EP3891027A1

EP3891027A1 - Adapter for connecting a wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiper system for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP3891027A1
Application number: EP19806263.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincent Gaucher; Olivier JOMARD; Stéphane HOUSSAT; Guillaume MOULEYRE
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes dEssuyage SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes dEssuyage SAS
Priority date: 2018-12-04
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Also published as: US11845404B2; JP7186880B2; FR3089184A1; FR3089184B1; US20220080928A1; JP2022510015A; CN113165602B; WO2020114828A1; CN113165602A

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter intended to connect a wiper blade (7) to a drive arm (5) of a wiper system (800) for a vehicle, the adapter (100) comprising a head (1) and a body (2), the adapter (100) being formed by an upper wall (10, 20) and two lateral flanks (11a, 11b, 21a, 21b), the adapter (100) comprising a centring means (3) for centring in a vertical direction (Oz) perpendicular to the upper wall (10, 20), characterised in that the centring means (3) is extended longitudinally by a guide member (9) configured to be engaged with the drive arm (5), the adapter (100) comprising a tab (4) configured to wedge the adapter (100) in the vertical direction (Oz). The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.

Description

ADAPTER FOR CONNECTING A WIPER BROOM TO A DRIVE ARM OF A WIPER SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

The invention relates to the field of wiping and / or cleaning the 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 dirt that can disturb the driver's vision of his environment. These wipers generally comprise at least one drive arm which performs an angular reciprocating movement against a glazed surface of the vehicle, and at least one wiper blade equipped with a scraper blade made of an elastic material. . By rubbing against this glass surface, this blade sweeps away water and a certain number of dirt, and evacuates them outside the driver's field of vision.

Whatever the configuration of the wiper blade (articulated stirrups that hold the scraper blade in several distinct zones, or metal blade that holds the scraper blade over its entire length, for example), it is attached to the arm drive of the wiping system by a connection assembly which generally comprises at least one connector and one adapter. The connector is secured to the brush, and the adapter is a part which is configured, on the one hand, to cooperate with the connector and, on the other hand, to be engaged with an end part, or yoke, of the arm of training. Connector and adapter therefore cooperate to achieve the attachment of the brush on the drive arm.

In the market for the sale of parts and accessories for the aftermarket of motor vehicles, it is known to offer the same brush, sold equipped with its own connector, adaptable for several types of drive arm. It is therefore advisable to design an adapter usable with the greatest possible number of types of arm screeds and with the greatest possible number of types of brush connectors, since it is the adapter which forms the interface between these two elements. . The object of the present invention is to propose a solution making it possible to connect a wiper blade to a particular type of drive arm yoke for a wiping system of a motor vehicle, which yoke has, perpendicularly in its longitudinal direction of extension, a section in the shape of an inverted "U", the vertical branches of which are constituted by two side walls of this yoke and the transverse branch of which is formed by an upper wall of said yoke. Upper wall and side walls of this yoke thus delimit between them a reception volume of the adapter according to the invention.

The particular yoke to which the invention applies more precisely also comprises two gills each arranged longitudinally on one of its side walls of the yoke from a free front end edge of this side wall, free front end which constitutes the end by which the adapter of the invention is introduced into this yoke. These openings can advantageously participate in the connection between adapter and drive arm. However, the mechanical constraints of manufacturing the drive arm and, in particular, of its yoke, make the dimensional tolerances of these gills not very precise, and that the adapters in general available on the aftermarket of parts spare parts and accessories for wiping systems do not always make it possible to reliably ensure such a connection. In some cases, the adapter cannot be mounted on the yoke due to these tolerance differences.

The object of the invention is to propose an adapter which makes it possible to make efficient use of these louvers for mounting the adapter with the yoke and also for centering and wedging the adapter with the drive arm, in particular whatever the dimensional tolerance of the gills, such centering and wedging occurring in a vertical direction.

