WO2022058349A1

WO2022058349A1 - Wiping system for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2022058349A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/075333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Gaucher; Olivier JOMARD
Original assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
Priority date: 2020-09-17
Filing date: 2021-09-15
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: FR3114065B1; FR3114065A1

Abstract

Wiping system (1) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one driving arm (5) and one connection device (y), the driving arm (5) comprising at least a peg (23) and a tab (25) that both extend along a transverse direction (Oy) projecting from an end portion (21) of the driving arm (5), the connection device (7) comprising at least one adapter (29) that comprises a first lateral wall (43) and a second lateral wall (45), the tab (25) comprising an end stop rim (53) extending so as to be in contact with the second lateral wall (45) of the adapter (29) and the second lateral wall (45) comprising at least one stop means (67) for the free end (65) of the peg (23), this being configured in such a way that the second lateral wall (45) is tightly held between the free end (65) of the peg (23) and an inner surface (55) of the end rim (53).

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE WIPERS

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the field of wiper systems for motor vehicles and relates, more particularly, to wiper systems comprising at least one drive arm and a connection device intended to mechanically connect the drive arm to a wiper blade.

Wiper systems for motor vehicles are designed to remove, by sweeping, liquids and dirt that can disturb the vision that the driver has of his environment. These wiping systems generally comprise a drive arm which performs an angular to-and-fro movement, and one or more elongated wiper blades equipped with scraper blades made of an elastic material. By rubbing against a glass surface, these blades sweep away the water or cleaning fluid and a certain amount of dirt, and evacuate them outside the driver's field of vision.

Whatever the configuration of the wiper blade, it is attached to the drive arm by a connection device. Connection devices are known comprising at least one connector and one adapter in which the connector is secured to the wiper blade and the adapter is a component which is configured, on the one hand, to cooperate with the connector and, on the other hand, on the other hand, to be engaged with an end portion of the drive arm. Connector and adapter cooperate, in particular via a pivot connection, to achieve the fixing of the brush on the drive arm and the articulated connection between these two sets.

Vehicles can be equipped with several types of wiper systems, which differ from each other in particular by the shape of the end portion of the drive arm intended to be integral with the adapter, and therefore by the shape of the corresponding adapter. In this context, in the after-sales field, also known as the aftermarket, the aim is to offer a standard wiper blade, sold equipped with its own connector, intended to cooperate with several types of wiper arms.

Among these varieties of drive arms, in particular those of the type known by the Anglo-Saxon name "side-lock". In such drive arms, the end portion comprises a stud and a tab substantially in the shape of an “L” which extend transversely to a main direction of extension of the drive arm. The pin passes through the adapter and the connector and forms a common pivot axis for the drive arm and the wiper blade, and the lug secures the mechanical connection between the drive arm and the wiper blade, by blocking at least the movement of the adapter relative to the drive arm along the transverse direction, i.e. in the extension axis of the pin. A disadvantage of such wiper systems lies in the complexity of adjusting the dimensions of the various components, in particular of the lug of the drive arm and of the adapter, so as to prevent the movements of the wiper blade along the transverse direction.

In the previously mentioned after-sales context, it is known to sell the standard wiper blade and its connector with a plurality of adapters respectively configured to cooperate with the standard connector and with one of the drive arms specific. Such an offer can put off users because it involves buying adapters they don't need.

Equipment manufacturers thus aim to offer standard wiper blades equipped with a standard connector and also accompanied by a reduced number of adapters, and if possible a standard adapter, which adapts to a plurality of types of drive arms, and in particular arms of the “side-lock” type.

The present invention falls within this context and proposes an alternative to conventional wiper systems making it possible to produce a reliable, durable and inexpensive mechanical connection between connector and adapter respectively of a wiper blade and of an arm. drive, in particular drive arm of the type known as "side-lock".

For this purpose, the invention proposes a wiper system for a motor vehicle comprising at least one drive arm and a connection device, the drive arm comprising at least one pin and one lug both extending along in a transverse direction projecting from an end portion of the drive arm, the connection device comprising at least: a connector capable of being mounted integral with a wiper blade and comprising at least one transverse hole capable of receiving the pawn ; an adapter pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation on the connector and intended to connect the connector to the drive arm, the adapter comprising a first side wall and a second side wall spaced from each other and connected between they by an upper wall which extends along a longitudinal axis, the first side wall comprising a first through orifice capable of receiving the pin.

The wiping system is characterized in that the tab comprises at least one end stop edge extending in contact with the second side wall of the adapter and in that the second side wall comprises at least one stop means for the free end of the peg, so that the second side wall is clamped between the free end of the peg and an inner surface of the end rim.

Within the adapter, the first orifice may extend at least partly opposite the transverse hole of the connector. Also, the first orifice, arranged in the first side wall, has at least one function of guiding the pin of the drive arm through the adapter, and in particular through the internal volume of the adapter.

The second side wall, and in particular the abutment means, as well as the pin and the lug are configured to ensure the attachment of the adapter relative to the drive arm. More particularly, the pin and the tab are each at least partially in contact with an opposite face of the second side wall, respectively an internal face and an external face of the second side wall, so that they each allow hinder the movement of the adapter in one of the directions of the transverse direction, so as to block it in the transverse direction and to make the transverse attachment of the adapter more reliable with respect to the drive arm.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the second side wall and/or the abutment means can also be configured to hold the adapter secured to the drive arm along the longitudinal direction and/or along a direction vertical, orthogonal to the transverse direction and to the longitudinal direction.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the end portion of the drive arm comprises at least a first flank and a second flank, at least the second flank carrying the pin and the second flank extending opposite the first side wall of the adapter, at a non-zero distance from an outer face of the first side wall of the adapter. In other words, in the present invention, the side wall of the adapter, in this case the second side wall, furthest from the drive arm is configured to ensure the blocking of the adapter relative to the arm. drive at least along the transverse direction.

