EP3902721A1

EP3902721A1 - Adapter for motor vehicle wiper blade

Info

Publication number: EP3902721A1
Application number: EP19806265.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincent Izabel; Jean-Michel Jarasson; Gérald CAILLOT
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes dEssuyage SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes dEssuyage SAS
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2021-11-03
Also published as: FR3091234A1; WO2020135960A1; CN113508060B; FR3091234B1; CN113508060A

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (300) for attaching a wiper blade (500) to an articulated arm (600) of a wiping system (700), the adapter (300) being pivotally mounted on a connector (200) of the wiper blade (500). The adapter (300) comprises two lateral walls (320, 330) joined together by an upper wall (340) and forming a recess (350) for the connector (200). At one distal end of the lateral walls (320, 330) relative to the upper wall (340), the connector comprises a lower bearing surface (323, 333) designed to cooperate with a folded edge (655) of the cover (650). According to the invention, the recess (650) opens lengthwise at the two longitudinal ends of the adapter (300). The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising such an adapter (300) mounted on a structure (400), and to a wiping system (700) comprising such a wiper blade (500). The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.

Description

Title: VEHICLE WIPER BLADE ADAPTER

AUTOMOTIVE

Technical area

The present invention lies in the field of wiper blades of a motor vehicle window, and more particularly relates to adapters for fixing wiper blade to an articulated arm of a wiping system. .

State of the art

In the field of motor vehicles, wiping systems make it possible to wipe a glass wall of a motor vehicle. In general, such wiping systems include one or more articulated wiping broom (s) so that they can be moved against the glass wall. Each wiper blade comprises a structure supporting a wiper blade intended to be brought into contact against the glass wall so as to be able to evacuate the water out of the glass wall. In addition, each wiper blade includes a connector fixed integrally to the structure and an adapter pivotally mounted on the connector in order to allow a detachable fixing of the articulated arm of the wiper system to the adapter of the wiper blade. ice.

In known manner, the adapter of the wiper blade is engaged in a yoke of the articulated arm by means of a longitudinal translational movement to a direction of elongation of the yoke. To this end, the yoke includes two folded edges which allow the adapter to be guided longitudinally during assembly and to keep it in the yoke in its functional configuration with the wiping system.

There are many types of adapters for different types of wiper blades and different types of articulated arms. In general, a known adapter comprises (i) two side walls spaced from one another and connected to each other by an upper wall, each side wall comprising a lower bearing face allowing it to be placed support against one of the folded edges of the yoke of the articulated arm, and (ii) a member for coupling the adapter with the yoke.

Document DE to 2008 011449 A1 is especially known in which, due to a curved shape of the clevis of the articulated arm preventing insertion of the adapter from one of its longitudinal ends, the adapter is first inserted in the screed - at a central area of the screed - in a translational movement towards a concavity of the screed, perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the screed and between two segments distant from each folded edge.

This type of assembly leads to a complex geometry of the adapter: each side wall of the adapter comprises two end parts which are longitudinally distant from one another and separated by a central notch which extends from the upper wall. The central notch is located longitudinally at the axis of rotation of the adapter. This configuration allows you to insert the adapter towards the concavity of the yoke by placing one of the two segments of the folded edges of the yoke at the center notch of the adapter. At the end of this translation towards the concavity of the yoke, the adapter is then engaged longitudinally in the yoke until its functional configuration with the articulated arm. In this functional configuration, each segment of the folded edges of the yoke is engaged with each end portion located opposite the side walls of the adapter: the folded edges of the yoke are not engaged with the adapter at the level of the 'central notch, which can thus lead to instability and / or poor coupling of the adapter in the clevis of the articulated arm.

Document WO2010 / 034445A1 is also known in which a longitudinal end of the adapter comprises a tongue which projects in relation to the lateral sides of the adapter. During assembly, the adapter is engaged in the yoke of the articulated arm at a front longitudinal end of the yoke, until it is in functional configuration with the articulated arm. In this functional configuration, the tongue then protrudes from the longitudinal end of the yoke: it does not does not collaborate with the clevis of the articulated arm but with a closing cover attached to the clevis of the articulated arm.

In order to secure the adapter in the yoke in the event of a malfunction of the coupling member of the adapter, one of the folded edges of the yoke includes a lug which collaborates with one of the side walls of the adapter, at a distal end with respect to the upper wall. This configuration allows the adapter to be retained if the adapter coupling member is torn off, thus preventing the wiper blade from being ejected from the articulated arm. The drawback lies in the complexity of implementing the lug on the folded edge of the yoke, leading to an increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, this configuration also leads to providing a complementary surface at the level of the adapter in order to collaborate with the lug to retain the adapter.

The object of the present invention is to respond at least in large part to the above problems and also to lead to other advantages by proposing a new adapter for fixing a wiper blade to an articulated arm of the system. 'wiping.

Another object of the invention is to allow easier mounting of such an adapter by a rear longitudinal end of the clevis of the articulated arm.

Another object of the invention is to secure the adapter in the clevis of the articulated arm in the event of a malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of such an adapter and to reduce the manufacturing costs.

Statement of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the abovementioned objectives is achieved with an adapter for fixing a wiper blade in a yoke of an articulated arm of a wiping system, l the adapter being configured to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation on a connector of the wiper blade, the adapter comprising (i) two side walls spaced apart from one another and connected together by a wall upper, the walls of the adapter defining between them a housing for the connector, and (ii) a member for coupling the adapter with the yoke of the articulated arm. According to the invention, a first longitudinal end of the adapter forms a securing means configured to retain the adapter in the clevis of the articulated arm when the coupling member is uncoupled from the clevis, and the housing opens out at the first longitudinal end of the adapter walls.