The invention relates to an adapter for connecting a wiper blade to a drive arm of a vehicle wiping system, the adapter comprising a head and a body which extend in the extension of one the other in a longitudinal direction of the adapter, the adapter being formed at least by an upper wall and at least by two lateral flanks coming from the upper wall, the adapter comprising at least one centering means configured for center it relative to the drive arm in a vertical direction perpendicular to the upper wall, characterized in that the centering means is extended longitudinally along the body by a guide member configured to be engaged with the drive arm, the adapter comprising a tab configured to wedge the adapter in the vertical direction. The guide member facilitates the installation of the adapter in a wiping system. The position of the adapter relative to the drive arm is ensured by means of centering and the cooperation between the adapter and the drive arm is made reliable by the tongue.

By convention, throughout this document, the qualifier "longitudinal" applies to the direction in which extend the head and the body of the adapter according to the invention in the extension of one another, the qualifier "transverse" applies to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and joining together the lateral flanks of the adapter according to the invention, and the qualifier "vertical" designates the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction, that is to say perpendicular to the upper wall of the adapter.

According to one characteristic, the adapter comprises a connection means in rotation with a connector secured to the wiper blade, the upper wall and the lateral flanks delimiting an internal volume of the adapter in which the connector is able to extend.

With reference to the different directions mentioned above, 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". This inverted "U" is formed by the upper wall and the two lateral flanks extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the upper wall, the two lateral flanks, vertical or substantially vertical, of this head and / or of this body. The upper wall and lateral sides of the adapter according to the invention together delimit the internal volume of the adapter. The internal volume of the adapter is configured to accommodate the connector secured to the wiper blade. Thus, the internal volume houses the rotational connection means which comes from the material of the upper wall and / or from one and the other lateral flank.

The adapter according to the invention comprises the centering means intended to cooperate with the drive arm. This cooperation takes place in particular with at least one of the gills arranged in at least one of the side walls of a yoke of the type previously defined. This centering is carried out in a direction perpendicular to a plane through which an upper wall of the adapter passes, that is to say the vertical direction previously defined.

Advantageously, the centering means is arranged on one of the lateral sides of the adapter. In particular, the centering means is arranged on one of the lateral flanks of the adapter by extending the head on the lateral flank of the body.

The adapter according to the invention comprises the guide member intended to control the path of insertion of the adapter into the yoke, and this from a position of engagement to a position of implementation of the adapter . When the adapter is in the implementation position, the guide member is engaged in a thickness of one of the side walls of the yoke.

The adapter according to the invention includes the tongue. The tab is configured to lock the adapter in the vertical direction when engaged with the drive arm. The tongue, in the implementation position, bears against one of the side walls of the yoke. To secure the adapter in the vertical direction, the tab is located on one of the lateral sides of the adapter.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter is a one-piece structure obtained by molding. Thus, the different parts of the adapter are inseparable without damaging the adapter.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tongue is made in one piece with the body and / or with the guide member. More preferably, the tongue is made entirely of material with the guide member, and is located at a distance from the lateral flank beside which it extends, which has the effect of increasing its plastic deformability, and therefore the mountability of the adapter in a yoke. The tab can be connected to the body of the adapter and / or to the head of the adapter, via the guidance. By “made from material with” is meant that the tongue is, with the body and / or the guide member, an extension of the body and / or the guide member. In other words, the tongue emanates from the body and / or from the guide member. The tongue is thus inseparable from the body and / or the guide member without affecting the integrity of the tongue and the body and / or the guide member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the guide member is carried by a lateral flank of the body of the adapter. The guide member is, in other words, made of material with the lateral flank of this body. The guide member and the body are inseparable without deterioration of one or the other.

According to one aspect of the invention, the centering means and the guide member are arranged beyond a shoulder formed at a limit between the head and the body of the adapter. At the interface between the head and the body, the shoulder is a boundary between the body and the adapter head. It is a region where the adapter head and body join. The centering means emerges from the shoulder. 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 in which the adapter is inserted. According to one embodiment of the invention, this shoulder extends between the upper walls respectively of the head and of the body of the adapter and between the lateral walls of the head and of the body, thus forming a peripheral rim at the interface between this head and this body.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the centering means is arranged from G shoulder and is extended by the guide member. The centering means and the guide member extend longitudinally beyond this shoulder, in the direction of the body of the adapter according to the invention.

