HYDRAULIC CONNECTOR FOR A WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE HAVING GUIDANCE BY A LONGITUDINAL ARM

• US 20130291329A1
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Izabel, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 9,381,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/250.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3805 electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3806 Means, or measures taken, for influencing the aerodynamic quality of the wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3862 Transport of liquid there through
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/40 Connections between blades and arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/4048 the element being provided with retention means co-operating with the channel-shaped end of the arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/524 arranged in wiper blades

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydraulic connector for a wiper system, said wiper system also comprising a blade holder intended to move a blade over the surface to be wiped, a blade (3) and a mechanical connector (10) fixed to said blade in order to attach it to the blade holder, said hydraulic connector (30) having at least one line (31, 32) for supplying a liquid to the blade (3) via the mechanical connector (10). Said hydraulic connector is characterized in that it comprises at least one guide means (34) able to engage with a corresponding element (14) of the mechanical connector (10) in order to be aligned thereon while the blade (3) is being fitted on the blade holder.

Claims

1. A hydraulic connector of a wiper system, the wiper system comprising a blade-holder designed to move a blade over a surface to be wiped, a blade, and a mechanical connector attached to the blade for attachment of the blade to the blade holder, said hydraulic connector comprising:

at least one pipe for carrying a liquid to the blade by the mechanical connector; and

at least one guidance means capable of interacting with a corresponding element of the mechanical connector for its alignment on the latter, during the installation of the blade of the blade holder.

2. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guidance means is positioned laterally relative to the hydraulic connector.

3. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guidance means is an arm extending in a direction corresponding to a direction of extension of the said pipe.

4. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the element is a guidance ramp made on the mechanical connector, in a lateral face of the latter.

5. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guidance means is a guidance ramp extending in a direction corresponding to a direction of extension of said pipe.

6. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the element is an arm made on the mechanical connector, originating from a lateral face of the latter.

7. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting element capable of interacting with a supporting means attached to the blade holder while retaining at least one degree of freedom, the guidance means being arranged so as to allow the hydraulic connector to move according to the at least one degree of freedom.

8. The hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one degree of freedom is a rotation, wherein said supporting element comprises at least one trunnion positioned laterally relative to the hydraulic connector and extending in a direction corresponding to a lateral direction relative to a direction of extension of said pipe.

9. A connection device of a wiper system, comprising:

a terminal piece positioned at the end of a blade holder which extends in a longitudinal direction;

a blade;

a mechanical connector attached to said blade for its attachment to the blade holder by an adapter inserted between the terminal piece and the mechanical connector; and

a hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 1.

10. The connection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connection device has a position of use and a position of service, the adapter comprising a means for immobilizing the hydraulic connector, in translation in the longitudinal direction, effective in the position of use.

11. The connection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said immobilization means is a finger formed on a lateral wall of the adapter, said finger being capable of interacting with a protuberance extending laterally from the hydraulic connector.

12. The connection device as claimed in claim 11, comprising a hydraulic connector as claimed in claim 5, said protuberance consisting of a trunnion.

13. The connection device as claimed claim 9, wherein the connection device has a position of use and a position of service, the terminal piece comprising a supporting means, for supporting the hydraulic connector, effective in the position of service.

14. The connection device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connector comprises at least one supporting element capable of interacting with a supporting means attached to the blade holder while retaining at least one degree of freedom, wherein said supporting means comprises two pieces attached to the lateral faces of the terminal piece and each comprising, on their side internal to the terminal piece, a cavity capable of receiving a trunnion.