FR2848956A1 - Windshield wiper blade and arm connecting device for use in automobile vehicle, has windshield wiper arm connected with windshield wiper blade in functioning position by adapter unit having locking installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a windshield wiper arm (10) with a U-shaped receptacle (14) at its free end. The wiper arm is connected with a windshield wiper blade in a functioning position by an adapter unit (20) having a locking installation. Longitudinal extension direction of the wiper blade and the wiper arm are approximately parallel in the functioning position.

Description

Field of the invention

  The present invention relates to a device for detachably connecting a wiper blade to a pivoting wiper arm of a windscreen wiper device of a motor vehicle, the 5 arm comprising a shaped housing from U at its free end to be detachably connected to a connection locking installation at least in the operating position of the wiper squeegee, position in which the longitudinal extension directions of the squeegee and of the arm wipers are substantially parallel. 10 State of the Art Numerous embodiments of wiper blades for vehicles are known. The wiper blades without articulation typically consist of a wiper blade stiffened by one or two leaf springs and which comprises a wiping lip 15 applying against the window or windshield The wiper squeegee is fixed substantially in its middle using an adapter or a coupling part to the pivoting arm of the wiper of the vehicle by a removable connection The known embodiments of the wiper arm have an adapter segment on one side provided with a pin which engages in a socket of the part d coupling of the wiper arm and allows the pivoting movement around the central axis of the spindle.

  In an operating position, the directions of longitudinal extension of the squeegee and of the wiper arm are aligned practically parallel. In this position, the squeegee is held by a hook which partly surrounds the coupling part to avoid that it cannot disengage from its spindle At the same time, the hook constitutes a stop for limiting the angle of rotation for the squeegee. Such squeegees or wiper blades without articulation are not usually suitable for being mounted on usual wiper arms not provided with a pin for the articulated connection with the coupling part but for receiving a fixing clamp For this, the free end of the wiper arm usually comprises a housing in the form of U. Presentation and advantages of the invention The invention relates to a removable connection device of the type defined above, characterized in that the wiper blade is connected to the arm of th wiper with an adapter element which is fixed in the housing of the wiper arm.

  Preferably, the adapter element hooks into the housing of the wiper arm and can again be extracted therefrom by actuating an unlocking device. This device according to the invention makes it possible to mount wiper blades. without articulation or in one piece to a usual wiper arm normally provided only to receive usual wiper blades The adapter element thus forms the connecting member which can be placed in a usual housing of wiper arm and has a plug pin or socket for the wiper blade without articulation.

  An embodiment of the invention provides an adapter element in one or more parts. The adapter element may in particular comprise an adapter lining which is placed in the housing of the wiper arm and a connection piece which can be connected. to this one An embodiment of part of the adapter element allows first of all the mounting of the adapter lining which is then connected to the connecting piece and which thus hooks securely to the arm of windscreen wiper There is thus an adapter element which is economically composed of only a few parts and this adapter element is simply and quickly mounted on the usual wiper arms.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece comprises a pin which slides in a socket of the wiper blade for mounting the blade. The pin can be removably connected to the connecting piece or be rigidly mounted In addition, the adapter element comprises at least one hook as an angular stop to limit its pivoting movement between the wiper arm and the squeegee This variant according to the invention allows simple mounting and rapid wiper blade on conventional wiper arms and its manufacture is economical due to the reduced number of parts required.

  An alternative embodiment of the device provides that a coupling element of the squeegee has an axis which slides 5 into the socket of the connecting piece and serves as a bearing for the squeegee. The axis is preferably rigidly fixed to the squeegee coupling element This embodiment of the invention provides for simple and rapid mounting of an adjustable wiper squeegee on a commercial wiper arm.

  Advantageously, the adapter element comprises a hook serving as an angular stop to limit the tilting movement between the wiper arm and the squeegee.

  In addition if, for mounting the squeegee on the wiper arm, a coupling element of the squeegee has a pin 15 which slides in a socket of the connecting piece, preferably the axis is mounted rigidly on the coupling element of the wiper blade.

  The device according to the invention is practically blocked in its axial movement between the axis and the bushing. The scraper can in these conditions only separate in an angular position relative to the wiper arm, outside the position. The device thus constitutes at the same time a safety device for the wiper blade in the operating position since this squeegee can nevertheless easily be detached from the wiper arm or from the adapter element in a position outside the operating position and without the need for tools.

