JP2006008025A - Wiper blade - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide interference of an attachment member attached to a rubber holder to a windshield. <P>SOLUTION: The wiper blade 16 has the rubber holder 22 mounted to a wiper arm; and a blade rubber 21 retained to the rubber holder 22 and a connection block is provided on an approximately intermediate part in a longitudinal direction of the rubber holder 22. The connection block 23 has a body part 25; and a guide part 26 lined in a wiping direction relative to the body part 25 and a connection clip 42 connected to a distal end of the wiper arm is provided on the guide part 26. A center cover 51 is attached to the body part 25 from a surface side and engagement claw parts 53, 55 are engaged with the body part 25. An engagement groove 57 recessed to the front surface side relative to a back surface 25a is formed on the back surface 25a of the body part 25 and the engagement claw part 55 provided on the guide part 26 side of the center cover 51 is engaged with the engagement groove 57 and is arranged at the front surface side than the back surface 25a of the body part 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper blade that is attached to the tip of a wiper arm and wipes a windshield of a vehicle.

  Passenger cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles are equipped with wiper blades to wipe out the rain, snow, insects, and splashes from the front car to ensure the driver's visibility. .

  Such a wiper blade has a blade rubber that is in direct contact with the window glass and a rubber holder that holds the blade rubber, and a connecting portion is provided at a substantially intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the rubber holder. The connecting portion is connected to the tip of a wiper arm that is swingably provided on the vehicle, and the rubber holder is attached to the wiper arm while being supported by the connecting portion. The rubber holder is provided with a flat plate-like or bar-like spring member supported by the connecting portion, and these spring members are elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the window glass with the connecting portion as a fulcrum. As a result, the pressing force applied from the wiper arm is dispersed in the longitudinal direction by the rubber holder, and the blade rubber contacts the window glass with a predetermined distribution pressure. When the wiper arm is driven by the wiper motor, the wiper blade swings between the lower inversion position of the lower end of the window glass and the upper inversion position on the glass surface to wipe the glass surface.

  In such a wiper blade, if the connecting portion that supports the rubber holder is exposed to the outside, its aesthetics and aerodynamic characteristics may be impaired. Therefore, for example, in the wiper blade shown in Patent Document 1, a rubber holder is provided with a cover whose cross section is formed in a fin shape, and the cover is covered with this cover so as to improve the aesthetics and aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade. Yes.

In this case, the rubber holder is a leaf spring type using a flat spring member, and the cover is placed on the rubber holder so as to cover the connecting portion from the surface side. Further, claw-like engaging portions are provided at both edges on the wiping direction side of the cover, and these engaging portions are engaged with the back surface of the rubber holder facing the window glass, that is, the lower surface of the spring member. Is fixed to the rubber holder.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0010882

  In recent years, a front window glass provided in a vehicle tends to be formed into a shape that is strongly curved in the left-right direction of the vehicle due to design reasons and the like. When such a windshield is wiped with a so-called tandem wiper device, the wiper blade is largely inclined with respect to the glass surface depending on the wiping position, and the back surface of the rubber holder approaches the wind glass. Therefore, in order to prevent interference between the rubber holder and the window glass, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient distance between the rubber holder and the window glass.

  On the other hand, in order to secure the driver's field of view when the wiper is stopped, or to improve the design of the wiper blade, there is an increasing demand for lowering the height of the wiper blade. It is necessary to reduce the interval between

  However, in the conventional wiper blade, the cover that covers the connecting portion has a structure in which the engaging portion engages with the back surface of the rubber holder. It is narrow. For this reason, for example, when the wind pressure or the twist of the wiper arm occurs at high speed, the engaging portion may interfere with the window glass. In particular, in the case of a side-coupled wiper blade in which the connecting portion is arranged side by side in the wiping direction with respect to the rubber holder, the back surface of the rubber holder is close to the wind glass at the upper inversion position. There was a risk of causing a collision sound and the like.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent interference between the mounting member mounted on the rubber holder and the window glass.

