WO2018050326A1

WO2018050326A1 - Adapter for connecting a wiper blade to a driving arm of a wiper system for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2018050326A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/068180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Gaucher; Stéphane HOUSSAT; Olivier JOMARD
Original assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
Priority date: 2016-09-14
Filing date: 2017-07-19
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: FR3055862A1; FR3055862B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (100) for connecting a wiper blade to a driving arm of a wiper system for a motor vehicle, said adapter (100) comprising a head (1) and a body (2) which extend one after the other in a longitudinal direction (Ox) of the adapter (100), the adapter (100) comprising a means for rotatably connecting to a connector (8) secured to the wiper blade, the head (1) and the body (2) of the adapter (100) each comprising at least two sides (11a, 11b, 21a, 21b) defining an inner space (101) into which the connector (8) can extend, and the body (2) of the adapter (100) comprising at least one attaching means (3) for attaching the adapter (100) to a yoke of the driving arm, characterised in that the attaching means (3) comprises an attaching region (30) and a gripping region (31) arranged, in the longitudinal direction (Ox) of extension of the adapter (100), on either side of a hinge (9) that extends between the sides (21a, 21b) of the body (2).

Description

ADAPTER FOR CONNECTING A WIPER TO ONE

DRIVING ARM OF A WIPING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

AUT OMOBILE

The invention relates to the field of wiping and / or cleaning glass surfaces of a motor vehicle, and more particularly relates to a connection device between a wiper blade and a drive arm of that -this.

Motor vehicle windshield wipers are designed to remove, by sweeping, liquids and soils that can disturb the driver's vision of the environment. These windscreen wipers generally comprise at least one drive arm that reciprocates angularly against the glass surface in question, and at least one wiper blade equipped with a scraper blade made of an elastic material. By rubbing against a glass surface, this blade sweeps the water and a number of soils, and evacuates them out of the driver's field of vision. Whatever the configuration of the wiper blade (articulated stirrups that hold the scraper blade in several distinct areas, or metal blade that holds the scraper blade over its entire length, for example), it is attached to the wiper arm. driving the wiper system through a connection assembly which generally comprises at least one connector and an adapter. The connector is secured to the wiper blade, and the adapter is a part that is configured, on the one hand, to cooperate with the connector and, secondly, to be engaged with a terminal portion, or clevis, the drive arm. Connector and adapter cooperate to achieve the attachment of the brush on the drive arm and the articulated connection between these two sets.

In the market for the sale of parts and accessories for the aftermarket of motor vehicles, it is known to offer the same broom, sold with its own connector, adaptable for several types of drive arm. It is therefore advisable to design an adapter usable with as many types of arm screeds as possible and with as many types of brush connectors as possible, since it is the adapter that forms the interface between these two elements. . In this context, the ergonomics for assembling or separating the wiper blade from the drive arm is an essential characteristic, and it is necessary to implement a simple solution. of use, but nevertheless reliable and pet.

The present invention aims to propose a solution for making the connection of a wiper blade to a particular type of drive arm cap for a wiper system of a motor vehicle, clevis which has, perpendicularly at its longitudinal direction of extension, an upright section in the shape of an inverted "U" whose vertical branches are constituted by two side walls of this yoke and whose transverse branch is formed by an upper wall of said yoke, said upper wall comprising at least one through hole. Upper wall and side walls of this yoke thus delimit between them a volume of reception. The particular screed to which the invention applies more precisely also comprises two louvers each arranged longitudinally on one of its side walls from a free front end edge of this side wall.

To achieve the goal it has set, the invention provides an adapter for connecting a wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiper system for a motor vehicle, the adapter comprising a head and a body which extends in the extension of one another in a longitudinal direction of the adapter, the adapter comprising a means for connection in rotation with a connector integral with the wiper blade, the head and the body of the adapter each comprising at least two lateral flanks which delimit an internal volume in which the connector is able to extend, the body of the adapter comprising at least one attachment means for hanging the adapter with a clevis of the driving arm, characterized in that the attachment means comprises a gripping zone and a gripping zone arranged, in the longitudinal direction of extension of the adapter, on either side of a joint which extends between the flanks lateral of the body. Thus, any angular movement of rotation of one or other of these two zones around the articulation causes an angular movement of rotation in the same direction of the other zone around a central axis of rotation of the joint.

By convention, throughout the present document, the term "longitudinal" applies to the direction in which the head and the body of the adapter according to the invention extend in the extension of one another, the "transversal" qualifier applies to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and joining together the side flanks of the adapter according to the invention, and the qualifier "vertical" means the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

In a wiper system comprising a wiper blade equipped with its connector and assembled, by means of an adapter according to the invention, with a cap of a drive arm of said wiper system, the qualifiers "lower "or" down "more specifically denote the regions close to the surface to be wiped in the vertical direction, and the qualifiers" higher "or" high "denote the regions that move away from the latter along the same vertical direction. Referring to these different directions, the head and body of the adapter according to the invention thus each have, in a vertical transverse plane, a section whose shape is substantially that of an inverted "U" formed of their upper wall from from which extend, perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly, the two lateral flanks, vertical or substantially vertical, of this head and / or body. Upper wall and side flanks of the head and the body of the adapter according to the invention together delimit an internal volume thereof.

