Adapter for a wiper blade connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (4) intended to cooperate with a yoke / cover assembly (6) comprising a yoke (8) of a drive arm of a wiping system and a sliding cover (12) to be slidably mounted on the yoke (8) so as to slide along a sliding axis (C) between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adapter (4) comprises at least one locking element to be trapped between the yoke (8) and the cover (12) such as to solidly secure the adapter (4) to the assembly (6) when the cover (12) is in the locked position. The adapter (4) comprises at least one male pivot member intended to cooperate with a wiper blade connector (18) in order to form a pivot connection, the locking element and the pivot member being formed by a one-piece portion of the adapter (4).

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 drive arm of a wiping system 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, the vehicle wiping system comprises a drive blade, 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 yoke arranged to be mounted at a free end of the drive arm of the wiping system and a sliding hood arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along the sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The yoke and the hood form a yoke / hood assembly.

[0006] The adapter and connector work together to attach the wiper blade to the wiper blade and allow for 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 of the wiping system.

[0008] FR 3072 629 A discloses such an assembly comprising the adapter.

[0009] In this context, the invention aims to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the adapter with the connector while ensuring reliable fixing of the adapter on the yoke / hood assembly.

[0010] The present invention thus relates to an adapter arranged to cooperate with a yoke / cover assembly comprising a yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system and a sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position,

[0011] the adapter comprising at least one locking element arranged to be trapped between the yoke and the hood so as to secure the adapter with said assembly when the hood is in the locked position, and

[0012] the adapter is configured such that, in the unlocked position of the hood, said locking element can be inserted into said assembly and removed from said assembly in an assembly / disassembly direction, and

[0013] the adapter further comprises at least one male-type pivot element arranged to cooperate with a wiper blade connector to form a pivot connection, the locking element and the male-type pivot element being formed by a single-piece portion of the adapter.

[0014] Thanks to the invention, the presence of the male-type pivot element cooperating with a brush connector makes it possible to dispense with the use of an additional fixing element such as a cylindrical rod, in particular made of metal, which serves as a connection between the adapter and the connector.

[0015] In this way, replacing a used broom with a new one can be simplified and can be done without requiring any special tools.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention allows for a robust attachment between the wiper blade and the drive arm of the wiping system, due to the imprisonment of the locking element(s) of the adapter in the yoke / bonnet assembly.

[0017] The installation of these adapter locking elements into the yoke / cover assembly can also be made simple by a simple movement in the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0018] Furthermore, simply sliding the hood to the unlocked position allows the adapter locking element to be inserted or removed from the yoke / hood assembly and sliding the hood to the locked position secures the wiper blade assembly to the wiper system drive arm.

[0019] The locking element(s) also make it possible to participate both in retention along the sliding axis and along the assembly / disassembly axis of the adapter relative to the yoke / cover assembly.

[0020] The single-piece portion of the adapter reduces the number of separate parts to be assembled, and therefore the manufacturing steps of the adapter, which reduces its manufacturing cost.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, said locking element is configured to be inserted and removed from said assembly in an assembly / disassembly direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis such that the axes formed by the direction and the axis form an angle in the range 70 – 110°, preferably 80 – 100°, more particularly 85-95°.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a longitudinal body with at least one flank, and the locking element being produced with said at least one flank.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal body defines a front end edge and a rear end edge.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises at least two flanks arranged opposite each other, each of the two flanks comprising at least one locking element.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, one of the sides of the adapter comprises at least two locking elements which are arranged on either side of the male-type pivot element.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, each flank comprises a single locking element, and these locking elements are offset relative to each other in a longitudinal direction of the adapter.

[0027] This longitudinal direction of the adapter is parallel to the sliding axis.

[0028] Thus, the locking elements are not opposite each other. The presence of these locking elements arranged asymmetrically along the longitudinal direction of the adapter presents a good compromise between the locking efficiency that these locking elements can ensure and the manufacturing cost of the adapter, since only two locking elements are manufactured.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, one of the sides of the adapter comprises a single locking element.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, one of the sides of the adapter comprises at least two locking elements which are arranged on either side of the pivot element.

[0031] For example, one of the flanks may have two locking elements while the other of the flanks may have only one locking element.

[0032] In another example, each sidewall can only have one locking element.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises two facing flanks and one of the flanks comprises a male-type pivot element and the other of the flanks comprises a female-type pivot element.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the locking stud may be generally circular or parallelepipedal in shape.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the locking elements each have an external contour, in particular of polygonal shape.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the locking elements are hollow and each have an internal contour, in particular of polygonal shape.