  The wiper blade of the present invention is a wiper blade that is attached to a wiper arm and wipes a windshield of a vehicle. The wiper blade is connected to a tip of the wiper arm, a connection block connected to the connection portion, and the wind A rubber holder that is elastically deformable toward the glass and supported by the connection block, a blade rubber that is held by the rubber holder and contacts the window glass, and an engagement portion that engages the connection block. A mounting member that is mounted on the connection block from a direction opposite to the blade rubber, and a surface of the engagement portion that faces the window glass is a surface that faces the window glass of the connection block. It is arranged on the opposite side of the blade rubber.

  The wiper blade of the present invention is characterized in that a surface of the engaging portion that faces the window glass is disposed on the same surface as a surface of the connection block that faces the window glass.

  The wiper blade of the present invention is characterized in that the surface of the engaging portion facing the window glass is disposed on the opposite side of the blade rubber from the surface of the connection block facing the window glass. To do.

  In the wiper blade of the present invention, an engagement groove that is recessed in a direction away from the window glass is formed on a surface of the connection block facing the window glass, and the engagement portion formed in a claw shape is used as the engagement groove. It is made to engage.

  The wiper blade of the present invention is characterized in that at least a part of the rubber holder is formed of a resin material, and the engaging portion is engaged with a portion formed of the resin material.

  The wiper blade according to the present invention is characterized in that the connection block is positioned laterally with respect to the rubber holder.

  In the wiper blade of the present invention, the mounting member is formed in a cover shape and covers the connection block.

  According to the present invention, since the engaging portion of the mounting member mounted on the connection block does not protrude toward the window glass from the surface of the connection block facing the window glass, it is possible to prevent interference between the mounting member and the window glass. it can.

  Further, according to the present invention, the surface of the engaging portion facing the window glass is arranged on the same surface with respect to the surface of the connection block facing the window glass, so that there are few steps on the side facing the window glass. It can be a wiper blade.

  Further, according to the present invention, the surface of the engaging portion facing the window glass is disposed on the opposite side of the blade rubber from the surface of the connecting block facing the window glass, whereby the engaging portion and the wind glass are arranged. Further, interference can be made difficult.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the engaging portion does not protrude from the surface of the connection block facing the window glass to the window glass side, the distance between the connection block and the window glass is narrowed even when a mounting member is provided. Can be set. Therefore, the height dimension of the wiper blade can be further lowered to improve the visibility of the driver and the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a vehicle equipped with a wiper blade according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 11 is operated by wiping rain attached to a front window glass 12 or splashes of a front vehicle. A wiper device 13 is provided in order to secure a person's field of view.

  The wiper device 13 is a so-called tandem type in which two wiper arms 14 swing in the same direction, and a pair of wiper shafts 15 are supported on the vehicle 11 so as to be swingable. The wiper arm 14 is fixed to the corresponding wiper shaft 15, and a wiper blade 16 is attached to the tip thereof. The wiper shaft 15 is connected to a wiper motor 18 via a link mechanism 17, and when the wiper motor 18 is operated, the wiper blade 16 swings a wiping range 12 a between the upper reverse position and the lower reverse position on the front window glass 12. And wipe the front windshield 12.

  2 is a front view showing details of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wiper blade 16 has a blade rubber 21 that directly contacts the front window glass 12 and a rubber holder 22 that holds the blade rubber 21, and is in a natural state, that is, a state separated from the front window glass 12. Then, it is curved more strongly than the front window glass 12.

  A connection block 23 is provided at a substantially middle portion of the rubber holder 22 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of holding pieces 24 are arranged side by side on both sides of the connection block 23 in the longitudinal direction. The connection block 23 is formed in a block shape by injection molding of a resin material. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body portion 25 arranged in series with the holding piece 24 and the main body portion 25 are arranged in the wiping direction. And a guide portion 26.

  Two rod-shaped spring members 27 that are bent toward the front window glass 12 side are fixed to the main body 25 side by side in the wiping direction, and each holding piece 24 is spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction by these rod-shaped spring members 27. Open and connected side by side. The bar-shaped spring member 27 is elastically deformable at the portion exposed between the holding pieces 24, so that the rubber holder 22 has a connection block 23 as a fulcrum in a direction perpendicular to the front window glass 12, that is, the front window glass 12. It is elastically deformable.