The adapter according to the invention may comprise any of the features listed below, taken alone or in combination:

the attachment zone and the gripping zone are arranged symmetrically on either side of the articulation,

the internal volume is delimited at least in part by the two lateral flanks of the body,

the articulation is formed at least by a torsion bar which extends between the lateral flanks of the body. According to an exemplary embodiment, the torsion bar extends in a direction substantially parallel to the upper wall of the body and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the lateral flanks of said body. The torsion bar is a circular tabular element arranged to undergo a twist around its central axis of elongation,

the upper wall of the body may be formed by a plane that passes through an upper edge of each lateral flank of the body, a material bridge that can for example connect these two upper edges over the entire length of the body or on a part thereof. The material bridge then fits in the plane that defines the upper wall,

the attachment zone of the attachment means is longitudinally located between the articulation and the head,

the articulation is centered on a transverse axis of the adapter around which the attachment zone and the gripping zone are able to simultaneously enter in rotation,

the attachment means extends in a plane which contains the transverse axis and which passes at the same time through at least part of the attachment zone and at least part of the gripping zone,

- The attachment area of the attachment means comprises a pad delimited by a distal wall and by side walls which extend substantially perpendicularly to the distal wall. The stud thus has for example a square or rectangular profile,

- The stud extends beyond a plane passing through the upper edge of the two lateral sides of the body, outside the internal volume. This stud can advantageously also overflow above the upper wall of the body

the attachment zone comprises means for attaching the stud to the articulation,

the stud comprises at least one tooth which extends, in the longitudinal direction, beyond at least one of the lateral walls delimiting the stud,

the tooth extends longitudinally opposite the head relative to the distal wall. According to an exemplary embodiment, a chamfer is arranged between the distal wall and the side wall of the stud opposite to the side wall beyond which the tooth extends,

- The attachment means comprises a locking device configured to cooperate with the connector. Such locking of the attachment means occurs when a relative position of the adapter and the connector exceeds a specific position, including an angular position. Unlocking the hooking means is operated when the relative position of the adapter relative to the connector is below said determined position. This ensures that the attachment means does not leave the hole of the yoke, when the wiper blade is in the use position. On the other hand, in the disassembly position corresponding to the determined position mentioned above, the locking device is retracted so as to allow the movement of the attachment means,

the locking device of the attachment means comprises at least one locking lug which extends, within the internal volume, between an upper wall of the body and an edge of at least one of the lateral walls of the body, the locking tab extends between the fastening zone and the head,

- The locking tab is attached to the stud of the first attachment means. According to an exemplary embodiment, the locking lug is attached to the side wall of the stud which forms, at its interface with the distal wall of this stud, the chamfer,

the gripping zone of the hooking means comprises at least one handling tongue and means for attaching this handling tongue to the articulation,

the gripping zone extends, in the longitudinal direction, outside the internal volume,

a light is arranged between the lateral flanks of the body in such a way that it extends, in the longitudinal direction, beyond the first attachment means towards the head of the adapter. According to an exemplary embodiment, the light extends, in the longitudinal direction, to a free end of the body of this adapter, opposite the shoulder formed between the body and head,

the hooking means form a first attachment means of the adapter on the yoke, said adapter comprising a second attachment means arranged at a shoulder formed between the head and the body,

the second attachment means extend, in the longitudinal direction, beyond the shoulder by projecting above an upper wall of the body, outside the internal volume,

first attachment means and second attachment means are provided longitudinally on either side of the rotational connection means,

the means of rotationally connecting the adapter with the connector is for example a single strand arranged from an inner face of at least one of the lateral flanks of the body and extending towards the inside of the internal volume . Alternatively or additionally, the rotational connection means of the adapter with the connector is an orifice formed in at least one of the lateral flanks of the body of the adapter. According to an alternative embodiment, the rotational connection means is constituted by at least two openings, cylindrical circular or square section, arranged in each lateral side of the body of the adapter. These openings cooperate with a connector associated with a wiper blade when connecting such a blade with the adapter according to the invention. More specifically, these openings are intended to be each engaged on a strand made of material with the connector, or on a shaft attached to the connector, - According to yet another embodiment, the rotating connection means comprises on one side a single strand formed in one of the lateral sides of the body and a single opening formed in the other lateral side of the body.

Advantageously, the interface between the body and the head of the adapter according to the invention forms a shoulder whose dimensions are defined to be substantially equal to the thickness of the side walls of the yoke of the drive arm with which the adapter is intended to cooperate. According to one embodiment of the invention, this shoulder extends between the upper walls respectively of the head and the body of the adapter, thus forming a peripheral rim at the interface between this head and this body. If we define the transverse dimension of the head or the body of the adapter according to the invention as the distance, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the upper wall of this head or body, measured between surfaces of these side flanks located outside the internal volume of the adapter, the transverse dimension of the head of the adapter according to the invention is greater than the transverse dimension of the body of the adapter according to the invention. Similarly, if one defines the height of the head or body of the adapter according to the invention as the dimension, measured in a plane substantially parallel to that of the lateral flanks of the head or body, between the surface of the upper wall located outside the internal volume of the adapter and the lower edge of the lateral flanks, the height of the head of the adapter according to the invention is greater than the height of its body. In other words, the head is higher and / or wider than the body of the adapter of the invention.

Advantageously, in a so-called "stable" position of the adapter according to the invention, gripping zone and gripping zone of the first attachment means are arranged in such a way that the distal wall of the stud that comprises this first means of attachment is substantially parallel to the upper wall of the body, outside the internal volume of the adapter, the handling tab of the gripping zone being substantially parallel to the same upper wall. By "stable" position is meant here the position taken by the adapter when no effort is made on the gripping zone.