Advantageously, the transverse dimension of this centering means, that is to say its thickness which extends transversely from the body of the adapter according to the invention, is identical or substantially identical to the transverse dimension of the shoulder forming the interface between a lateral flank of the head and a lateral flank of the body. Thus, this centering means does not constitute a projecting part of the lateral flank of the head from which it comes. Advantageously, the transverse dimension of the guide member, that is to say its thickness which extends transversely from the body of the adapter according to the invention, is less than the transverse dimension of the centering means.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tongue is carried by a lateral flank of the body of the adapter. The tongue is made of material with the lateral flank at the level of the body of the adapter.

According to one aspect of the invention, the guide member comprises an upper edge and a lower edge opposite the upper edge, the upper edge is disposed between the upper wall of the adapter and the lower edge, the tongue extending between the upper wall of the adapter and the upper edge. The tongue therefore extends in a space bounded by the upper wall of the body and by the lower edge of the guide member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the guide member comprises a first longitudinal end linked to the centering means and a second free longitudinal end opposite to the first longitudinal end, the tongue being convergent towards the second longitudinal end. The tongue takes the form of an oriented slope so as to facilitate the insertion of the adapter into the yoke.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tongue is able to deform plastically. The plastic deformation of the tongue contributes to the timing of the adapter with the drive arm. Before inserting the adapter into the yoke, the tab is intact. When the guide member is engaged in the ear of the yoke, when the adapter is inserted into the yoke, the cooperation between the ear and the tongue deforms the tongue. In the implementation position, the tongue remains deformed, resting in the hearing.

According to one aspect of the invention, the lower edge of the guide member is extended by an insertion chamfer forming an angle with the lower edge between 20 ° and 6o °. The chamfer facilitates the engagement of the guide member in the ear of the yoke and allows rotation of the adapter during insertion into the yoke of the drive arm. The angle between the insertion chamfer and the lower edge is measured between a straight line extending mainly in the insertion chamfer and a line extending mainly in the lower edge. The angle is measured on the side of the second terminal end of the guide member. The angle, when it is between 20 ° and 6o °, facilitates the engagement of the guide member in the hearing of the yoke.

According to one aspect of the invention, the centering means is a half-disc whose center passes through a plane containing the shoulder. The centering means has, in its longitudinal direction of extension, a curved shape whose apex of the curvature is oriented towards the guide member.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this centering means is thus in the form of a disc portion, for example centered on the lateral flank of the head of the adapter which carries it. Such a disc portion is thus delimited by a face aligned with an external face delimiting the lateral flank of the adapter at the level of the head.

According to one aspect of the invention, each lateral flank of the body carries a guide member. There is a single guide means by lateral flank. Thus, the adapter has two guide members.

According to one aspect of the invention, each lateral flank of the body carries a tongue. There is a single tab per sidewall. Thus, the adapter has two tabs, which helps to balance the position of the adapter in the yoke.

The invention also relates to a connection device comprising an adapter as described above and a connector capable of being secured to a wiper blade, in which the adapter and the connector are connected by a rotating connection means. The wiping system connector cooperates with the adapter in the connection device. The connector of the wiping system is intended to be secured to the wiping brush.

The adapter according to the invention comprises in the region of its body, a means allowing its connection in rotation with the connector of a wiping system. According to an exemplary embodiment, this rotary connection means consists of at least one cylindrical strand centered on a substantially transverse axis of rotation, parallel to the upper wall of the adapter and substantially perpendicular to the lateral sides of the latter. This rotating connection means can comprise two coaxial cylindrical strands.

Advantageously, this substantially cylindrical strand extends from at least one lateral flank of the body of the adapter according to the invention, within the part of the internal volume of said adapter delimited by the upper wall and by the lateral flanks of the adapter, near the interface between head and body of this adapter. This strand is advantageously intended to cooperate with the connector associated with a wiper blade when connecting such a brush with the adapter according to the invention. More specifically, this strand is intended to be engaged in a reception orifice arranged in such a connector.

According to an alternative embodiment, the rotational connection means consists of at least two openings, cylindrical of circular or square section, arranged in each lateral flank of the body of the adapter. These openings cooperate with the connector associated with a wiper blade when connecting such a brush 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 rotational connection means comprises on one side a single strand formed in one of the lateral flanks of the adapter and a single opening formed in the other lateral flank of the adapter.

