117] 28: additional hood stop

[0118] 29: chamfer

[0119] 30: edge of the tongue

[0120] 31: pivoting hinge

[0121] 33, 61: upper wall

[0122] 36: flat shutter

[0123] 37: projection on the flat flap

[0124] 39: free end of the sidewall

[0125] 40: side on which the hinge is formed

[0126] 41: flat face of the stop of the elastically deformable tongue

[0127] 44: sliding hood rail

[0128] 50: blocking plot

[0129] 52: safety organ

[0130] 53: through hole in the yoke

[0131] 54: elastically deformable tab of the safety device

[0132] 55: head

[0133] 65: foolproof

[0134] 66: axial notch

Claims

Adapter (4; 60) arranged to cooperate with a yoke / cover assembly (6) comprising a yoke (8) of a sweep arm (10) and a sliding cover (12) arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke (8) along a sliding axis (C) between a locked position and an unlocked position, the adapter (4; 60) comprising at least one elastically deformable tab (22) configured so that, when assembling the adapter (4; 60) on the yoke / cover assembly (6) in which the cover (12) is in the locked position, the tab (22) can be inserted into said assembly (6) along an assembly / disassembly direction (A) substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis (C) so that the elastically deformable tab (22) can be trapped between the yoke (8) and the cover (12), the adapter (4;60) further comprising a side (23) provided with a window (24) of closed contour, and the elastically deformable tab (22) extending into this window (24), and the elastically deformable tab (22) comprises: a stop (27) which can, in the locked position of the cover (12) and when the tab (22) is trapped between the yoke (8) and the cover (12), cooperate with a complementary stop (28) of the cover (12) so as to prevent withdrawal of the adapter (4; 60) relative to said assembly (6), in the assembly / disassembly direction (A), and a chamfer (29), in particular with a progressive contour, arranged to facilitate the retraction of the tab (22) during assembly of the adapter (4; 60) with the yoke / cover assembly (6).; An adapter according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable tab (22) is entirely surrounded by the window (24). Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pivot axis of the elastically deformable tab (22) is parallel to an edge of the window (24). Adapter according to the preceding claim, wherein the pivot axis is formed by a hinge (31) which extends parallel to the assembly / disassembly direction (A). Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elastically deformable tab (22) is in one piece with the side (23). Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elastically deformable tab (22) comprises a flat flap (36) and a projection (37) on this flap, this projection (37) having, in cross section along a plane perpendicular to the sliding axis, a substantially triangular shape. Adapter according to the preceding claim, in which the chamfer (29) is formed on this projection (37). Adapter according to any one of claims 6 and 7 in which the chamfer (29) is formed on an edge (30) of this projection (37), edge which is opposite the edge (40) on which the hinge (31) of the elastic tab (22) is formed. Adapter according to one of claims 4 to 8 in which the chamfer (29) is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge (31). Adapter according to one of the preceding claims in which the chamfer (29) is substantially perpendicular to the stop (27) Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sliding cover (12) comprises at least one rail (44) which, in the locked position of the cover on the yoke (8), defines the complementary stop (28) which can cooperate with the stop (27) on the elastically deformable tab (22). Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a safety member (52) configured to cooperate with the yoke (8) by insertion into an orifice (53) of the yoke so as to retain the adapter on the yoke in the event of breakage of the adapter tab. Adapter according to the preceding claim, in which the safety member (52) comprises an elastically deformable tab (54) provided with a head (55) arranged to come to bear on the yoke (8) when the elastically deformable tab is inserted into the through-hole of the yoke. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two elastically deformable tabs (22) present on the same side (23) of the adapter. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper wall (61) of the adapter comprises a key (65) configured to cooperate with an axial notch on the cover of the yoke / cover assembly.

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