JP2002308064A - Wiper arm - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper arm capable of preventing damage to an integrally arranged washer nozzle, causing no increase in the number of part items, and no deterioration in installing workability for installing and fixing the washer nozzle. SOLUTION: In this wiper arm 10, the washer nozzle 36 is arranged between a pair of side walls 22 of a lengthwise directional tip part of a retainer 14, and a pair of gripping claws 41 are installed and fixed by engaging with an engaging recessed part 35 to thereby prevent damage from external force such as a collision with ice and snow of the washer nozzle 36. The wiper arm can be easily installed without requiring a special separate part for a fixation, and an outward appearance from the outside can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wiper arm in a wiper device for wiping windshield glass or the like of an automobile, and more particularly to a wiper arm having a washer nozzle for jetting a cleaning liquid to a wiping surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A wiper device for a vehicle for wiping windshield glass or the like of an automobile includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade held by the wiper arm.

In the wiper arm, one end of an arm head is fixed to a pivot shaft, and a retainer is connected to the other end of the arm head via a support shaft so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle. A spring is attached between the arm head and the retainer, and constantly biases the retainer toward a wiping surface such as a windshield glass. An arm piece is fixed to the tip of the retainer. The tip of the arm piece is a hook bent in a substantially U-shape, and connects and holds the wiper blade. on the other hand,
The wiper blade includes a blade rubber that contacts and wipes the wiping surface, and a plurality of holding levers that hold the blade rubber.

When the wiper device for a vehicle is operated, the wiper arm and the wiper blade reciprocate, so that the blade rubber moves while being in close contact with the windshield glass surface and wipes raindrops.

Conventionally, especially when the glass surface is large and the distance to the landing point of the washing liquid ejected from the washer nozzle of the vehicle is long, the ejected washing liquid is more reliably attached to the target point where it is wiped by the wiper blade. There is known a wiper arm with a washer nozzle in which a washer nozzle is provided on the wiper arm to spray the cleaning liquid in order to cause water to flow.
No. 33763).

[0006] In the wiper arm disclosed in the above publication, the cleaning liquid can be surely made to land on a target point on the wiping surface to be wiped by the wiper blade.

However, in a conventional wiper arm with a washer nozzle as disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the body portion of the washer nozzle is fixed to an arm piece constituting the wiper arm by screwing or welding, or a special structure such as a clamp. The washer nozzle is usually provided outside the wiper arm (arm piece) (on the wiping surface side) so that not only the appearance (design) is poor, but also the If the wiper arm, that is, the washer nozzle protruding outside, collides with snow that has accumulated and frozen, there is a risk of damage. In particular, since such a washer nozzle is usually made of resin, it is necessary to take measures for preventing the damage.

Therefore, it is conceivable to dispose such a washer nozzle inside a retainer having a U-shaped cross section. However, in order to place and fix the washer nozzle inside the retainer, a special structure such as attaching a dedicated mounting bracket to the retainer, inserting the washer nozzle into this mounting bracket, and fixing or screwing the washer nozzle is required. is necessary. For this reason, there is a problem that a dedicated mounting bracket, a screw, and the like are separately required, and the number of components is increased as a whole, and a complicated mounting work man-hour is increased, thereby deteriorating workability.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above fact, the present invention can prevent the washer nozzle integrally provided from being damaged, and can increase the number of parts for mounting and fixing the washer nozzle. An object is to obtain a wiper arm that does not deteriorate workability.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper arm having an arm head fixed to a pivot shaft, a pair of side walls and an upper wall connected to the arm head, and having an opening in a wiping surface direction. Pipe having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a substantially plate-shaped cross section to which a base end portion is fixed to the front end of the retainer and a wiper blade is connected to the front end portion. In a wiper arm provided with a hose and having a washer nozzle connected to the piping hose and spraying a cleaning liquid to a wiping surface, the washer nozzle has a gripper claw that engages with the base end of the arm piece. The retainer is mounted between the pair of side walls at the longitudinal end of the retainer and the gripping claw is engaged with the base end of the arm piece. Is constant, it is characterized in that.