[0037] This reduces the weight of locking elements.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the locking element comprises at least one locking stud arranged to cooperate with said yoke / cover assembly.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking element comprises at least one elastically deformable tab arranged to pivot between a locking position and a retracted position along a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0040] Insertion and removal of the adapter according to the assembly / disassembly direction is possible in the unlocked position of the cover.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that one side of the adapter comprises at least two locking elements each comprising a stud and an elastically deformable tab.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a side provided with a window, and the elastically deformable tab extending into this window.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the pivot axis is parallel to an edge of the window.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable tongue is integral with the sidewall.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter is made in one piece.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the male-type pivot element comprises a journal configured to be inserted into a complementary orifice of the wiper connector to form a pivot connection.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the female-type pivot element is arranged to cooperate with a complementary journal of the wiper connector to form a pivot connection.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter further comprises a keying device configured to allow assembly of the adapter only in the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the keying device comprises a base on which a top extends.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the key extends from the adapter until it is flush with an outer face of the cover.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the base of the keying device has a polygonal periphery.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the top of the key has a periphery having a half-moon shape.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter further comprises a main body comprising the locking element and / or the pivot element.

[0054] Advantageously, the side or sides are on the main body of the adapter.

[0055] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the adapter according to the invention and the yoke / cover assembly comprising the yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system and the sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the yoke comprises at least one notch configured to receive the locking element of the adapter.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the sliding cover comprises at least one rail which, in the unlocked position, leaves the notch open to allow insertion or removal of the locking element from this notch, and in the locked position, traps the locking element of the adapter in this notch of the yoke.

[0058] The present invention also relates to a damping end piece arranged to be mounted at a front end of a yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system, and the yoke having a U-shaped cross section with a bottom and two side walls, the damping end piece comprising: an upper face arranged to come opposite the bottom of the yoke, two facing flanks, each comprising a first joining edge joining with the upper face, these flanks being intended to be opposite the side walls of the yoke, and at least one fin joining one of the flanks at least partially on a second joining edge of this flank, opposite the first joining edge and this fin projecting in a direction opposite the other flank.

[0059] During a wiper blade change operation, the invention makes it possible to improve protection against a possible impact of the screed on the glass surface, because the fin according to the invention increases the damping surface and thus allows better damping in the event of an impact.

[0060] Therefore, the risk of local cracking of the windshield when the wiper system drive arm is accidentally released is minimized.

[0061] Because the fin is on one side of the shock absorber end piece, this fin has the advantage of not excessively increasing the size of the shock absorber end piece. Thus, assembly with a brush is not hindered by the presence of this fin.

[0062] Furthermore, the addition of this fin does not substantially increase the overall weight of the tip.

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the end piece comprises a front face and a dorsal closing face, the front face being turned towards the front end of the yoke and opposite the dorsal closing face, and the dorsal closing face being arranged to close the free front end of the yoke.

[0064] Thus the front face is not covered, after assembly with the screed.

[0065] The dorsal sealing face which seals the free front end of the yoke is covered by this yoke, after assembly with the yoke. According to another aspect of the invention, the fin has a longitudinal dimension greater than or equal to the length of the flank.

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin is adjacent to a front face of the shock absorber end piece.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin extends longitudinally beyond the dorsal closure face, forming a protrusion projecting from the dorsal closure face.

[0068] Thus, the fin extends longitudinally towards the opposite end of the front free end of the yoke so that the longitudinal dimension of the fin is greater than that of its flank.

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin has a rearwardly flared shape when this fin is observed in a direction perpendicular to the side of the tip.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the vertical dimension of the fin is greater in the vicinity of the dorsal closure face than the vertical dimension in the vicinity of the front face.

[0071] Thus, the height of the fin may be greater in the vicinity of the dorsal sealing face than the height in the vicinity of the frontal face.

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the vertical dimension of the fin increases progressively from one of its ends adjacent to the front face towards the other of its ends adjacent to the dorsal closure face.

[0073] Thus, the height of the fin profile seen from a plane defining one of the sides increases progressively.

[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the fins extend along a plane perpendicular to the sides.

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin extends longitudinally beyond the front face forming a protrusion projecting from the front face.

[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin extends both forwards beyond the front face and rearwards beyond the closure face, respectively forming protrusions projecting from the front face and the closure face.

[0077] According to another aspect of the invention, the fin extends entirely between the closure face and the front face of the shock-absorbing end piece.

