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WO-2026093402-A1 - SPACER FITTING FOR AUTOMOTIVE WIPER ARM CONNECTION ADAPTER

WO2026093402A1WO 2026093402 A1WO2026093402 A1WO 2026093402A1WO-2026093402-A1

Abstract

The present invention pertains to wiper arm connector adaption to various automotive wiper arm standards with an objective of securely interlocking interface features through a spacer fitting [50] component An adaptive connector assembly [C] and system [1000] includes a wiper arm-to-wiper blade connector [100] that includes a rotatable platform [20] with a spacer fitting [50] configured to engage with a connector base [30]; the spacer fitting [50], rotatable platform [20] and the connector base [30] joined into a pivot base [40] at an interface of studs [13] and thru-holes [8]; a wiper arm assembly [A] interlocks with the spacer fitting [50]; a beauty cover [70] encompasses the wiper arm assembly [A] with the spacer fitting [50]; a locking cap [10] articulates to constrain joined components at the wiper arm assembly [A] into position so as to reinforce interlocking and prevent disassembly separation between the wiper blade assembly [B] and wiper arm assembly [A] components.

Inventors

  • CAETANO, THOMAS
  • HOUSSAT, STEPHANE
  • Gaucher, Vincent

Assignees

  • Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251029
Priority Date
20241029

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A spacer fitting [50] configured to interlock over a connector base [30] comprising: a first lateral wall [16]; a second lateral wall [16]; the first lateral wall [16] includes a stopper [9] at an end [12] and a landing pad [7] at an opposing end [15]; and an upper surface [17] connecting the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16].
  2. 2. The spacer fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second lateral wall [16] includes a stopper [9] at an end [12] and a landing pad [7] at an opposing end [15],
  3. 3. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopper [9] and the landing pad [7] are interchangeable between a proximal end [12] and a distal end [15],
  4. 4. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopper [9] resides along a corner edge of the first lateral wall [16],
  5. 5. The spacer fitting of claim 4, wherein the stopper [9] protrudes from the first lateral wall [16].
  6. 6. The spacer fitting of claim 5, wherein the stopper [9] extends beyond the corner edge of the first lateral wall [16] in a longitudinal direction.
  7. 7. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface [17] includes a number of cusps [44] configured to interlock with a wiper arm assembly [A],
  8. 8. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface [17] includes an intermediate surface [14] at an elevation level that is not within a same plane.
  9. 9. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface [17] includes at least one relief opening [34] through a portion of the upper surface [17],
  10. 10. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopper [9] takes a form of a forked-end or an L-shape or a right-angle end.
  11. 11. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16] both include a stiffening rib [28] and a step rib [25],
  12. 12. The spacer fitting of claim 11, wherein the step rib [25] resides along a base edge [18] of at least one of the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16],
  13. 13. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a stiffening pillar [21] connects the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16] at the opposing end [15], with the stiffening pillar [21] limiting tensile flexibility between the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16],
  14. 14. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16] includes a relief cutout [26],
  15. 15. The spacer fitting as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer fitting is formed from a polymeric material and the first lateral wall [16] and the second lateral wall [16] include a thickness in a range between 0.7 mm to 3.0 mm.
  16. 16. A wiper adapter system [1000] that is configured to connect with a wiper blade structure [B] comprising: a pivot base [40]; a connector base [30] joined to the pivot base [40]; a spacer fitting [50] formed from a polymeric composition that interlocks over a rotatable platform [20]; the spacer fitting [50] with the rotatable platform [20] attaching to the connector base [30]; the spacer fitting includes at least one stopper [9] and at least one landing pad [7], wherein the at least one stopper [9] and the at least one landing pad [7] reside along opposing ends of a lateral wall [16] of the spacer fitting [50]; and the at least one landing pad [7] straddles a feature of a wiper arm assembly [A],
  17. 17. The wiper adapter system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stopper [9] mates against a detent feature [79] on the connector base [30],
  18. 18. The wiper adapter system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, further including a locking cap [10] attached to the connector base [30] that rotates over an intermediate surface [14] and an upper surface [17] of the spacer fitting [50],
  19. 19. The wiper adapter system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking cap [10] and the spacer fitting [50] with the rotatable platform [20] lock the wiper arm assembly [A] to a connector assembly [C],
  20. 20. The wiper adapter system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper surface [17] of the spacer fitting [50] includes at least two cusps [44] that interlock with the wiper arm assembly [A],