In the wiper arm according to the first aspect, the washer nozzle is disposed between a pair of side walls at a longitudinal end portion of the retainer having a U-shaped cross section which opens in the direction of the wiping surface (ie, inside the retainer). The gripping claw is attached and fixed by engaging the base end of the arm piece. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washer nozzle from directly colliding with an obstacle such as ice and snow during the reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper, and it is possible to prevent the washer nozzle from being damaged by an external force. In addition, the external appearance is improved.

In addition, since the washer nozzle is attached and fixed simply by the engagement of the gripping claws with the base end of the arm piece as described above, there is no need for a dedicated mounting bracket or screw for attaching and fixing the washer nozzle. It is. Therefore, the number of parts for mounting and fixing the washer nozzle is not increased, and the man-hour for mounting is not increased, so that the workability is not deteriorated.

[0013] A wiper arm according to a second aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to the first aspect, wherein the arm piece has an engaging concave portion with which the gripping claw of the washer nozzle engages. I have.

In the wiper arm according to the second aspect, since the washer nozzle is attached and fixed by engaging the gripping claw of the washer nozzle with the engaging recess of the arm piece, the gripping claw is firmly received and carelessly washed. The nozzle is prevented from dropping and its fixed position being displaced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wiper arm according to the second aspect, the arm piece is fixed in contact with the upper wall rear surface of the retainer, and the upper wall rear surface in the fixed state. The contact area with the upper wall is set to a dimension smaller than the maximum width dimension thereof to define the engaging recess with the back surface of the upper wall.

In the wiper arm according to the third aspect, when the arm piece is fixed to the retainer, an engagement recess is defined between the arm piece (external shape) and the back surface of the upper wall of the retainer.

Therefore, the engaging recess can be formed simply by fixing the arm piece to the retainer without requiring a large-scale processing of the arm piece and the retainer, and the number of parts for mounting and fixing the washer nozzle is increased. Workability is not degraded due to the increase in the number of mounting work steps.

A wiper arm according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein at least a portion corresponding to the washer nozzle mounting position has a substantially oval cross section. It is characterized by having a tortoise-shaped cross section.

In the wiper arm according to the fourth aspect, since the portion of the arm piece corresponding to the washer nozzle mounting position has a substantially oval cross section or a turtle cross section,
Round surface (R surface) on the upper wall side of the retainer of this arm piece
Alternatively, an engagement recess is formed (defined) between the tapered surface and the back surface of the retainer upper wall.

When mounting and fixing the washer nozzle,
The gripping claw of the washer nozzle is attached from the retainer opening side. At this time, the portion corresponding to the washer nozzle mounting position of the arm piece has a substantially oval cross-section or a turtle-shaped instep shape. It is gradually opened following the curved surface (R surface) or tapered surface on the opening side, and finally, the engagement concave portion (the curved surface or tapered surface on the retainer upper wall side of the arm piece and the retainer upper wall) The gripping claw is engaged with (between the back surface) and attached and fixed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wiper arm according to the second aspect, the engaging concave portion of the arm piece has a base end portion of the arm piece corresponding to the washer nozzle mounting position on the opening side. Is formed to be protruded by bending toward, and is a gap provided between the retainer and the upper wall back surface and opened on both sides in the width direction,
The washer nozzle is mounted and fixed by fitting the gripping claw into the gap.

In the wiper arm according to the fifth aspect, the gap provided between the base end portion of the arm piece projected and formed by bending toward the retainer opening side and the back surface of the upper wall of the retainer is formed by the engagement recess. The washer nozzle is attached and fixed by the gripping claws fitting into the gap.

Therefore, the positioning (prevention of movement) of the washer nozzle in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm (retainer and arm piece) can be performed easily and reliably.

[0024]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a wiper arm 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The wiper arm 10 has an arm head 12 and a retainer 14. One end of the arm head 12 is fixed to a pivot shaft (not shown) as a rotation shaft provided on the vehicle body, and always rotates together with the pivot shaft. A skirt portion 16 surrounding the pivot shaft is formed at one end on the back surface side of the arm head 12.

A retainer 14 is connected to the other end of the arm head 12 via a support shaft so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle in a direction approaching and separating from the windshield glass. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the retainer 14 has a pair of side walls 22 and an upper wall 24, and is formed in a U-shaped cross section whose back surface side opens downward (toward the wiping surface). Further, it is always urged toward the wiping surface of the windshield glass by a tension coil spring (not shown).