In this way, it is possible to propose a connection device for the wiper system that is particularly configured so that it can be applied to a wide variety of drive arms, in particular by making it unnecessary to have a standard dimension of the pin or of the leg, since their relative dimensioning with respect to each other makes it possible to enclose a side wall of the adapter. The present invention is thus particularly configured so as to ensure a transverse blocking of the adapter and this independently of the transverse dimension of the tab, and it thus proposes an alternative for the reliability of the attachment of the adapter to the arm of drive that can be adapted to different drive arms of the "side-lock" type of variable dimensions.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, in the first side wall, the first orifice may have any shape, for example a substantially cylindrical shape of circular or polygonal section which extends between the outer face of the first side wall and a internal face, opposite to the external face, of this same wall. In particular, the first orifice may or may not be at least partly in contact with the pin.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the lug is defined by a transverse dimension, measured between the second sidewall and the inner face of the extreme rim, the transverse dimension of the lug being strictly greater than a transverse dimension of the pin, measured between the second flank and the free end of the pin, so as to define a transverse spacing between the extreme edge of the tab and the pin.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the tab and the pin are at least separated by a longitudinal dimension, measured along the longitudinal direction, which is not zero. In other words, the free end of the pin and the extreme edge of the lug do not extend facing each other, the extreme edge being offset longitudinally with respect to the axis of pivoting of the arm on which the pawn is centered. This offset makes it possible in particular to be able to insert the arm into the connection device, by translation of the pin into the holes made for this purpose in the adapter and the connector, without the tab coming into contact with the adapter when the arm is tilted appropriately.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the abutment means comprises at least one cavity for receiving the free end of the pin, the cavity consisting of a blind hole opening onto an internal face of the second side wall, arranged facing the first side wall.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the cavity comprises a bottom wall which extends at a non-zero distance from an outer face of the second side wall, opposite the inner face.

In other words, the abutment means may comprise a blind hole, the bottom wall of the cavity extending across the direction of extension of the pin, for example at least partly along the longitudinal direction, so as to impede movement of the adapter relative to the drive arm along the transverse direction. The bottom wall of the cavity is thus interposed between the free end of the pin and the extreme edge of the lug along the transverse direction, the bottom wall of the cavity nevertheless being arranged facing only the pin, and not from the extreme edge of the leg.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the transverse spacing between the extreme edge of the tab and the pin is equal to or slightly less than the non-zero distance between the outer face of the second side wall and the bottom wall. Thus, it is ensured that there is no transverse mounting play and that this mounting by force implies a reliable holding in position of the arm on the adapter.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the cavity may have a shape substantially complementary to at least the free end of the pin of the drive arm.

In other words, the cavity has dimensions adapted so as to be able to surround and accommodate at least part of the free end of the pin. Advantageously, the cavity may have dimensions defined so as to ensure at least partial contact with the pin along the longitudinal direction and/or along a vertical direction, orthogonal to the transverse direction and to the longitudinal direction.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the adapter can be a one-piece assembly. The term "one-piece" means the fact that the adapter comprises a single piece made in one piece and that the side walls or the upper wall of the adapter cannot be separated from each other without causing degradation or destruction. at least part of the adapter.

According to a second embodiment, the adapter comprises at least one primary element and one secondary element, the secondary element being attached to the primary element and disposed in engagement with the latter so as to surround it at least partially: the primary element comprising a first primary side wall and a second primary side wall spaced from each other and interconnected by a primary upper wall; the secondary element comprising a first secondary side wall and a second secondary side wall spaced from each other and interconnected by a secondary upper wall; the first side wall of the adapter comprising at least the first primary side wall and the first secondary side wall and the second side wall of the adapter comprising at least the second primary side wall and the second secondary side wall.

According to an optional feature of such an embodiment, the secondary element and/or the primary element comprises the abutment means, the abutment means comprising at least one second through-hole disposed in the second primary side wall of the primary element of the adapter and configured to receive, at least in part, the pin of the drive arm.

In other words, the secondary element of the adapter comprises the outer face of the second side wall and the outer face of the first side wall while the primary element comprises the inner face of these same side walls as previously exposed.

The primary element and the secondary element are integral with each other and, similar to what has been explained previously with reference to the first embodiment, at least the second side wall as well as the pin and the tab are configured to secure the adapter to the drive arm. In the present embodiment, the pin and the leg can, by way of example, each be at least partly in contact with an opposite face of the second secondary side wall, respectively an intermediate internal face, facing the internal volume and the primary element, and the external face as previously described. The pin and the lug can thus enclose only part of the adapter, in this case the secondary element, so that each hinders the movement of this part of the adapter in one of the directions of the transverse direction and thus globally locking the adapter in the transverse direction.

According to an optional feature of this embodiment, the second orifice has a shape substantially complementary to at least the free end of the pin of the drive arm.

The second orifice, included in the primary element, is thus at least configured so as to guide the pin in the adapter. The second orifice can also be configured so as to block the pin along the vertical direction and/or along the longitudinal direction.

According to an example of the second embodiment, the cavity for receiving the free end of the pin, included in the abutment means, can comprise at least the second orifice of the second primary side wall. In particular, the bottom wall of the cavity can be formed by the second secondary side wall. Alternatively, the second secondary side wall may comprise at least one cutout arranged opposite the second orifice and configured to receive at least part of the free end of the pin.

According to an optional characteristic, the primary element comprises at least one blocking member and the secondary element comprises at least one complementary blocking means configured to cooperate with at least the blocking member, the blocking member and the complementary means blocking being at least configured to block the secondary element along the longitudinal direction.

Such blocking members and complementary blocking means thus ensure good attachment of the secondary element to the primary element. By way of example, at least the blocking member and/or the complementary blocking means may consist of ribs, grooves, or counterbores.

According to an optional characteristic of the second embodiment, the complementary blocking means can extend symmetrically on either side of a plane median, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, of the secondary element.

Alternatively, the secondary element may comprise a plurality of complementary blocking means, at least one first complementary blocking means and a second complementary blocking means being arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the median plane, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, of the secondary element.

Such arrangements of the complementary blocking means or means give the secondary element of the adapter a reversible nature allowing its use in wiper systems whose drive arm extends opposite the position such as previously exposed with respect to the adapter, that is to say in a position where it is this time the second primary side wall of the primary element which is facing the side of the drive arm carrying the tab . “Reversible” thus means the fact that the secondary element can be dissociated from the primary element, pivoted at i8o° around the vertical direction and then reassembled on the primary element.