The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising a connection device as previously described. The wiper blade cooperates with the connector of the connection device. The assembly is intended to be connected to the drive arm via the cooperation between the adapter of the connection device and the yoke of the drive arm. It will be understood that this wiper blade includes this connection device when the adapter which is the subject of the first aspect of the invention is mounted on the connector, or disposed inside a package which includes the wiper blade.

The invention finally covers a wiping system comprising a brush. wiper, a drive arm and an adapter as previously described or a connection device as previously described, in which the adapter cooperates with a yoke of the drive arm, characterized in that the centering means is disposed in a hearing arranged in a side wall of the yoke, the tongue extending in the hearing to wedge in the vertical direction the adapter relative to the yoke.

When the adapter according to the invention is assembled with a drive arm whose yoke is of the type described above, the body of this adapter is engaged in the receiving volume of this yoke. The screed receiving volume is delimited by an upper wall of the screed and by two side walls which extend from the upper wall of the screed. When the adapter body is engaged in the reception volume, the upper wall of the adapter, at the level of the body, comes to bear, within this reception volume, against the upper wall of the yoke, and the side walls thereof act advantageously both as a longitudinal and transverse guide means and as a transverse locking means of the adapter within this reception volume. To do this, the external dimensions, in particular, of the body of the adapter according to the invention, are advantageously defined to allow this guidance and this blocking: in other words, the external dimensions of the body of the adapter according to the invention are advantageously defined to allow easy but adjusted insertion, that is to say without excessive play, of it within the receiving volume delimited by the upper wall and by the side walls of the yoke of the arm drive with which this adapter is intended to cooperate.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the centering means and its configuration on the lateral flank which carries it are defined in such a way that, when the body of the adapter according to the invention is received in the receiving volume of the yoke, this means centering closes at least partially a through opening of the hearing arranged on the corresponding side wall of this yoke, at a free edge of this yoke.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the tongue and its configuration on the lateral flank which carries it are defined in such a way that, when the body of the adapter according to the invention is received in the reception volume of the screed, the tongue is in abutment against a slice of the hearing considered. Very advantageously, the tongue undergoes a deformation when the body of the adapter according to the invention is received in the reception volume of the yoke to reinforce this bearing effect.

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

FIG. t is a perspective view of a drive arm assembled with a wiper blade forming a wiping system for a motor vehicle,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the end of a yoke of the wiper blade drive arm, yoke with which the adapter according to the invention is able to cooperate,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter according to the invention,

- Figures 4 to 7 correspond to a series of successive views illustrating an assembly sequence of the adapter according to the invention in the yoke of the drive arm of the wiper blade.

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

Furthermore, with reference to the orientations and directions defined above, the longitudinal direction will be represented, in all the figures, by the axis Ox, the transverse direction will be represented by the axis Oy, and the vertical direction will be represented by the axis Oz. These different axes together define an orthonormal coordinate system Oxyz represented in the different figures. In this coordinate system, the "front" orientation will be defined by the positive direction of the axis Ox, the "rear" orientation being defined by the negative direction of this same axis, and the qualifiers "high" or "upper" will be represented by the positive direction of the Oz axis, the qualifiers "low" or "lower" being represented by the negative direction of this same Oz axis.

FIG. I illustrates a wiping system 8oo for a motor vehicle incorporating an adapter ioo according to the invention. This wiping system 8oo comprises a drive arm 5 which performs an angular reciprocating movement against a surface to be wiped, and a wiping brush 7, itself here constituted by a vertebra 70 carrying d 'a scraper blade 71 made of an elastic material. In the angular reciprocating movement of the drive arm 5, the wiper blade 7 and its scraper blade 71 are driven in an angular movement against the glass surface to perform the desired wiping / cleaning operation. The wiper blade 7 is attached to the drive arm 5 by a connection device 900 which comprises a connector 8 and the adapter 100, connected together by a rotating connection means that is not visible once the wiping system 800 assembled. The connector 8 is secured to the wiper blade 7, and the adapter 100 provides an interface between this connector 8 an end part of the drive arm 5, otherwise called yoke 500. Connector 8 and adapter 100 cooperate to achieve the fixing of the wiper blade 7 on the drive arm 5 and an articulated connection is present between these two elements.