An arm piece 32, which constitutes the wiper arm 10 together with the retainer 14, is fixed to the tip of the retainer 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the arm piece 32 has a base end portion which is formed on a pair of side walls 22 of the retainer 14.
Is bent and caulked (by caulking portion 15) to be integrally fixed to the retainer 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the base end of the arm piece 32 is formed in a substantially oval cross section (or a tortoise-shaped cross section), and is fixed in contact with the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14. .

Here, the contact portion 32 of the retainer 14 in contact with the rear surface of the upper wall 24 when the arm piece 32 is fixed is provided.
Width L ₁ of A is set to a smaller size than the maximum width L ₀ of the arm piece 32 itself. This allows
The arm piece 32 has a corner round surface (R
Surface) and the back surface of the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14.
5 is defined (configured). In this engagement recess 35, a washer nozzle 36 described later in detail is engaged and attached.

On the other hand, the distal end of the arm piece 32 is bent into a substantially U-shape to form a hook 33, and the wiper blade 50 is connected and held via a clip member (not shown).

Further, the wiper arm 10 having the above structure
Is provided with a washer nozzle 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washer nozzle 36
Are a nozzle body 37, a hose connection part 38 provided in the nozzle body 37 to which a piping hose 48 for supplying a cleaning liquid is connected, and a cleaning liquid injection port 4 communicating with the hose connection part 38.
0. In the nozzle body 37 of the washer nozzle 36, a pair of gripping claws 41 having a wedge-shaped cross section are integrally formed so as to protrude toward the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the washer nozzle 36 is disposed between the pair of side walls 22 at the longitudinal end of the retainer 14, and the pair of gripping claws 41 are engaged with the engagement recesses 35 at the base end of the arm piece 32. It is attached and fixed by engaging.

One end of a cleaning liquid supply pipe hose 48 disposed in the retainer 14 is connected to the hose connection portion 38 of the washer nozzle 36 having the above-described configuration. The piping hose 48 is connected to a washer tank (not shown) provided in the vehicle body via a washer pump. Thus, the washer nozzle 36 is configured to be able to inject the cleaning liquid from the ejection port 40 to the side surface of the protruding end of the retainer 14.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

In the wiper device using the wiper arm 10 having the above-described structure, the wiper arm 10 reciprocates with the pivot shaft, so that the wiper blade 50 reciprocates and raindrops on the windshield glass surface. To dispel.

Here, in the wiper arm 10, since the washer nozzle 36 is provided integrally, even if the wiping range of the wiper blade 50 is large, the cleaning liquid ejected from the washer nozzle 36 (injection port 40) can be wiped. It is possible to reliably reach the target point to be wiped by the blade 50.

Here, in this wiper arm 10,
The base end of the arm piece 32 (the part corresponding to the mounting position of the washer nozzle 36) has a substantially oval cross section (or a tortoise-shaped cross section), and a corner round surface on the upper wall 24 side of the arm piece 32. An engagement recess 35 is formed (defined) between the (R surface) and the back surface of the upper wall 24, and a washer nozzle 36 is provided at a longitudinal end of the retainer 14 having a U-shaped cross section that opens in the wiping surface direction. The pair of gripping claws 4 are disposed between the side walls 22 (that is, inside the retainer 14).
Since 1 is engaged and fixed by engaging with the engaging concave portion 35, a special mounting bracket or screw for mounting and fixing the washer nozzle 36 is not required.

That is, when attaching and fixing the washer nozzle 36, the gripping claw 41 of the washer nozzle 36 is attached from the opening side of the retainer 14. At this time, the portion corresponding to the attachment position of the washer nozzle 36 of the arm piece 32 is Since the cross-section has a substantially oval shape (or a tortoise-shaped cross-section), the gripping claw 41 is gradually opened following the curved corner surface (R surface) or the tapered surface of the arm piece 32, and finally, The engagement recess 35 described above
The gripping claw 41 is engaged with (between the rounded surface or tapered surface of the arm piece 32 and the rear surface of the upper wall 24) to be fixedly attached. In this manner, the washer nozzle 36 can be easily fixed without requiring a special separate part, and the workability is not deteriorated due to an increase in the number of parts and an increase in the number of man-hours for mounting.