The invention also covers a connection device comprising an adapter as described herein and a connector adapted to be secured to a broom. wiper, characterized in that the adapter and the connector are connected by the rotating connection means.

Note that the locking device of the adapter cooperates with a surface of the connector to limit relative movement between it and the adapter. The invention finally covers a wiper system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade, a drive arm and an adapter as described herein or a connection device as mentioned above, in wherein the adapter is housed in a yoke of the drive arm, wherein the first attachment means, or the first attachment means and the second attachment means, are arranged with respect to the upper wall and / or upper edges of the lateral flanks of the body so as to grip an upper wall of the yoke.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the head and the body of the adapter are respectively defined in such a way that the shoulder formed between said head and said body is able to abut edge-to-edge against the thickness, respectively, of the wall and / or side walls of the yoke so as to form a continuous outer surface once the adapter is assembled with the drive arm.

In such a wiper system, the attachment zone of the first attachment means extends into an orifice arranged in the upper wall of the yoke.

The adapter according to the invention also advantageously comprises, in the region of its body, a means for its connection in rotation with a connector of a wiper system.

Once the adapter according to the invention assembled with a wiper blade connector, the introduction of the adapter according to the invention on the yoke of a drive arm of the type described above is carried out from the following way. The head of the adapter according to the invention is first engaged with the free end edge of the yoke of the drive arm, so that the upper wall of this yoke is sandwiched between the upper wall of the body of the adapter according to the invention and the second attachment means previously defined. This is made possible, on the one hand, by the choice of the dimensions of the shoulder that joins the head and the body of the adapter, and, secondly, by the shape and dimensions of the second attachment means. Indeed, this second attachment means, extending beyond the upper wall of the adapter head according to the invention, is advantageously adapted to be placed in abutment against the surface of the upper wall of the screed located outside the volume of reception of this screed.

The body of the adapter according to the invention is then rotated about a transverse axis substantially located near the shoulder between the head and the body of the adapter, so as to be engaged within the volume of welcome the coping of the drive arm. In this rotational movement, the shoulder bears respectively against the thickness of the upper wall and against the thickness of the side walls of the yoke. Advantageously, the dimensions of the body and the first attachment means of the adapter according to the invention, as well as the configuration of the latter, are defined so that, in this rotational movement, the stud that comprises the first means of hooking is in the insertion position in the through hole arranged in the upper wall of the yoke.

It is then sufficient to exert, on the handling tongue, a thrust directed towards the upper wall of the yoke, to induce a tilting rotation of the first attachment means around the hinge, until insertion of the tooth of the attachment means in the through hole of the yoke, and until the complete insertion and until the blocking of this stud in this hole. It should be noted that the insertion of the stud into the through hole of the yoke is facilitated by the presence of the previously defined chamfer, which ensures a guiding shape of said stud against the first edge of this through hole with which this stud enters into contact, or home edge.

The mounting of the adapter in the yoke can also be performed automatically, that is to say without exerting manual effort on the handling tab. Thus a thrust exerted under the wiper blade and directed towards the upper wall of the yoke induces an automatic tilting rotation of the first attachment means around the joint, until insertion of the tooth of the attachment means in the through hole of the yoke, and until the complete insertion of the stud and blocking thereof in the through hole. It should be noted that the insertion of the stud into the through hole of the yoke is facilitated by the presence of the chamfer previously defined, which provides a guiding form of said pad against the first edge of the through hole with which the pad comes into contact, or the receiving edge.

Blocking of the stud carried by the first attachment means with the yoke is achieved by placing the tooth in abutment above the upper wall of this yoke. In this blocking operation, the manipulation tongue rotates in an elastic manner around the joint, to return to its initial position, or so-called "stable" position. It should be noted that these different rocking movements in rotation around the articulation are made possible by the presence of the previously defined light, which allows sufficient angular deflections of the assembly of the first attachment means to allow the engagement or the clearance, in the through orifice arranged in the upper wall of the yoke, of the tooth formed by the distal wall of this stud.

When the adapter according to the invention is hooked into the yoke, the upper wall of the body of this adapter is, in the volume of reception of this yoke, bearing against the upper wall of the latter, and the lateral flanks of this same body are advantageously supported, within this same reception volume, against the side walls of the yoke. Thus, the upper wall of this yoke is sandwiched between, on the one hand, the upper wall of the body of the adapter according to the invention and, on the other hand, both the tooth carried by the first attachment means and the second attachment means.

It should be noted that, according to the invention, once the adapter assembled with the yoke, the locking device engaged with a surface of the connector, forms a locking of this adapter in the yoke. Indeed, depending on the angular position of the adapter relative to the connector, a free end of the locking device can bear against the upper face of the connector. In doing so, any rotation of the attachment means is then prevented so that the stud can not escape accidentally from the orifice, which would lead to a separation of the wiper blade and the drive arm.

To separate the adapter according to the invention from the yoke of the drive arm, it is sufficient to print to the wiper blade connector a rotational movement around its connecting means in rotation with the adapter, up to release the free end of the aforementioned locking device. Such a release allows a rotation of the attachment means. It is then sufficient to exert on the handling tab carried by the means hooking a thrust directed towards the upper wall of the screed. This thrust induces a rotational movement of the attachment zone of this first attachment means around the joint, so that the stud carried by the attachment zone is driven towards the interior of the interior volume of the body. adapter according to the invention, thus releasing the stud of the through hole of the upper wall of the yoke.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wiper system for a motor vehicle comprising a drive arm assembled with a wiper, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views, at different angles of view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the invention, assembled with a wiper blade connector,

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an adapter according to one embodiment of the invention, assembled with a wiper blade connector, and FIG. 5 illustrates the assembly of an adapter according to this mode. embodiment of the invention with the yoke of a drive arm of a wiper system for a motor vehicle.