Description

SPACER FITTING FOR AUTOMOTIVE WIPER ARM CONNECTION ADAPTER TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates to interlocking mechanisms and systems between mechanical components. More particularly, the present invention relates to interface mechanisms associated with interlocking features between automotive wiper arm and blade assembly connections. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] In the automotive field of vehicle wiper systems, manufacturers are seeking ways to improve and flexibly adapt connections between wiper arm types of various wiper blade assemblies such that adaption will properly qualify fit, form and function across most if not all vehicle models within a conceivable consumer market. Another consideration between wiper arm and wiper blade functional connectivity is to enable facilitated interconnectivity between installation and disassembly states and guarding against inadvertent detachment of wiper blade assemblies from the wiper arm to achieve a redundantly secured condition between interfacing components. Certain wiper driven systems require high reliability and longevity over a wiper design's lifecycle until the time for subsequent blade replacement such that a secured connection must endure reliably against separation between essential components even beyond a wiper blade's useful performance. [003] Among enhancement goals, automakers demand resilient wiper arm and blade connections that can be assembled, disassembled or replaced with facilitated ease by hand without additional tools. Automakers also seek a streamlined connection design with minimal component counts that can be assembled or disassembled within a brief time period singlehandedly through simplified movement without the pinching, hang-ups or injury often experienced by users that perform the installation or disassembly. To date, manufacturers have resorted to supplemental fasteners, tools, and the engagement of both hands or complex features to ensure such resilient connections. This approach has rendered less than satisfactory results by committing users to extra effort, cumbersome manipulation fumbling, or focused eyestrain and risks to damaging intricate features that can defeat a successful interlocking outcome and resilient performance results. While such concerted efforts can improve reliable blade performance, previous iterations of wiper manufactured designs have often lead to incompatible solutions over a wide array of wiper brand products, which has left a gap in the automotive field for offering an equivalent and effective solution across many competitor brands. [004] Such conventional practices to achieve this universally compatible and resilient connector system can facilitate assembly or disassembly without cumbersome tools while allowing a secure means to join together associated wiper components and ensure reliable performance without disruption or accidental blade detachment during service. Accordingly in the automotive field, there is a need for a universally compatible connector that adapts various wiper blade products to a multitude of wiper arm types that can reliably secure associated wiper blade connections beyond the expected service life of performance. Furthermore, needs are addressed that promote aesthetic design flexibility for producing cost-effective and resilient interface connections. Unique wiper arm-to-blade arrangements can be formulated through various wiper arm design types and commercial product standards to resolve and meet the industry's sought-after objectives. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [005] Accordingly, among the objectives of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art. One objective of the present disclosure is to adapt various wiper blade products to a multitude of wiper arm standards with a universal connector system. Another objective is to produce secure wiper arm-to-blade connections that will reliably and with constituency perform beyond the expected service life of blade performance. An additional objective is to promote aesthetic design flexibility with wiper arm assemblies. And an essential objective is to provide a universally compatible and cost- effective resilient wiper assembly interface connection. [006] Among the particulars, the present invention proposes making a simplified universally compatible wiper arm-to-blade connection system that can articulate blade replacement single-handedly without tools within minutes. The present invention also proposes presenting a reliable means of interlocking features at the connector interface to promote resilient operation of the blade assembly without worry about accidental separation or inadvertent damage to the connection that would hinder wiping performance. [007] These and other objectives of the disclosure may be achieved by one or more of the following aspects. Accordingly, the present invention proposes an embodiment of a spacer fitting configured to interlock over a c