According to an optional feature of the invention, independent of the embodiment implemented, the adapter may comprise at least one end edge configured to at least partially close a longitudinal end of the connection device along the longitudinal axis so , in particular, to prevent the accumulation of particles and debris in the connection device, for example at the level of the articulation of the connector on the wiper blade.

In particular, when the wiping system is produced according to the second embodiment, the primary element and/or the secondary element can form such an end edge.

Advantageously, such an end edge may comprise at least one notch for passage of the wiper blade, for example of a wiper blade deflector.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a wiper system as described above.

Other characteristics, details and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below for information purposes in relation to the various embodiments illustrated in the following figures: [Fig i] is a general schematic representation of a wiper system according to the invention and a wiper blade. The wiping system comprises a drive arm, and more particularly an end portion of this arm, as well as a connection device which is capable of connecting the drive arm to the wiper blade?

[Fig 2] is a partial exploded representation of the end portion of the drive arm and of the wiper system connection device according to the invention, showing an adapter, here according to a first embodiment, and a connector;

[Fig 3] is a simplified perspective representation of an alternative first embodiment of the connector device adapter;

[Fig 4] is a section in a longitudinal and transverse plane, seen from below, of the drive arm and of the connection device comprising an adapter made according to the first embodiment;

[Fig 5] is a section of the wiper system of Figure 4, here in a transverse and vertical plane;

[Fig 6] is a section, in a plane similar to that of Figure 5, of the adapter alone;

[Fig 7] is an exploded perspective view of the adapter when the latter is made according to a second embodiment, with a primary element and a secondary element;

[Fig 8] is a perspective view of the adapter as shown in Figure 7 when assembled;

[Fig 9] is a bottom view of a section, taken in a longitudinal and transverse plane, of the wiper system according to the invention when the connector, comprising the adapter of Figure 7 according to the second embodiment, and the end portion of the arm are assembled;

[Fig 10] is a bottom view of a section, taken in a longitudinal and transverse plane, of the wiper system according to the invention when the connector comprises an alternative embodiment of the adapter of Figure 9;

[Fig 11] is a bottom view of the device adapter according to the second embodiment; [Fig 12] is a sectional view of the wiper system of Figure 9, here in a transverse and vertical plane;

[Fig 13] is a sectional view, in a plane similar to that of Figure 12, of the adapter according to the second embodiment, alone;

[Fig 14] is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 8, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the secondary element;

[Fig 15] is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the secondary element of the adapter produced according to the second embodiment.

It should first be noted that the figures expose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention, if necessary.

The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from to the state of the prior art.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention relates to a wiper system 1 for a motor vehicle and a wiper blade 3. The wiper system 1 comprises at least one drive arm, here for example a drive arm 5, and a connection device 7. The connection device 7 is suitable for connecting said drive arm 5 to the wiper blade 3.

The wiper blade 3 is articulated and configured to move against a glazed surface of the motor vehicle, for example a windshield. The wiper blade 3 extends mainly along a longitudinal direction Ox and comprises at least one flexible scraper blade 9, for example made of an elastomeric material, configured to be in contact with the glazed surface of the motor vehicle, and a stiffening assembly 11 cooperating with the blade and which may consist, by way of non-exhaustive example, of one or more metal vertebrae.

Additionally, the wiper blade 3 may comprise at least one aerodynamic deflector 13 . The connection device 7 is arranged between the wiper blade and the drive arm, here at the level of a central zone of the wiper blade 3, so as to connect the wiper blade in a pivoting manner to the drive arm. drive 5, as detailed in Figures 4 and 5 for example.

The drive arm 5 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction Ox previously described and comprises a first end, here not shown, connected to a drive mechanism and a terminal portion 21 opposite the first end and which cooperates with the connection device 7. This terminal portion 21 has an inverted "U" structure, a first flank 15 and a second flank 17 forming branches of the "U" while an upper flank 19, connecting the first flank 15 and the second flank 17 between them forms the base. In particular, the first flank 15 and the second flank 17 extend at least partly parallel to each other.

The end portion 21 of the drive arm 5 comprises at least one pin 23 and a lug 25 which both extend along a transverse direction Oy, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Ox, projecting from said end portion 21. Such a drive arm 5 is known in particular by the Anglo-Saxon name "side-lock", the pin 23 being configured to ensure the mechanical connection, in rotation, of the connection device 7 on the drive arm 5 around a pivot axis 300 on which the pin 23 is centered.

The connection device 7 comprises at least one connector 27 and an adapter 29. The connector 27 is configured to be mounted integral with the wiper blade 3. It provides a so-called complete mechanical connection, that is to say fixed in rotation and translation, with the wiper blade 3, so that once mounted thereon, the connector has no degree of freedom with respect to the blade. The connector 27 can, if necessary, carry out a function of transporting and/or distributing a liquid for washing the surface to be wiped.

The connector 27 comprises a base 31 which extends mainly along the direction of extension of the wiper blade 3, in this case the longitudinal direction Ox, and which comprises a zone 33 for securing the connector 27 to the wiper blade. wiper 3 taking, by way of example, the form of one or more longitudinal grooves 35 provided in the lower part of the base 31 and participating in defining at least one claw 37 able to come into engagement on the wiper blade 3 , and as an example on the stiffening vertebrae when these protrude laterally from the blade. The base 31 is surmounted by at least one substantially vertical low wall 39 resulting from material with the base 31 and pierced with a transverse through hole 41, of circular section and centered on an axis of rotation 400 which coincides, once the brush and its connector 27 mounted on the arm, with the pivot axis 300 of the pin 23 previously described.

