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DE-102014109409-B4 - Connector between a wiper blade and a drive arm of a wiper system

DE102014109409B4DE 102014109409 B4DE102014109409 B4DE 102014109409B4DE-102014109409-B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) for a wiper blade (3), wherein the connector (1) is configured to pivot about a transverse articulation axis (7) with an adapter (9) which is designed to enable an articulation connection between the blade (3) and a drive arm (11), wherein the connector (1) includes a body (19) which is provided with two opposing lateral sections (21) defining a receptacle designed to receive the adapter (9) and with an axis (7) between the sections (21) for the articulation connection of the blade with the arm, wherein the sections (21) in the region of each of the ends of the articulation axis (7) include a shoulder (31) which is configured to enable axial guidance of the articulation connection between the blade and the arm, wherein the lateral sections (21) are configured to allow a lateral bending f of the adapter in support against the shoulder (31).

Inventors

  • Stephane Houssat
  • Claude Aliberti

Assignees

  • Firma Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20140704
Priority Date
20130708

Claims (12)

  1. Connector (1) for a wiper blade (3), wherein the connector (1) is configured to pivot about a transverse articulation axis (7) with an adapter (9) designed to enable an articulation connection between the wiper blade (3) and a drive arm (11), wherein the connector (1) includes a body (19) provided with two opposing lateral sections (21) defining a receptacle designed to receive the adapter (9) and with the transverse articulation axis (7) between the sections (21) for the articulation connection of the wiper blade (3) with the drive arm (11), wherein the sections (21) in the region of each of the ends of the transverse articulation axis (7) include a shoulder (31) configured to enable axial guidance of the articulation connection between the wiper blade (3) and the drive arm (11), wherein the lateral sections (21) are configured to allow lateral bending (f) of the adapter (9) to allow in a rest against the shoulder (31).
  2. connector after Claim 1 , wherein the shoulder (31) includes a support zone (33) for axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade (3) and the drive arm (11), which defines a lateral space (I) between the shoulder (31) and the corresponding section (21) of the connector (1) in which the lateral bending (f) is exerted.
  3. connector after Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the shoulder (31) is circular and coaxial to the transverse axis of the joint (7).
  4. connector after Claim 3 , wherein the shoulder (31) has a diameter with maximum dimension corresponding to an alignment of its outline with a base (35) of an arm mount of the adapter (9).
  5. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lateral sections (21) is provided with at least one form strip (37) which can be positioned with clearance against a corresponding lateral leg (27) of the adapter (9).
  6. connector after Claim 5 , wherein the play of the form strip (37) is provided to absorb a lateral deformation (f) of the adapter (9) when it accommodates a drive arm (11) of a larger dimension than a standard dimension.
  7. connector after Claim 5 or 6 , wherein each of the lateral sections (21) of the connector (1) is provided with at least one form strip (37).
  8. Connector after one of the Claims 5 until 7 , wherein the form strip (37) has a tapered end cross-section (39).
  9. Connector after one of the Claims 5 until 8 , wherein there are two form bars (37) on each of the sides There are sections (21) which are arranged on both sides of the transverse axis of the joint (7) at the same distance from the transverse axis of the joint (7).
  10. Connector after one of the Claims 5 until 9 , wherein the form strips (37) are straight and extend substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the joint (7).
  11. Connector after one of the Claims 7 until 10 , wherein the form strips (37) are positioned one in front of the other on the side sections (21) of the connector (1).
  12. Connector after one of the Claims 7 until 11 , wherein the form strips (37) are positioned such that they are located in front of blocks of lateral legs (27) of the adapter (9).

Description

The present invention relates to a connector between a wiper blade and a drive arm. It is particularly applicable in the field of motor vehicles, especially trucks. Motor vehicles are typically equipped with windshield wiper systems to ensure the windshield is cleaned and the driver's view of the surroundings is not obstructed. These wipers are traditionally operated by arms or blade holders that perform an angular back-and-forth motion and feature elongated blades, each bearing a scraper blade made of an elastic material. These blades rub against the windshield and remove water by directing it out of the driver's field of vision. The blades are either constructed in a classic design as articulated, two-armed levers that hold the scraper blade at several separate points, or in a newer design called "flat blades," consisting of a semi-rigid unit that supports the scraper blade along its entire length. It is also known to use a fastening device comprising a connector designed to be attached to the blade and an adapter that can be pivotally coupled to the connector about a joint axis orthogonal to the arm and can also be attached to an arm end. In particular, arms of the hook type are known, wherein the front longitudinal end of the arm is U-shaped to engage with the adapter. Such a fastening device is made from the DE 15 05 438 A known. The adapter includes a body that accommodates the end of the arm between two opposing lateral legs, which are located in front of lateral sections of the connector. However, with known fastening devices, the connector cannot accommodate arms with a dimension slightly larger than the intended or standard size without compromising the blade's articulation on the arm. Even if certain adapters can accommodate such arms with a slight deformation of their lateral legs, the friction against the connector sections is then too great to allow for proper blade articulation, taking the adapter's deformation into account. Therefore, there is a need to improve existing solutions. For this purpose, the invention aims to provide a connector for a wiper blade, wherein the connector is configured to pivot about a transverse articulation axis with an adapter designed to enable a joint connection between the wiper blade and a drive arm, wherein the connector includes a body provided with two opposing lateral sections defining a receptacle designed to receive the adapter, and with the transverse articulation axis between the sections for the joint connection of the wiper blade to the drive arm, wherein the sections in the region of each end of the transverse articulation axis include a shoulder configured to enable axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm, and wherein the lateral sections are configured to allow lateral bending of the adapter in support against the shoulder. Due to the lateral bending of the adapter, particularly its lateral legs, it can accommodate drive arms with a dimension larger than originally intended. Furthermore, the shoulders of the adapter allow friction against the connector sections to be limited by keeping them at a distance over at least part of their surface. Advantageously, the shoulder includes a bearing zone for axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm, defining a lateral gap between the edge of the shoulder and the corresponding section of the connector in which the lateral bending is exerted. According to various embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately: - is the shoulder circular, - is the shoulder coaxial to the axis, - the maximum diameter of the shoulder corresponds to a dimension aligned with the base of an arm mount of the adapter, - the joint transverse axis is firmly connected to the connector, especially to the lateral sections, - at least one of the lateral connector sections is provided with at least one shaped strip that can be positioned with clearance against a corresponding lateral leg of the adapter, in particular to ensure the to reinforce the axial guidance of the joint connection between the wiper blade and the drive arm and to limit any friction of the connector against the corresponding lateral leg of the adapter, - The play in the form strip is designed to absorb lateral deformation of the adapter when it accommodates a drive arm of a windscreen wiper system of a larger dimension than the intended or standard dimension, - each of the lateral connector sections is provided with at least one molded strip, - the molded strip or molded strips have a tapered end cross-section, for example conical or rounded, preferably uniformly, - are the form strips identical to each other, - there are two form strips on each of the side sections, - the two form strips are arranged on both sides of the joint transverse axis on each of the lateral sections, - the two form strips are arranged at the same distance from the joint transverse axis, - are