JP2010052538A - Wiper system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper system reducing the number of parts and improving the appearance by simplifying a configuration of a sub-arm. <P>SOLUTION: The sub-arm 14 is formed in the shape of a long panel extending between a third cylindrical bearing 27 and a fourth cylindrical bearing 28, and the sub-arm 14 is twisted thereby making the third cylindrical bearing 27 and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28 respectively support both ends of the sub-arm 14. As a result, a sub-shank and a plurality of rivets used in the conventional structure are not required anymore, the number of the parts used in the wiper system 10 can be reduced, and the appearance of the wiper system 10 can be improved by simplifying the configuration of the sub-arm 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper device including a wiper blade for wiping a windshield provided in a vehicle.

  Conventionally, a wiper device for securing a driver's field of view is mounted on a front side or a rear side of a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper device is provided with a wiper blade that wipes off dust and rainwater adhering to the windshield, and the wiper blade operates on the windshield by operating the operation switch to rotate the electric motor (drive source). It is designed to swing.

  Examples of the wiper device include a one-arm wiper device having one wiper arm and a two-arm wiper device having two wiper arms. The latter two-arm wiper device is also a pantograph wiper device. being called. For example, two pantograph wiper devices are provided on the left and right sides of a vehicle having a relatively large windshield such as a bus, or one for a vehicle having a relatively small windshield such as a light vehicle. It is provided. That is, the pantograph-type wiper device has an advantage that the wiper blade can be swung in a large wiping range as compared with the single arm type wiper device.

  As such a pantograph wiper device, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. The pantograph-type wiper device described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a wiper device) includes a main arm and a sub arm provided substantially in parallel. One end side of each arm is rotatably supported by a pair of pivoting portions (first support member, third support member) provided at a predetermined distance from each other, and the other end side of each arm. Are rotatably supported by a connecting member (arm support) via a pair of pivoting portions (second support member, fourth support member) provided at a predetermined distance apart.

The sub arm is formed in a long plate shape, and a sub shank for the sub arm is fixed to one end side of the sub arm by a plurality of rivets. By providing the sub-shank in this manner, the both ends of the sub-arm are rotatably supported by the pivoting portions (third support member, fourth support member) each having an inclined axis, thereby wiping the wiper device. Operation and lockback operation are possible. Here, the lockback operation is an operation of raising the wiper blade away from the windshield by gripping the wiper arm and raising the wiper blade.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 02-080054 (FIG. 1)

  By the way, since the wiper device is exposed to the outside of the vehicle, it is desirable to improve its design. In particular, the wiper device (pantograph wiper device) having many components as described above has the shape as much as possible. It is desirable to simplify and improve the appearance. However, according to the wiper device described in Patent Document 1 described above, since the sub-shank is fixed to the one end side of the sub-arm by a plurality of rivets, the number of parts increases, leading to an increase in manufacturing cost. There is also a problem that the sub-arm, the sub-shank and the rivet are not integrated and the appearance is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper device that can simplify the shape of a sub arm, reduce the number of parts, and improve the appearance.

  A wiper device according to the present invention is a wiper device including a wiper blade for wiping a windshield provided in a vehicle, the main support having one end fixed to a first shaft member that swings by a drive source, and the main support A first support member provided on the other end side of the support and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the first shaft member, and one end side of the main support is rotatably supported via the first support member. A main arm, a second support member provided on the other end side of the main arm and extending in a direction inclined with respect to an axis of the first support member, and a second support member rotatably provided on the vehicle. A sub-support whose one end is fixed to the shaft member; a third support member which is provided on the other end side of the sub-support and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the second shaft member; and the third support member Through A sub arm whose one end is rotatably supported by the sub support, a fourth support member provided on the other end side of the sub arm and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the third support member, An arm support rotatably supported on each of the main arm and the sub arm via the second support member and the fourth support member, and rotatably supporting the wiper blade; Forming in the shape of a long plate extending between the third support member and the fourth support member, and twisting the sub arm to support both ends thereof on the third support member and the fourth support member, respectively. It is characterized by.