  Drawings The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments represented in the appended drawings in which: FIGS. La-11 show different views of a first variant of a connection device according to the invention, Figures 2 a-2 i show different views of a second variant of the connecting device according to the invention, Figures 3 a-3 j show different views of a third variant of the connecting device according to l invention, Figures 4 a-4 k show different views of a fourth variant of the connecting device according to the invention, Figures 5 a-5 k show different views of a fifth variant of the connecting device according to the invention .

  Description of embodiments Figures la-11 show a first variant of the connection device according to the invention A wiper arm 10 has at its free end 10 a housing 14 in the form of a U-shaped curved branch The housing 14 is integral with the wiper arm 10; it is preferably formed by the free end of the latter, bent. The housing 14 in the shape of a U comprises an adapter lining 22 of an adapter element 20 having a central part 40 delimited by two 15 lateral parts 42 The part elongated central unit 40 is preferably formed so as to be able to slide by a form link in the housing 14 (FIG. 1a) The lateral parts 42 then surround the lateral edges of the wiper arm 10 and guarantee that the gasket lining is mounted without play adaptation 22 in the housing 14 (see FIG. the) At the 20 front segments 44 of the side parts 42 there is a latching rib 46 directed inwards; when the adapter lining 22 is placed in the wiper arm 10, this rib surrounds by its curved segment the housing 14 and the adapter element 20 installed, to ensure attachment with the arm wiper 10 25 (see figures 1 e 1 i).

  In the central part of the adapter lining 22 there is a socket 28 in the form of an axis housing 36 whose longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the surface of the lateral part 42 Latching tabs 38 appear in the surface -inner casing of the axle housing 36 These tabs are used to hook an axle 26 which slides into the axle housing 36 (see FIG. li) In the embodiment shown there are three projections of latching 38 in the axle housing 36 (Figure ld).

  After fitting the adapter lining 22 in the housing 14 of the wiper arm 10, the connection piece 24 can be slid over it and hung on the adapter lining 22 to form the adapter element 20 (Figures lf-li) The connection piece 24 has a U-shaped outline and has guide edges 50 allowing the connection piece 24 to slide over the adapter liner 22 In the position of end of travel, the snap hooks 32 of the adapter lining 22 penetrate into corresponding windows 52 of the lateral branches of the connecting piece 24 and thus ensure, by cooperation with the guide edges 50, a practically play-free attachment of the connecting piece 24 on the adapter lining 22 By engaging the connecting piece 24 the front segments 44 of the adapter lining 22 are pushed inward around the curved segment of the housing 14 The ribs of e snap-fastening 46 then surrounds the front curve of the housing 14 making it impossible to extract the adapter element 20 inwards. This snap-in position is explained in FIG.

  Then, the axis 26 can be slid into the axis passages 48 of the connecting piece 24, these axes being aligned with those of the axis housing 36 of the adapter lining 22 which is located below. the axis 26 with its body 58 in the axis passage 20 48 until the latching projections 38 penetrate into a groove 54 provided in the middle of a flange 56 and ensure the attachment of the axis 26 in the axial direction The adapter element 20 thus finished is thus mounted integrally on the wiper arm 10 (FIG. 1j).

  The coupling element of the wiper squeegee can then be slid onto the axis 26. Figures lk and 11 show only the cover 60 of this element. The cover 60 comprises a suitable socket, not shown, for receiving the axis 26, allowing the wiper blade to be pivotally connected to the arm 10 FIG. 1k shows a mounting position allowing the axial movement of the sleeve relative to axis 26 FIG. 11 shows a position of operation of the wiper squeegee for which a hook 30, provided on the connecting piece 24, surrounds at the outlet the cover 60 and blocks its axial movement in the longitudinal direction of the axis 26. Figures 2 a-2 i show a second variant of the connection device according to the invention The following references will be used as in the various figures la-ll to designate the identical elements whose description will not be repeated The wiper arm 10 has a e shape similar to that of the first variant and its free end 12 also includes a housing 14 in the shape of a U in which slides an adaptation lining 22 whose shape has been modified This adaptation lining 22 has a central part 40 which slides into the housing 14 in the shape of a U and this part cen10 milking is flanked by two lateral parts 42 ensuring a connection by the shape of the adapter lining 22 between the two edges of the wiper arm 10 The segment front 44 of the adapter lining 22 comprises a snap rib 46 (FIG. 2 b) which ensures the attachment of the adaptation lining when this lining is fully engaged (FIG. 2 d).