In other words, the adapter securing means is configured to be pressed against a longitudinal end of the clevis of the articulated arm when the coupling member is uncoupled from the clevis, and preferably against a longitudinal end before of the screed. Indeed, the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention intended more particularly to be assembled on the associated wiping system by translation from a rear longitudinal face of the articulated arm, the yoke of such an articulated arm is advantageously closed at the front, that is to say at a longitudinal end opposite to that by which the adapter is introduced into the yoke.

For this purpose, at the first and a second longitudinal end of the adapter, the longitudinal end of the upper wall extends longitudinally at most up to the corresponding longitudinal end of the side walls: the upper wall of the adapter according to the invention does not include a tongue which projects in relation to the side walls; and an interaction between the securing means and the clevis of the articulated arm - in the event of a malfunction of the coupling member - occurs at the longitudinal ends of the side walls of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention.

The securing means intervenes during an inadvertent uncoupling of the adapter with the clevis of the articulated arm, the uncoupling resulting from an involuntary separation, a malfunction or a break in the coupling member during operation of the wiping system. Therefore, when the coupling member of the adapter is uncoupled from the clevis of the articulated arm during operation of the wiping system, then the adapter securing means - propelled towards the front longitudinal end of the yoke under the effect of centrifugal force linked to the rotational movement of the wiper blade on the glass surface - comes into abutment against the front and closed longitudinal face of the yoke: the adapter is thus retained in the yoke and the wiper blade is not separated from the articulated arm in the event of a malfunction.

According to the invention in accordance with its first aspect, the housing is not delimited longitudinally by the first front longitudinal end of the adapter.

The invention in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is intended both for the aftermarket and for the aftermarket of wiping systems and / or wiper blades and / or adapters for such wiper blades.

In the context of the invention, the following adjectives are defined relative to the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention:

the adjective "longitudinal" refers to a direction of elongation of the adapter along its greatest length. When the adapter is mounted on a wiper blade, the longitudinal direction refers to the axis formed by the wiper blade. By extension, the longitudinal direction refers to a direction which is parallel or substantially parallel to the greatest length of the wiping blade; and the adjectives "front" and "rear" refer to a relative position along the longitudinal axis;

the adjective "transverse" or "lateral" refers to a direction of elongation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and more particularly a direction perpendicular to the two lateral edges of the cover of the adapter;

the adjective "vertical" refers to a direction simultaneously perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. By way of example, a vertical direction refers in particular to the relative position of the wiper blade relative to the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention. By extension, the adjectives "lower" and "upper" refer to a relative position along the vertical axis. The adapter according to the first aspect of the invention can advantageously comprise at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements can be taken alone or in combination:

the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention has a transverse U-shaped profile. In other words, the upper wall laterally separates the two side walls of the adapter. In particular, the side walls are laterally spaced from each other, thus delimiting - with the upper wall - a housing for the connector of the wiper blade;

in order to facilitate the insertion of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention in the clevis of the articulated arm with which it is intended to collaborate, the side walls of the adapter are parallel to each other. More particularly still, the side walls are perpendicular to the upper wall of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

the upper wall and / or the side walls of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is flat. This advantageous configuration makes it easier to insert the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention into the clevis of the articulated arm with which it is intended to collaborate. In particular, an upper face of the upper wall of the adapter is planar in order to facilitate its collaboration with the clevis of the articulated arm, and / or a lower face of the upper wall of the adapter is planar in order to facilitate insertion of the wiper blade connector in the adapter. Similarly, an outer face of the side walls is advantageously planar in order to facilitate their collaboration with the clevis of the articulated arm, and / or an inner face of the side walls is advantageously planar in order to facilitate the insertion of the connector of the wiper blade. - glass in the adapter;

the housing opens at the second longitudinal end of the walls of the adapter. In other words, the housing of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is not delimited longitudinally by the second longitudinal end of the adapter. In other words still, the housing of the adapter conforms to the first aspect of the invention passes through the adapter longitudinally from side to side in order to facilitate its coupling with the connector of the wiper blade on which it is intended to be pivotally mounted;

laterally, the housing of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is delimited by inner faces of the side walls of the adapter;

the inner faces of the side walls of the adapter are parallel to the outer faces of the side walls;

the upper wall of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention comprises, at the first longitudinal end, a through opening, in the direction of a lower bearing face of the adapter against a folded edge of the yoke of the articulated arm. The through opening thus takes the form of a notch through the upper wall, in order to allow greater angular movement of the adapter around its axis of rotation and relative to the connector housed in the housing, thus preventing the connector does not strike the upper wall of the adapter when the latter pivots about its axis of rotation;

the through opening of the upper wall of the adapter opens longitudinally at the first longitudinal end of the upper wall. In other words, the through opening is delimited by an open contour at the first longitudinal end of the upper wall: the through opening of the upper wall of the adapter is not delimited longitudinally at the first longitudinal end;

the through opening of the upper wall is delimited laterally by the inner faces of the side walls of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

on a first side wall of the adapter, the axis of rotation is formed by a cylindrical housing formed from an inner face of the first side wall of the adapter. The axis of rotation is then defined by a central axis of the cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing extends from the inner face of the first side wall of the adapter conforming to the first aspect of the invention and towards the outer face of the first side wall. Advantageously, the cylindrical housing opens onto the outer face of the first cylindrical wall. In other words, the cylindrical housing is advantageously traversing at the level of the first lateral face of the adapter. This advantageous configuration makes it possible in particular to reduce the manufacturing costs of the adapter;

