FR3123614A1 - Connection device and wiper assembly for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection device and wiper assembly for a motor vehicle The invention relates to a device for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to a drive arm, comprising a connector configured to be integral with the windscreen wiper blade and an adapter (4) configured, on the one hand, to be connected to the connector by a pivoting connection around a transverse pivot axis, and, on the other hand, to be connected to an end part of the drive arm, the adapter (4) comprising a housing (400) for receiving the connector and a gripping portion (41) of the end part of the drive arm, characterized in that the gripping portion (41) comprises a cavity (412) for receiving the drive arm delimited by two substantially parallel side walls, among which a side separation wall (403) common to the attachment portion and to the housing and an outer side wall (410), the cavity ( 412) being arranged transversely next to the housing nt(400). Figure for abstract: FIGURE 2

Description

Connection device and wiper assembly for a motor vehicle

The invention relates to the field of wiping and/or cleaning the glass surfaces of a motor vehicle. It finds a preferred, but not exclusive, application in cleaning the surface of a front windshield of a motor vehicle.

Wiper assemblies for motor vehicles are designed to remove, by sweeping, liquids and dirt present on the glass surfaces of the vehicle which can disturb the vision that the driver has of his environment. These wiper assemblies generally comprise at least one drive arm which performs an angular reciprocating movement facing a glass surface of the vehicle, and at least one wiper blade mounted at the end free from the drive arm and equipped with a scraper blade made of an elastic material, the brush being configured so that the blade is pressed against the glass surface. By rubbing against the glass surface, the scraper blade sweeps away the water and a certain amount of dirt, and evacuates them outside the driver's field of vision.

Whatever the configuration of the wiper blade, which may comprise, for example, articulated brackets which hold the scraper blade in several distinct zones, or even a metal blade which holds the scraper blade over its entire length, the wiper blade wiper is attached to the drive arm of the wiper assembly by a connection device which generally includes at least one connector and one adapter. The connector is secured to the brush, and the adapter is a part which is configured, on the one hand, to cooperate with the connector and, on the other hand, to cooperate with an end part, or yoke, of the drive arm . The adapter is hinged to the connector and together they form a connection device for attaching the blade to the drive arm, the connection device, the wiper blade and the drive arm forming the wiping assembly.

The production of compact connection devices that meet increasing aesthetic and aerodynamic constraints is a constant objective of manufacturers and equipment suppliers in the automotive field. The invention is part of this search for optimization of the aesthetics and the size of such a connection device, while preserving the aerodynamic qualities of such an element.

According to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is a device for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiper assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a connector configured to be integral with the blade wiper arm and an adapter configured, on the one hand, to be connected to the connector by a pivoting connection about a transverse pivot axis, and, on the other hand, to be connected to a terminal part of the arm of drive, the adapter comprising a housing for receiving the connector and a gripping portion of the end part of the drive arm, characterized in that the gripping portion comprises a cavity for receiving the drive arm delimited by two substantially parallel side walls, including a side wall separating the attachment portion and the housing and an outer side wall, the cavity being arranged transversely next to the housing.

By proposing a transverse offset of the attachment portion and of the reception cavity, the invention makes it possible to reduce the vertical dimension of the device for connecting a wiper blade to the end part of the drive arm of a wiper assembly for a motor vehicle. It therefore makes it possible to reduce the size of such a connection device and thus achieves one of the goals it had set itself.

By convention, throughout this document, the qualifier “longitudinal” applies to the main direction of extension of the connection device according to the invention. In a wiper assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade and a drive arm to which the wiper blade is connected by a connection device according to the invention, this direction is also the main direction wiper blade extension. The term "transverse" applies to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The transverse direction is also that of the axis around which the pivoting connection is made between the connector and the adapter of the connection device according to the invention. The qualifier "vertical" designates the direction perpendicular both to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction, this vertical direction being substantially perpendicular to the glazed surface intended to be cleaned by the wiping assembly comprising the connection device according to the 'invention.

In a wiping assembly as previously defined, the qualifiers "lower" or "lower" designate more precisely in what follows the regions closer to the surface to be wiped in the vertical direction, and the qualifiers "upper" or "upper " designate the regions which move away from the latter in the same vertical direction. Moreover, in such a wiping assembly, the qualifier "front" refers, according to the previously defined transverse direction, to the part of the connection device which is the first directly exposed to the wind when the vehicle is moving. Additionally, the qualifier “rear” refers to the direction opposite to the front according to the previously defined transverse direction. Finally, the qualifier "distal" refers, in what follows, to the part of the connection device which is located, in a wiper assembly comprising a wiper blade and a drive arm to which the blade d wiper is connected by a connection device according to the invention, further away, in the longitudinal direction, from the drive arm, and the qualifier "proximal" refers, in what follows, to the part of a such the closest connection device, in the longitudinal direction, to the drive arm.