[0078] Thus, the fin has a length substantially equal to that of the sidewall.

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the end piece comprises two fins each joining one of the flanks on the second joining edge of this flank and each fin projecting in a direction opposite to the other flank.

[0080] According to another aspect of the invention, the fins are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through a center of the shock-absorbing end piece.

[0081] In particular, the plane of symmetry is defined vertically relative to the center of the shock absorber tip.

[0082] Alternatively, the fins on each side have different shapes, for example one fin may be longer than the other.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the profile of each fin differs from one another.

[0084] According to another aspect of the invention, only one of the two sides is provided with said at least one fin.

[0085] Thus, one of the sides is devoid of said at least one fin.

[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin defines a longitudinal groove, arranged for passage of a guide rail of a sliding cover configured to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0087] According to one aspect of the invention, the end piece comprises a lateral extension projecting from one of the flanks adjacent to the front face, the lateral extension having a flat facet.

[0088] The said lateral extension is flush with the screed.

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin is in one piece with the shock-absorbing end piece.

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, the shock-absorbing end piece is a single piece.

[0091] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip is produced by injection molding.

[0092] The tip is made of elastic material, preferably elastomeric polymer such as natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polyurethane.

[0093] According to one aspect of the invention, the tip comprises a shoulder extending substantially over the entire length of the fin.

[0094] According to one aspect of the invention, the groove is formed between the shoulder of the fin and a fixing rib of the end piece arranged to cooperate with the yoke.

[0095] According to another aspect of the invention, the maximum height H A of the fin is greater than the height of the groove H R

[0096] The shock-absorbing effect is provided by the maximum height H A . It should be noted that the higher this height H A is high, the better the damping effect will be. The height of the groove H R is, in particular, determined by the height of the sliding hood rail.

[0097] According to another aspect of the invention, the maximum height H A of the fin is smaller than the height of the groove H R .

[0098] According to one aspect of the invention, the end piece comprises a slot on the front face, this slot extending from the upper face substantially to the fins, this slot being capable of receiving a portion of a deflector of a windshield wiper blade.

[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot has a shape which flares towards the fins.

[0100] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot has a straight edge portion connecting to a curved portion via a rounded apex.

[0101] Alternatively, the slot on the front face intended to accommodate the deflector of the brush may be of symmetrical shape, namely the slot has for example two portions symmetrical to each other, curved or inclined straight, extending from a rounded top.

[0102] According to one aspect of the invention, the fin has an aerodynamic external profile.

[0103] Thus, this profile of the fin contributes to the aerodynamics of the entire blade.

[0104] According to one aspect of the invention, the external profile of the tip has rounded edges to promote aerodynamics.

[0105] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the end piece according to the invention and a yoke / cover assembly comprising a yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system 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 damping end piece being mounted on the yoke.

[0106] The present invention also relates to an adapter arranged to cooperate with a yoke / hood assembly comprising a yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system 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 locking element arranged to be trapped between the yoke and the hood so as to secure the adapter with said yoke / hood assembly when the hood is in the locked position, and the adapter is configured so that, in the unlocked position of the hood, said locking element can be inserted into said assembly and be removed from said assembly along an assembly / disassembly direction,and the adapter comprising: a safety member configured to cooperate with the yoke by insertion into a through hole in the yoke so as to retain the adapter on the yoke in the event of breakage of the locking element of the adapter.,

[0107] Thanks to the presence of the safety device, the adapter remains attached to the yoke, even when the locking element of the adapter no longer provides retention along the sliding axis and along the assembly / disassembly axis, for example due to breakage of the locking element.

[0108] This prevents the wiper blade from accidentally separating from the wiping system's drive arm, which can be a dangerous risk during operation.

[0109] In normal operation, i.e. excluding breakage or accident, the safety device in combination with the locking element makes it possible to reinforce the retention along the assembly / disassembly axis of the adapter on the yoke / cover assembly.

[0110] According to one aspect of the invention, said locking element is configured to be inserted and removed from said assembly in an assembly / disassembly direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis such that the axes formed by the direction and the axis form an angle in the range 70 – 110°, preferably 80 – 100°, more particularly 85-95°.

[0111] 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.

[0112] According to one aspect of the invention, the head forms a hook.

[0113] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable tab further comprises a base to which the head is connected.

[0114] According to one aspect of the invention, the base of the tab is connected to a main body of the adapter by a hinge region configured to allow pivoting of the elastically deformable tab about this hinge region.