the cylindrical housing is located vertically below the upper wall of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

the cylindrical housing is delimited by a peripheral contour. The peripheral contour is advantageously polygonal. In addition, the peripheral contour is advantageously symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical housing, in order to facilitate collaboration between the adapter and the connector of the wiper blade on which it is intended to be pivotally mounted. By way of nonlimiting example, the peripheral contour delimiting the cylindrical housing is preferably square;

on a second side wall of the adapter, the axis of rotation is formed by a cylindrical sleeve which projects from an inner face of the second side wall of the adapter, the cylindrical sleeve being coaxial with the cylindrical housing . Thus, the axis of rotation of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is not materialized on said adapter by the same shapes between its two side walls: on the second side wall, the axis of rotation does not is not formed by the cylindrical housing of the first side wall, but by a cylindrical sleeve. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to form a rotation bearing which extends laterally in the housing of the adapter in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and which makes it possible to avoid the use of an additional part to make the pivot connection between the adapter and connector;

the cylindrical sleeve comprises at least two diametrically opposite flats;

the cylindrical sleeve comprises a through opening delimited by a circular contour, the through opening being coaxial with the cylindrical sleeve. The through opening laterally and right through the second side wall of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention and on which the cylindrical sleeve is formed. In addition, the through opening is advantageously aligned longitudinally and / or vertically with the cylindrical housing formed on the first side wall of the adapter. In other words, in a lateral plane of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, the through opening formed on the second side wall is located inside the cylindrical housing formed on the first side wall;

the coupling member is located at the top wall of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to facilitate its collaboration with the clevis of the articulated arm in which the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is inserted, by making it possible to couple the adapter with an upper face of the clevis;

the coupling member includes a support button located at one end of a support span. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to selectively activate or deactivate the coupling member in order to couple or uncouple the adapter and the yoke respectively. To this end, the coupling member is advantageously connected to the upper wall of the adapter by means of a flexible hinge configured to allow elastic deformation of the bearing surface of the coupling member relative to the top wall of the adapter;

the button of the coupling member is located beyond a longitudinal end of the adapter. In other words, the coupling member - and more particularly its bearing surface - extends longitudinally beyond a longitudinal end of the side walls of the adapter. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to lengthen the bearing surface of the coupling member and - consecutively - to increase a lever arm effect at the level of the support button located at the end of the bearing surface. Alternatively, the button of the coupling member is located longitudinally between the first and the second longitudinal end of the side walls of the adapter, along the longitudinal axis of the adapter and extending from the rear to the front of the adapter;

the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is formed of plastic in order to reduce manufacturing costs. By way of nonlimiting example, the adapter is obtained by molding.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wiper blade of a motor vehicle comprising a structure supporting a wiper blade, a connector fixedly attached to the structure, and an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements, the adapter being pivotally mounted on the connector.

In the context of the invention according to its second aspect and according to a first alternative embodiment, the structure supporting the wiping blade is of the type of a structure comprising a single vertebra. This first embodiment variant is called a mono-vertebra. In such a case, the vertebra is housed in a tunnel of a plastic support on which the connector is attached and which also includes claws for hooking a heel of the wiping blade. It is also possible that the connector is hooked directly to the vertebra and that a heel of the wiper blade is glued against one side of this unique vertebra.

Alternatively, according to a second alternative embodiment, the structure supporting the wiping blade is of the type of a structure comprising two vertebrae distributed laterally on either side of a dorsal of the wiping blade. This second variant is called bi-vertebrae.

The adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is thus coupled to the connector of the wiper blade via its axis of rotation. In other words, the connector comprises a complementary axis of rotation which collaborates with the axis of rotation of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, and as described above through any one of its improvements . Subsequently, the adapter is integral with the connector and pivots freely around its axis of rotation in order to keep the wiper blade in abutment against the glazed surface of the motor vehicle. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a wiping system comprising at least one articulated arm detachably attached to the adapter of the wiper blade according to the second aspect of the invention, each articulated arm comprising a yoke mechanically coupled to the adapter by engagement of complementary shapes.

The wiping system according to the third aspect of the invention may advantageously comprise at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements can be taken alone or in combination:

each articulated arm of the wiping system according to the third aspect of the invention is rotated by an electric motor;

the yoke of the articulated arm wiping system according to the third aspect of the invention comprises two lateral edges, each lateral edge comprising a folded edge which extends laterally towards the inside of the yoke, the lower bearing face of the 'adapter being supported against the folded edge located opposite. The folded edge of each side edge of the yoke is located at a free end of the side edge. The two lateral edges of the yoke form between them a concave volume inside which the adapter can be inserted by translation in a longitudinal direction of extension of the yoke. The folded edges of the yoke against which the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is supported thus make it possible to guide the adapter during its longitudinal insertion in the yoke of the articulated arm. In addition, when the adapter has reached its functional configuration with the articulated arm, the folded edges of the yoke help to keep the adapter in position in the yoke of the articulated arm;

the side walls of the adapter bear against the side edges of the clevis of the articulated arm. In particular, the lateral walls of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention are in lateral support against the lateral edges of the clevis of the articulated arm during the insertion of the adapter into the clevis and / or in the functional configuration the adapter in the yoke; the yoke of the articulated arm comprises a closing edge which extends laterally between the two lateral edges at a longitudinal end of the yoke. In other words, the yoke of the articulated arm of the wiping system according to the third aspect of the invention is more particularly of the type of a yoke open on the rear and which allows the insertion of the adapter into the clevis only by its rear longitudinal end. In addition, the closure edge of the yoke allows, in collaboration with the adapter securing means according to the first aspect of the invention, to retain the adapter when the coupling member of the adapter with the yoke disengages from the yoke during operation of the wiping system: the securing means is then placed in longitudinal abutment against the closing edge of the yoke, thus preventing the wiper blade from being propelled out of the articulated arm ;

the yoke comprises an upper edge connecting the two lateral edges, the upper edge comprising an opening configured to allow the engagement of the coupling member when the adapter is coupled to the articulated arm. Preferably, the opening formed in the upper edge of the clevis of the articulated arm is configured to allow the engagement of the button of the coupling member when the adapter is coupled to the articulated arm.

Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating, according to all the possible combinations, the different optional characteristics set out here.

Description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear further from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting indication with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which :

FIGURES i illustrate an embodiment of an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention. In particular, [FIGURE îA] and [FIGURE îB] illustrate side views from each of the side faces of such an adapter, [FIGURE îC] and [FIGURE îD] illustrate top and bottom views respectively of the adapter, the [FIGURE iE] illustrates a front view of the adapter, and [FIGURE tF] illustrates a perspective view of the adapter;

FIGURES 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a wiper blade in accordance with the second aspect of the invention and incorporating the adapter illustrated in FIGURES tA to tF. In particular, [FIGURE 2A] illustrates a perspective view and [FIGURE 2B] illustrates a cross-sectional view of such a wiper blade;

FIGURES 3 illustrate two embodiments of a wiping system according to the third aspect of the invention and in which the wiper blade illustrated in FIGURES 2 is assembled on an articulated arm. In particular, [FIGURE 3A] illustrates a perspective view of a first example of such a wiping system, [FIGURE 3B] and [FIGURE 3C] illustrate details of the embodiment of a wiping system, and [FIGURE 3D] illustrates a view of the section shown in FIGURE 3A.

Of course, the characteristics, the variants and the various embodiments of the invention can be associated with one another, according to various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive of each other. One can in particular imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from in the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with one another if nothing is technically opposed to this combination.

In the figures, the elements common to several figures keep the same reference.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following description of the figures, the adjective "longitudinal" refers to the X axis and corresponds to a direction of elongation of the adapter according to its greatest length. Consequently, the adjectives "front" and "rear" refer respectively to the left and right sides of the perspective figures represented. The adjective "transverse" or "lateral" refers to the Y axis and corresponds to an elongation direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the adjective "vertical" refers to the Z axis and corresponds to a direction simultaneously perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The adjectives "lower" and "upper" refer respectively to the lower and upper edges of the figures shown.

With reference to FIGURES tA to tF, an exemplary embodiment of an adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention is first described.

Such an adapter 300 includes:

two side walls 320, 330 distant from each other and connected to each other by an upper wall 340, so that, in a transverse plane formed by the transverse axis Y and by the vertical axis Z, the adapter 300 has a U-shaped profile, as seen more particularly in FIGURE tE; a coupling member 360 of the adapter 300 with a yoke 650 - not shown in FIGURES 1 - of an articulated arm 600 of the wiping system 700.

In the example illustrated in FIGURES 1, the side walls 320, 330 are mutually parallel and perpendicular to the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300. Optionally, the side walls 320, 330 can form an angle greater than 90 ° with the upper wall 340 as a function of the shape of the yoke 650 with which the adapter 300 is intended to collaborate.

At their upper vertical end, each side wall 320, 330 of the adapter 300 comprises a chamfer 327, 337 in order to facilitate its insertion into the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 and into which the adapter 300 is intended to be inserted. . In other words, in a transverse plane illustrated in FIGURE tE in particular, the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 comprises, at each of its lateral ends, a chamfer 327, 337. The chamfer is advantageously oriented at 45 ⁰ relative to the top wall 340 of the adapter 300. In addition, the chamfer 327, 337 of each of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300 extends longitudinally between two longitudinal ends 321, 331, 322, 332 of the side walls.

Laterally, the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300 is delimited by an outer face 324 and by an inner face 325. The inner face 325 of the first side wall 320 is located opposite the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300. In the example illustrated in FIGURES îA, the internal face 325 and the external face 324 of the first side wall 320 are advantageously plane and parallel to one another.

Longitudinally, the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300 is delimited by a first longitudinal end 321 situated at the front of the adapter 300 and by a second longitudinal end 322 situated at the rear of the adapter 300, relatively to the longitudinal axis X. The first 321 and the second 322 longitudinal end of the first side wall 320 are advantageously plane and parallel to one another. The first side wall 320 also comprises a vertical chamfer which delimits the external face 324 of each of its longitudinal ends 321, 322.

Vertically, the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300 is delimited, on the one hand, by the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 and, on the other hand, by a lower planar face forming a lower bearing face 323 , 333 of the adapter 300 and intended to collaborate with a folded edge 655 of the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 with which the adapter 300 is intended to collaborate.

Thus, the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300 has a generally parallelepiped shape which extends vertically below the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300, relative to the vertical axis Z.

As more particularly visible in FIGURES tC, tD and tF, the first side wall 320 also includes two oblong openings 326a, 326b which extend longitudinally in the first side wall 320. The oblong openings 326a, 326b of the first side wall 320 pass through along the vertical axis Z: they open simultaneously at the level of the upper wall 340 and at the level of the lower bearing face 323 of the first side wall 320. Laterally, the oblong openings 326a, 326b are located between the outer face 324 and the inner face 325 of the first side wall 320, preferably centered relative to the transverse axis Y of the adapter 300.