The subject of the invention is a particular type of adapter 100 capable of cooperating with a particular type of yoke 500 of drive arm 5, in particular for the purpose of providing replacement wiping brushes, that is to say say retrofit, for "wiper" assemblies whose drive arm 5 has this particular type of yoke 500.

The yoke 500, shown schematically and partially in side view in Figure 2, has an upper wall 50 from which extend, substantially perpendicular to this upper wall 50, two side walls 51. The yoke 500 thus has at least a cross section whose shape is substantially that of an inverted "U" whose base is formed by the upper wall 50 and whose branches are formed by the side walls 51. Upper wall 50 and side walls 51 of this yoke 500 delimit together a reception volume 54 also illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7. As illustrated in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 4 to 7, the yoke 500 comprises, arranged in at least one of its side walls 51, a hole 52. Advantageously, a hole 52 is arranged in each of the side walls 51 of the yoke 500. The yoke 500 thus comprises two gills 52.

Each of these vents 52 extends substantially along a direction parallel to the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500, in the direction of the drive arm 5 of which the yoke 500 constitutes the terminal part. Hole 52 extends from a free edge 510 of the corresponding side wall 51, free edge 510 which constitutes the end of the cap against which the adapter 100 in the wiping system 800 bears once housed in the chappe.

Each hole 52 thus opens at the free edge 510 of the side wall

51 by a through opening 520. The through opening 520 is delimited by edges 521a, 521b of the hearing 52. For reasons of manufacturing convenience, a bottom 521 of each hearing 52, within the side wall 51 in which this hearing

52 is arranged, is advantageously curved. It has substantially the shape of a semicircle centered within the corresponding hearing 52. The bottom 521 is connected to each edge 521a, 521b by an upper edge 523a and a lower edge 523b, the upper edge 523a being located between the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500 and the lower edge 523b.

FIG. 3 illustrates the adapter 100 according to the invention intended to connect the wiper blade 7 to the drive arm 5 of the wiper system 800 for a vehicle.

The adapter 100 comprises a head 1 and a body 2 which extend in the extension of one another in a longitudinal direction Ox of the adapter 100. With reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, the head 1 s extends towards the front of the adapter 100 according to the invention, and the body 2 extends towards the rear of this same adapter 100.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adapter 100 is produced by injecting a polymeric material into a mold, and it comes from material in a single block. The adapter is in one piece in the sense that the parts constituting it cannot be separated without compromising the integrity of the adapter 100. The ioo adapter is formed at least by an upper wall îo, 20 and at least by two lateral flanks 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b coming from the upper wall 10, 20. In the example presented in FIG. 3, the adapter 100 is formed by an upper wall 10, 20, a first lateral flank 11a, 21a and a second lateral flank 11b, 21b. The upper wall 10, 20 of the adapter 100 comprises, at the level of the head 1, a first part called the upper wall 10 of the head 1 and a second part called the upper wall 20 of the body 2. The first lateral flank 11a, 21a of the adapter 100 comprises, at the level of the head 1, a first part called the first lateral flank 11a of the head 1 and a second part called the first lateral flank 21b of the body 2. The second lateral flank 11b, 21b of the adapter 100 comprises, at the level of the head 1, a first part called the second lateral flank 11b of the head 1 and a second part called the second lateral flank 21b of the body 2.

The longitudinal dimension of the adapter 100, measured in the longitudinal direction Ox, is greater than the transverse dimension thereof, measured in a direction Oy. The adapter 100 has its largest dimension in the dimension in the longitudinal direction Ox .

The head 1 is formed by the upper wall 10, the first lateral flank 11a and the second lateral flank 11b, substantially vertical and each extending from a longitudinal side of the upper wall 10, substantially perpendicular to the latter.

The body 2 is formed by the upper wall 20, the first lateral flank 21a and the second lateral flank 21b which are substantially vertical, which each extend from a longitudinal side of the upper wall 20, substantially perpendicular thereto.