[0115] The pivoting of the elastically deformable tab allows it to disengage or engage during the operation of inserting and removing the safety member from the yoke.

[0116] According to one aspect of the invention, the hinge region is located at a lower end of the base.

[0117] According to one aspect of the invention, the head connects to a rim of the base, this rim being located at an upper end of the base.

[0118] According to one aspect of the invention, the head is in the middle of the width of the upper rim of the base.

[0119] According to one aspect of the invention, the safety member is in one piece with the adapter.

[0120] According to one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a recess formed between the main body of the adapter and the elastically deformable tab of the adapter so that the elastically deformable tab can pivot in this space of the recess when the tab is inserted into the through hole of the yoke.

[0121] According to one aspect of the invention, wherein the main body of the adapter comprises the locking element and / or the pivot element.

[0122] According to one aspect of the invention, the locking element comprises at least one locking stud arranged to cooperate with said assembly.

[0123] According to one aspect of the invention, the locking element comprises at least one elastically deformable tab arranged to pivot between a locking position and a retracted position along a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0124] According to one aspect of the invention, the safety member is arranged to oppose disassembly in the assembly / disassembly direction.

[0125] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the adapter according to the invention and the yoke / cover assembly comprising the yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system and the sliding cover arranged to be slidably mounted on the yoke along a sliding axis between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0126] The invention also relates to a method for assembling an adapter on a yoke / hood assembly, this adapter comprising at least one locking element arranged to be trapped between the yoke and the hood so as to secure the adapter with said yoke / hood assembly when the hood is in the locked position, and the adapter is configured so that, in the unlocked position of the hood: said locking element can be inserted into said assembly and be removed from said assembly in an assembly / disassembly direction in an assembly / disassembly direction and the adapter comprising: a safety member configured to cooperate with the yoke by insertion into a through-hole of the yoke so as to retain the adapter on the yoke in the event of breakage of the locking element of the adapter,the method further comprising the following steps:placing the hood in the unlocked position,inserting the adapter in the assembly direction into the yoke / hood assembly so that at the end of this introduction, the safety member is engaged in the through-hole of the yoke so as to retain the adapter on the yoke in the event of breakage of the locking element of the adapter,sliding the hood to the locked position so as to trap the locking element in said yoke / hood assembly.,

[0127] According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises a step of inserting or removing said locking element along an assembly / disassembly direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis so that the axes formed by the direction and the axis form an angle in the range 70 – 110°, preferably 80 – 100°, more particularly 85-95°.

[0128] A “longitudinal” direction corresponds to an axis parallel to the main axis of the wiping system drive arm and the wiping blade.

[0129] "Rearward" means a longitudinal direction towards the drive arm of the wiping system.

[0130] "Forward" means a longitudinal direction opposite the drive arm of the wiping system.

[0131] For example, the front face of the shock absorber tip faces forward and the back sealing face of the shock absorber tip faces rearward.

[0132] In another example, the front free end of the yoke of a drive arm of a wiping system is longitudinally opposite a rear end of the yoke. The rear end of the yoke is arranged to cooperate with the drive arm of the wiping system.

[0133] The said “length” of the fin is measured along the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade.

[0134] The term "substantially perpendicular" is understood to mean when the axes "substantially perpendicular" to each other form an angle in the range 70 - 110°, preferably 80 - 100°, more particularly 85-95°.

[0135] 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:

[0136] is an overall perspective view of the wiping system according to the invention,

[0137] represents an exploded and partial view of the wiping system of the, in perspective,

[0138] illustrates an adapter according to a first embodiment, visible on the, the adapter being mounted on a connector already mounted on a wiper blade,

[0139] and illustrate, the connector arranged to cooperate with the adapter and the wiper blade deset,

[0140] is a perspective view of the yoke comprising the adapter according to a first embodiment,

[0141] is a bottom view of the yoke / hood assembly comprising the adapter according to the first embodiment,

[0142] is a side view, in perspective, of the sliding cover comprising the adapter according to the first embodiment,

[0143] is a side view of the adapter,

[0144] is a schematic and partial view, illustrating the adapter according to a second embodiment, in perspective,

[0145] represents a perspective view of the adapter according to the second embodiment comprising a safety member cooperating with the yoke by insertion into a through hole in the yoke,

[0146] illustrates a side view of the shock absorber end piece mounted on the yoke according to the invention,

[0147] is a schematic and partial perspective view of the shock-absorbing end piece according to the invention,

[0148] illustrates an oblique, perspective view from below of the yoke / hood assembly comprising the adapter according to the first embodiment and the shock absorber according to the invention,

[0149] 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.