Similarly, the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 is delimited laterally by an outer face 334 and by an inner face 335. The inner face 335 of the second side wall 330 is located opposite the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300. In the example illustrated in FIGURES îA, the inner face 335 and the outer face 334 of the second side wall 330 are advantageously plane and parallel to one another.

Longitudinally, the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 is delimited by a first longitudinal end 331 situated at the front of the adapter 300 and by a second longitudinal end 332 situated at the rear of the adapter 300, relatively to the longitudinal axis X. The first 331 and the second longitudinal end 332 of the second side wall 330 are advantageously plane and parallel to one another. The second side wall 330 also comprises a vertical chamfer which delimits the external face 334 of each of its longitudinal ends 331, 332.

Advantageously, and as shown in FIGURES tC and tD in particular, the first 321 and the second 322 longitudinal end of the first side wall 330 on the one hand, and the first 331 and the second 332 longitudinal end of the second side wall 330 on the other hand are parallel to each other. Also preferably, the first 321 longitudinal end of the first side wall 330 and the first 331 longitudinal end of the second side wall 330 are coplanar; and the second longitudinal end 322 of the first side wall 330 and the second longitudinal end 332 of the second side wall 330 are coplanar.

Vertically, the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 is delimited, on the one hand, by the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 and, on the other hand, by a flat lower face forming the lower bearing face 323 , 333 of the adapter 300 and intended to collaborate with a folded edge 655 of the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 with which the adapter 300 is intended to collaborate. As shown in FIGURE 1E, the lower planar surfaces of each side wall 320, 330 of the adapter 300 together form a single lower bearing face 323, 333 planar. In other words, the lower planar surfaces of each side wall 320, 330 of the adapter 300 are advantageously coplanar.

Thus, the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 has a generally parallelepiped shape which extends vertically below the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300, relative to the vertical axis Z.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1C, 1D and 1F, the second side wall 330 also includes two oblong openings 336a, 336b which extend longitudinally in the second side wall 330. The oblong openings 336a, 336b of the second side wall 330 are crossing along the vertical axis Z: they open simultaneously at the upper wall 340 and at the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330. Laterally, the oblong openings 336a, 336b are located between the face outer 334 and the inner face 335 of the second side wall 330, preferably centered relative to the transverse axis Y of the adapter 300.

According to the invention in its first aspect, and as more particularly visible in FIGURES 1D, 1E and 1F, the side walls 320, 330 and the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 together define a housing 350 allowing the insertion of a connector 200 for wiper blade 500 when the adapter 300 is pivotally mounted on said adapter 200. Thus, the housing 350 opens at the first longitudinal end 321, 331 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300 - preferably located at the front of the adapter 300.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, the housing 350 of the adapter 300 also opens at the second longitudinal end 322, 332 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300 - preferably located at the rear of the adapter 300. In other words, the housing 350 passes longitudinally through the adapter 300 right through along its longitudinal axis X.

Relative to the lateral axis Y of the adapter 300, the housing 350 is delimited by the internal faces 325, 335 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300.

Relative to the vertical axis Z of the adapter 300, the housing 350 is delimited on an upper side by a lower face of the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300; and in a vertical direction opposite to the upper wall 340, the housing 350 is not delimited: it opens at the level of the lower bearing face 323, 333 of the adapter 300.

Subsequently, in a transverse plane formed by the transverse axis Y and by the vertical axis Z, the housing 350 has a generally rectangular shape between the side walls 320, 330 and upper 340 of the adapter 300, as visible in FIGURE especially.

As shown in FIGURES tC, tD and tF, the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 comprises, at the first longitudinal end 321, 331 of the side walls 320, 330, a through opening 370. The through opening 370 is formed from an upper face of the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 and up to the lower face of said upper wall 340, in the direction of the lower bearing face 323, 333 of the adapter 300 against a folded edge 655 of the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 with which the adapter 300 is intended to collaborate. The through opening 370 thus takes the form of a notch through the upper wall 340.

Relative to the longitudinal axis X of the adapter 300, the through opening 370 of the upper wall 340 opens longitudinally at the first longitudinal end 321, 331 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300. En d ' other words, longitudinally, the through opening 370 is delimited by an outline 371 open at the longitudinal end 341 of the upper wall 340. Thus, in the example illustrated in FIGURES tC, tD and tF, the first end longitudinal 341 of the upper wall 340 extends longitudinally, at the level of the first longitudinal end of the adapter 300, at most up to the first longitudinal ends 321, 331 corresponding to the side walls 320, 330; and a second longitudinal end 342 of the upper wall 340 extends longitudinally, at the level of the second longitudinal end of the adapter 300, at most up to the corresponding second longitudinal ends 322, 332 of the side walls 320, 330. Consequently, the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 according to the invention does not include a tongue which projects in relation to the side walls 320 330.

Laterally, the through opening 370 of the upper wall 340 is delimited by the inner faces 325, 335 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300. Thus, the through opening 370 of the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 has a generally rectangular shape.

In the example illustrated in FIGURES 1, the adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention is configured to be pivotally mounted around a rotation axis 310 on the connector 200 of the wiper blade on which it is intended to be mounted. To this end, the adapter 300 includes means configured to define the axis of rotation 310:

at the first side wall 320, the axis of rotation 310 is formed by a cylindrical housing 380 formed from the inside face 325 of the first side wall 320 and opening laterally at the level of the outside face 324 of the first side wall 320 More particularly, the axis of rotation 310 is located in the center of the cylindrical housing 380, and the axis of rotation 310 is coaxial with the cylindrical housing 380;

at the second side wall 330, the axis of rotation 310 is formed by a cylindrical sleeve 390 which projects from an inner face 335 of the second side wall 330. More particularly, the axis of rotation 310 is located in the center of the cylindrical sleeve 390; and the axis of rotation 310 is coaxial with the cylindrical sleeve 390. In addition, the cylindrical sleeve 390 comprises a through opening 395 delimited by a circular outline 396, the through opening 395 being coaxial with the cylindrical sleeve 390. The through opening 395 of the cylindrical sleeve 390 passes sideways right through the second wall lateral 330 of the adapter 300. In addition, the cylindrical sleeve 390 is coaxial with the cylindrical housing 380.