With reference to these different directions and orientations, the invention provides that the adapter of the connection device according to the invention comprises a cavity for receiving the end part of the drive arm, arranged laterally with respect to the cavity for receiving the connector considering the transverse axis of the pivoting connection between the connector and the adapter.

In other words, in a wiper assembly comprising a connection device according to the invention, the connection zone between the adapter of the connection device and the end part of the drive arm comprises a receiving cavity which is offset laterally, in the transverse direction, with respect to the connection zone between the adapter and the connector.

According to various exemplary embodiments, and with reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, the reception cavity can be laterally offset, in the transverse direction, towards the front or the rear of the connection device with respect to the reception housing of the connector within the adapter and the connector. Preferably, and in what follows, the invention will be described and illustrated according to non-exclusive embodiment examples, in which the receiving cavity capable of receiving the end part of a drive arm is laterally offset, in the direction transverse, previously defined, towards the front of the connection device.

It should therefore be understood that the adapter of the connection device according to the invention comprises a first part, designated in the following as a base, and a second part, designated in the following as the attachment portion of the arm, in which is arranged the receiving cavity and which is laterally offset, in the transverse direction, relative to the base. More precisely, the attachment portion of the arm and the base share a common wall which delimits them in the transverse direction. This wall will also be referred to in the following as a side partition wall. The attachment portion of the arm is, moreover, delimited in the transverse direction, by a wall designated in the following as an outer side wall, substantially parallel, within manufacturing tolerances, to the aforementioned side separation wall. The outer side wall and the side separation wall thus defined are substantially perpendicular, within manufacturing tolerances, to the pivot axis between the connector and the adapter.

In the vertical direction, the attachment portion of the arm and, more precisely, the receiving cavity that it comprises, is advantageously delimited by a bottom wall substantially perpendicular to the two side walls of the attachment portion, the wall of bottom extending between the two lower longitudinal edges of the outer side wall and the side partition wall.

The bottom wall is also substantially parallel to an upper wall of the base, these two walls being offset vertically relative to each other. In this way, the base has a U-shaped cross section, with an opening facing the lower part of the adapter and the attachment portion also has a U-shaped cross section, this time with an opening turned towards the top of the adapter.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the receiving cavity comprises pivoting connection means between the adapter and the end part of the arm.

These pivoting connection means advantageously take the form of a substantially cylindrical transverse bar, arranged in the cavity for receiving the attachment portion. This transverse bar extends between the outer side wall and the side wall separating the attachment portion. The transverse bar is substantially perpendicular to the side walls participating in transversely delimiting the reception cavity.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the transverse bar is arranged in the vicinity of the distal longitudinal end of the attachment portion. The attachment portion of the arm comprises a distal longitudinal end wall, which longitudinally delimits the attachment portion, and the transverse bar is in this context arranged in the vicinity of the distal longitudinal end wall.

According to a feature of the invention, the receiving cavity also comprises means for locking the end part of the arm. These locking means can take the form of a lug arranged projecting from one of the walls participating in delimiting the reception cavity.

The locking means may take the form of a lug arranged projecting from the outer side wall. In this context, the invention may provide for the outer side wall of the receiving cavity to include a longitudinal extension forming a lever for handling the adapter. More precisely still, this manipulation lever forms a longitudinal extension of the aforementioned outer side wall, from the proximal longitudinal end of the latter, and in the direction of the drive arm.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the lug forming the means for locking the adapter with the end part of the arm extends transversely projecting from an inner face of the aforementioned manipulation lever, the inner face being to be understood as the side facing, in the transverse direction, towards the inside of the receiving cavity.

Alternatively, the locking means can take the form of magnetic elements, with the adapter having a docking surface for the end part of the arm, the docking surface being equipped with at least one magnet. Advantageously, the docking surface forms a longitudinal extension of the bottom wall of the reception cavity. More specifically, the lateral separation wall may comprise, at its proximal longitudinal end, a vertical longitudinal extension, and the bottom wall of the receiving cavity comprises, at its proximal longitudinal end, a transverse longitudinal extension, in such a way that these two extensions together form a support bracket for the end part of the arm. The end part of the drive arm and the drive arm itself being conventionally made of a metallic material, the presence of such magnets on the docking surface constitutes a means of locking the end part of the arm in the portion adapter grip.