The first lateral flank 11a of the head 1 and the first lateral flank 21a of the body 2 are exposed in FIG. 3 while the second lateral flanks, respectively 11b and 21b, of the head 1 and of the body 2 are largely hidden from the makes the angle of view of Figure 3. The head 1 and the body 2 each have, in a vertical transverse plane parallel to the Oyz plane of the previously defined reference, a cross section in the shape of an inverted "U" whose transverse branch consists of the upper walls, respectively 10 and 20, and whose branches vertical are formed by the lateral sides, respectively 11a, nb and 21a, 21b, of these two parts of the adapter 100 according to the invention.

The upper walls, respectively 10 and 20, of the head 1 and of the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention thus delimit, with the lateral flanks, respectively 11a, 11b and 21a, 21b, of this head 1 and of this body 2, an internal volume 101 of this adapter 100, suggested in FIG. 3. The connector 8 is able to extend into this internal volume 101. The adapter 100 comprises a means of connection in rotation with the connector 8 secured to the wiper blade 7. This rotational connection means is at least partially housed in the internal volume 101.

The adapter 100 has at least one centering means 3 configured to center the adapter 100 relative to the drive arm 5 in the vertical direction Oz. The centering means 3 extends longitudinally along the body 2 by a guide member 9 configured to be engaged with the drive arm 5. The guide member 9 is carried by the lateral flank 11a of the adapter 100 to the level of the head 1 of the adapter 100. In this embodiment, the centering means 3 takes the form of a half-disc having a center D. The centering means 3 and the guide member 9 extend the head 1 of the adapter 100. They are both made from material with the first lateral flank 21a of the body 2.

Each lateral flank 11a, 11b of the head 1 carries a single guide member 9 and a single centering means 3. Only one of them is visible in FIG. 3 due to the angle of view.

The guide member 9 comprises a first longitudinal end 91 and a second longitudinal end 92 opposite the first longitudinal end 91. The guide member 9 thus takes a generally oblong shape in the longitudinal direction Ox. The first longitudinal end 91 is linked to the centering means 3. The second longitudinal end 92 is free.

The guide member 9 comprises an upper edge 93 and a lower edge 94 opposite the upper edge 93. The upper edge 93 is disposed between the upper wall 10, 20 of the adapter 100 and the lower edge 94

The adapter 100 includes a tab 4 configured to wedge the adapter îoo in the vertical direction Oz. Each lateral flank 11a, nb of the head i carries a single tongue 4. Only one of them is visible in FIG. 3 due to the angle of view.

The tongue 4 extends between the upper wall 10, 20 of the adapter 100 and the upper edge 93. The tongue 4 is convergent towards the second longitudinal end 92 so as to facilitate the insertion of the guide member 9.

In this exemplary embodiment, the tongue 4 is made in one piece with the body 2 and the guide member 9. The tongue 4 is carried by the lateral flank 11a of the adapter 100, at the level of the head 1.

The centering means 3 and the guide member 9 are disposed beyond a shoulder 14 formed at the interface of the head 1 and the body 2. The shoulder 14 is substantially parallel to the vertical transverse plane Oyz of the reference orthonormal previously defined, extending from the head 1 and returning to the body 2. The 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 100 according to the invention. In particular, the center D of the centering means 3 passes through a plane containing the shoulder 14.

A transverse dimension measured at the level of the centering means 3 is slightly greater than a transverse dimension measured at the level of the guide member 9. The transverse dimension Oy of the head 1 is slightly greater than the level of the centering means 3 relative to the tongue 4, measured in the same direction. The transverse dimension Oy of the guide member 9 and that of the tongue 4 are identical. In other words, a lateral offset 15 exists between the centering means 3 and the guide member 9, substantially parallel to the vertical transverse plane Oyz of the orthonormal reference mark previously defined, extending from the head 1 and returning towards the body. 2.