  The wiper device according to the present invention is characterized in that the twisting position of the sub arm is provided closer to the third support member.

  The wiper device of the present invention is characterized in that a cover member that covers the sub-support is provided.

  The wiper device according to the present invention is characterized in that the cover member is provided with a notch portion that allows the sub arm to rotate about the axis of the third support member.

  According to the present invention, the sub arm is formed in a long plate shape extending between the third support member and the fourth support member, and both ends of the sub arm are turned to the third support member and the fourth support member by twisting the sub arm. Since each is supported, the sub-shank and multiple rivets required in the previous structure can be eliminated. Therefore, the number of parts constituting the wiper device can be reduced by simplifying the sub-arm, and the appearance of the wiper device can be improved.

  According to the present invention, since the twisting position of the sub arm is provided closer to the third support member, the substantially entire region in the longitudinal direction of the sub arm can be laid down in the horizontal direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the lift of the sub arm due to the traveling wind of the vehicle or the like can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, since the cover member that covers the sub-support is provided, the appearance of the wiper device can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, the cover member is provided with the notch that allows the sub arm to rotate around the axis of the third support member, so that the cover member interferes with the sub arm when the wiper device is locked back. The wiper device can be smoothly locked back.

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

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining a vehicle equipped with a wiper device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wiper device shown in FIG. 1 with the wiper blade omitted, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory views illustrating the detailed structure of the sub-support, and FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are one ends of the sub-arms. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are explanatory views for explaining the detailed structure of the cover member, and FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are views of the sub arm during the lockback operation of the wiper device. Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement is each represented.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wiper device 10 is a so-called pantograph wiper device in which a front windshield 11 provided in a vehicle (not shown) such as an automobile is wiped by a single wiper blade 12. Yes. The wiper device 10 includes a main arm 13 and a sub arm 14, and the main arm 13 and the sub arm 14 are provided so as to be substantially parallel to the vehicle. The wiper device 10 wipes a relatively large wiping range 15 (two-dot chain line range in the figure) on the front windshield 11.

  The wiper device 10 is driven to swing by a wiper motor (electric motor) 16 as a drive source, and a link between the wiper device 10 and the wiper motor 16 converts the rotational motion of the wiper motor 16 into the swing motion of the wiper device 10. A mechanism (not shown) is provided. A controller 18 is electrically connected to the wiper motor 16 via a wiring 17, and the wiper motor 16 is rotationally driven by operating a wiper switch 19 provided in a vehicle interior or the like (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a vehicle body frame (not shown) of the vehicle is provided with a first pivot shaft 20 as a first shaft member. The first pivot shaft 20 is connected to the wiper motor 16 via a link mechanism. It is designed to swing. One end side (the vehicle right side) of the main support 21 formed in a predetermined shape by casting an aluminum material or the like is fixed to the first pivot shaft 20 by a fastening bolt (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an insertion hole 21 a into which the end of the first pivot shaft 20 is inserted is integrally provided on one end side of the main support 21. A first cylindrical bearing (first support member) 22 extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the first pivot shaft 20 is provided on the other end side (the vehicle left side) of the main support 21. The axis of the first cylindrical bearing 22 and the axis of the first pivot shaft 20 are substantially perpendicular (approximately 90 °).

  On the other end side of the main support 21, one end side of the main arm 13 is rotatably supported via a first cylindrical bearing 22. The main arm 13 includes an arm shank 13a having a substantially U-shaped cross section formed by pressing a steel plate or the like, and a long plate-like arm piece 13b fixed to the other end of the arm shank 13a. ing. The arm piece 13b is fixed to the arm shank 13a by deforming and crimping the other end side of the arm shank 13a.

  A coil spring 23 is provided between the main support 21 and the main arm 13. One end side of the coil spring 23 is locked to a locking member 21b fixed to the main support 21, and the other end side of the coil spring 23 is locked to one end side of the arm piece 13b inside the arm shank 13a. Yes. The coil spring 23 is formed by a tension spring, and the spring force of the coil spring 23 makes the wiper blade 12 contact elastically toward the front windshield 11.