The connection device according to the invention also advantageously has one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- The receiving cavity comprises means for guiding the end part of the arm towards the inside of the receiving cavity. The guide means may in particular take the form of a ramp which extends between a distal longitudinal end wall and the bottom wall of the receiving cavity. This ramp advantageously forms an inclined face between these two walls which tends to reduce a longitudinal dimension of the reception cavity as one approaches the bottom wall. In other words, the guide ramp forms an inclined face between the distal longitudinal end wall and the bottom wall, a normal to this inclined face being turned away from the bottom wall and the back wall. distal longitudinal end.

- The receiving cavity comprises a positioning member of the end part of the arm. According to one example, this positioning member forms a transverse vertical wall which projects from the bottom wall of the reception cavity. The positioning member can extend transversely over the entire dimension of the receiving cavity, connecting the outer side wall and the side separation wall. A vertical dimension of the positioning member, perpendicular to the bottom wall, is less than a corresponding vertical dimension of the receiving cavity.

- the connector of the connection device according to the invention comprises means for conveying a fluid comprising a connection end piece to a supply hose, said connection end piece being centered transversely on the connector. The fluid conveyed within the connector is, for example, a fluid for cleaning and/or drying the glazed surface against which a wiping assembly comprising the connection device according to the invention is placed. The means for conveying such a fluid may comprise one or more channels arranged within the connector and in fluidic connection with the connection end piece. It follows from the foregoing that the means for conveying fluid, and in particular the connection end piece, are centred, in the transverse direction, with respect to the connector and therefore with respect to the receiving housing of the connector formed in the adapter. The transverse lateral offset of the attachment portion of the end part of the arm therefore finds here an additional interest, in that it allows, in a reduced space, the arrangement of the connection end piece and the routing of fluid in the connector.

According to a second aspect, the subject of the invention is a wiper assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a windscreen wiper blade, a drive arm thereof, and a connection device as it has just been described. to be described.

The wiping assembly according to the invention also has one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the end part of the drive arm comprises a first notch configured to cooperate with the pivoting connection means carried by the adapter. This first notch is arranged in the vicinity of the distal longitudinal end of the end part of the drive arm, it being understood that in the assembled wiper assembly, the distal longitudinal end of the end part of the drive arm is intended to face the distal longitudinal end wall of the receiving cavity.

- the first notch extends from a lower edge of the end part of the arm which is intended to face the bottom wall of the receiving cavity. The first notch has a rounded bottom, complementary to the shape of the pivoting connection means present on the adapter. When the pivoting connection means, and in particular a bar, are arranged in abutment against the bottom of the first notch, the rounded shape of this bottom forms a seat for the pivoting of the bar relative to the bottom of the notch and to the end part of the arm.

- the bottom of the first notch is arranged at the end of a guide portion of the first notch which extends from the lower edge and which has an axis of elongation inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the lower edge of the terminal part of the drive arm.

- the end part of the drive arm comprises a second notch configured to receive the positioning member arranged vertically projecting from the bottom wall of the receiving cavity formed laterally on the adapter. The cooperation of this second notch formed on the arm and of the positioning member carried by the adapter makes it possible to achieve a longitudinal positioning of the end part of the arm relative to the adapter. The second notch extends substantially perpendicular to the lower edge of the end portion of the drive arm.

- the end part of the drive arm comprises a damping stop. This stopper is advantageously arranged in the vicinity of the distal longitudinal end of the terminal part of the arm, at the junction between this distal longitudinal end and the lower edge of the terminal part of the arm, and it is configured to reduce the damage to the surface glazed during possible impacts of the end part of the arm against the glazed surface during assembly of the connection device with the drive arm of the wiper assembly. In particular, this stop can be formed by a bead of material different from the material used to form the drive arm and its end part, this material of the bead being chosen to absorb shocks.

- the end part of the drive arm comprises a window configured to receive locking means arranged in the outer side wall of the attachment portion of the adapter. Advantageously, this window has shapes and dimensions complementary to those of the locking lug carried by the manipulation lever, as previously defined, of the adapter.

- the end part of the drive arm is configured to cooperate with magnets received in the area provided for this purpose in the docking surface of the adapter.

According to a third aspect, the subject of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with a wiper assembly as has just been described.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly with the aid of the following description and the drawings, among which:

is a schematic representation in perspective of a wiper system for a motor vehicle, with a drive arm assembled with a wiper blade via a connection device according to the invention,

is a schematic perspective view of the adapter of a connection device according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

is a schematic perspective view of the adapter of a connection device according to the invention, according to a second embodiment,

is a schematic perspective view of the end portion of the drive arm of a wiper assembly configured to cooperate with an adapter such as that shown in ,

is a schematic perspective view of the end portion of the drive arm of a wiper assembly configured to cooperate with an adapter such as that shown in ,

is an illustration of a step in the method of assembling a wiper assembly such as that illustrated by the , implementing an adapter such as that illustrated by the and a drive arm whose terminal part is such as that illustrated by the , the adapter being seen in section,

is an illustration of a step in the assembly process following the step illustrated in the ,

is an illustration of a final step of the assembly process, making visible the drive part locked on the adapter,

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wiper assembly such as that shown in , implementing an adapter such as that illustrated by the and a drive arm whose terminal part is such as that illustrated by the , And

is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the connector of a connection device according to the invention.