[0150] Figures 1 to 2 show an assembly 2 comprising an adapter 4 according to a first embodiment, and a yoke / cover assembly 6 comprising a yoke 8 of a drive arm of the wiping system 10 and the 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.

[0151] As can be seen in particular on the, the adapter 4 is arranged to cooperate with said yoke / cover assembly 6.

[0152] The adapter 4 comprises four locking elements 14 arranged to be trapped between the yoke 8 and the cover 12 so as to secure the adapter 4 with said assembly 6 when the cover 12 is in the locked position.

[0153] The adapter 4 is configured so that, in the unlocked position of the cover 12, said four locking elements 14 can be inserted into said assembly 6 and removed from said assembly 6, following an assembly / disassembly direction A substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis C.

[0154] As seen in Figures 6 to 8, the adapter 4 further comprises a male-type pivot element 16 arranged to cooperate with a wiper blade connector 18 to form a pivot connection, the locking element 14 and the male-type pivot element 16 being formed by a single-piece portion of the adapter 4.

[0155] Thanks to the invention, the presence of the male-type pivot element 16 cooperating with the brush connector 18 makes it possible to dispense with the use of an additional fixing element such as a cylindrical rod (not shown), in particular made of metal, which serves as a connection between the adapter 4 and the connector 18.

[0156] In this way, the replacement of a used 20 brush with a new 20 brush can be simplified and can be done without requiring special tools.

[0157] Furthermore, the invention allows a robust attachment between the wiper blade 20 and the drive arm of the wiping system 10, due to the imprisonment of the locking element(s) 14 of the adapter 4 in the yoke / hood assembly 6.

[0158] The installation of these locking elements 14 of the adapter 4 in the yoke / cover assembly 6 can also be simple thanks to a simple movement in the assembly / disassembly direction A.

[0159] Furthermore, a simple sliding of the cover 12 towards the unlocked position allows the insertion or removal of the locking element 14 of the adapter 4 in the yoke / cover assembly 6 and the sliding of the cover 12 towards the locked position secures the assembly 2 on the drive arm 10 of the wiping system.

[0160] The locking elements 14 also make it possible to participate both in retention along the sliding axis C and along the assembly / disassembly axis A of the adapter 4 relative to the yoke / cover assembly 6.

[0161] Adapter 4 is made in one piece.

[0162] The adapter 4 comprises a main body 22 comprising these four locking elements 14 and the two pivot elements, of male type 16 and female type 24.

[0163] The adapter 4 comprises two flanks 26 arranged opposite each other, each of the two flanks 26 comprising two locking elements 14.

[0164] These flanks define a front end edge 28 and a rear end edge 30 of the adapter 4.

[0165] These sides 26 are on the main body 22 of the adapter 4.

[0166] Each locking element 14 comprises a locking stud 32, arranged to cooperate with said assembly 6. The locking stud 32 is made in one piece with these sides 26.

[0167] One of these two flanks 26 comprises the male-type pivot element 16 and the other of the flanks 26 comprises a female-type pivot element 24.

[0168] These sides 26 of the adapter 4 comprise two locking studs 32 which are arranged on either side of the male type 16 and female type 24 pivot elements.

[0169] Referring to Figures 3 and 4A, the female-type pivot element 24 is arranged to cooperate with a complementary journal 34 of the wiper connector 18 to form a pivot connection.

[0170] With reference to set 8, the male-type pivot member 16 is a journal configured to be inserted into a complementary orifice 38 of the wiper connector 18 to form a pivot connection.

[0171] In Figures 3 and 5, the adapter 4 further comprises a keying device 50 configured to allow the assembly of the adapter 4 only in the assembly / disassembly direction A.

[0172] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the keying device 50 comprises a base 52 on which a top 54 extends.

[0173] The keying device 50 extends from the adapter 4 until it is flush with an outer face 56 of the cover 12.

[0174] The base 52 of the key 50 has a polygonal circumference.

[0175] The top 54 of the key 50 has a rim having a half-moon shape.

[0176] The locking elements 14 each have an external contour 58 of polygonal shape. These locking elements 14 are hollow and each have an internal contour 60 of polygonal shape.

[0177] Thus, the weight of these locking elements 14 is reduced.