  In the case shown in the drawing, the rod-shaped spring member 27 has a circular cross section such as a piano wire, but is not limited thereto, and the holding piece 24 is connected and elastically deformable between the holding pieces 24. As long as it is a thing, a thing with a rectangular cross section etc. may be sufficient.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the holding pieces 24 are formed in a C-shaped cross section having a top wall portion 24a and a pair of side wall portions 24b by injection molding of a resin material, and each holding piece 24 has a side wall portion 24b. Are fixed to the rod-shaped spring member 27 at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction. Although not shown in the drawings, each bar-shaped spring member 27 is bent in a crank shape inside the side wall portion 24b, whereby each holding piece 24 is restricted from moving in the axial direction with respect to the bar-shaped spring member 27. Yes.

  The blade rubber 21 is formed so as to have a uniform cross section in the longitudinal direction by extruding natural rubber, chloroprene rubber, or a material blended so as to have the advantages of each material. The base 31 and the lip 32 that directly contact the front window glass 12, and the neck 31 that connects the base 31 and the lip 32 are provided. The neck portion 33 is formed with a narrow width in the wiping direction with respect to the base portion 31 and the lip portion 32, so that the lip portion 32 can tilt with respect to the base portion 31 in the wiping direction. A pair of arm portions 34 is formed between the base portion 31 and the neck portion 33, and a holding groove 35 is formed between the arm portion 34 and the base portion 31. Reference numeral 36 denotes a leaf spring member (vertebra) that is mounted to give the base 31 a predetermined rigidity. The blade rubber 21 is held by the holding piece 24, that is, the rubber holder 22 by inserting the base 31 of the blade rubber 21 into the holding piece 24 and engaging the holding claws 24 c formed on the side wall portions 24 b with the holding grooves 35. Has been.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a pin member 41 (shown by a broken line in the figure) is fixed to the guide portion 26 of the connection block 23 by insert molding. A connecting clip 42 as a connecting portion is attached to the pin member 41, and the connecting clip 42 is rotatable around the pin member 41 while being guided by the guide portion 26. That is, the guide portion 26 constituting the connection block 23 is connected to the connection clip 42 by the pin member 41, and the rubber holder 22 is supported by the connection clip 42.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting clip 42 engages with a hook portion 14 a bent in a U shape formed at the tip of the wiper arm 14, and is thereby connected to the tip of the wiper arm 14. That is, the wiper blade 16 is of a so-called side coupling type in which the connecting clip 42 connected to the wiper arm 14 is provided to be shifted in the wiping direction with respect to the rubber holder 22 or the blade rubber 21.

  In the illustrated case, the connection structure between the wiper arm 14 and the connection clip 42 is a so-called U hook type in which the hook portion 14a of the wiper arm 14 formed in a U-shape is engaged with the connection clip 42. For example, other types of connection structures such as a bayonet clip type or an E clip type may be used.

  With this structure, when the wiper blade 16 is brought into contact with the front window glass 12, the pressing force from the wiper arm 14 is transmitted to the connection block 23 via the coupling clip 42, and the rubber holder 22 is elastic so as to follow the glass surface. Deform. Then, the pressing force of the wiper arm 14 is dispersed throughout the longitudinal direction due to elastic deformation of the rubber holder 22, and the blade rubber 21 contacts the front window glass 12 with a predetermined distribution pressure.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rubber holder 22 is provided with fin covers 43 on one side and the other side of the connection block 23, respectively. These fin covers 43 are formed of hard rubber, and are covered with the rubber holder 22 from the front surface side, and as shown in FIG. 4, both edge portions 43 a along the longitudinal direction are formed on the back surface side of the holding piece 24. By being engaged, the rubber holder 22 is fixed. Thereby, the holding piece 24 and the rod-shaped spring member 27 constituting the rubber holder 22 are covered by the fin cover 43, and the aesthetic appearance of the wiper blade 16 is improved.

  In addition, fin forming projections 24d are formed on the top wall portion 24a of each holding piece 24, and the fin cover 43 is supported by the fin forming projections 24d so as to be held in a fin shape having a windshield surface 43b. . As a result, the aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 16 are improved, and the wiper blade 16 can be prevented from being lifted when the vehicle 11 is traveling at a high speed.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 2. In this wiper blade 16, a center cover 51 as a mounting member is mounted on the main body 25 of the connection block 23, and the main body is 25, the aesthetics and aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 16 are improved.