It should firstly be noted that while the figures show the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that, throughout 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 above, 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 axis (Oz). These different axes together define an orthonormal reference (Oxyz) represented on the different figures. In this reference, the "forward" orientation will be defined by the positive direction of the axis (Ox), the "back" orientation being defined by the negative direction of this axis, and the "high" or "superior" qualifiers. "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).

Figure 1 illustrates a wiper system for a motor vehicle. This system comprises a drive arm 5 which moves back and forth angularly against a surface to be wiped, and a wiper blade 7, itself here constituted by a vertebra 70 carrying a scraper blade 71 made of an elastic material. In the angular reciprocating motion of the drive arm 5, the wiper blade 7 and its scraper blade 71 are angularly driven against the glass surface to perform the desired wipe / clean operation.

The wiper blade 7 is attached to the drive arm 5 by a connection assembly which comprises a connector 8 and an adapter 100. The connector 8 is secured to the wiper blade 7, and the adapter 100 provides an interface between this connector 8 and an end portion of the drive arm 5, otherwise called screed 500. Connector 8 and adapter 100 cooperate to achieve the attachment of the blade 7 on the drive arm 5 and an articulated connection between these two elements. The subject of the invention is a particular type of adapter 100 intended to cooperate with a particular type of drive arm clevis 500, in particular with the aim of providing replacement wiper blades for mounting on a drive arm. presenting this particular type of screed 500.

The yoke 500, shown schematically in side view in FIG. 5, with which the adapter 100 according to the invention is intended to cooperate, comprises an upper wall 50 from which extend, perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the wall. 50, two side walls 51. The yoke 500 thus has a cross-section whose shape is substantially that of an inverted "U" and whose base is formed by the upper wall 50 and where the branches are formed by the side walls. 51. Upper wall 50 and side walls 51 of this yoke 500 together define a reception volume 54.

The yoke 500 also comprises, arranged in its upper wall 50, an orifice 52, passing through, and each of its lateral walls 51 comprises, arranged from its free front edge 510, an opening 53 which extends substantially longitudinally towards the rear of the drive arm 5, substantially parallel to the upper wall of the yoke 500. With reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, an adapter 100 according to the invention comprises a head 1 and a body 2, the head 1 extending, according to the previously defined directions, towards the front of the adapter 100 according to the invention , and the body 2 extending, in the directions defined above, towards the rear of this same adapter 100. According to one embodiment of the invention, the adapter 100 is made by injecting a polymer material in a mold, and it comes from matter in one block.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body 2 is formed of an upper wall 20 and of two substantially vertical lateral flanks 21a, 21b, each of which extends from a longitudinal side of the upper wall 20, substantially perpendicular to the upper wall 20, downwardly according to the vertical orientation previously defined. According to the embodiment illustrated by the figures, the longitudinal dimension of the body 2 is smaller than the transverse dimension thereof. The upper wall 20 is, according to this embodiment, a material bridge which connects the two lateral flanks 21a, 21b of the body. In the case where this material bridge is shorter than the lateral flanks of the body, a light 22 is created, this light 22 thus passing at least a portion of a first attachment means 3.

The head 1 is formed of an upper wall 10 and two lateral flanks 11a, 11b that are substantially vertical and each extending from a longitudinal side of the upper wall 10, downwards according to the vertical orientation defined above. . According to the embodiment illustrated by the figures, the upper wall 10 of the head 1 extends, opposite the body 2, to reach edges 110 of the lateral flanks 11a, 11b opposite the edges of these flanks. which they are connected to the upper wall 10 of the head 1. Head 1 and body 2 each have an inverted U-shaped cross section whose transverse branch consists of the upper walls, respectively 10 and 20, and whose vertical branches are formed by the lateral flanks, respectively 1a, 1b and 21a, 21b, of these two parts of the adapter 100 according to the invention.

The upper walls, respectively referenced 10 and 20, of the head 1 and the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention, as well as the light 22 and the lateral flanks, respectively referenced 11a, 11b and 21a, 21b, define together an internal volume 101 of this adapter. Such a volume is intended to receive all or part of the carrier connector of the wiper, and the mechanical connection between the adapter and the connector is operated in the internal volume of the adapter, using a means of rotational connection. According to an advantageous characteristic of an embodiment of the invention, a transverse dimension, that is to say the dimension along the axis (Oy) previously defined, of the head 1 is greater than that of the body 2, measured in the same direction. In other words, the head 1 forms, at its interface with the body 2, a shoulder 14 substantially parallel to the vertical transverse plane (Oyz) of the previously defined orthonormal mark, extending from the head 1 and returning to the body 2 The lateral shoulder 14 thus extends, according to this embodiment of the invention, to the entire periphery of the interface between head 1 and body 2 of the adapter according to the invention.

Similarly, a vertical dimension, that is to say the dimension along the axis (Oz) previously defined, of the head 1 is greater than that of the body 2, measured along the same axis. In other words, the head 1 overflows above the body 2.

By combining these two aspects, the head 1 is taller and wider than the body 2.