First of all, it should be noted that if the figures expose the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary. It should also be noted that, in all of the figures, similar elements and/or fulfilling the same function are indicated by the same reference.

Moreover, with reference to the orientations and directions defined previously, the longitudinal direction will be represented, in all the figures, by the direction of an axis Ox, the transverse direction will be represented by the direction of an axis Oy, and the vertical direction will be represented by the direction of an Oz axis. These different axes together define an orthonormal reference (Oxyz) shown in the different figures. In this reference, the "front" orientation will be defined by the positive direction of the axis (Oy), the "rear" orientation being defined by the negative direction of this same axis, and the qualifiers "top" or "upper " will be represented by the positive direction of the axis (Oz), the qualifiers "low" or "lower" being represented by the negative direction of this same axis (Oz). Finally, in this frame, the qualifier "distal" will designate the positive direction of the axis (Ox) and the qualifier "proximal" will designate the negative direction of this same axis (Ox).

There illustrates a wiper assembly 100 for a motor vehicle which comprises at least one drive arm 1, capable of moving opposite a surface to be wiped, and a wiper blade 2 comprising in particular a scraper blade 20 intended to be pressed against the surface to be wiped. The drive arm 1 is equipped, at its free end, with an end part 10, if necessary formed by a yoke attached to a rod of the arm, and the wiper blade 2 is mounted on the arm training at this end portion 10 to follow the movement of the drive arm 1, for example in an angular movement back and forth.

With reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, the "front" orientation corresponds to the part of the wiping assembly 100, visible on the , which is the first exposed to the wind created by the movement of the vehicle on which the wiper assembly 100 is installed.

In the wiper assembly 100, the wiper blade 2 is attached to the drive arm 1 by a connection assembly 200 which comprises a connector 3 and an adapter 4. The connector 3 is secured to the wiper blade. glass 2, and adapter 4 provides the connection between this connector 3 and the end part 10 of the drive arm 1. The connector 3 and the adapter 4 cooperate to achieve the fixing of the brush 2 on the drive arm 1 , ensuring an articulated connection between these two elements around a transverse axis.

There is a schematic perspective view of an adapter 4 of a connection device 200 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The adapter 4 comprises a first portion, also designated as base 40, which forms a housing 400 configured to accommodate the connector, not shown in the , and a second portion, or attachment portion 41, configured to receive the end part 10 of the drive arm 1. As illustrated in the , the attachment portion 41 is offset transversely relative to the base 40.

The base 40 has a cross section, in a transverse vertical plane (Oyz), U-shaped, with an opening facing the lower part of the adapter. It follows from this U-shape that the housing 400 is delimited, on the one hand, by a substantially planar upper wall 401 forming the base of the U, substantially parallel to a transverse longitudinal plane (Oxy) of the previously defined orthonormal reference, and, on the other hand, by two side walls 402, 403 forming the branches of the U, substantially parallel to each other and which extend the upper wall 401 perpendicularly.

The attachment portion 41 also has a cross section, in a transverse vertical plane (Oyz), U-shaped, this time with an opening facing the upper part of the adapter. The attachment portion 41 is delimited transversely, on the one hand, by one of the side walls 403, previously defined, of the base 40, and, on the other hand, by an outer side wall 410. The side wall 403, common to the base 40 and to the attachment portion 41, and the outer side wall 410, are substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the upper wall 401 of the base 40. In the following description , the side wall 403 which is common to the base 40 and to the attachment portion 41 is designated as the side separation wall 403.

The attachment portion 41 comprises a bottom wall 411, substantially planar and parallel to a transverse longitudinal plane (Oxy), which extends between the side walls 403, 410, mentioned above. The bottom wall 411 is substantially parallel to the upper wall 401 of the base 40, these two walls being offset vertically relative to each other.

As mentioned, the attachment portion 41 is offset transversely relative to the base 40, such that a median vertical longitudinal plane 405 of the base 40, passing through the middle, in the transverse direction (Oy ), of the upper wall 401 of the base 40, and a median vertical longitudinal plane 415 of the attachment portion 41, passing through the middle, in the transverse direction (Oy), of the bottom wall 411 of the portion hook 41, are substantially parallel and not coincident.