  Here, the coil spring 23 is pulled, for example, by gripping the wiper blade 12 and lifting it from the front windshield 11. Then, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3, the wiper blade 12 is locked in a standing state with respect to the front windshield 11 by making the standing angle of the wiper blade 12 with respect to the front windshield 11 more steep. (Lockback state). On the other hand, when the lockback state of the wiper blade 12 is returned to the original state, the rising angle of the wiper blade 12 in the locked state may be gradually reduced by gripping the wiper blade 12 in the locked state.

  A second cylindrical bearing (second support member) 24 is provided on the other end side of the main arm 13, that is, the other end side of the arm piece 13b. The second cylindrical bearing 24 is extended in a direction inclined with respect to the axial center of the first cylindrical bearing 22, and the axial center of the second cylindrical bearing 24 and the axial center of the first cylindrical bearing 22 are substantially the same. It is a right angle (approximately 90 °).

  A vehicle body frame is provided with a second pivot shaft 25 as a second shaft member so as to be rotatable. The second pivot shaft 25 and the first pivot shaft 20 extend so as to be substantially parallel to each other. Has been. The second pivot shaft 25 and the first pivot shaft 20 are arranged with a predetermined distance (for example, 50 mm) in the left-right direction of the vehicle. One end side of a sub-support 26 formed in a predetermined shape by casting an aluminum material or the like is fixed to the second pivot shaft 25. The sub-support 26 fits a C-shaped stopper member (C-type retaining ring, not shown) made of a resin material into a recess (not shown) formed on the outer periphery on the distal end side of the second pivot shaft 25. By being combined, the second pivot shaft 25 is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sub support 26 includes a main body portion 26 a that forms one end side of the sub support 26 and an arm portion 26 b that forms the other end side of the sub support 26. The main body portion 26a is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an insertion hole 26c into which an end portion of the second pivot shaft 25 is inserted is provided inside thereof. The arm portion 26b is also formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a mounting hole 26d extending in a direction inclined at an angle of about 90 ° with respect to the axial center of the insertion hole 26c is provided inside thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting hole 26 d is provided with a third cylindrical bearing (third support member) 27. Accordingly, the third cylindrical bearing 27 is the axis of the second pivot shaft 25. It extends in the direction inclined with respect to.

  Between the main body portion 26a and the arm portion 26b of the sub support 26, a convex portion 26e set at a predetermined height so as to extend in the axial direction of the insertion hole 26c is integrally provided. The flat surface portion 26f formed on the convex portion 26e comes into contact with the inner side of the cover member 29, and the flat surface portion 26f positions the cover member 29 with respect to the sub-support 26.

  One end side of the sub arm 14 is rotatably supported by the arm portion 26 b of the sub support 26 via a third cylindrical bearing 27. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a fourth cylindrical bearing (fourth support member) 28 is provided on the other end side of the sub arm 14, and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28 corresponds to the third cylindrical bearing 27. It extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axis. The axis of the fourth cylindrical bearing 28 and the axis of the third cylindrical bearing 27 are substantially at right angles (approximately 90 °).

  The sub arm 14 is bent and formed into a predetermined shape by a long plate-like steel material extending between the third cylindrical bearing 27 and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28. As shown in FIG. 14b. A through hole 14c through which the third cylindrical bearing 27 passes is formed in the arm end portion 14b provided on one end side (right side in the drawing) of the sub arm 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the arm end portion 14b is twisted in the direction indicated by the arrow (counterclockwise) with respect to the arm main body 14a, and the arm end portion 14b, the arm main body 14a, The relative angle is approximately a right angle (approximately 90 °). In this way, the sub-arm 14 is twisted substantially at right angles so that both ends thereof are supported by the third cylindrical bearing 27 and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28, respectively.

  Here, a twisted portion (twisted position) 14d formed by twisting the sub arm 14 is provided closer to the third cylindrical bearing 27 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the arm main body 14a which occupies most of the subarms 14 can be laid in the horizontal direction of the vehicle. That is, the short side of the arm main body 14a having a substantially rectangular cross section is directed to the front of the vehicle so as to prevent the sub arm 14 from being lifted by the traveling wind of the vehicle.