The adapter 29 is pivotally mounted around the axis of rotation 400 on the connector 27 and connects the connector 27 to the drive arm 5. The adapter 29 has a generally parallelepipedal structure which can, by way of non-exhaustive example, be substantially elongated along the longitudinal direction Ox defined by the wiper blade 3. The adapter 29 comprises a first side wall 43 and a second side wall 45 spaced from each other. These are interconnected by an upper wall 46 which extends along a longitudinal axis 100 substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction Ox. Specifically, first side wall 43 and second side wall 45 may extend parallel to each other. The adapter thus has within it a hollow shape forming a receiving housing for the low wall 39 of the connector.

By convention, throughout this document, the qualifier "longitudinal" applies to the main orientation of the wiper blade 3 or of the upper wall 46 of the adapter 29, the qualifier "transverse" applies to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and defined by the main direction of extension of the pin 23 of the drive arm 5, and the qualifier "vertical" designates the direction perpendicular both to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction. In each of the figures requiring it, the longitudinal direction will be represented by the Ox axis while the Oz and Oy axes will represent the vertical and transverse directions respectively. These axes together define a reference Oxyz in which the qualifiers "high" or "upper" will be represented by the positive direction of the axis Oy, the qualifiers "low" or "lower" being represented by the negative direction of this same axis Oy .

In a first embodiment of the wiper system 1, visible in Figures 2 to 6, the adapter 29 is a one-piece assembly. In other words, this adapter is formed from a single piece and the side walls 43, 45 and/or the top wall 46 do not can be separated from each other without causing the deterioration, or even the destruction, of the adapter 29.

Optionally, a longitudinal end 59 of the connection device 7, particularly of the adapter 29, can be at least partly closed by an end edge 61 configured so as, in particular, to prevent the accumulation of particles and debris in the connection device 7, for example at the level of the articulation of the connector on the wiper blade. Advantageously, such an end edge 61 may comprise at least one notch 611 for the passage of the wiper blade, for example of one of the deflectors 13 of the wiper blade 3. In this case, such an end edge 61 is comprised , according to a non-exhaustive example, in a head 63 of the adapter 29. the notch 611 and/or the head 63, or may be devoid of it, for example as shown in FIG. 3.

When the wiping system 1 is assembled, the adapter 29 is mounted on the drive arm 5 so that an outer face 432 of the first side wall 43 extends facing the second flank 17 of the end portion 21 of the drive arm 5, that is to say the side of the drive arm 5 bearing at least in part the pin 23 and located closest to the adapter 29.

The first side wall 43 of the adapter 29 comprises a first orifice 47 capable of receiving the pin 23 of the drive arm 5, as can be seen in particular in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4 to 6. The first orifice 47 is crossing. In other words, it extends in the thickness of the first side wall 43, from the outer face 432 to an opposite inner face 431 of the first side wall 43, which faces an internal volume 500 of the adapter 29, that is to say towards the housing defined within the adapter to receive the low wall 39 of the connector.

The first orifice 47 is at least configured to guide the pin 23 from the outside of the adapter towards the internal volume 500 of the adapter 29. By way of example, the first orifice 47 can have an at least partially cylindrical shape , for example of circular or polygonal section. Furthermore, when pin 23 extends through first orifice 47, it may or may not be at least partially in contact with said first orifice 47.

As is particularly visible in Figures 4 and 5, the adapter 20 and the pin 23 are configured so that the pin 23 extends through the first orifice 47 and the volume internal 500 to the second side wall 45 of the adapter, cooperating between the two side walls with the connector 27.

The connector 27 is configured to extend at least partly into the internal volume 500 delimited by the side walls of the adapter 29 when the wiper system 1 is assembled. In particular, the low wall 39 is arranged in the internal volume 500 so as to position the transverse hole 41 opposite the first orifice 47 of the adapter 29. The connection between the connector 27 and the adapter 29 can, by way of example non-exhaustive, be made by elastic snap-fastening, the internal face(s) 43L 451 of the adapter 29 possibly comprising one or more cylindrical strand(s) 51 configured to cooperate with the low wall 39 of the connector 27. Such arrangements ensure , advantageously, the engagement of the connector 27 in the adapter 29 during the assembly of the wiper system 1 so as to make the adapter 29 pivot, and therefore the arm of which it is secured, relative to the connector 27 and therefore the broom.

The tab 25 of the drive arm 5 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction Ox, overlapping the upper wall 46 of the adapter 29, in this case along the transverse direction Oy. The tab 25 comprises at least an end stop edge 53 of the adapter 29 extending vertically, facing the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29, more particularly facing an outer face 452 of the second side wall 45, opposite the internal face 451.

When the adapter and the tab have corresponding transverse dimensions, the tab 25 is intended to be in contact with the side wall of the adapter opposite the drive arm, here the second side wall, via the extreme rim , the adapter then being sandwiched between the extreme rim and the side of the nearest drive arm. Such a tab 25 thus aims to secure the mechanical connection between the drive arm 5 and the wiper blade 3 by blocking at least the movement of the adapter 29 with respect to the drive arm 5 along the transverse direction. Oy, i.e. according to the extension direction of piece 23.

As has been mentioned, the invention is part of a context of standardization of the connection devices 7 of the wiper systems 1 so as to allow their use with drive arms 5 of variable shapes and dimensions, so the cross-sectional dimensions of the dropout and adapter may not match as described above. The adapter 29 of the wiper system 1 according to the present invention is advantageously configured so as to ensure the blocking of the connection device 7 with respect to the drive arm 5 along the transverse direction Oy, and this despite the potential difference between the transverse dimension of the drive arm 5, and the lug 25 that it includes, and that of the adapter.

The particular characteristics of such a wiper system 1 are further detailed with reference to Figures 4 and 5, where this system is shown assembled. A transverse dimension 50 of the lug 25 of the drive arm 5, measured between the second flank 17 and the internal surface 55 of the extreme rim 53, is strictly greater than a corresponding transverse width 290 of the adapter 29, measured between the face outer face 432 of the first side wall 43 and the outer face 452 of the second side wall 45.

The internal surface 55 of the extreme flange 53 is placed in contact with the external face 452 of the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 while the second flank 17 of the drive arm 5 extends facing the first side wall 43 of the adapter 29, at a non-zero distance from this first side wall 43.