The attachment portion 41 forms, between its side walls 403, 410, and its bottom wall 411, a receiving cavity 412 configured to receive the end part 10 of the drive arm 1. As may have been mentioned in reference to their respective U-shaped sections, the housing 400 for receiving the connector 3 is open towards the bottom of the adapter 4, that is to say facing the wiper blade when the blade d The wiper is mounted on the drive arm, and the receiving cavity 412 is open to the top of the adapter 4, opposite the wiper blade.

It should be noted that according to the example more particularly illustrated by the , a dimension, measured longitudinally, of the bottom wall 411 of the receiving cavity 412, is substantially equal to a dimension, measured longitudinally, of the upper wall 401 of the base 40, and to a dimension, measured longitudinally, of the separating side wall 403.

The receiving cavity 412 comprises a substantially cylindrical bar 413 which extends transversely between the side walls 403, 410, substantially perpendicular thereto. As will be detailed below, the bar 413 forms the axis of a pivoting connection between the adapter 4 and the end part 10 of the drive arm 1 of a wiper assembly 100 such as that illustrated by the .

The bar 413 extends at a distance from a distal longitudinal end wall 416 participating in longitudinally delimiting the reception cavity 412. As will be described in more detail below, the longitudinal distance provided between this end wall distal longitudinal and the bar is defined so as to form a clearance such that a distal portion of the end portion of the arm can be inserted into this clearance and the end portion of the arm can be pivotally mounted around the bar.

The receiving cavity 412 also comprises means 421 for guiding the end part of the arm towards the inside of the receiving cavity, here in the form of a guide ramp 421 arranged near the distal longitudinal end of the cavity. reception, if necessary by forming the distal longitudinal end wall 416 mentioned above. More specifically, the guide ramp 421 extends between the side walls 403, 410 which delimit the receiving cavity 412, forming an inclined face between the distal longitudinal end wall 416 and the bottom wall 411, a normal to this inclined face being turned away from the bottom wall and the distal longitudinal end wall. In other words, a dimension of the reception cavity 412, measured longitudinally, tends to progressively approach the bottom wall 411 of the latter.

Near its proximal longitudinal end, the receiving cavity 412 includes a positioning member 414 which extends vertically projecting from the bottom wall 411. As shown in , the positioning member 414 forms a substantially transverse wall which extends between the side walls 403, 410 of the receiving cavity 412, substantially perpendicular thereto. The positioning member is configured to cooperate with a complementary shape made on the drive arm, in order to block the positioning of the end part of the arm in the reception cavity. For this purpose, the positioning member extends only partially across the receiving cavity, a vertical dimension of the positioning member 414 being less than a corresponding dimension of the side walls 403, 410 which delimit the receiving cavity. reception 412.

The receiving cavity is also configured to have means for locking the position of the end part 10 of the arm when the latter is in position in the receiving cavity of the adapter. In the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in particular by the , these locking means comprise a lug mounted on an elastically deformable element making it possible to lock the end portion 10 of the arm by snap-fastening. More specifically, the outer side wall 410 of the attachment portion 41 has a longitudinal extension 417, which extends longitudinally and vertically in the continuity of the outer side wall 410. And this longitudinal extension comprises a lug 418 which extends projecting transversely from the inner face 4170 of the longitudinal extension 417. It is understood that during the insertion of the end part 10 of the arm, the lug 418 finds itself across the path of the end part 10 and that this tends to constrain the lug and force the elastic deformation of the longitudinal extension 417, the latter being able to return to its original position and allow the locking of the end part 10 of the drive arm 1 on the adapter when the lug cooperates with a window of corresponding dimensions formed on the end part of the arm. It may be noted that the longitudinal extension 417 forms, according to this embodiment, a manipulation lever allowing the user to unlock the end part 10 of the arm relative to the adapter 4 when it is appropriate to replace a used broom for example.

There illustrates an adapter 4 of a connection device 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which differs in particular from what has just been described in the shape of the locking means. The locking means are here formed by magnetic means and no wall extension is intended to be elastically deformed during the insertion of the end part to make these locking means operational.

The bottom wall 411 of the receiving cavity 412 and the side separation wall 403 extend longitudinally beyond the proximal longitudinal edge 4010 of the upper wall 401 of the base 40. In other words, in this second example embodiment, a longitudinal dimension of the bottom wall 411 of the receiving cavity 412 and a longitudinal dimension of the side separation wall 403 are respectively greater than a longitudinal dimension of the upper wall 401 of the base 40. The wall of bottom 411 and the side separation wall 403 thus form in the longitudinal extension of the reception cavity a bracket capable of receiving the locking means by magnetization. In the example illustrated, a longitudinal dimension of the outer side wall 410 which delimits the receiving cavity 412 remains substantially equal to a longitudinal dimension of the upper wall 401 of the base 40.