  The sub support 26 is covered with a cover member 29 formed in a bottomed shape so as to follow the outline shape of the sub support 26. The cover member 29 is formed of a resin material such as plastic and includes a cover main body 29a and cover arm portions 29b as shown in FIG. A bottom wall 29c that forms the inside of the cover member 29 comes into contact with the flat portion 26f of the convex portion 26e of the sub support 26.

  The cover arm portion 29b has a cutout portion 29d that exposes one side surface of the arm portion 26b of the sub support 26, that is, one side surface in the axial direction of the mounting hole 26d of the arm portion 26b (the lower side in FIG. 4A). Is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the notch 29d exposes the arm end 14b of the sub arm 14 and the third cylindrical bearing 27 to the outside. Thus, when the wiper device 10 is locked back, the notch 29d rotates the sub arm 14 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 accompanying the lock back operation, that is, the axis of the third cylindrical bearing 27 is centered. The sub arm 14 is allowed to rotate.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the notch 29 d is directed to the main support 21 side in a state where the cover member 29 is attached to the sub-support 26. Thus, the cover member 29 can cover a part of the arm end portion 14b and the third cylindrical bearing 27 when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. It is possible to suppress exposure to wind and rain and the like, and to suppress the deterioration of the third cylindrical bearing 27 and the increase in the rotational resistance of the sub arm 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the other end side of the arm piece 13b in the main arm 13 and the other end side of the arm main body 14a of the sub arm 14 are provided with a second cylindrical bearing 24 and a fourth cylindrical bearing 28, respectively. The arm support 30 is rotatably supported. The arm support 30 is formed in a substantially L shape by pressing a steel plate or the like, and includes a support main body 30a and a support arm portion 30b.

  The support body 30a is provided with a second cylindrical bearing 24 and a fourth cylindrical bearing 28 arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, 50 mm). The support body 30a is supported by the second cylindrical bearing 24 and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28 via elastic bushes 24a and 28a, and has a predetermined angle range (for example, a range of 10 °) with respect to the wiping surface of the front windshield 11. Can be swung. As a result, the main arm 13 and the sub arm 14 having different rotation fulcrums can be wiped and locked back in synchronization with each other.

  The support arm portion 30b is integrally provided with a hook portion 30c that is bent into a substantially U shape. The hook portion 30c has a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 12 (see FIG. 1). It is designed to be supported freely. As a result, the wiper blade 12 rotates with respect to the arm support 30 following the curved surface shape of the front windshield 11, and the wiping surface of the front windshield 11 can be wiped without unevenness.

  As described above in detail, according to the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, the sub arm 14 is formed in the shape of a long plate extending between the third cylindrical bearing 27 and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28, and the sub arm 14. Since both ends thereof are supported by the third cylindrical bearing 27 and the fourth cylindrical bearing 28 by twisting, the sub-shank and the plurality of rivets required in the conventional structure can be eliminated. Therefore, the sub arm 14 can be simplified to reduce the number of parts constituting the wiper device 10, and the appearance of the wiper device 10 can be improved.

  Further, according to the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, the twisted portion 14d of the sub arm 14 is provided closer to the third cylindrical bearing 27. Therefore, the arm main body 14a, which is substantially the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the sub arm 14, is mounted on the vehicle. Can be laid horizontally. Therefore, the lift of the sub arm 14 caused by the traveling wind of the vehicle can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, since the cover member 29 that covers the sub support 26 is provided, the appearance of the wiper device 10 can be further improved.

  Further, according to the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, the cover member 29 is provided with the notch 29d that allows the sub arm 14 to rotate around the axis of the third cylindrical bearing 27. The cover member 29 does not obstruct the sub arm 14 when the device 10 is locked back, and the wiper device 10 can be smoothly locked back.