[0178] With reference to the, the yoke 8 of the assembly 2 comprises four notches 62 configured to receive the four locking elements 14 of the adapter 4.

[0179] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, which sliding cover 12 of the yoke / cover assembly 6 of the assembly 2 comprises four rails 64 which, in the unlocked position, leave the four notches 62 open to allow the insertion or removal of the four locking elements 14 from these notches 62.

[0180] In the locked position of the sliding cover 12, these four rails 64 trap the four locking elements 14 of the adapter 4 in these notches 62 of the yoke 8.

[0181] Figures 9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the adapter 4 according to the invention. The second embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment in particular by the presence of a safety member 66 on the adapter 4.

[0182] This safety member 66 is configured to cooperate with the yoke 8 by insertion into an orifice 68 passing through the yoke 8 so as to retain the adapter 4 on the yoke 8 in the event of breakage of the locking element 14 of the adapter 4.

[0183] Thanks to the presence of this safety member 66, the adapter 4 remains attached to the yoke 8, even when the locking element 14 of the adapter 4 no longer allows retention along the sliding axis C and along the assembly / disassembly axis A, for example due to the breakage of the locking element 14.

[0184] Still in the example of figures 9 and 10, the safety member 66 comprises an elastically deformable tab 70 provided with a head 72 forming a hook, arranged to come to bear on the yoke 8 when the elastically deformable tab 70 is inserted into the through orifice 68 of the yoke 8.

[0185] The safety member 66 can be a single piece with the adapter 4.

[0186] The safety member 66 is arranged to oppose disassembly in the assembly / disassembly direction A.

[0187] It is notable that this elastically deformable tab 70 further comprises a base 74 to which the head 72 is connected.

[0188] The base 74 of the leg 70 is connected to the main body 22 of the adapter 4 by a hinge region 76 configured to allow the elastically deformable leg 70 to pivot around this hinge region 76.

[0189] The pivoting of the elastically deformable tab 70 makes it possible to disengage or engage during the operation of inserting and removing the safety member 66 relative to the yoke 8.

[0190] The head 72 of the elastically deformable tab 70 connects to a rim 78 of the base 74, this rim 78 being located at an upper end of the base 74.

[0191] The head 72 is in the middle of the width of the upper rim 78 of the base 74.

[0192] The base 74 may form a vertical portion of the elastically deformable leg 70.

[0193] The adapter 4 comprises a recess 80 formed between the main body 22 of the adapter 4 and the elastically deformable tab 70 of the adapter 4 so that the elastically deformable tab 70 can pivot in this space of the recess 80 when the tab 70 is introduced into the through-hole 68 of the yoke 8.

[0194] In accordance with what has been described previously in the first embodiment, the main body 22 of the adapter 4 comprises four locking elements 14 each comprising a locking stud 32 arranged to cooperate with the yoke / cover assembly 6 and the two pivot elements, of male type 16 and female type 24.

[0195] A method of assembling the adapter 4 according to the second embodiment on the yoke / cover assembly 6 comprises the following steps: placing the cover 12 in the unlocked position introducing the adapter 4 in the assembly direction A into the yoke / cover assembly 6 so that at the end of this insertion, the safety member 6 is engaged in the through-hole 68 of the yoke 8 so as to retain the adapter 4 on the yoke 8 in the event of breakage of the locking element 14 of the adapter 4, sliding the cover 12 towards the locked position so as to trap the locking element 14 in said yoke / cover assembly 6.

[0196] Figures 6 and 11 to 13 show a shock-absorbing end piece 82 according to the invention arranged to be mounted at a front end of the yoke 8 of the drive arm 10 of the wiping system.

[0197] This yoke 8 has a U-shaped cross-section with a bottom 86 and two side walls 88.

[0198] With reference to the, the shock-absorbing end piece 82 comprises an upper face 89 arranged to face the bottom 86 of the yoke 8, and two flanks 90, 92 facing each other and which each connect to a first joining edge 94 joining with the upper face 89. These flanks 90, 92 are intended to face the side walls 88 of the yoke 8.

[0199] The shock-absorbing end piece 82 further comprises two fins 96, 98 joining one of the flanks 90, 92 on the second joining edge 100 of these flanks 90, 92. These second joining edges 100 are opposite the first joining edges 94.

[0200] The fins extend along a plane PW perpendicular to the sides 90, 92.

[0201] This PW plane is parallel to the plane defined by the L and T axes, as illustrated in the.