  6 is a perspective view showing a state of the rubber holder before the center cover shown in FIG. 3 is attached, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the center cover is attached to the rubber holder shown in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the wiper blade and the front window glass shown in FIG.

  The center cover 51 is formed of a resin material. The cover main body 52 is formed in a cover shape that matches the shape of the main body 25, and four engagement claws 53 are arranged at the four corners of the cover main body 52. -56. The cover main body 52 is attached to the main body 25 from the surface side of the rubber holder 22, that is, the side away from the front window glass 12 of the rubber holder 22, and covers the surface and side surfaces of the main body 25.

  On the other hand, each engagement claw part 53 to 56 is formed in a claw shape that bends toward the inner side of the rubber holder 22, and each of the engagement claw parts 53 to 56 faces the front window glass 12 of the main body part 25. The center cover 51 is fixed to the main body 25 by engaging with the 25a side. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the end portion of the fin cover 43 is sandwiched between the center cover 51 and the connection block 23, so that the fin cover 43 is firmly fixed to the rubber holder 22. .

  In the wiper blade 16, engagement grooves 57 and 58 are formed on the back surface 25 a of the main body portion 25, and a pair of engagement claw portions 55 and 56 disposed on the guide portion 26 side are engaged with the engagement grooves 57 and 58. By doing so, the engaging claws 55 and 56 are engaged with the rubber holder 22 on the front surface side of the back surface 25a of the main body 25.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement grooves 57 and 58 are adjacent to the guide portion 26 on the back surface 25 a of the main body portion 25 facing the front window glass 12, that is, the surface of the rubber holder 22 on the side facing the front window glass 12. They are arranged so as to be recessed with respect to the back surface 25a of the main body 25 in the direction away from the front window glass 12, respectively. Further, the portions of the fin covers 43 corresponding to the engaging grooves 57 and 58 are notched in accordance with the engaging grooves 57 and 58, and the engaging grooves 57 and 58 are exposed without being covered by the fin cover 43. ing. As shown in FIG. 7, when the center cover 51 is attached to the main body portion 25, the engaging claw portions 55 and 56 provided on the guide portion 26 side of the center cover 51 are inserted into the corresponding engaging grooves 57 and 58. Engage.

  As a result, the engaging claw portions 55 and 56 as the engaging portions engage with the main body portion 25 on the front side, that is, on the side away from the front window glass 12 with respect to the back surface 25a of the main body portion 25 facing the front window glass 12. The engaging claw portions 55 and 56 do not protrude from the back surface 25a of the main body portion 25 toward the front window glass 12. That is, the surfaces of the engaging claws 55, 56 facing the front window glass 12 are arranged on the opposite side of the blade rubber 21 from the rear surface 25 a of the connection block 23 and do not protrude toward the front window glass 12 than the connection block 23. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the wiper blade 16 swings on the front window glass 12, and the wiper blade 16 is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the front window glass 12, so that the guide portion 26 and the front window glass 12 are moved. Even when the distance between the two is narrow, the engaging claws 55 and 56 of the center cover 51 do not interfere with the front window glass 12.

  As described above, in the wiper blade 16, the engaging claw portions 55 and 56 of the center cover 51 mounted on the main body portion 25 of the rubber holder 22 are arranged on the front surface side of the back surface 25 a of the main body portion 25. Therefore, the engagement claw portions 55 and 56 do not protrude from the back surface 25a of the main body portion 25 toward the front window glass 12, and interference between the engagement claw portions 55 and 56 and the front window glass 12 can be prevented. .

  Further, in the wiper blade 16, the engaging claws 55 and 56 do not protrude from the back surface 25 a of the main body portion 25 toward the front window glass 12, so that the back surface 25 a of the main body portion 25, that is, the rubber holder 22 and the front window glass 12 The interval can be set narrow. Therefore, the height dimension of the wiper blade 16 can be set lower, and the visibility of the driver and the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle 11 can be improved.