  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 embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, the arm end portion 14b is twisted counterclockwise with respect to the arm main body 14a, and the arm end portion 14b is inclined rearward of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arm end 14b may be twisted clockwise with respect to the arm main body 14a, and the arm end 14b may be inclined forward of the vehicle. In this case, the lift of the sub arm 14 due to the traveling wind of the vehicle or the like can be suppressed also at the arm end 14b.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what was set as the 2nd cylindrical bearing 24 and the 4th cylindrical bearing 28, respectively was shown as a 2nd supporting member and a 4th supporting member in this invention, this invention is not restricted to this. For example, a spherical bearing (ball joint) or the like can be used as long as it can support the arm support 30 in a swingable manner.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the main arm 13 is formed from two parts, the arm shank 13a and the arm piece 13b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a resin material such as plastic is injection molded. Thus, the main arm may be formed of one component. In this case, the number of parts constituting the wiper device can be further reduced, and the appearance of the wiper device can be further improved by eliminating the step between the arm shank and the arm piece.

  In the above embodiment, the wiper device according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle in which the wiping range 15 of the front windshield 11 is wiped by one wiper blade 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not limited to this, a large vehicle such as a bus that wipes the wiping range of the front windshield with two wiper blades can also be applied. In this case, the wiper device 10 according to the present invention may be provided so as to face each other on the left and right sides of the vehicle.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the wiper device according to the present invention is the wiper device 10 for wiping the front windshield 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wiper device for wiping the rear windshield is used. It can also be.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the vehicle carrying the wiper apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which abbreviate | omitted the wiper blade of the wiper apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and was seen from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the wiper device of Drawing 2 from the back side. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the detailed structure of a subsupport. (A), (b), (c) is the elements on larger scale which show the one end side of a subarm. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the detailed structure of a cover member. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of a sub arm at the time of the lockback operation | movement of a wiper apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Wiper device 11 Front windshield (windshield)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Wiper blade 13 Main arm 13a Arm shank 13b Arm piece 14 Sub arm 14a Arm main body 14b Arm end part 14c Through hole 14d Twist part 15 Wiping range 16 Wiper motor 17 Wiring 18 Controller 19 Wiper switch 20 1st pivot shaft (1st axis member)
21 Main support 21a Insert hole 21b Locking member 22 First cylindrical bearing (first support member)
23 Coil spring 24 Second cylindrical bearing (second support member)
24a Elastic bush 25 Second pivot shaft (second shaft member)
26 Sub-support 26a Main body portion 26b Arm portion 26c Insertion hole 26d Mounting hole 26e Protruding portion 26f Planar portion 27 Third cylindrical bearing (third support member)
28 Fourth cylindrical bearing (fourth support member)
29 Cover member 29a Cover body 29b Cover arm portion 29c Bottom wall 29d Notch portion 30 Arm support 30a Support body 30b Support arm portion 30c Hook portion

Claims (4)

A wiper device including a wiper blade for wiping a windshield provided in a vehicle,
A main support whose one end is fixed to a first shaft member that swings by a drive source;
A first support member provided on the other end side of the main support and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the first shaft member;
A main arm whose one end is rotatably supported by the main support via the first support member;
A second support member provided on the other end side of the main arm and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the first support member;
A sub-support whose one end is fixed to a second shaft member rotatably provided in the vehicle;
A third support member provided on the other end side of the sub-support and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the second shaft member;
A sub arm whose one end is rotatably supported by the sub support via the third support member;
A fourth support member provided on the other end side of the sub arm and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the third support member;
An arm support rotatably supported by each of the main arm and the sub arm via the second support member and the fourth support member, and rotatably supporting the wiper blade;
The sub arm is formed in a long plate shape extending between the third support member and the fourth support member, and both ends of the sub arm are turned to the third support member and the fourth support member by twisting the sub arm. A wiper device characterized by supporting each of them.   The wiper device according to claim 1, wherein a twist position of the sub arm is provided closer to the third support member.   3. The wiper apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member that covers the sub support.   4. The wiper device according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is provided with a cutout portion that allows the sub arm to rotate around the axis of the third support member.

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