[0202] The fin 96 projects in a direction opposite to the flank 92. The fin 98 projects in a direction opposite to the flank 90. ​​Thus, the fins 96, 98 are directed towards the outside of the end piece 82.

[0203] “Outward” from the tip is understood to mean directions T transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the tip 82.

[0204] During a wiper blade 20 change operation, the invention makes it possible to improve the protection against a possible impact of the screed 8 on a glazed surface (not shown), because the two fins 96, 98 according to the invention increase the damping surface and thus allow better damping in the event of an impact.

[0205] Consequently, the risk of local cracking of the windshield (not shown) upon accidental release of the drive arm 10 of the wiping system is minimized.

[0206] Because the fins 96, 98 are on sides 90, 92 of the shock absorber end piece 82, these fins 96, 98 have the advantage of not excessively increasing the size of the shock absorber end piece 82.

[0207] Thus, the assembly with a wiper blade 20 is not hindered by the presence of these fins 96, 98.

[0208] Furthermore, the addition of these fins 96, 98 does not substantially increase the overall weight of the tip 82.

[0209] The fins 96, 98 are in one piece with the shock absorber end piece 82.

[0210] In order to produce such fins 96, 98, the end piece 82 can be produced by injection molding.

[0211] Still in the example of figures 11 to 12, the end piece 82 comprises a front face 102 and a back closure face 104, the front face 102 being turned towards the front and opposite the closure face 104.

[0212] The front face 102 is not covered, after assembly with the yoke 8.

[0213] The dorsal closure face 104 which closes the free front end 84 of the yoke 8 is covered by this yoke 8, after assembly with the yoke 8.

[0214] These fins 96, 98 each have a longitudinal dimension greater than the length of the sides 90, 92.

[0215] Said “length” is measured along the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0216] The fins 96, 98 are adjacent to the front face 102 of the shock-absorbing end piece 82.

[0217] The fins 96, 98 extend longitudinally beyond the dorsal closure face 104, forming protrusions 106 projecting from the dorsal closure face 104.

[0218] Thus, the fins 96, 98 extend longitudinally towards the opposite end of the front free end 84 of the yoke 8, namely the rear end 85 of the yoke 8, so that the longitudinal dimension of the fins 96, 98 is greater than that of the flanks 90, 92.

[0219] In a non-shown embodiment, the fins 96, 98 may extend longitudinally beyond the front face 102, forming protrusions projecting from the front face 102. These fins may both form protrusions 106 projecting from the dorsal closure face 104 and from the front face 102.

[0220] The end piece 82 comprises two fins 96, 98 each joining the sides 90, 92 on the second joining edges 100 of these sides 90, 92.

[0221] As illustrated in the, the fins 96, 98 are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry PS of the fins passing through a center of the damping tip 82.

[0222] This plane PS is defined vertically along the axis V relative to the center of the shock absorber end piece 82.

[0223] The fins 96, 98 define longitudinal grooves 108 arranged for passage of the guide rails 64 of the 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.

[0224] Still in the example of the, the end piece 82 comprises a slot 110 on the front face 102, this slot 110 extending from the upper face 89 substantially to the fins 96, 98.

[0225] This slot 110 is capable of receiving a portion of a deflector of a windshield wiper blade 20.

[0226] The slot 110 has a shape which flares towards the fins 96, 98.

[0227] The slot 110 has a straight edge portion 112 connecting to a curved portion 114 via a top 116 which is rounded.

[0228] As seen in the, the end piece 82 has lateral extensions 118 projecting from the flanks 90, 92 adjacent to the front face 102. These lateral extensions 118 have planar facets 120.

[0229] These lateral extensions 118 are flush with the screed 8.

[0230] As illustrated in Figures 12 to 13, these fins 96, 98 have rearwardly flared shapes when these fins 96, 98 are observed in a direction perpendicular to the sides 90, 92 of the end piece 82.

[0231] The end piece 82 comprises shoulders 122 extending substantially over the entire length of the fins 96, 98.

[0232] Still in the example of figures 12 to 13, “shoulder” means a contact zone located on one of the fins 96, 98 which is opposite the rail 64 of the cover 12 sliding in the locked position.

[0233] The grooves 108 are formed between each shoulder 122 of the fins 96, 98 and a fixing rib 124 of the end piece 82 arranged to cooperate with the yoke 8.

[0234] With reference to the, the maximum height H A of the fins 96, 98 is greater than the height of the grooves H R .

[0235] The shock-absorbing effect is provided by the maximum height H A . It should be noted that the higher this height H A is high, the better the damping effect will be. The height of the groove H R is, in particular, determined by the height of the rail 64 of the sliding cover 12.