The lower edge 94 of the guide member 9 is extended by an insertion chamfer 95. The insertion chamfer 95 forms an angle a with the lower edge 94 which is between 20 ° and 6o °. A straight line 950 extending along the insertion chamfer 95 and a line 940 extending along the lower edge 94 make it possible to measure the angle a formed by the insertion chamfer 95. Figure 3 also illustrates the existence of a locking device 40 for locking longitudinally, that is to say in the direction Ox, the adapter 100 in the yoke of the drive arm. The locking device 40 is in the general form of a stud 41 arranged in the vicinity of a rear longitudinal end of the adapter 100 according to the invention, opposite the head 1 of this adapter 100. This stud 41 is provided at the end of a flexible tab 42 and it is formed by a distal wall 46 advantageously substantially parallel to the upper wall 20 of the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention, distal wall 46 from which extend, in the direction of said upper wall 20 of the body 2 of the adapter 100 according to the invention, a set of side walls 47. The locking means 40 is therefore retractable by bending of the flexible tab 42.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this stud 41 has a substantially parallelepiped shape, and it therefore comprises four side walls 47 which extend from its distal wall 46 towards the body 2 of the adapter 100. Advantageously , the distal wall 46 of the stud forming the first locking means of the adapter 100 according to the invention extends outside the internal volume 101 delimited by the upper wall 10 and the lateral flanks 11a, 11b of the head 1 and the upper wall 20 and the lateral flanks 21a, 21b of the body 2 of said adapter 100.

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate how the adapter 100 according to the invention is brought into cooperation with a yoke 500 of the type described above and illustrated by Figure 2. The assembly is described in Figures 4 to 6. In Figure 7 , the adapter 100 according to the invention is shown assembled with the yoke 500, in other words in the position of implementation of the wiper blade.

When assembling the adapter 100 according to the invention with a yoke 500 of the type described above, the body 2 of the adapter 100 is inserted into the receiving volume 54 of the yoke 500. The stud 41 is at of the assembly, in the reception volume 54 and can be brought to press against the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500. The stud 41 is visible only when it coincides with a mouth 55 formed in the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500 so as to ensure that the adapter 100 is blocked in the direction Ox. FIG. 4 illustrates a step of engagement of the guide member 9 in the hearing 52.

The engagement of the adapter 100 in the yoke 500 is guided by the guide member 9. The guide member 9 is inserted into the through opening 520 of the hearing 52, at an insertion angle allowing the insertion chamfer 95 to be in plan contact with the lower edge 523b of the hearing 52, to slide there. In parallel with this movement, the upper wall 20 of the body 2 comes to bear, within this reception volume 54, against the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500, and the tongue 4 is deformed by pressing, upper edge side 523a , against the edge 521a of the through opening 520 of the hearing 52.

FIG. 5 illustrates a step during assembly, when the insertion chamfer 95 is fully inserted into the opening 52. The insertion chamfer 95 is in planar contact with the lower edge 523b of the opening 52. The tongue 4 is in abutment against edge 521a, which induces its bending. Due to the forces exerted at the tongue 4, so that the adapter 100 continues to progress in the yoke 500, the adapter 100 must perform a rotational movement represented by an arrow 123 so that the lower edge 94 of the guide member 9 is positioned in plan contact with the lower edge 523b of the hearing 52.

The rotational movement illustrated by arrow 123 is at a more advanced stage in FIG. 6. The upper wall 10 of the head 1 of the adapter 100 is in contact with the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500. The plastic deformation of the tongue 4 is accentuated, tongue 4 being pressed against the upper edge 523a of the hearing 52. The chamfer is no longer in contact with the lower edge 523b. It is the lower edge 94, by the rotational movement indicated by the arrow 123, which is then temporarily in contact with the lower edge 523b and which ensures the support of the adapter on the side of the lower edge 523b necessary for the deformation of the tongue 4.

Figure 7 corresponds to the position of implementation of the adapter, that is to say the position where the wiper blade is locked with the drive arm for normal use of this brush. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the progression of the adapter 100 in the yoke 500 ends when the centering means 3 comes to bear on the edges 521a, 521b which delimit the entry of the hearing 52. By this interaction, a space 18 may remain between shoulder 14 and the yoke 500, although this is not absolutely required by the invention. The tongue 4, which has undergone a plastic deformation, extends into the hearing 52 bearing against the upper edge 523a to wedge the adapter 100 relative to the yoke 500. Despite this plastic deformation, the tongue 4 remains transversely linked to the lateral flank 21a of the body 2. A space may remain between the upper edge 523a and the upper edge of the guide member and / or a space may remain between the lower edge 523b and the lower edge 94 of the guide member 9.