According to one embodiment of the invention illustrated for example in FIG. 4, the vertical and transverse dimensions of this shoulder 14 are substantially equal respectively to the thickness of the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500 and / or to the thickness lateral walls 51 of the same clevis 500 with which the adapter 100 according to the invention is intended to cooperate, so that the front edge 510 of the yoke 500 can bear against this shoulder 14. Such characteristics allow to obtain a head 1 which is flush with the outer faces of the yoke 500.

According to one aspect of the invention visible in Figures 2 and 3 in particular, the slot 22 is arranged longitudinally in the extension in the upper wall 20 of the body 2 of the adapter 100. Advantageously, the transverse dimension, or width, of the light 22 is substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the internal volume 101 or, in other words, to the distance, measured transversely, between the inner surfaces of the lateral flanks 21a, 21b of the body 2, located within this internal volume 101.

The light 22 is bordered by an upper edge 21c, 21d of each lateral flank 21a, 21b, as well as by the upper wall 20 of the body 2. The light 22 is for example open on the rear of the body 2. It will be noted that this light 22 extends in a plane parallel and common with an extension plane of the upper wall 20 of the body 2.

The adapter 100 according to the invention comprises a hooking means 3, hereinafter referred to as first hooking means. Optionally, the adapter 100 also comprises a second attachment means 4, distinct from the first attachment means 3. Advantageously, the first attachment means 3 is arranged at the body 2 and the second attachment means 4 is arranged substantially at the shoulder 14 between the head 1 and the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, it can be seen that the first attachment means 3 comprises a gripping area 30 and a gripping area 31 arranged, for example symmetrically, on either side of a hinge 9, for example, substantially parallel to the upper wall 20 of the body 2 and to a plane in which the light 22 extends.

According to one aspect of the invention, the articulation 9 extends between the lateral flanks 21a, 21b. This articulation 9 thus joins these two lateral flanks, providing a mechanical connection which makes it possible to maintain between these lateral flanks 21a, 21b a constant distance from one end to the other of the body 2. The articulation 9 is for example arranged at level of the light 22, or in the space released by this light 22.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the hinge 9 takes the form of a torsion bar 91 which extends more precisely in a transverse direction parallel to or substantially parallel to that of the previously defined axis (Oy). This torsion bar 91 is situated within the internal volume 101 of the adapter 100. Advantageously, a transverse axis Y2 passes to the center of the articulation 9 and defines the axis around which the gripping zone 30 and gripping zone 31 of the adapter according to the invention are able to enter rotation.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, attachment zone 30, torsion bar 91 and gripping zone 31 are longitudinally disposed within the body 2 of the adapter 100 so that the catch zone 30 is, according to FIGS. the longitudinal direction, placed between the torsion bar 91 and the head 1 and such that the torsion bar 91 is, in the same longitudinal direction, placed between the attachment zone 30 and the gripping zone 31.

In other words, by moving longitudinally of the shoulder 14 forming an interface between the head 1 and the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention towards the end of the body 2 opposite the head 1, this is that is to say, by moving, in the longitudinal direction, from the front to the rear of the adapter 100 according to the invention, there is successively the attachment zone 30, the torsion bar 91 and the gripping zone 31. Furthermore, as shown more particularly in FIG. 4, the symmetrical arrangement of the gripping zone 30 and the gripping zone 31 with respect to the articulation 9 is made in such a way that there is at least one plane 900 which contains the substantially transverse axis Y2 of the articulation 9 around which gripping region 30 and gripping zone 31 are able to enter rotation and which passes through at least a portion of the fastening zone 30 and by at least a portion of the gripping zone 31. In other words, the gripping zone 30, the gripping zone 31 and the hinge 9 are generally aligned.

Advantageously and as visible in FIGS. 2 to 4, the attachment zone 30 comprises a stud 300 formed of a distal wall 301 from which a plurality of side walls 302 extend. According to the embodiment of the invention, non-exclusive invention, more particularly illustrated by the figures, the stud 300 is substantially parallelepipedal, and it therefore comprises, extending from its distal wall 301 and substantially perpendicular to it, four side walls, respectively 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, the side wall 302d not being visible in the figures. Whatever the shape chosen for the stud 300, the dimensions thereof are, according to the invention, defined to be complementary to those of the orifice 52 arranged in the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500 with which the adapter 100 is intended to cooperate, to allow easy insertion but without excessive play of this stud 300 in this orifice 52.

According to the invention, the distal wall 301 of the pad 300 carried by the first attachment means 3 extends, in the vertical direction defined above, outside the previously defined internal volume 101. According to a characteristic of the invention, the stud 300 of the hooking area 30 is attached to the hinge 9 by connecting means 303 which take, according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figures, the shape a substantially flat plate extending from one of the side walls of the stud 300, here the rear side wall 302c. More precisely, the plate forming the attachment means 303 is here, in the position of the adapter illustrated in the figures, substantially parallel to the upper wall 20 of the body 2 and / or to the plane in which the light 22 is located, and attached to the lower edge of this rear side wall 302c, opposite the edge by which it is attached to the distal wall 301 of the same stud 300. Advantageously, the transverse dimension, in a direction substantially parallel to that of the axis (Oy) previously defined, the plate forming the connecting means 303 of the attachment zone 30 to the articulation 9 is less than a transverse dimension of the light 22 defined above.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the attachment zone 30 comprises a tooth 304 arranged to extend above the upper wall 20 of the body 2 and / or of the plane in which the light 22 is embedded. such tooth 304 is formed in the extension of the distal wall 301 of the stud 300, and this tooth 304 forms a protrusion which extends beyond one of the side walls of the same stud 300, here the rear side wall referenced 302c.