[0236] These fins 96, 98 have an aerodynamic external profile.

[0237] Thus, this profile of the fins 96, 98 contributes to the aerodynamics of the entire blade 20.

[0238] The external profile of the tip 82 has rounded edges 126 to promote aerodynamics.

[0239] Nomenclature2: assembly4: adapter6: yoke / cover assembly8: yoke10: drive arm of a wiping system12: sliding cover14: locking element16: male-type pivot element18: wiper blade connector20: wiper blade22: main body of the adapter24: female-type pivot element26: side of the adapter28: front end edge30: rear end edge32: locking stud34: complementary trunnion of the blade connector of the female-type pivot element38: complementary hole of the blade connector50: adapter keying element52: base of the keying element54: top of the keying element56: outer face of the cover58: external contour of the locking stud60: internal contour of the locking stud62: notch configured to receive the locking element64: cover rail66: safety member of the adapter68: through hole of the yoke70: elastically deformable tab of the safety device72:head of the elastically deformable tab74: base of the elastically deformable tab76: hinge region78: edge of the base of the elastically deformable tab80: recess formed between the main body of the adapter and the elastically deformable tab82: shock-absorbing end piece84: front free end of the yoke85: rear end of the yoke86: bottom of the yoke88: side wall of the yoke89: upper face of the shock-absorbing end piece90, 92: side of the shock-absorbing end piece94: first joining edge of the upper face of the end piece96, 98: fins of the shock-absorbing end piece100: second joining edge of the upper face of the end piece102: front face of the shock-absorbing end piece104: dorsal sealing face of the shock-absorbing end piece106: protuberance projecting from the sealing face108: longitudinal groove arranged for a passage of a guide rail of a sliding hood110: slot of the front face of the shock absorber end piece112: portion of straight edgeof the slot114: curved portion of the slot116: top of the slot118: lateral extension120: flat facet of the lateral extension122: shoulder of the tip124: tip fixing rib126: rounded edges of the tip

Claims

Adapter (4) arranged to cooperate with a yoke / hood assembly (6) comprising a yoke (8) of a drive arm (10) of a wiping system and a sliding hood (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) comprising at least one locking element (14) arranged to be trapped between the yoke (8) and the hood (12) so as to secure the adapter (4) with said assembly (6) when the hood (12) is in the locked position, and the adapter (4) is configured so that, in the unlocked position of the hood (12), said locking element (14) can be inserted into said assembly (6) and removed from said assembly (6) along an assembly / disassembly direction (A),andthe adapter (4) further comprises at least one male-type pivot element (16) arranged to cooperate with a wiper blade connector (18) to form a pivot connection, the locking element (14) and the male-type pivot element (16) being formed by a single-piece portion of the adapter (4)., Adapter according to claim 1, wherein said locking element (14) is configured to be inserted and removed from said assembly (6) along an assembly / disassembly direction (A) substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis (C) so that the axes formed by the direction (A) and the axis (C) form an angle in the range 70 – 110°, preferably 80 – 100°, more particularly 85-95°. Adapter according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a longitudinal body with at least one flank (26), and the locking element (14) being made in one piece with said at least one flank (26). Adapter according to claim 3, comprising two flanks (26) arranged opposite each other, each of the two flanks comprising at least one locking element (14). Adapter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein one of the flanks (26) of the adapter (4) comprises at least two locking elements (14) which are arranged on either side of the male-type pivot element (16). An adapter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each flank (26) comprises a single locking element (32), and these locking elements (32) are offset relative to each other in a longitudinal direction of the adapter (4). Adapter according to one of claims 4 to 6, comprising two flanks (26) facing each other and one of the flanks (26) comprises a male type pivot element (16) and the other of the flanks (26) comprises a female type pivot element (24). Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the locking element (14) comprises at least one locking stud (32) arranged to cooperate with said yoke / cover assembly (6). Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking element (14) comprises at least one elastically deformable tab arranged to pivot between a locking position and a retracted position along a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the assembly / disassembly direction (A). Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the adapter (4) is made in one piece. An adapter according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the male-type pivot element (16) comprises a journal (36) configured to be inserted into a complementary orifice (38) of the brush connector (18) to form a pivot connection. Assembly comprising the adapter according to one of claims 1 to 11, and the yoke / cover assembly (6) comprising the yoke (8) of a drive arm (10) of a wiping system and the 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.

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