The square forming the previously mentioned longitudinal extension participates in forming a docking surface 419 for the end part 10 of the drive arm 1 of a wiper assembly 100 such as that illustrated by the . According to this second exemplary embodiment, the docking surface 419 comprises, at its proximal longitudinal end, a zone 4190 for receiving magnets 5. According to the exemplary embodiment more particularly illustrated by the , the magnet receiving zone 4190 is configured to accommodate two magnets 5 placed longitudinally side by side.

There schematically illustrates, in perspective, the end part 10 and part of the drive arm 1 of a wiper assembly 100 such as that illustrated by the , the terminal part 10 being configured to cooperate with an adapter 4 such as that illustrated by the .

The drive arm 1 takes the form of a rod arm with the end part 10 which extends substantially parallel to the rest of the arm, being connected by a connecting portion 11 which here forms, with the drive arm 1 and with the end part 10, a non-zero angle. In this way, the main extension axis (Ox1) of the end part 10 and the main extension axis (Ox2) of the drive arm 1 extend parallel while being transversely offset from one another. another by a distance d. It should be noted that without departing from the context of the invention, the connecting portion could be straight and the main extension axis of the terminal part and the main extension axis of the drive arm could be aligned.

In order to be received and housed in the receiving cavity 412, the end part 10 has a thickness, in the transverse dimension, which is slightly less than the transverse dimension of the receiving cavity between the side walls of this cavity. The end part 10 comprises a lower edge 10i, intended to face the bottom wall of the receiving cavity, a distal longitudinal end edge 10d, disposed opposite the connecting portion 11 and which is intended to be facing the distal longitudinal end wall of the receiving cavity, and a proximal longitudinal end edge, at the junction with the connecting portion.

Other arrangements of the end part could be provided when the end part 10 of the drive arm can be received in the receiving cavity 412 of the attachment portion 41 of the adapter 4, previously described.

The terminal part 10 comprises, in the vicinity of its distal longitudinal end edge 10d, a first notch 101 having a rounded shape whose contours and dimensions are complementary to those of the bar 413, not shown on the , of the adapter 4. More particularly, the first notch has a rounded bottom, configured so that the radius of this rounded bottom of the notch is substantially equal to the radius of the bar intended to be received in the first notch.

As illustrated, this first notch 101 extends from the lower edge 10i of the end part, presenting an inclination with respect to a direction perpendicular to this lower edge. This inclination is such that the bottom of the notch is closer to the longitudinal end edge 10d than is the opening of the notch opening onto the lower edge 10i.

The end part 10 also comprises, between the first notch 101 and its proximal longitudinal end edge 10p, a second notch 102 whose shapes and dimensions are complementary to the shapes and dimensions of the positioning member 414, previously described, of the adapter 4. As shown in this , on which the positioning member is not shown, the second notch 102 extends substantially perpendicular to the lower edge 10i of the end part 10.

According to the example more particularly illustrated by the , the terminal part 10 also comprises, between its proximal longitudinal end and the aforementioned second notch 102, a window 103 whose shapes and dimensions are defined as complementary to those of the lug 418 of the locking means of the adapter 4, previously described and not shown on the . According to the example illustrated by the , the window 103 has a substantially rectangular shape. The window 103 is here through, that is to say emerging transversely on each side of the end part, and at a distance from the edges of the end part, without this being limiting of the invention.

The end part 10 may also comprise, near the distal longitudinal end of the end part of the arm, a damping stop 104 configured to prevent any impact of the end part 10 on the glazed surface against which a set of wiping 100 according to the invention is placed. More particularly, and as it is visible on the or the , this damping stop can be arranged at the junction between the distal longitudinal end of the drive part and the lower edge of the end part of the arm, which constitutes the zone likely to come into contact with the glazed surface which is furthest from the drive arm actuating means.

There illustrates a second embodiment of the drive arm 1 and its end part 10 of a wiper assembly such as that illustrated by the , configured to cooperate with an adapter 4 such as that illustrated by the . It is understood from what has been described previously that the end part differs here from the first embodiment of the end part at the level of the means capable of cooperating with the locking means of the adapter. Thus, in this second embodiment, we find the first notch 101, the second notch 102 and the abutment 104 previously described, without it being necessary to provide a window for receiving a locking means. The terminal part being metallic, the drive arm 1 can be locked directly against the magnets 5 carried by the adapter 4.