The stud 41 extends outside the reception volume 54 when it coincides with the mouth 55 formed in the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500.

The adapter 100 is thus wedged by the tongue 4, which pushes in the direction Oz the adapter 100 so as to establish contact between the centering means 3 and the edge 521b of the hearing 52 located in the extension of the edge lower 523b. It is also wedged by the stud 41 in the direction Ox.

FIG. 7 illustrates the fact that the upper wall 10 of the head 1 of the adapter 100 is coplanar, or substantially coplanar, with the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500. The upper wall 20 of the body 2 of the adapter is in revenge contained in the reception volume 54, except the stud 41, the distal wall 46 of which protrudes above the upper wall 50 of the yoke 500.

It will be understood from reading the above that the present invention proposes an adapter intended to connect a wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiper system for a vehicle configured to ensure its centering and its blocking with respect to a clevis of the drive arm, in a simple and effective way. This adapter, intended to interact with a specific type of yoke, improves the reliability of the connection and the mounting of the adapter in the yoke is facilitated, whatever the manufacturing tolerances of the adapter and / or the screed.

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 of the adapter can be modified without harming the invention, in so far as the adapter, ultimately, fulfills the same functions as those described in this document.

Claims

1. Adapter (ioo) intended to connect a wiper blade (7) to a drive arm (5) of a wiper system (800) for a vehicle, the adapter (100) comprising a head (1 ) and a body (2) which extend in the extension of one another in a longitudinal direction (Ox) of the adapter (100), the adapter (100) being formed at least by an upper wall (10, 20) and at least by two lateral flanks (11a, 11b, 21a, 21b) coming from the upper wall (10, 20), the adapter (100) comprising at least one centering means (3) configured to center it with respect to the drive arm (5) in a vertical direction (Oz) perpendicular to the upper wall (10, 20), characterized in that the centering means (3) is extended longitudinally along the body (2 ) by a guide member (9) configured to be engaged with the drive arm (5), the adapter (100) comprising a tongue (4) configured to wedge the adapter (100) in the vertical direction (Oz ).

2. Adapter (100) according to claim 1, in which the tongue (4) is made in one piece with the body (2) and / or with the guide member (9).

3. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the guide member (9) is carried by a lateral flank (21a, 21b) of the body (2) of the adapter (100).

4. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the centering means (3) and the guide member (9) are arranged beyond a shoulder (14) formed at a limit between the head (1) and the body (2).

5. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tongue (4) is carried by a lateral flank (21a, 21b) of the body (2) of the adapter (100).

6. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the guide member (9) comprises an upper edge (93) and a lower edge (94) opposite the upper edge (93), the edge upper (93) being disposed between the upper wall (10, 20) of the adapter (100) and the lower edge (94), the tongue (4) extending between the upper wall (10, 20) of the adapter (100) and the upper edge (93). 7. Adapter (ioo) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the guide member (9) comprises a first longitudinal end (91) connected to the centering means (3) and a second longitudinal end (92) free and opposite the first longitudinal end (91), the tongue (4) converging towards the second longitudinal end (92).

8. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tongue (4) is able to deform plastically.

9. Adapter (100) according to claim 6, wherein the lower edge (94) of the guide member (9) is extended by an insertion chamfer (95) forming an angle (a) with the lower edge ( 94) between 20 ° and 60 °.

10. Adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 4, characterized in that the centering means (3) is a half-disc whose center (D) passes through a plane containing the shoulder

(14).

11. Connection device (900) comprising an adapter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and a connector (8) capable of being secured to a wiper blade (7), characterized in that the adapter ( 100) and the connector (8) are connected by a rotating connection means.

12. Wiper blade (7) comprising a connection device (900) according to the preceding claim.

13. Wiping system (800) comprising a wiping brush (7), a drive arm (5) and an adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a connection device (900 ) according to claim 11, in which the adapter (100) cooperates with a yoke (500) of the drive arm (5), characterized in that the centering means (3) is arranged in a hole (52) arranged in a side wall (51) of the yoke (500), the tongue (4) extending into the hole (52) for wedging in the vertical direction (Oz) the adapter (100) relative to the yoke ( 500).