  The adapter lining 22 further comprises a socket 28 for receiving the axis of the wiper blade (FIG. 2 c) The adapter lining 22 in one piece forms at the same time the adapter element 20 because here there is no connecting piece 20 as in the first variant; on the contrary, the adapter lining 22 can thus hang on the wiper arm 10 to allow a firm pivoting connection of the wiper blade.

  FIG. 2 e shows the direction in which a coupling element 16 slides integrally connected to the wiper squeegee (not shown) on the adapter element 20 The axis 26 is integral with the coupling element 18 This axis protrudes from a washer 62 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of longitudinal extension of the squeegee The axis 26 has, at its attachment to the washer 62, a flange 56 which forms a stop in the axial direction for the socket 28 After engagement of the socket 28 on the axis 26, the wiper blade can be pivoted into its operating position by locking it to the wiper arm (Figures 2 h and 2 i). a hook 30 surrounds the adapter element 20 in the operating position (FIG. 2 i).

  In the case of the third variant of the device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 3 a-3 j, the wiper arm 10 is produced as already described. The adapter lining 22 in this case also forms the adapter element 20; this lining comprises a central part 40 and lateral parts 42 which project therefrom; this part slides by the shape into the U-shaped housing 14 of the wiper arm 10 The lateral parts 42 of the adapter lining 22 forming at the same time the adapter element 20 each have a cavity in the form of forward-facing bushing functioning as an axle housing 36 and allowing connection with the axle elements 64 of the coupling element 18 (FIGS. 3 d-3 f).

  The wiper arm 10, with the adapter element 20, can thus slide on the axis elements 64 while still being locked to the coupling element 18 (FIG. 3 g and 3 h) L ' coupling element 15 of this variant is formed by two parallel plates 62 spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the adapter element 20 between the two lateral parts 42 The axis elements 64 are provided respectively on the interior surfaces plates 62 facing one another These axis elements are aligned (FIG. 20 3 e, 3 f).

  Locking in the operating position is ensured by the cover 70, the inner side of which has small snap-in cavities 66 (FIG. 3 j) in which there can be taken snap-fit projections 38 corresponding to the lateral parts 42 of the gasket. adaptation 22 The wiper blade 16 is thus locked to the wiper arm 10 (FIG. 3 i).

  FIGS. 4 a-4 k show a fourth variant of the connection device according to the invention In this variant, the adapter element 20 consists of two parts, namely the adapter lining 22 and the connecting piece 24 These two parts are connected to each other as shown in Figures 4 a-4 f The adapter lining 22 is similar in shape to that of the first variant; it nevertheless includes a cutout 68 for the snap-on connection with a connecting pin 70 of the connection piece 24 This fitting 35 provides a central piece 40 and side parts 42 which extend laterally The side parts 42 have front segments 42 slightly curved forward The tightening of the adapter lining 22 in the connecting piece 24 is explained in particular with the aid of FIGS. 4 i-4 k.

  The connecting piece 24 is formed of two side plates 64 having substantially the same dimensions as the side parts 42 of the adapter lining 22 These plates are connected by a connecting segment 72 and by a connecting pin 70 (Figures 4 d and 4 e) In the extension of the connection axis 70 there is an axis 26 10 which emerges laterally from one of the plates 74 and serves for connection with a corresponding socket of a coupling element of the squeegee d 'wiper A hook 30, provided on the same side plate 74, and which is directed parallel to the axis 26, allows to partially surround the cover 60 of the coupling element as soon as the wiper 15 -window is in the operating position (see figure 4 j, 4 k) so that the coupling element can no longer be removed from the pin 26. Figure 4 f shows the engaged position of the lining d adaptation 22 in the connection piece 24 The hooks 20 of enc liquetting 32 which protrude laterally from the lateral parts 42 of the adapter lining 22 do not cling here to the windows 52 of the lateral plates 74 of the connection piece 24 but first of all the housing 14 of the wiper arm is slid -window 10 over the adapter pad 22 (Figures 4g, 4h) Then, the adapter pad 22 can be tilted around the connecting pin 70 and rotated relative to the connecting piece 24 so that the hooks 32 hang in the windows 52 and provide an integral connection of the two parts by forming the adapter element 20.