Further, since the engagement recess 35 for mounting and fixing the washer nozzle 36 is formed (defined) simply by fixing the arm piece 32 to the retainer 14, the arm piece 32 and the retainer 14 are fixed. It is not necessary to perform large-scale processing, and it is possible to prevent the number of parts from increasing and the number of man-hours for mounting operations from increasing, thereby reducing workability.

Furthermore, since the washer nozzle 36 is disposed between the pair of side walls 22 of the retainer 14 having a U-shaped cross section which opens in the direction of the wiping surface (ie, inside the retainer 14), the washer reciprocating wiping operation is performed. In addition, it is possible to prevent the washer nozzle 36 from directly colliding with an obstacle such as ice and snow, and to prevent the washer nozzle 36 from being damaged by an external force.

Furthermore, the washer nozzle 36 thus arranged inside the retainer 14 has
Is fixed by engaging with the engaging concave portion 35 of the arm piece 32, the gripping claw 41 is firmly received, and the washer nozzle 36 is prevented from dropping carelessly or its fixed position is shifted. . Even if the washer nozzle 36 is inclined by an external force acting on the washer nozzle 36, the pair of side walls 22 is
6 is prevented (even if inclined), the gripping pawl 41 of the washer nozzle 36 is prevented from disengaging from the engagement recess 35 of the arm piece 32 (disengaging the engagement). .

Further, since the washer nozzle 36 is arranged and fixed inside the retainer 14, the appearance from the outside is also improved.

As described above, the wiper arm 10 according to the first embodiment can prevent the washer nozzle 36 provided on the retainer 14 from being damaged, and furthermore, the number of parts for mounting and fixing the washer nozzle 36 It does not increase the mounting workability.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Note that components that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a main part of a wiper arm 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the wiper arm 60, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the arm piece 6, which constitutes the wiper arm 10 together with the retainer 14, is attached to the tip of the retainer 14.
2 is fixed. The base end of the arm piece 62 is fixed so that the surface on the side of the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14 is in contact with the upper wall 24, and the both edges in the width direction are cut into predetermined dimensions in a stepped state. It is chipped and formed. In other words, the contact portion 62A the width L ₁ of the wall 24 the rear surface on the retainer 14 in the fixed state of the arm piece 62 is set to a dimension smaller than the maximum width dimension L ₀ of the arm piece 62 itself Thus, the arm piece 62 forms (defines) an engagement recess 64 between the arm piece 62 and the back surface of the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14. A washer nozzle 66 is engaged with and attached to the engagement recess 64.

A pair of gripping claws 67 having an L-shaped cross section are integrally formed on the washer nozzle 66 so as to protrude toward the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14. That is, the washer nozzle 66 is arranged between (inside) the pair of side walls 22 at the longitudinal end portion of the retainer 14, and the retainer 14 and the arm piece are It is configured to be attached and fixed to 62.

Note that other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
This is the same as the embodiment.

The wiper arm 60 having the above-described structure has the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above. In particular, the wiper arm 60 has a structure in which the base end of the arm piece 62 is connected to the back surface of the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14. The engaging recess 64 is configured (defined), and since the contact portion 62A projects stepwise in the cross-sectional shape of the arm piece 62, the gripping claw 67 of the washer nozzle 66 is securely engaged. Enough concave space can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of a main part of a wiper arm 70 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the wiper arm 70, similarly to the first embodiment, the arm piece 7, which constitutes the wiper arm 10 together with the retainer 14, is provided at the tip of the retainer 14.
2 is fixed. The base end of the arm piece 72 is fixed so that the surface on the side of the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14 is in contact with the upper wall 24, and furthermore, engagement recesses 74 are formed at both edges in the width direction. Have been. This engagement recess 74
, A washer nozzle 76 is fitted and attached.

A pair of gripping claws 77 having an L-shaped cross section are integrally formed on the washer nozzle 76 so as to protrude toward the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14, and are fitted into the engaging recesses 74. That is, the washer nozzle 76 is arranged (inside) between the pair of side walls 22 at the longitudinal end of the retainer 14, and the retainer 14 and the arm piece are 72 is fixedly mounted.