More specifically, this tooth 304 extends in the longitudinal direction defined above, opposite the head 1 of the adapter 100. In other words, with reference to the directions defined above, the tooth 304 is extends rearward of the adapter 100, beyond the rear side wall 302c of the pad 300 and overhanging the light 22.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the distal wall 301 forms, at its intersection with the side wall 302a closest to the head 1, or front side wall 302a, a chamfer 305. It should be noted here that the chamfer 305 is therefore on the pad 300, opposite the tooth 304 in the longitudinal direction of extension of the adapter 100. The role of this chamfer 305 will be specified later.

Advantageously, the attachment zone 30 also comprises a locking device 32 whose function is to block any movement of the attachment means 3, as a function of certain relative angular positions of the adapter 100 and its connector 8.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the locking device takes the form of a locking tab 321 which extends, within the internal volume 101 of the adapter 100, opposite the upper wall 20 of the body 2.

According to the embodiment of the invention more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, this locking tab 321 is attached to the stud 300 of the hooking zone 30. More precisely, this locking tab 321 is here attached to the front wall 302a of this stud 300. The locking tab is therefore advantageously attached to the front side wall 302a which forms, at its interface with the distal wall 301 of the pad 300, the chamfer 305. According to the embodiment illustrated by the figures, this locking tab 321 extends, in the longitudinal direction, towards the head 1 of the adapter 100.

Referring to the directions and orientations defined above, the gripping zone 31 of the first attachment means 3 extends, in the longitudinal direction of extension of the adapter 100, toward the rear of the adapter 100 from According to the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, this gripping zone 31 consists of a handling tongue 33 and attachment means 34 thereof to the articulation 9.

Advantageously, the handling tab 33 and for example at least a part of its attachment means 34 extend, in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 100, beyond the internal volume 101 of this adapter, that is to say ie, with reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, beyond the rear end of the body 2 of the adapter 100. According to the embodiment illustrated by the figures, the attachment means 34 of the handling tab 33 at the articulation 9 takes the form of a substantially flat plate whose transverse dimension is substantially equal to that of the attachment means 303 of the attachment zone 30 of the first attachment means 3 to this torsion bar 91, and more generally to this articulation 9.

According to this same embodiment of the invention, the handling tongue 33 extends, in the position of the adapter 100 represented by FIGS. 2 to 4, or so-called "stable" position as defined above, substantially parallel to the upper wall 20 and / or the plane in which the light 22 of the body 2 of this adapter fits, and the attachment means 34 for connecting this manipulation tab to the hinge 9 are, in this same position called "stable ", substantially inclined with respect to the same upper wall 20 and / or the plane in which the light is inscribed 22. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the slot 22 advantageously extends in the longitudinal direction of extension of the adapter 100, on either side of the attachment means 3 which has just been described. More specifically, the lumen 22 extends, in the longitudinal direction defined above, beyond the attachment means 3 towards the head 1, and up to the free end of the body 2. In other words the light 22 extends, in the longitudinal direction (Ox) extension of the adapter 100, beyond the first attachment means 3 to the front, and to the rear end of the body 2 . For its association with a wiper blade connector 8, the adapter 100 according to the invention comprises at least one connecting means 6 in rotation. According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figures, this connecting means comprises, arranged from the inner surface 210, located within the internal volume 101, at least one of the lateral flanks 21a, 21b of the body 2, and extending transversely within said internal volume 101, a single substantially cylindrical strand 61, centered on a transverse axis of rotation Y1 of said adapter 100 with respect to the connector 8.

It goes without saying that any equivalent means can be implemented for the realization of the connecting means 6 in rotation of the adapter 100 with its connector 8 without damaging the invention: thus, it is possible, not exhaustive, that two substantially cylindrical strands, centered on the transverse axis of rotation Y1, are arranged face to face within the internal volume 101 of the adapter, to cooperate with a hole 80 of complementary shape and arranged on the connector, or that connection is made by cooperation of strands arranged on the connector with one or more holes formed in the lateral flanks of the adapter according to the invention and centered on the same transverse axis Yl. Alternatively, it is conceivable that connector and adapter are provided with co axial holes in which is housed a shaft, including a metal shaft.

Advantageously, the transverse axis of rotation Y1 intersects the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention, close to the shoulder 14 formed between the head 1 and the body 2. Advantageously, the diameter of the substantially cylindrical strand 61 is defined to allow its engagement in the complementary hole 80, visible in Figure 4, arranged on the connector 8 secured to a wiper blade. It should therefore be noted here that the connecting means 6 in rotation is located substantially, in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 100 according to the invention, between the first attachment means 3 and the second attachment means 4.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the assembly of the adapter 100 according to the invention with the yoke 500 of the type described above. In these figures, the adapter 100 is shown previously assembled with a connector 8 integral with a wiper blade. According to the embodiment more particularly described here and illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembly of the adapter 100 according to the invention with the connector 8 secured to the wiper blade is made by engagement of a substantially cylindrical strand 61 carried by the adapter 100 in the hole 80 arranged in the connector 8. Thus assembled, the adapter 100 and the connector 8 form a connection device for securing a wiper blade to a drive arm.