In order to ensure the blocking of the adapter 29 along the transverse direction Oy, the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 of the wiping system 1 according to the invention comprises at least one transverse abutment means 67 of the free end 65 of the pin 23 of the drive arm 5. In this way, the transverse abutment means 67 generating contact between the pin 23 and the internal surface 451 of the second side wall 45, this second side wall 45 is clamped between the free end 65 of the pin 23 and the internal surface 55 of the extreme edge 53 of the tab 25.

In this case, when the wiping system is made according to the first embodiment, the pin 23 and the tab 25 are each at least partially in contact with an opposite face of the second side wall 45, respectively the face internal 451 and the external face 452 of the second side wall 45, so that they each make it possible to hinder the movement of the adapter 29 in one of the directions of the transverse direction Oy. The cooperation between the tab 25 and the second side wall 45 thus blocks the movement of the adapter 29 in the direction of the transverse direction Oy moving away from the second flank 17 of the drive arm 5, while the cooperation between the pin 23 and the side wall 45, in particular the abutment means 67 that it comprises, blocks the movement of the adapter 29 in the direction of the transverse direction Oy approaching said second flank 17. The second side wall 45, the pin 23 and the lug 25 are thus configured to block any movement of the adapter 29 along the transverse direction Oy, in particular along the pin 23, so as to make the fixing of the adapter more reliable with respect to the arm of workout 5.

In order to facilitate the assembly of the drive arm 5 on the connection device 7 during the assembly of the wiper system, the tab 25 and the pin 23 are at least separated by a longitudinal dimension 240, visible in Figure 2 , which is nonzero and measured along the longitudinal direction Ox. Furthermore, the drive arm can be configured so that the transverse dimension 50 of the lug 25 is strictly greater than a transverse dimension 230 of the peg, measured between the second flank 17 and a free end 65 of the peg 23. in other words, the extreme edge 53 of the lug 25 is offset with respect to the free end 65 of the pin 23, both longitudinally with reference to the longitudinal direction Ox and transversely with reference to the transverse direction Oy. results, when the wiping system 1 is assembled, that the extreme edge 53 of the tab is offset in these two directions with respect to the abutment means 67 disposed on the adapter 29, and therefore that the tightening of the second side wall 45 on each of its opposite faces, jointly implemented by the support of the pin 23 and the tab 25, is made in at least two zones of the second side wall 45 offset longitudinally.

According to a particular embodiment, detailed in Figures 4 to 6, the abutment means 67 comprises at least one cavity 71 for receiving the free end 65 of the pin 23, the cavity 71 opening into the inner face 451 of the second wall side 45. More particularly, the cavity 71 has the shape of a blind hole which extends in the thickness of the second side wall, from the internal face 451.

The cavity 71 comprises a bottom wall 73 which extends at a non-zero distance 450 from the outer face 452 of the second side wall 45. As detailed below, and visible in Figure 5, it is notable that this non-zero distance 450 between the bottom wall 73 and the outer face 452 of the second side wall, which corresponds to the thickness of the side wall in the zone in which the cavity 71 is formed, is equal to or slightly greater than the transverse component 235 of the distance between the internal surface of the extreme edge 53 of the lug 25 and the free end 65 of the pin 23, so as to allow tight fitting of the lug and the pin on either side of the second side wall 45. The cavity 71 is defined by a depth 715 of the cavity 71, visible in Figure 6 and measured along the transverse direction Oy between the plane in which the inner face 451 of the second side wall 45 and the bottom wall 73 of the cavity 71 extend. to vary, the different dimensions of the cavity 71, in particular its depth 715, being in no way limiting insofar as the latter is part of the thickness of the second side wall 45 and forms a blind hole with a wall bottom 73, the bottom wall 73 forming the abutment means 67 of the pin 23.

The cavity 71 can advantageously have a shape substantially complementary to at least the free end 65 of the pin of the drive arm. In this case, the pin 23 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a circular section, so that the cavity 71 has an equivalent shape.

The wiping system being configured according to the invention so that the pin comes into abutment with the bottom wall 73 to participate in the sandwiching of the second side wall 45, the side edge 75 participating in delimiting the cavity 71 surrounds, at least in part, a peripheral flank 74 of the pin 23. More particularly, the lateral edge 75 delimiting the cavity 71, by connecting the internal face 451 of the second lateral wall 45 to the bottom wall 73, is in at least partial contact with the peripheral flank 74 of the pin 23 when the latter is inserted through the adapter 29, so as to ensure the blocking of the pin 23 in at least one direction of the longitudinal direction Ox and/or of the vertical direction Oz, c 'that is to say a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction Oy along which the pin 23 is inserted into the cavity 71. The section of the cavity 71, in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction Oy is thus characterized by a dimension principal ipale 710 of the cavity 71, here a diameter, configured to allow, on the one hand, the insertion of the pin 23 in the cavity 71 until its free end is in contact with the internal face 451 of the second wall side 45 of the adapter 2, that is to say here the bottom wall 73, and on the other hand the blocking of the pin 23 along the longitudinal direction Ox and/or along the vertical direction Oz.

Thus, it is ensured on the one hand that the second side wall 45 is in engagement between the pin 23, in contact with the internal face 451, and the tab 25, in contact with the external face 452. And it is ensured on the other hand that the contact of the pin 23 is stable, by preventing the free end 65 of the pin from sliding against the internal face 451, by blocking the longitudinal and vertical movements of the pin by means of the abutment formed by the lateral edge 75 delimiting the cavity 71.

The cavity 71 and the first orifice 43 are advantageously centered on the same axis, for example the pivot axis 300 of the pin 23 and/or the axis of rotation 400 of the connector 27 when the wiper system 1 is assembled.

In the example illustrated, and in particular visible in Figures 5 and 6, the cavity 71 may have a substantially frustoconical shape, with a reduction in the extent of the section as the bottom wall 73 approaches. Without this being limiting of the invention, it is notable that such an arrangement makes it possible to receive either a pin 23 of substantially frustoconical shape or of substantially cylindrical shape, and that this makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the pin 23 until that its free end comes into contact with the bottom wall so as to ensure the support of the pin on the internal face 451 of the second side wall 45.