We will now describe the cooperation of the adapter and the terminal part forming part of a wiper assembly 100 according to the invention, here according to the second embodiment.

Figures 6 to 8 are sectional views along a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the receiving cavity, to make the interactions between the adapter and the end part of the arm more particularly visible as the the end part of the arm in the receiving cavity formed laterally on the adapter.

In these figures are visible the wiper blade 2 and its scraper blade 20, the adapter 4, as well as the end part 10 of the drive arm 1. The adapter 4 and the end part 10 shown are similar to those represented respectively by the and the .

The assembly of the terminal part 10 with the adapter 4 is done first of all by a first step visible on the , during which the distal longitudinal end edge 10d of the terminal part 10 is engaged in the receiving cavity 412, between the longitudinal end wall 416 of this cavity and the bar 413. The terminal part 10 is brought opposite the receiving cavity with a non-zero insertion angle with respect to the longitudinal and transverse planes in which the upper wall and the bottom wall of the adapter extend. With this insertion angle and the engagement of the distal longitudinal end edge 10d of the terminal part 10 between the longitudinal end wall of the reception cavity and the bar, the bar 413 is able to engage in the first notch 101 to form the pivoting connection between the adapter 4 and the terminal part 10. In this movement of engagement, the distal longitudinal end of the terminal part 10 is guided towards the interior of the reception cavity 412 by the guide ramp 421 along which it slides. To facilitate this sliding, the lower distal longitudinal edge of the end part 10 may have a chamfer, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, or a damping stop 104 in a flexible material as shown in the .

The sliding of the end part 10 continues along the ramp 421 up to an intermediate stage illustrated on the in which the bar is found in abutment in the bottom of the notch. It should be noted that the shape of the first notch 101, namely a notch with a guide path leading to the bottom of the notch which is inclined with respect to the lower edge 10i and to the distal longitudinal end edge 10d in s' extending longitudinally and vertically, is advantageously defined so that the engagement of the bar 413 within this first notch results in a partial locking, both longitudinal and vertical, of the end part 10 in the receiving cavity 412.

When the bar 413 of the adapter 4 is in abutment in the bottom of the first notch 101 of the end part 10, a pivoting of the end part 10 around the pivot axis formed by the bar 413 makes it possible to bring the lower edge 10i of the end part 10 against the bottom wall 411 of the receiving cavity 412. In this pivoting movement, as illustrated in the , it follows from the respective configurations, previously described, of the end part 10 and of the adapter 4, that the positioning member 414 of the adapter 4 engages in the second notch 102 of the end part 10, thus completing the longitudinal blocking of the end part 10 in the reception cavity 412 achieved by the engagement of the bar 413 in the first notch 101.

According to the embodiment more particularly illustrated by Figures 6 to 8, it also results from the pivoting of the terminal part 10 around the bar 413 the implementation of the locking means, here by magnetic attraction between the magnets 5 carried by the the adapter and the metal terminal part 10 of the drive arm.

The end part 10 is therefore blocked in the receiving cavity 412 of the adapter 4 in the longitudinal direction, in particular by the engagement of the positioning member 414 in the second notch 102 and by the locking of the magnets and the means magnetized together, in the vertical direction, by the bearing of the lower edge 10i of the end part 10 against the bottom wall 411 of the reception cavity 412, by the vertical abutment of the bar in the first notch and by the locking magnets and magnetized means between them, and finally in the transverse direction, by the respective transverse dimensions of the end part 10 and of the receiving cavity 412 of the adapter 4, chosen to allow only the transverse play necessary for placing in place of the terminal part 10 in the reception cavity 412.

There illustrates the locked position similar to that shown on the , in the embodiment in which the locking means are formed by the lug 418 arranged on the adapter and able to be received in the window 103 arranged in the end part 10 of the drive arm. Here again, the engagement of the positioning member 414 in the second notch participates in freezing the position of the drive arm with respect to the receiving cavity offset laterally on the adapter. In the example shown in the , the previously mentioned damping stop 104 is arranged at the end of the end part 10 of the drive arm.

It should be noted that the bottom wall 411 includes a clearance zone 4110 formed at the end of the ramp 421, and this clearance zone allows the positioning of the bar in the bottom of the first notch without the damping stop 104 , in the example shown in the , or the chamfered corner of the distal longitudinal end edge 10d, in the example illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, does not come into contact with the bottom wall 411 and does not interfere with this positioning.

There illustrates a connector 3 of a wiper assembly 100 such as that illustrated by the . The connector 3 comprises in particular a recess 30 for receiving the windscreen wiper blade of the wiper assembly, as well as a transverse through hole 31 configured to form, with complementary elements arranged transversely within the receiving housing 400 of the base 40 of the adapter 4, a transverse pivoting connection between the connector 3 and the adapter 4.