It should be noted that once thus preassembled, the connector 8 and the adapter 100 have relative to each other a freedom in rotation about the transverse axis Yl of the connecting means 6 in rotation. Below a certain angle, the locking device 32 releases the attachment means 30. Above this angle, the locking device 32 prevents any tilting of the attachment means 30.

The assembly of the adapter 100 with a clevis 500 of the driving arm 5 as illustrated in FIG. 5 is, in a first step, by engagement of the second attachment means 4 with the upper wall 50 of the clee 500. To achieve this commitment, the adapter 100 is inclined relative to the yoke 500 so that its second attachment means 4 can be pressed against the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500. In this situation, shoulder 14 abuts against the free front edge 510 of the yoke 500. The assembly of the adapter 100 with the yoke 500 is continued by a rotational movement of the assembly of the adapter 100 about an axis. transverse parallel to the aforementioned axis Y1 and passing through a point of contact between the free front edge 510 of the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500 and a portion of the shoulder 14 which delimits the upper wall 10 of the head 1. This Rotational movement is illustrated by arrow F 1 In this rotational movement, the chamfer 305 previously defined is in abutment with a receiving edge 520 which delimits the through orifice 52, the receiving edge 520 being defined as the edge of the through orifice 52 located closest to the free end edge 510 of the yoke 500 and, once it is assembled with the adapter 100, the closest to the head 1 of the latter. It is then sufficient to exert on the handling tongue 33 a thrust directed towards the upper wall of the yoke 500 in the direction illustrated by the arrow F2 in FIG. 5, to print a rotational movement of the first fastening means 3 around of the axis Y2 passing in the center of the articulation 9 in the direction illustrated by the arrow F3, until the tooth 304 crosses the thickness of the upper wall 50 and extends above it .

The insertion of the tooth 304 into the through hole 52, then the complete insertion of the plot 300 in this orifice 52 operates a coupling of the adapter 100 in the yoke 500. It should be noted that the chamfer 305, by sliding against the edge 520 previously defined, facilitates the insertion of the stud 300 within the through orifice while providing a guide shape thereof. The attachment means 3 resumes its so-called "stable" position because the deformation of the torsion bar 91 is an elastic deformation which imparts to the fastening zone 30 a movement in the opposite direction to that illustrated by the arrow F3. In doing so, the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500 is sandwiched between the tooth 14 and the upper wall 20 of the body 2 of the adapter 100. The assembly operations described above can also take place in the absence of Manual effort on the handling tab 33. Indeed, a pressure under the wiper blade combined with the presence of the chamfer 305 automatically generates the rotational movement of the first attachment means 3 around the axis Y2 passing through the center of the articulation 9 in the direction illustrated by the arrow F3. This rotational movement continues until the tooth 304 crosses the thickness of the upper wall 50 and extends above it. The mounting of the adapter 100 in the yoke 500 is then automatic, in that the first attachment means 3 is set in motion concomitantly with the rotational movement of the adapter 100 in the yoke 500. adapter 100 is housed in and hooked to the yoke 500, the upper wall

20 and / or the upper edges of the lateral flanks of the body 2 are, in the volume of reception 54 of this yoke, bearing against the upper wall 50 of the latter, and the lateral flanks 21a, 21b of the same body 2 are advantageously supported, within this same reception volume 54, against the side walls 51 of the yoke 500. Thus, the upper wall 50 of this yoke 500 is sandwiched between, on the one hand, the upper wall 20 of the body 2 of the adapter 100 and, secondly, both the tooth 304 of the first attachment means 3 and the second attachment means 4.

It should be noted that, according to the invention, once the adapter 100 assembled with the yoke 500, the locking device 32, and in particular its locking tab 32 carried by the first attachment means 3, is advantageously engaged against the surface 81 of the previously defined connector 8, forming a lock, that is to say an additional security in the mechanical connection which connects the adapter 100 to the connector 8. The locking device 32 mentioned here is part of the adapter 100, but it is understood that it can be part of the connector, from the moment when it performs the same function, that is to say prohibit an extraction of the attachment zone 30 with respect to the orifice 52 when the wiper blade is in the position of use. It should be noted that once the adapter 100 according to the invention assembled with the clevis

500 of the drive arm 5, the upper walls, respectively 50 and 10, of this yoke 500 and the head 1 of this adapter, as well as the side walls 51 of this yoke and the lateral flanks 11 of the head 1 of this adapter advantageously form a continuous surface, thus contributing to the aesthetics of the assembly, and also eliminating any area of possible accumulation of debris, dirt or particles potentially harmful to the proper functioning of the assembly.

To separate the adapter 100 from the yoke 500, it is necessary, firstly, to tilt the connector 8 in rotation about its connecting means 6 in rotation with the adapter 100, in the direction illustrated by the arrow F4 in Figure 4. This movement has the effect of releasing the locking device 32 with the surface 81 of the connector 8 against which it was supported and, thus to allow the rotation of the attachment means 3 about the axis through the joint 9.

During the separation of the adapter 100 from the yoke 500, the angular clearance necessary for the spacing of the connector 8 from the locking device 32 is advantageously of the order of a few degrees to about ten degrees. .

It is then necessary to exert on the gripping zone 31 a thrust oriented in the direction illustrated by the arrow F5 in FIG. 4, so as to swing the fastening means 3 around the torsion bar 91 in such a way that the stud 300 is pushed inwardly of the internal volume 101 of the adapter 100 and leaves the through hole 52. Such a step thus allows the disengagement of the stud 300 from the through hole 52. The necessary angular movement the insertion and extraction of the stud 300 in the through hole 52 is preferably of the order of a few degrees.