Similar to what was explained previously, the first orifice 47 may have a shape that is at least partly cylindrical. A section of the first orifice 47 made perpendicular to the transverse direction Oy is defined by a main dimension 471, such as a diameter or a diagonal, which can, by way of non-exhaustive example, be substantially equal to, or greater than, the main dimension 710 of the cavity 71 made in the second side wall 45.

In order to facilitate the positioning of the pin 23, the adapter 29, and in particular the abutment means 67, can be at least partly made of an elastically deformable material. By way of example, the adapter 29 may be is at least partly made of a synthetic material, such as a polymer material having more or less elastic properties, for example a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyoxymethylene, TABS fiber (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or filled PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) depending on the desired degree of elasticity.

Without this being limiting of the invention, drive arm 5 is mounted on connection device 7, bringing them closer together transversely. The drive arm is inclined at the time of this transverse relative movement so that the lug 25 does not come into contact with the adapter 29. During this translation along the transverse direction Oy, the pin 23 is engaged in the first orifice 47, then in the transverse hole 41 of the connector 27, which extends into the internal volume 500 of the adapter 29, before being inserted into the cavity 71. The insertion of the pin is done until the free end 65 of the pin 23 is in contact with the abutment means 67 of the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29, as illustrated in Figures 4 or 5. More particularly, the insertion is done until the free end 65 of the pin is in contact with at least the wall of bottom 73 of cavity 71 of abutment means 67 extending through the thickness of second side wall 45.

Secondly, once contact has been established between pin 23 and second lateral surface 45 of adapter 29, drive arm 5 is then pivoted around pivot axis 300 so as to move tab 25 upwards. connection device 7 and this until the extreme edge 53 of the tab 25 is in contact with the outer face 452 of the second side wall 45. As mentioned previously, the transverse distance between the extreme edge of the tab 25 and the pin 23, or transverse component 235 of the distance between the internal surface of the extreme edge 53 of the tab 25 and the free end 65 of the pin 23, is equal to or slightly less than the non-zero distance 450 between the bottom wall 73 and the outer face 452 of the second side wall, so that it is necessary for the user, pivoting the arm, to force slightly so that the tab 25 is positioned facing the outer face 452 of the second side wall.

Once the wiper system 1 thus assembled, the second side wall 45 is clamped between the free end 65 of the pin 23, at the level of the abutment means 67, and the inner surface 55 of the extreme rim 53, thus ensuring the blocking of the connection device 7 on the drive arm 5 along the transverse direction Oy and their good connection. To disassemble the wiper blade 3 equipped with the connection device 7 of the drive arm, it suffices to carry out, in reverse order, the steps of the assembly kinematics described above.

Figures 7 to 16 illustrate different views of a second embodiment of the wiping system 1, substantially identical to the second mode of operation, so that reference can be made to the description given above which applies mutatis - mutandis. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the adapter 29 comprises a plurality of parts, in particular at least one primary element 77 and one secondary element 79, attached to the primary element 77 and disposed in engagement with said primary element 77.

The primary element 77 comprises a first primary side wall 771 and a second primary side wall 772 spaced from each other and interconnected by a primary upper wall 773. Similarly, the secondary element 79 comprises a first secondary side wall 791 and a second secondary side wall 792 spaced from each other and interconnected by a secondary top wall 793.

The primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 are thus configured to cooperate so that the first side wall 43 of the adapter 29 comprises at least the first primary side wall 771 and the first secondary side wall 791, while the second side wall 45 of adapter 29 includes at least second primary side wall 772 and second secondary side wall 792 and top wall 46 of adapter 29 includes primary top wall 773 and secondary top wall 793.

In other words, in the present embodiment, the primary element 77 comprises the internal face 431 of the first side wall 43 and the internal face 451 of the second side wall 45 as previously exposed, while the element secondary 79 comprises the outer face 432 of the first side wall 43 and the outer face 452 of the second side wall 45. The primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 have at least partially complementary shape profiles and are at least partially in contact with each other, the secondary element 79 at least partially surrounding the primary element 77.

Thus, the first secondary side wall 791 and the second secondary side wall 792 of the secondary element 79 respectively comprise intermediate internal faces 794, 794', opposite the external faces 432, 452 of the secondary element 79. Similarly the first wall primary side wall 771 and the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77 respectively comprise intermediate external faces 774, 774', opposite the internal faces 431, 451 of the adapter 29, the intermediate internal faces 794, 794' of the 'secondary element 79 being at least partially in contact with the intermediate external faces 774, 774' of the primary element 77. The cooperation between the primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 will be further detailed below.

Such an arrangement of the adapter 29 advantageously allows it to be produced in different materials. In particular, so as to reinforce the structure of the adapter 29 while optimizing its blocking along the transverse direction, one or the other of the primary element 77 and secondary element 79 can be made of a substantially rigid thermoplastic polymer material. while the other can be made of a softer material, with elastic deformation properties.

The primary element 77 and/or the secondary element 79 comprises at least in part the abutment means 67 as previously explained. In particular, the abutment means 67 may comprise at least one second through hole 49 disposed in the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77 of the adapter 29 and configured to receive, at least in part, the pin 23 of the arm workout 5.

All of the characteristics described in relation to the first orifice 47 can be transposed mutatis mutandis to the present embodiment, with the difference that, instead of a first orifice 47 made in one piece in the first side wall 43, the first orifice 47 of the adapter 29 according to the second embodiment comprises a first section 81 of the first orifice 47, included in the first primary side wall 771 of the primary element 77, and a second section 83 of the first orifice 47, included in the first secondary side wall 791 of the secondary element 79. Such first section 81 of the first orifice 47 and second section 83 of the first orifice 47 extend at least partly facing each other when the element secondary 79 is arranged overlapping the primary element 77, so as to form a continuous orifice capable of receiving the pin 23 of the drive arm 5. In particular, they can also be centered on a same axis, for example the axis of rotation 400 of the connector 27 on the adapter 29.