  An outer side of the adapter element 20 comprises the axis 26 and parallel to this direction there is the hook 30 which forms a pivoting connection relative to a socket (not shown) of the cover 60 of the wiper blade 16 In operating position, the hook 30 allows the two parts to be locked relative to each other so that the sleeve cannot be pulled from the axis.

  FIGS. 5 a-5 k show a fifth variant of the connection device according to the invention In this variant, a connection piece 24 is first slipped over the housing 14 of the wiper arm 10 and then ensures the connection with the adapter lining 5 by snap-fitting so as to form the adapter element 20 The housing 14 of the free end 12 of the wiper arm 10 has the same shape as in the variants described above above The connecting piece 24 is similar in shape to that of the fourth variant. This piece is made up of two lateral plates 74 connected on one side by a connecting segment 72 to result in a U-shaped contour. The lateral plates 74 are further connected by a connecting pin 70, the extension of the outer side of one of the side plates 74 forms the axis 26 The same side plate 74 further carries a hook 30 (see Figures 5 b-5 e).

  After having engaged the connecting piece 24 on the wiper arm 10 (FIGS. 5 a, 5 d and 5 e), the adapter lining 22 can be placed between the two side plates 74 and the housing 36 receives l connecting pin 70 The pin housing 36 reaches into the central segment 74 and further cuts the lateral parts 42 of the adapter element 22 The lateral parts 42 which extend from the central part 40 are thus slid into each the intervals between the side plates 74 and the wiper arm 10, so that the wiper arm 10 rests on the central part 40 (see FIG. i). The inner side of the adapter lining 22 includes an elastic tongue 76 provided with a stop collar 34 and a snap hook 32 (FIGS. 5 g and 5 h) After fitting of the adapter element 22 in the connecting piece 24, the adapter element 20 is slid in the direction of the housing 14 (FIGS. 5 i, 5 j) and the latching hook 32 comes into a window 52 of the curved segment of the housing 14 and at the same time the abutment flange 34 bears against the corresponding edge of the free end 12 of the wiper arm 10.

  The pin 26 can then receive the socket of the coupling element 35 of a wiper squeegee (not shown) and then be turned into the operating position. The hook 30 ensures in this position the blocking of the axial movement between the axis 26 and the sleeve and thus the locking of the squeegee.

  The variants according to the invention of the adapter element 20 5 allow the mounting of a so-called jointless squeegee on a conventional wiper arm 10, with a housing 14 corresponding to the drawings.

Claims (11)

RESELL I CATIONS   1) Device for removably connecting a wiper blade to a pivoting wiper arm of a windscreen wiper device of a motor vehicle, the arm comprising a U-shaped housing 5 at its end free to be removably connected to a connection locking installation at least in the operating position of the wiper squeegee, position in which the directions of longitudinal extension of the squeegee and of the wiper arm are substantially parallel, 10 characterized in that the wiper blade (16) is connected to the wiper arm (10) by means of an adapter element (20) which is fixed in the housing (14) of the wiper arm (10).   2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter element (20) can hang in the housing (14) of the wiper arm (10).   3) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter element (20) is made in one or more parts.   4) Device according to claim 1, 25 characterized in that the adapter element (20) comprises an adapter lining (22) which is placed in the housing (14) of the wiper arm (10) and a connecting piece (24) connected to this packing.   5) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting piece (24) has an axis (26) which slides in a socket (28) of the wiper blade (16) to mount the blade ( 16) on the wiper arm (10). 35 6) Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the axis (26) is removably connected to the connecting piece (24).   7) Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the axis (26) is rigidly mounted on the connecting piece (24).   8) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter element (20) comprises a hook (30) serving as an angular stop to limit the tilting movement between the wiper arm (10) and the squeegee ( 16).   9) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that for mounting the squeegee (16) on the wiper arm (10), a coupling element (18) of the squeegee (16) has an axis ( 26) which slides into a socket (28) of the connection piece (24).   10) Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the axis (26) is rigidly mounted on the coupling element (18) of the wiper blade (16).   11) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial movement between the axis (26) and the sleeve (28) is practically blocked in the operating position.   12) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wiper blade (16) can be released from the wiper arm (10) only in an angular position located outside the operating position.