The connector 3 also comprises a first end piece 32 and a second end piece 33, substantially cylindrical, with a main longitudinal extension. According to this example, the axis of the first end piece 32 is substantially placed in the middle transverse position of the connector 3, and the axis of the second end piece 33 is transversely offset with respect to the aforementioned middle position. Advantageously, the first end piece 32 and the second end piece 33 are configured to convey and/or ensure the circulation of one or more fluids within the connector 3, for example with a view to distributing this or these fluids as close as possible. of the scraper blade 20 of the wiper blade 2. The fluid or fluids conveyed within the connector 3 can be, for example, fluids for cleaning and/or drying the scraper blade 20 and/or the surface window against which it moves in the movement of the wiping assembly 100.

We understand here an additional advantage of the invention, which allows, by the transverse offset of the attachment portion 41 of the adapter 4 with the end part 10 of the drive arm 1, an easier installation and in reduced clutter, such channels. It should be noted that, in a wiping assembly 100 implementing a connector 3 such as that illustrated by the , the second channel 33 will advantageously be arranged so as to be opposite, in the transverse direction, of the attachment portion 41 with respect to the first end piece 32.

As it has just been described through two exemplary embodiments, the invention thus achieves, thanks to simple means, the goals it had set itself. The invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated, and it also applies to all equivalent means or configurations and to any combination of such means.

With reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, if the invention has been described and illustrated in this document according to exemplary embodiments in which the attachment portion 41 of the adapter 4 is transversely offset towards the front of the connection 200 and of the wiping assembly 100, it is clear that the invention applies in cases in which the attachment portion 41 of the adapter 4 is transversely offset towards the rear of the connection device 200 and the wiper assembly 100.

Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments in which the locking means of the adapter 4 with the end part 10 of the drive arm 1 implement a window 103 arranged in the end part 10 to receive by snap-fastening a lug 418 arranged on the adapter, it goes without saying that the invention applies regardless of the projecting wall of which the lug 418 is arranged. Thus, the lug 418 previously defined can either be arranged as a transverse projection from a wall extending the lateral separation wall 403 participating in delimiting the reception cavity 412 or from a wall extending the bottom wall 411, the window 103 being then arranged in an appropriate face of the end part 10 of the drive arm 1. Such variants could also be implemented in one embodiment with the locking means in the form of magnetic means.

Claims (10)

Device for connecting (200) a windscreen wiper blade (2) to a drive arm (1) of a wiper assembly (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising a connector (3) configured to be integral with the wiper blade (2) and an adapter (4) configured, on the one hand, to be connected to the connector (3) by a pivoting connection around a transverse pivot axis, and, on the other hand, to be connected to an end part (10) of the drive arm (1), the adapter (4) comprising a housing (400) for receiving the connector (3) and a gripping portion (41) of the end part (10) of the drive arm (1), characterized in that the hooking portion (41) comprises a cavity (412) for receiving the drive arm delimited by two substantially parallel side walls among which a lateral separation wall (403) common to the attachment portion and to the housing and an outer lateral wall (410), the cavity (412) being arranged transversely next to u housing (400). Connection device (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receiving cavity (412) of the end part (10) of the arm (1) comprises means (413) for pivoting connection between the adapter (4) and the end part (10) of the arm (1). Connection device (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receiving cavity (412) comprises means (418, 5) for locking the end part (10) of the arm (1) with the adapter (4 ). Connection device (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving cavity (412) comprises means (421) for guiding the end part (10) of the drive arm (1) towards the inside the receiving cavity (412). Connection device (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving cavity (412) comprises a member (414) for positioning the end part (10) of the drive arm (1). Connection device (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (3) comprises means (32, 33) for conveying a fluid comprising an end piece for connection to a supply hose, said connecting end piece being centered transversely on the connector. Wiper assembly (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising a windscreen wiper blade (2), a drive arm (1) thereof equipped with a terminal part (10), and a connection device (200) according to one of the preceding claims. Wiper assembly (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the connection device is in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the end part (10) of the drive arm (1) comprises a first notch (101) configured to cooperate with the pivoting connection means (413) carried by the adapter (4). Wiper assembly (100) according to one of Claims 7 or 8, in which the connection device is in accordance with Claim 5, characterized in that the terminal part (10) comprises a second notch (102) configured to receive the positioning member (414) arranged projecting vertically from the bottom wall of the receiving cavity formed laterally on the adapter (4). Motor vehicle equipped with a wiper assembly (100) according to any one of Claims 7 to 9.