The invention thus makes it possible to achieve a simple and effective attachment of an adapter 100 at a time with a drive arm 5 having a specific clevis of the type described above and with a connector 8 integral with a wiper blade 7, to form a part of a wiper system for a motor vehicle. Optionally, such a coupling can be reinforced by the presence of a second attachment means of the adapter in the yoke. In addition, the simple and effective attachment is made even more durable by the addition of a locking device which secures the attachment implemented by the attachment means, otherwise called above first attachment means .

The invention can not however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated, and it also applies to any equivalent means or configurations and any combination of such means.

Claims

An adapter (100) for connecting a wiper blade (7) to a drive arm (5) of a motor vehicle wiper system, the adapter (100) having a head (1) and a body (2) which extends in the extension of one another in a longitudinal direction (Ox) of the adapter (100), the adapter (100) comprising a connecting means (6) in rotation with a connector (8) integral with the wiper blade (7), the head (1) and the body (2) of the adapter (100) each comprising at least two lateral flanks (11a, 11b, 21a, 21b) which delimit an internal volume (101) in which the connector (8) is able to extend, the body (2) of the adapter (100) comprising at least one attachment means (3) for hanging the adapter (100) with a yoke (500) of the drive arm (5), characterized in that the attachment means (3) comprises a gripping area (30) and a gripping zone (31) arranged according to the longitudinal direction (Ox) of extens ion of the adapter (100), on either side of a hinge (9) extending between the lateral flanks (21a, 21b) of the body (2).

2. Adapter (100) according to claim 1, wherein the attachment zone (30) and the gripping zone (31) are arranged symmetrically on either side of the articulation (9).

An adapter (100) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the hinge (9) is formed by at least one torsion bar (91) extending between the lateral flanks (21a, 21b) of the body (2). ).

4. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment region (30) of the attachment means (3) is longitudinally located between articulation (9) and the head (1).

An adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge (9) is centered on a transverse axis (Y2) of the adapter (100) around which the attachment zone (30) and the gripping zone (31) is able to simultaneously enter rotation.

6. An adapter (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means (3) extends in a plane (900) which contains the transverse axis (Y2) and which passes through both at least a part of the hooking area (30) and at least a part of the gripping area (31).

7. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment region (30) of the attachment means (3) comprises a stud (300) delimited by a distal wall (301) and by sidewalls (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d) extending substantially perpendicular to the distal wall (301).

8. Adapter (100) according to claim 7, wherein the stud (300) protrudes from a plane passing the upper edge (21c, 21d) of the two lateral flanks (21a, 21b) of the body (2), to the outside of the internal volume (101).

9. The adapter (100) of claim 8, wherein the attachment zone (30) comprises connecting means (303) of the stud (300) to the articulation (9).

10. An adapter (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the stud (300) comprises at least one tooth (304) extending in the longitudinal direction.

(Ox), beyond at least one of the side walls (302c) defining the pad (300).

An adapter (100) according to claim 10, wherein the tooth (304) extends longitudinally opposite the head (1) relative to the distal wall (301).

12. An adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means (3) comprises a locking device (32) configured to cooperate with the connector (8).

An adapter (100) according to claim 12, wherein the locking device (32) of the hooking means (3) comprises at least one locking tab (321) which extends within the internal volume (101). ), between an upper wall (20) of the body (2) and an edge (110) of at least one of the side walls (21a, 21b) of the body (2).

14. An adapter (100) according to claim 13, wherein the locking tab (321) extends between the attachment zone (30) and the head (1).

15. An adapter (100) according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the locking tab (321) is attached to the stud (300) of the first attachment means (3).

16. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping zone (31) of the attachment means (3) comprises at least one handling tongue (33) and connecting means (34). from this handling tongue (33) to the articulation (9).

17. An adapter (100) according to claim 16, wherein the gripping zone (31) extends, in the longitudinal direction (Ox), outside the internal volume (101).

18. An adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means (3) forms a first attachment means of the adapter (100) on the yoke (500), said adapter comprising a second attachment means (4) arranged at a shoulder (14) formed between the head (1) and the body (2).

19. An adapter (100) according to claim 18, wherein the second attachment means (4) extends, in the longitudinal direction, beyond F shoulder (14) overflowing over a top wall. (20) of the body (2), outside the internal volume (101).

20. Adapter (100) according to any one of claims 18 or 19, wherein first attachment means (3) and second attachment means (4) are formed longitudinally on either side of the connecting means ( 6) in rotation.

21. Connection device comprising an adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and a connector (8) adapted to be secured to a wiper blade (7), wherein the adapter (100) and the connector (8) are connected by the connecting means (6) in rotation.

22. Connection device according to claim 21 in combination with any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the locking device (32) cooperates with a surface (81) of the connector (8) to limit a relative movement between that and the adapter (100).

A wiper system comprising a wiper blade (7), a drive arm (5) and an adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 or a connection device according to any one of Claims 21 to 22, wherein the adapter (100) is housed in a yoke (500) of the drive arm (5), wherein the first hooking means (3), or the first hooking means and the second attachment means (4) are arranged with respect to the upper wall (20) and / or upper edges of the lateral flanks (21a, 21b) of the body (2) so as to grip an upper wall (50). ) of the yoke (500).

24. Wiper system according to claim 23, wherein the attachment zone (30) of the first attachment means (3) extends in an orifice (52) arranged in the upper wall (50) of the yoke. (500).