Connector between a wiper blade and a wiper arm driving a wiping system

Abstract

A connector for a wiper blade, the connector is configured to cooperate pivotably, by a transverse hinge pin, with an adapter designed to allow an articulation link between the blade and a driving arm, the connector includes a body provided with two opposite side flanges, defining a housing designed to receive the adapter, and a pin between the flanges for the articulation link of the blade to the arm, the flanges include, at each of the ends of the hinge pin, a shoulder configured to allow axial guiding of the articulation link between the blade and the arm, the side flanges is configured to allow lateral flexion of the adapter bearing against the shoulder.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A connector assembly for a wiper blade, the connector assembly comprising:
 an adapter configured to receive an end of a driving arm; and   a connector configured to cooperate pivotably, by a transverse hinge pin, with the adapter, thereby forming an articulation link, the connector comprising:
 a body provided with two opposite side flanges; and 
 the transverse hinge pin disposed between the two opposite side flanges,
 the two opposite side flanges comprising, at each end of the transverse hinge pin, a shoulder configured to provide axial guiding of the articulation link, while establishing an at least partial separation between the two opposite side flanges and the adapter between the two opposite side flanges, thereby limiting friction between the adapter and the two opposite side flanges. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The connector assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the shoulders are substantially circular, coaxial to the transverse hinge pin. 
     
     
         18 . The connector assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the two opposite side flanges are provided with at least one stud. 
     
     
         19 . The connector assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one stud is rectilinear and extends substantially perpendicular to the transverse hinge pin. 
     
     
         20 . The connector assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one stud has a cross-sectional width that is variable along the stud. 
     
     
         21 . The connector assembly according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein each of the two opposite side flanges of the connector is provided with at least one stud, and   wherein the studs are positioned across from each other on the two opposite side flanges of the connector.   
     
     
         22 . The connector assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the adapter comprises an opening at a first end that extends in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         23 . A connector for a wiper blade, comprising:
 a body provided with two opposite side flanges; and   a transverse hinge pin disposed between the two opposite side flanges, wherein the connector is pivotably configured to cooperate with an adapter via the transverse hinge pin, thereby forming an articulation link,   the two opposite side flanges comprising, at each end of the transverse hinge pin, a shoulder configured to provide axial guiding of the articulation link between the wiper blade and the driving arm, wherein a height of the shoulders establishes an at least partial separation between the two opposite side flanges and the adapter between the two opposite side flanges to limit friction between the adapter and the two opposite side flanges.   
     
     
         24 . The connector according to  claim 23 , wherein the shoulders are substantially circular, coaxial to the transverse hinge pin. 
     
     
         25 . The connector according to  claim 23 ,
 wherein a pair of studs is provided on each of the two opposite side flanges, each pair of studs configured to be in mechanical contact with the adapter such that the adapter is not in contact with the two opposite side flanges aside from the pair of studs,   wherein the two studs in each pair of studs are positioned on opposite sides of the transverse hinge pin,   wherein each of the studs is rectilinear and extends substantially perpendicular to the transverse hinge pin.   
     
     
         26 . The connector according to  claim 23 , wherein each of the studs has a cross-sectional width that is variable along the stud. 
     
     
         27 . The connector according to  claim 23 , wherein the pairs of studs are positioned across from each other on the two opposite side flanges of the connector. 
     
     
         28 . A wiper system comprising:
 a wiper blade; and   a connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising:
 an adapter configured to receive an end of a driving arm; and 
 a connector configured to cooperate pivotably, by a transverse hinge pin, thereby forming an articulation link, the connector comprising:
 a body provided with two opposite side flanges; and 
 the transverse hinge pin between the two opposite side flanges,
 the two opposite side flanges comprising at each of the two ends of the transverse hinge pin, a shoulder configured to provide axial guiding of the articulation link between the wiper blade and the driving arm, while establishing an at least partial separation between the two opposite side flanges and the adapter between the two opposite side flanges, thereby limiting friction between the adapter and the two opposite side flanges. 
 
 
   
     
     
         29 . The wiper system according to  claim 28 , wherein the shoulders are substantially circular, coaxial to the transverse hinge pin. 
     
     
         30 . The wiper system according to  claim 28 , wherein at least one of the two opposite side flanges of the connector is provided with at least one stud. 
     
     
         31 . The wiper system according to  claim 30 , wherein the at least one stud is rectilinear and extends substantially perpendicular to the transverse hinge pin. 
     
     
         32 . The wiper system according to  claim 30 , wherein the at least one stud has a cross-sectional width that is variable along the stud. 
     
     
         33 . The wiper system according to  claim 30 ,
 wherein each of the two opposite side flanges of the connector is provided with at least one stud, and   wherein the studs are positioned across from each other on the two opposite side flanges of the connector.   
     
     
         34 . The wiper system according to  claim 28 , wherein the adapter comprises an opening at a first end that extends in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         35 . The wiper system according to  claim 28 , wherein the end of the driving arm is U-shaped, and wherein an adapter geometry matches the U-shaped end of the driving arm.