The other configuration is the same as the first configuration described above.
This is the same as the embodiment.

The wiper arm 70 having the above-described structure has the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above. In particular, the wiper arm 70 has engagement recesses 74 at both edges in the width direction of the base end of the arm piece 72. Formed and retainer 14
This engagement recess 74 is not defined with the back surface of the upper wall 24. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the arm piece 72 can be applied to the arm piece 72 having no tapered surface or round surface as in the first embodiment described above, and the gripping claw 77 of the washer nozzle 76 can be securely engaged. .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a wiper arm 80 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the wiper arm 80, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the arm piece 8, which constitutes the wiper arm 10 together with the retainer 14, is attached to the tip of the retainer 14.
2 is fixed. Further, a gap 84 is provided at the base end of the arm piece 82 as an engagement recess. The gap 84 is formed by bending the base end portion of the arm piece 82 toward the opening side of the retainer 14 (the side opposite to the upper wall 24) so as to project in the width direction between the retainer 14 and the rear surface of the upper wall 24. Opened on both sides. In this gap 84, a washer nozzle 86 is engaged and attached.

A pair of gripping claws 87 having an L-shaped cross section are integrally formed on the washer nozzle 86 so as to protrude toward the upper wall 24 of the retainer 14 and fit into the gap 84. That is, the washer nozzle 86 is
Is disposed between (inside) the pair of side walls 22 at the longitudinal end of the pair, and the pair of gripping claws 87 are fitted into the gap 84,
It is configured to be fixedly attached to the retainer 14 and the arm piece 82.

Note that other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.
This is the same as the embodiment.

The wiper arm 80 having the above-described structure has the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above. In particular, the washer nozzle 86 arranged inside the retainer 14 has its gripping claw 87 whose arm piece 82 Gap 8
4, the gripper claw 87 is firmly received, and the washer nozzle 8 is inadvertently received.
6 is prevented from falling off. Further, the washer nozzle 86 is positioned (prevented from moving) in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 80 (the retainer 14 and the arm piece 82).
Can be performed easily and reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a wiper arm according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of a washer nozzle mounting portion of the wiper arm according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing details of a washer nozzle mounting portion of the wiper arm according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing details of a washer nozzle mounting portion of a wiper arm according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing details of a washer nozzle mounting portion of a wiper arm according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing details of a washer nozzle mounting portion of a wiper arm according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wiper arm 12 Arm head 14 Retainer 22 Side wall 24 Upper wall 32 Arm piece 35 Engagement concave part 36 Washer nozzle 41 Gripping claw

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An arm head fixed to a pivot shaft, a retainer connected to the arm head and having a pair of side walls and an upper wall and having a U-shaped cross section that opens in the direction of a wiping surface, and a base end portion An arm piece having a substantially plate-shaped cross-section, which is fixed to the tip of the retainer and to which a wiper blade is connected at the tip, a piping hose for supplying a cleaning liquid is provided, and the piping hose is connected. In a wiper arm provided with a washer nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid onto a wiping surface, the washer nozzle has a gripping claw that engages with the base end of the arm piece, and the pair of side walls at a longitudinal end of the retainer. The wiper arm is arranged between the arm pieces and is fixedly attached by engaging the gripping claw with the base end of the arm piece. 2. The wiper arm according to claim 1, wherein the arm piece has an engagement recess with which the gripping claw of the washer nozzle engages. 3. The arm piece is fixed so as to be in contact with an upper wall back surface of the retainer, and a contact portion with the upper wall back surface in the fixed state is set to a size smaller than its own maximum width dimension. The wiper arm according to claim 2, wherein the engagement recess is defined between the rear surface and the rear surface of the upper wall. 4. The arm piece according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion corresponding to the washer nozzle mounting position has a substantially oval cross section or a turtle cross section. The wiper arm according to 1. 5. The engagement recess of the arm piece is formed so as to protrude by bending a base end of the arm piece corresponding to the washer nozzle mounting position toward the opening, and an upper wall of the retainer. 3. A gap which is provided between both sides of the back surface in the width direction, and wherein the washer nozzle is mounted and fixed by fitting the gripping claw into the gap. The described wiper arm.