According to particular embodiments of the second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the abutment means 67 may comprise the cavity 71 for receiving the free end 65 of the pin as previously exposed, also all of the characteristics exposed relative to said cavity 71 can be transposed mutatis mutandis to the present embodiment.

In such exemplary embodiments, the cavity 71 is at least partly defined by the second orifice 49 of the second primary side wall 772. According to a first alternative, represented in FIG. 9, the side edge 75 of the cavity is formed by the second orifice 49, while the bottom wall 73 of the cavity 71 is formed by the second secondary side wall 792, particularly by its intermediate internal face 794', so that the free end 65 of the pin 23 bears against the intermediate internal face 794' of the second secondary side wall 792 while the internal surface 55 of the extreme rim 53 of the tab 25 bears against the external face 452 of the second secondary side wall 792, included in the second side wall 45

The second orifice 49 can thus, as previously explained, have a substantially complementary shape to at least the free end 65 of the pin 23. In this case, the second orifice 49 like the pin 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape and circular section. The second orifice 49 is thus at least configured so as to guide the pin 23 in the adapter 29 and the main dimension 710 of the cavity 71, here the diameter of the second orifice 49, is configured to allow the insertion of the pin 23 or even , optionally, to block the adapter 29 with respect to the pin 23 along the longitudinal direction Ox and/or along the vertical direction Oz. Specifically, the major dimension 471 of the first orifice 47 and the major dimension 710 of the second orifice 49 may be substantially equal. Alternatively, as previously explained for the first embodiment, the cavity 71, and therefore the second orifice 49, may have a substantially frustoconical shape.

According to a second alternative, illustrated in FIG. 10, the second secondary side wall 792 can comprise at least one hollow 84 arranged opposite the second orifice 49 and configured to form the bottom wall 73 of the cavity 71 and a portion of the edge side 75 of the cavity 71. The hollow 84, which can take the form of a blind hole similar to what has been described previously, is configured to receive at least partly the free end 65 of the pin 23, the hollow 84 and/or the second orifice 49 possibly having a shape complementary to at least a part of the pin 23. By way of example, the hollow 84 may have a substantially circular longitudinal section, substantially similar to that of the second orifice 49.

Similar to what has been explained with reference to the first embodiment, the adapter 29 may optionally include, at its longitudinal end 59, the end edge 61. Advantageously, such an end edge 61 may include an end edge primary 612, included in the primary element 77, and/or a secondary end edge 613, at least partially complementary to the primary end edge 611 and surrounding it at least in part. The same goes for the notch 611 and/or the head 63 as previously exposed, which can be transposed so as to be integrated into the primary element 77 and/or the secondary element 79.

Thus, the adapter 29 may comprise an extreme edge 61 comprising the edge primary end 6n alone, or in combination with the secondary end edge 613, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, or may be open at its longitudinal end 59, as shown in Figure 16.

In order to keep the primary element 77 and the secondary element 79 secured to each other, in particular along the longitudinal direction Ox, the primary element 77 comprises at least one blocking member 85 and the secondary element 79 comprises at least one complementary blocking means 87, configured to cooperate with at least the blocking member 85.

Advantageously, the adapter 29 may comprise a plurality of release members 85 and complementary release means 87, various examples of which are illustrated in Figures 7 to 15. These may have similar or, as shown, different structures. It is understood that the adapter 29 may be configured so as to include only part of the various locking members 85 and complementary locking means 87 shown in said figures.

A first example of a blocking member 85 according to the invention consists of at least one blocking rib 89 which can extend projecting from the primary upper wall 773 or more particularly projecting from a clearance of material 90 formed in the primary upper wall 773. In the example illustrated the blocking member 85 extends along the longitudinal direction Ox. Alternatively, such a blocking rib 89 may extend along the transverse direction Oy. Advantageously, the primary element 77 of the adapter 29 comprises a plurality of blocking ribs 89.

The secondary element 79 comprises at least one complementary blocking means 87 configured to cooperate with the blocking ribs 89 so as to hinder the movements of the secondary element 79 along at least the longitudinal direction Ox. In this case, the secondary element 79 comprises a window 91 in which extends at least one of the locking ribs 89 and of which at least one peripheral edge 93 is configured to form an abutment of said locking rib 89 the along the longitudinal direction Ox. In this case, the secondary element 79 comprises a window 91 in which the various locking ribs 89 extend.

A second example of blocking member 85 may consist, by way of example, of at least one counterbore, called primary counterbore 95, of the primary element 77, which may be included in the first primary side wall 771 and/or in the second wall primary side 772 and/or in the primary upper wall 773. Such a primary counterbore 95 is configured to cooperate with at least one complementary locking means 87 included in the secondary element 79, in this case a counterbore of complementary shape called a counterbore secondary 97, for example visible in Figures 9 and 10.

A third example of secondary element 79 locking means may consist of at least one secondary tooth 99 projecting from at least one of the intermediate internal faces 794, 794' of the first secondary side wall 791 and / or the second primary side wall 772 so as to extend towards the internal volume 500 of the adapter 29, that is to say towards the primary element 77 of the adapter 29. Such a secondary tooth 99 may, by way of non-exhaustive example, be configured to cooperate with at least one blocking member 85 consisting of a primary slot 101 of complementary shape opening in at least one of the intermediate external faces 774, 774' of the first primary side wall 771 and/or of the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77, arranged facing the secondary tooth 99;

According to a particular embodiment of the wiper system 1 according to the second embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 16, when at least the secondary element 79 has an open longitudinal end 59, it is - that is to say that it has no end edge 61, this can advantageously be configured so that the at least one additional blocking means 87 extends symmetrically on either side of a plane median 250, vertical and transverse, of the secondary element 79, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 100, of the secondary element 79-

Such a configuration allows, advantageously, the reversibility of the secondary element 79 on the primary element 77. In other words, the secondary element 79 as previously explained can be disassembled from the secondary element 79, pivoted at 180 ^° around the vertical direction Oz, then reassembled on the primary element 77 so that the first primary side wall 771 extends opposite the second secondary side wall 792 and the second primary side wall 772 extends opposite the first secondary side wall 791. In this way, the connection device 7 of the wiper system 1 according to the invention can also be extended to use with a drive arm 5 configured to be arranged at the opposite of the adapter 29 along the transverse direction Oy, for example on the other side of an external plane 455 in which the external face 452 of the second side wall fits 45, instead of the position adopted by the drive arm 5 as previously described.