As visible in FIGURES tB and tF, the lower bearing face 323 of the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300 extends at least directly above the cylindrical housing 380. In other words, the face d 'lower support 323 of the first wall 320 extends longitudinally between longitudinal sides 382a, 382b delimiting the cylindrical housing 380 longitudinally. In fact, the cylindrical housing 380 is delimited by a peripheral contour 381 comprising the two longitudinal sides 382a, 382b. The peripheral contour 381 is advantageously polygonal, and preferably square in the example illustrated in FIGURES 1.

More generally, the lower bearing face 323 of the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300 is at least partly located between the two longitudinal sides 382a, 382b of the cylindrical housing 380. Consequently, the face d 'lower support 323 of the first side wall 320 extends longitudinally beyond the longitudinal sides 382a, 382b of the cylindrical housing 380, towards the first 321 and / or the second 322 longitudinal end of the first side wall 320 of the adapter 300. Preferably, the lower bearing face 323 of the first side wall 320 extends longitudinally symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation 310. Also preferably, and as visible in FIGURES 1, the face lower support 323 of the first side wall 320 extends longitudinally along the entire first side wall 320, that is to say up to the first 321 and / or the second 322 longitudinal end of the first wall i lateral 320.

As can be seen in FIGURES îA, tD and îE, the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 extends at least in line with the cylindrical sleeve 390. In other words, the lower bearing face 333 of the second wall 330 extends longitudinally between the circular contour 396 delimiting the through opening 395. More generally, the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 is at least partly located between the circular outline 396 delimiting the through opening 395. Optionally, the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300 is at least partially located longitudinally between blanks delimiting the cylindrical sleeve 390.

As a result, the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330 extends longitudinally beyond the circular outline 396 delimiting the through opening 395 and / or beyond the blanks delimiting the cylindrical sleeve 390, in the direction of the first 331 and / or the second 332 longitudinal end of the second side wall 330 of the adapter 300. Preferably, the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330 extends longitudinally symmetrically with respect to the 'axis of rotation 310. Also preferably, and as visible in FIGURES 1, the lower bearing face 333 of the second side wall 330 extends longitudinally along the entire second side wall 330, that is to say up to 'to the first 331 and / or the second 332 longitudinal end of the second side wall 330.

As mentioned above, and in accordance with the invention according to its first aspect, the adapter 300 comprises the coupling member 360 in order to allow mechanical coupling of the adapter 300 in the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 to block the longitudinal adapter 300 in the clevis 650.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES tA to tF, the coupling member 360 is located at the top wall 340 of the adapter 300. In particular, the coupling member 360 comprises:

a bearing surface 362 connected to the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 by means of a flexible hinge 365 configured to allow elastic deformation of the bearing surface 362 relative to the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300;

a support button 361 located at a free longitudinal end of the support surface 362.

The bearing surface 362 extends longitudinally from the second longitudinal end 342 of the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300. The bearing surface 362 has a prismatic shape. In addition, the bearing surface 362 forms with the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300 - in its natural configuration, that is to say without being subjected to any other force than its own weight - a non-zero angle, preferably less than 10 °, so that the free end of the bearing surface 362 is situated vertically above the upper face of the upper wall 340.

The support button 361 has a polygonal shape, and in particular a square shape in the example illustrated in FIGURES 1C, 1D and 1F. Laterally, the support button 361 is wider than the support surface 362, relative to the lateral axis Y. Vertically, the support button protrudes above the support surface 362, relative to the vertical axis Z.

The flexible hinge 365 is formed by two longitudinal notches 366 which laterally border the bearing surface 362 on either side, relative to the transverse axis Y. Due to the relatively small thickness of the bearing surface 362, relative to the vertical axis Z - equal to or substantially equal to that of the upper wall 340 - a force exerted vertically on the support button 361 generates an elastic deformation of the support surface 362, leading to a rotational movement of the coupling member 360 around the second longitudinal end 342 of the upper wall 340 of the adapter 300. As will be described later with reference to FIGURES 3A to 3D, the press button 361 is intended to collaborate with an opening 653 produced in the clevis 650 of the articulated arm 600.

According to a feature of the invention according to its first aspect, the first longitudinal ends 321, 331, 341 of the side walls 320, 330 and upper 340 of the adapter 300 together form a securing means 100 for retaining the adapter 300 in the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 with which it is intended to collaborate, when the coupling member 360 is uncoupled with the yoke 650. In fact, the securing means 100 formed by the first longitudinal ends 321, 331 of the side walls 320, 330 and by the first longitudinal end 341 of the upper wall 340 together form a flat surface which facilitates its abutment against a longitudinal end of the yoke 650, as will be described later with reference to FIGURES 3A to 3D. More particularly, the upper wall 340 does not extend longitudinally in front of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300. Conversely, the upper wall 340 extends longitudinally - at most - at the side walls 320, 330 , but not beyond.

With reference to FIGURES 2A and 2B, the adapter 300 illustrated in FIGURES 1 is assembled on a wiper blade 500 comprising:

a structure 400 supporting a wiping blade 430;

a connector 200 fixedly attached to the structure 400;

an adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, as described above, said adapter 300 being pivotally mounted on the connector 200.