  Further, in the wiper blade 16, the connection block 23 provided in the rubber holder 22 is formed of a resin material, and the engagement claws 55 and 56 of the center cover 51 are formed in the engagement grooves 57 and 58 formed in the connection block 23. Since the engagement grooves 57 and 58 are easily formed, the interference between the engagement claw portions 55 and 56 and the front window glass 12 is prevented without increasing the cost of the wiper blade 16. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the surfaces of the engaging claws 55 and 56 facing the front window glass 12 are arranged on the opposite side of the blade rubber 21 from the back surface 25a of the connection block 23, but this is not limitative. Instead, the surfaces of the engaging claws 55 and 56 facing the front window glass 12 may be arranged on the same surface as the back surface 25a of the connection block 23. Thereby, a wiper blade with few steps on the back surface 25a of the connection block 23 can be obtained.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mounting member is the center cover 51 that covers the main body 25 of the connection block 23. However, the mounting member is not limited thereto, and is mounted to fix the fin cover 43 to the holding piece 24, for example. Any other member may be used as long as it is attached to the rubber holder 22 from the surface side and engages with the rubber holder 22 by the engaging portion. In the case of the clip member that fixes the fin cover 43, the engaging portion formed on the clip member is engaged with the engaging groove formed on the back surface of the holding piece 24.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the pair of engaging claws 55 and 56 arranged on the guide portion 26 side are engaged with the engaging grooves 57 and 58. Engagement grooves corresponding to the engagement claw parts 53 and 54 arranged on the opposite side of the part 26 are formed in the main body part 25, and these engagement claw parts 53 and 54 are also engaged with the engagement grooves. May be.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, as the rubber holder 22, the thing of the structure which connected the several holding piece 24 by the rod-shaped spring member 27 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction is used, However, It is not restricted to this Instead, as long as the blade rubber 21 is held, other types such as one using a leaf spring may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the wiper blade 16 in the tandem wiper device 13, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wiper blade used in other types of wiper devices such as a counter-wiping type. You may apply to.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the vehicle provided with the wiper blade which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the detail of the wiper blade shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the rubber holder before the center cover shown in FIG. 3 is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the rubber holder shown in FIG. 6 with the center cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the positional relationship of the wiper blade and front window glass shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Vehicle 12 Front window glass 12a Wiping range 13 Wiper apparatus 14 Wiper arm 14a Hook part 15 Wiper shaft 16 Wiper blade 17 Link mechanism 18 Wiper motor 21 Blade rubber 22 Rubber holder 23 Connection block 24 Holding piece 24a Top wall part 24b Side wall part 24c Holding claw 24d Fin forming protrusion 25 Main body portion 25a Back surface 26 Guide portion 27 Rod spring member 31 Base portion 32 Lip portion 33 Neck portion 34 Arm portion 35 Holding groove 36 Leaf spring member (vertebra)
41 Pin member 42 Connection clip (connection part)
43 Fin cover 43a Edge 43b Windbreak surface 51 Center cover (mounting member)
52 Cover body part 53, 54 Engagement claw part 55, 56 Engagement claw part (engagement part)
57, 58 engagement groove

Claims (7)

A wiper blade attached to the wiper arm to wipe the windshield of the vehicle,
A connecting portion connected to the tip of the wiper arm;
A connection block connected to the connecting portion;
A rubber holder that is elastically deformable toward the window glass and is supported by the connection block;
A blade rubber held by the rubber holder and in contact with the window glass;
An engagement portion that engages with the connection block; and an attachment member that is attached to the connection block from a direction opposite to the blade rubber,
The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the engaging portion facing the window glass is disposed on an opposite side of the blade rubber from a surface of the connection block facing the window glass.   2. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the engagement portion that faces the window glass is disposed on the same surface as a surface of the connection block that faces the window glass. Wiper blade.   2. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the engagement portion that faces the window glass is disposed on a side opposite to the blade rubber than a surface of the connection block that faces the window glass. Characteristic wiper blade.   The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an engagement groove that is recessed in a direction away from the window glass is formed on a surface of the connection block that faces the window glass, and is formed in a claw shape. A wiper blade characterized by engaging the engagement portion with the engagement groove.   5. The wiper blade according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the rubber holder is formed of a resin material, and the engagement portion is engaged with a portion formed of the resin material.   The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection block is located laterally with respect to the rubber holder. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mounting member is formed in a cover shape and covers the connection block.

Images