In such an inverted configuration, not shown, the first side wall 43 of the adapter 29 then comprises the second primary side wall 772 of the primary element 77 as previously exposed and the first secondary side wall 791 of the secondary element 79 while the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 comprises the first primary side wall 771 and the second secondary side wall 792. In other words, the second side wall 45 of the adapter 29 is the wall of the adapter 29 comprising the second secondary side wall 792, that is to say the side wall may include, at least in part, the cooperation means 57. Similarly, the second hole 49 is called the hole comprising the second section 83 which may include, at least in part, the means of cooperation 57.

Such an arrangement is thus suitable for drive arms 5 configured to be arranged opposite the second primary side wall 772 and not opposite the first side wall comprising the first primary side wall as previously explained. Similar to what has been explained previously, the at least one cooperation means 57 is included in the side wall of the adapter 29 furthest from the drive arm 5.

As illustrated in Figure 16, the adapter 29 may comprise a plurality of complementary locking means 87, at least a first complementary locking means 871 and a second complementary locking means 872 being arranged symmetrically to one another. other with respect to the median plane 250 of the secondary element 79. The first complementary locking means 871 and the second complementary locking means 872 can be made according to any one of the embodiments as previously exposed, that is that is to say that they can consist of a plurality of windows 91 and/or of secondary counterbores 97 and/or of secondary teeth 99 or of any other alternative of said embodiments as previously explained. In this case, in the example of secondary element 79 as illustrated in Figure 16, the first complementary locking means 871 and the second complementary locking means 872 consist of secondary teeth 99- It is understood on reading the foregoing that the present invention proposes a wiping system in which a connection device comprising at least one adapter is configured to adapt to a plurality of different drive arms, including in particular drive arm of the “side-lock” type, that is to say comprising at least one pin for rotation of the drive device and a lug both extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of extension of said arm. The adapter of the connection device comprises at least a first side wall comprising a first orifice and a second side wall comprising a stop means for a free end of the pin. The adapter is configured so that the second side wall is clamped between the free end of the peg and the lug of the drive arm so as to block the adapter at least along the transverse direction of extension of the peg.

The invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technical combination operating such means. In particular, the shape and/or the dimensions of the adapter of the locking device, of the abutment means or of the locking members and/or complementary locking means can be modified without harming the invention, insofar as these components, in fine, fulfill the same functionalities as those described in this document.

Claims

1. Wiper system (i) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one drive arm (5) and a connection device (7), the drive arm (5) comprising at least one pin (23) and a lug (25) both extending along a transverse direction (Oy) projecting from an end portion (21) of the drive arm (5), the connection device (7) comprising at least: a connector (27) capable of being mounted integral with a wiper blade (3) and comprising at least one transverse hole (41) capable of receiving the pin (23); an adapter (29) pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (400) on the connector (27) and intended to connect the connector (27) to the drive arm (5), the adapter (29) comprising a first side wall (43) and a second side wall (45) spaced from each other and interconnected by a top wall (46) which extends along a longitudinal axis (100), the first wall side (43) comprising a first through hole (47) able to receive the pin (23); characterized in that the lug (25) comprises at least one end abutment rim (53) extending in contact with the second side wall (45) of the adapter (29) and in that the second side wall (45 ) comprises at least one abutment means (67) of the free end (65) of the pin (23), so that the second side wall (45) is clamped between the free end (65) of the pin (23) and an inner surface (55) of the end rim (53).

2. Wiper system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the end portion (21) of the drive arm (5) comprises at least a first flank (15) and a second flank (17), at least the second flank (17) carrying the pin (23) and the second flank (17) extending opposite the first side wall (43) of the adapter (29), at a non-zero distance from an external face (432 ) of the first side wall (43) of the adapter (29).

3. Wiper system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the tab (25) is defined by a transverse dimension (50), measured between the second flank (17) and the inner surface (55) of the end rim ( 53), the transverse dimension of the

27 leg (25) being strictly greater than a transverse dimension (230) of the peg (23), measured between the second flank (17) and the free end (65) of the peg (23), so as to define a transverse spacing ( 235) between the extreme edge of the leg (25) and the pin (23).

4. Wiper system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab (25) and the pin (23) are at least separated by a longitudinal dimension (240), measured along the longitudinal direction ( Ox), not zero.

5. Wiper system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment means (67) comprises at least one cavity (71) for receiving the free end (65) of the pin (23), the cavity (71) consisting of a blind hole opening onto an internal face (451) of the second side wall (45) arranged facing the first side wall (43).

6. Wiper system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cavity (71) comprises a bottom wall (73) which extends at a non-zero distance (450) from an outer face (452) of the second side wall (45), opposite the internal face (451).

7. Wiper system (1) according to the preceding claim and claim 3, wherein the transverse spacing (235) between the extreme edge of the tab (25) and the pin (23) is equal to or slightly less than the non-zero distance (450) between the outer face (452) of the second side wall (45) and the bottom wall (73).

8. Wiper system (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cavity (71) has a shape substantially complementary to at least the free end (65) of the pin (23) of the arm of drive (5).

9. Wiper system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (29) is a one-piece assembly.

10. Wiper system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adapter (29) comprises at least one primary element (77) and one secondary element (79), the secondary element (79 ) being attached to the primary element (77) and disposed in engagement with the latter so as to surround it at least partially: the primary element (77) comprising a first primary side wall (771) and a second primary side wall (772) spaced from each other and interconnected by a primary top wall (773); the secondary element (79) comprising a first secondary side wall (791) and a second secondary side wall (792) spaced from each other and interconnected by a secondary upper wall (793); the first side wall (43) of the adapter (29) comprising at least the first primary side wall (771) and the first secondary side wall (791) and the second side wall (45) of the adapter (29) comprising at least the second primary side wall (772) and the second secondary side wall (792).