FIGURE 2B illustrates a sectional view along a lateral plane YZ as shown in FIGURE 2A.

The structure 400 of the wiper blade 500 comprises a support 440 visible in FIGURE 2B and which directly supports the wiping blade 430. The support 440 is fixed integrally to the structure by means notably of the connector 200 and d 'at least one end piece 420. Vertically, the wiping blade 430 and the support 440 are surmounted by a deflector 410, relative to the vertical axis Z.

As an alternative to this wiper blade structure, this may consist of two vertebrae housed in a heel of the wiper blade and taken by the connector. According to another example, the structure of the wiper blade includes a single vertebra on which the connector is fixedly attached, and against which a heel of the wiper blade is glued.

The connector 200 is fixedly attached to the structure 400 of the wiper blade 500 and plays a role of mechanical interface with the adapter 300 which - itself - plays a role of interface with the articulated arm 600 of the wiping 700 with which the wiper blade 500 is intended to be adapted. For this purpose, the adapter 300 is mechanically coupled to the connector 200. More particularly, the adapter 300 is pivotally mounted on the connector 200.

To this end, the connector 200 comprises a rotation axis 240 intended to collaborate with the rotation axis 310 of the adapter 300. As visible in FIGURE 2B, the rotation axis 240 of the connector 200 is materialized by: a cylindrical housing 210 collaborating with the cylindrical sleeve 390 of the adapter 300; and

a cylindrical sleeve 220 collaborating with the cylindrical housing 380 of the adapter 300.

Thus, when the adapter 300 is pivotally mounted on the connector 200, then the cylindrical sleeve 390 of the adapter 300 is introduced into the cylindrical housing 210 of the connector; and the cylindrical housing 380 of the adapter 300 receives the cylindrical sleeve 220 of the connector 200. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to make the axes of rotation 310, 240 of the adapter 300 and the connector 200 coaxial. Consequently, this results in mounting in pivot of the adapter 300 on the connector 200, with respect to their axes of rotation 310, 240.

With reference to FIGURES 3A to 3D, two exemplary embodiments of a wiping system 700 according to the third aspect of the invention are shown. In FIGURES 3B and 3C, the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 is shown in transparency in order to facilitate understanding of the invention.

Such a wiping system 700 comprises at least one articulated arm 600 detachably fixed to the adapter 300 of the wiper blade 500 according to the second aspect of the invention and as described with reference to FIGURES 2. Each articulated arm 600 comprises a yoke 650 inside which the adapter 300 is housed and mechanically coupled by engagement of complementary shapes. In addition, each articulated arm 600 is rotated by an electric motor, not shown in FIGURES 3.

The yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 comprises two lateral edges 651 connected to each other by an upper edge 652. As visible in FIGURES 3B, 3C and 3D, the yoke 650 is open at a vertical end lower, that is to say at the level of a distal end of the lateral edges 651 relative to the upper edge 652 of the yoke 650.

At these distal ends, each lateral edge 651 comprises a folded edge 655 which extends laterally towards the inside of the yoke 650. Each folded edge 655 of the yoke 650 thus forms a sidewalk which extends laterally towards the inside of the yoke 650 with respect to the associated lateral edge 651, relative to the transverse axis X.

When the adapter 300 is mounted in the yoke 650, the lower bearing face 323, 333 of at least one of the side walls 320, 330 - and preferably of the two side walls 320, 330 - of the adapter 300 is in support against the folded edge 655 of the yoke and located opposite.

Thus, the folded edge of the yoke 655 bears against the lower bearing face 323, 333 of the corresponding side wall 320, 330 of the adapter 300 at the axis of rotation 310 of said adapter 300. At d In other words, in line with the axis of rotation 310, the adapter 300 is in vertical support against the folded edge of the yoke 650, relative to the vertical axis Z.

Additionally, as shown in FIGURE 3D, the external faces 324, 334 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300 are in lateral support against the side edges 651 of the yoke 650. This configuration thus makes it possible to properly maintain the adapter 300 in the yoke 650, and thus guarantee a good mechanical coupling between the wiper blade 500 and the articulated arm 600 of the wiping system 700.

In addition, when the adapter 300 is housed in the yoke 650 in its functional configuration, that is to say that in which the wiping system 700 can be activated on a glass wall of a motor vehicle, then the the coupling member 360 of the adapter 300 collaborates with an opening 653 formed on the yoke 650. This configuration makes it possible to block the wiper blade 500 on the articulated arm 600, more particularly preventing a relative longitudinal movement between the adapter 300 and the yoke 650. In the example illustrated in FIGURES 3A to 3C, the opening 653 is located on the upper edge 652 of the yoke 650. In addition, the opening 653 of the yoke 650 has a shape complementary to that of button 361 of the organ coupling 360 of the adapter 300, in order to allow engagement of the button 361 in the opening 653 when the adapter 300 reaches its functional configuration.

The yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 is closed at its longitudinal end by a closing edge 654 which extends laterally between the two lateral edges 651 of the yoke 650. Vertically, the closing edge 654 is open at a lower vertical end, similar to the lateral edges 651 of the yoke 650. On the other hand, the closing edge 654 does not have folded edges similar to those of the lateral edges 651.

The closing edge 654 forms a cavity 656 at the level of the first longitudinal ends 321, 331 of the connector 300, when the adapter 300 is housed in the yoke 650 in its functional configuration. Thus, in the event of a malfunction of the coupling member 360 of the adapter 300 with the corresponding opening 653 of the yoke 650, then the connector 300 would be propelled in the direction of the closing edge 654 of the yoke 650, and the means securing device 100 - formed by the first longitudinal ends 321, 331 of the walls 320, 330, 340 of the adapter 300 - would then come into abutment against the closing edge 654, thus preventing the wiper blade 500 from being propelled out of the yoke 650. The advantageously flat shape of the first longitudinal ends 321, 331 of the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300 thus makes it possible to accommodate the adapter in a yoke 650 closed longitudinally at the front by its edge of closure 654, while allowing the security means 100 to abut against the closing edge 654 in the event of a malfunction.

FIGURES 3B and 3C illustrate two alternative embodiments of the connector 200 of the wiper blade 500 according to the second aspect of the invention:

in FIGURE 3B, the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600 further comprises a tongue 657 which extends longitudinally in the direction of the connector 200. The tongue 657 is located at a distal end of the closing edge 654 relative to the upper edge 652 of the screed 650. In addition, a front face of the connector 200 is formed by two lateral bearing surfaces 230 which are laterally distant and which each extend against one of the lateral walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300, inside the housing 350 of said adapter 300. The bearing surfaces lateral 230 of connector 200 are laterally spaced from each other and delimits a space 235 in which is housed a terminal end 658 of tongue 657;

in FIGURE 3C, a front face of the connector 200 is formed by a bearing 250 which extends laterally between the side walls 320, 330 of the adapter 300, inside the housing 350 of said adapter 300. The bearing 250 forms thus, at its longitudinal end situated opposite the cavity 656 formed by the closing edge 654 of the yoke 650 of the articulated arm 600, a single flat surface.

In summary, the invention relates in particular to an adapter 300 for fixing a wiper blade 500 on an articulated arm 600 of a wiping system 700, the adapter 300 being pivotally mounted on a connector 200 of the wiper blade 500. The adapter 300 comprises two side walls 320, 330 connected together by an upper wall 340 and forming between them a housing 350 for the connector 200. At a distal end of the side walls 320 , 330 relative to the upper wall 340, the connector comprises a lower bearing face 323, 333 intended to collaborate with a folded edge 655 of the yoke 650. According to the invention, the housing 650 opens longitudinally at the two ends of the adapter 300.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with one another.

Claims

1. Adapter (300) for fixing a wiper blade (500) on an articulated arm (600) of a wiping system (700), the adapter (300) being configured to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (310) on a connector (200) of the wiper blade (500), the adapter (300) comprising:

two side walls (320, 330) distant from each other and connected to each other by an upper wall (340), the walls (320, 330, 340) of the adapter (300) delimiting between them a housing ( 350) for the connector (200);

a coupling member (360) of the adapter (300) with a yoke (650) of the articulated arm (600);

characterized in that a first longitudinal end (321, 331, 341) of the adapter (300) forms a securing means (100) configured to retain the adapter (300) in the yoke (650) of the articulated arm ( 600) when the coupling member (360) is uncoupled with the yoke (650), and in that, the housing (350) opens at the first longitudinal end (321, 331, 341) of the walls (320, 330, 340) of the adapter (300).

2. Adapter (300) according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing (350) opens at the second longitudinal end (322, 332, 342) of the walls (320, 330, 340) of the adapter (300).

3. Adapter (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper wall (340) comprises, at the level of the first longitudinal end (341), a through opening (370), in the direction of a face d 'lower support (323, 333) of the adapter (300) against a folded edge (655) of the yoke (650) of the articulated arm (600).

4. Adapter (300) according to the preceding claim, wherein the through opening (370) of the upper wall (340) opens. longitudinally at the first longitudinal end (341) of the upper wall (340).

5. Adapter (300) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which the through opening (370) of the upper wall (340) is delimited laterally by the internal faces (325, 335) of the side walls (320 , 330) of the adapter (300).

6. Adapter (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, on a first side wall (323) of the adapter (300), the axis of rotation (310) is formed by a cylindrical housing (380 ) formed from an inner face (325) of the first side wall (320).

7. Adapter (300) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cylindrical housing (380) is delimited by a polygonal peripheral contour (381).

8. Adapter (300) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, in which, on a second side wall (330) of the adapter (300), the axis of rotation (310) is formed by a cylindrical sleeve (390) which projects from an inner face (335) of the second side wall (330), the cylindrical sleeve (390) being coaxial with the cylindrical housing (380).

9. Adapter (300) according to the preceding claim, wherein the coupling member (360) is connected to the upper wall (340) of the adapter (300) via a flexible hinge (365) configured to allow elastic deformation of a bearing surface (362) of the coupling member (360) relative to the upper wall (340) of the adapter (300).

10. A wiper blade (500) for a motor vehicle comprising: a structure (400) supporting a wiper blade (430); a connector (200) fixedly attached to the structure (400); an adapter (300) according to any one of the preceding claims pivotally mounted on the connector (200).

11. Wiping system (700) comprising at least one articulated arm (600) detachably fixed to the adapter (300) of the wiper blade (500) according to the preceding claim, each articulated arm (600) comprising a yoke (650) mechanically coupled to the adapter (300) by engagement of complementary shapes.

12. Wiping system (700) according to the preceding claim, wherein the yoke (650) of the articulated arm (600) comprises two lateral edges, each lateral edge (651) comprising a folded edge (655) which extends laterally. towards the inside of the yoke (650), the lower bearing face (323, 333) of the adapter (300) being in abutment against the folded edge (655) situated opposite.

13. wiping system (700) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the yoke (650) comprises an upper edge (652) connecting the two lateral edges (651), the upper edge (650) comprising an opening (653) configured to allow engagement of the coupling member (360) when the adapter (300) is coupled to the articulated arm (600).