JP2013075543A - Lever assembly and wiper blade - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lever assembly capable of expanding a rotational range of a lever while restraining a height.SOLUTION: The lever assembly of a wiper blade includes a plurality of levers (uppermost position lever 21, two intermediate position levers 22, two inside lower position levers 23 and two outside lower position levers 24) having upper walls 21a-24a and both sidewalls 21b-24b extending downward from both sides in the width direction orthogonal to longitudinal directions of the upper walls 21a-24b, and is constituted in a tournament shape by rotatably connecting a central part in the longitudinal direction of the lower position lever to an end in the longitudinal direction of the upper position lever. Holes (inside end corresponding hole 21e, the uppermost position shaft vicinal hole 21f, an intermediate position inside shaft vicinal hole 22f, an intermediate position outside shaft vicinal hole 22g, an intermediate position central opening hole 22h, an inside lower position central opening hole 23e and an outside lower position central opening hole 24e) are formed in positions for expanding the rotational range of the levers in the upper walls 21a-24a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lever assembly and a wiper blade that constitute a part of a vehicle wiper.

  Conventionally, a vehicle wiper includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade connected to the wiper arm. As the wiper blade, a lever assembly configured in a tournament shape with a plurality of levers, a backing and blade rubber gripped by the lever assembly, and a concave shape having an opening on the lever assembly side is provided. Some include a cover member to be accommodated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the lever assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of holes are formed in the upper wall of the uppermost lever, for example, the weight is lighter than that in which no hole is formed.

European Patent Application No. 7915514

  By the way, in the lever assembly configured in the tournament shape as described above, the longitudinal center portion of the lower lever is rotatably connected to the longitudinal end portion of the upper lever. Sometimes, the range of positions where the levers come into contact with each other, that is, the rotation range is restricted to be small. This causes the blade rubber to be unable to follow the curved wiping surface well. Although the turning range can be widened by increasing the height of the entire lever assembly, it is desirable to keep the height of the lever assembly low in order to suppress deterioration of aesthetics and deterioration of the passenger's field of view.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lever assembly and a wiper blade that can widen the rotation range of the lever while suppressing the height. is there.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of levers having an upper wall and both side walls extending downward from both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall, with respect to the longitudinal end of the upper lever. In the lever assembly, which is configured in a tournament by pivotally connecting the longitudinal center portions of the lower levers, a hole is formed in the upper wall at a position where the rotation range of the lever is widened. Is the gist.

  According to this configuration, since the hole is formed at a position where the rotation range of the lever on the upper wall is widened, the rotation range of the lever can be expanded while suppressing the height of the lever assembly. As a result, for example, it is possible to cause the blade rubber to follow the curved wiping surface satisfactorily while improving the beauty and the visibility of the passenger.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lever assembly according to the first aspect, the lever is connected to the uppermost lever and the central portion in the longitudinal direction so as to be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal end of the uppermost lever. The center of the longitudinal direction is pivotally connected to the middle lever and the inner end which is the end located on the lower side of the uppermost lever among the longitudinal ends of the middle lever. An inner lower lever is provided, and the hole includes an inner end corresponding hole formed at a position corresponding to the inner end of the upper wall of the uppermost lever.

  According to the same configuration, the hole includes an inner end corresponding hole formed at a position corresponding to the inner end of the middle lever on the upper wall of the uppermost lever, so that the inner lower lever is rotatably connected. By doing so, it is possible to avoid the inner end portion of the middle lever that becomes larger in size from colliding with the upper wall of the uppermost lever within a small rotation range.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lever assembly according to the first or second aspect, the hole is a near-axis hole formed in a longitudinally inner portion of a longitudinal end portion of the upper wall of the upper lever. It is made to include.

  According to this configuration, since the hole includes the axial vicinity hole formed in the longitudinal inner portion of the longitudinal end portion of the upper wall of the upper lever, the longitudinal central portion (connecting portion) of the lower lever rotates. Even if it is a substantially square shape when viewed from the moving axis direction, it is possible to avoid the portion (substantially square portion) colliding with the upper wall of the upper lever within a small rotation range. In addition, the outer side portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper end of the upper wall of the upper lever (that is, the end in the longitudinal direction) is connected to the upper and lower side walls by leaving the upper wall without forming a hole. The rigidity of the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the lever (the connecting portion to which the lower lever is connected) is prevented from being significantly reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lever assembly according to any one of the first to third aspects, the hole is a central opening hole formed in a longitudinal center portion of the upper wall of the lower lever. It is made to include.

  According to this configuration, since the hole includes the central opening hole formed in the longitudinal center portion of the upper wall of the lower lever, the height (vertical width) of the longitudinal center portion of the lower lever is reduced. It is possible to avoid collision of the portion (the central portion in the longitudinal direction) with the upper wall of the upper lever within a small rotation range.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the lever assembly according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a backing and blade rubber gripped by the lever assembly, and a concave shape having an opening on the lever assembly side are formed. And a wiper blade provided with a cover member for accommodating the lever assembly.

  According to this configuration, since the lever assembly is a wiper blade accommodated in the cover member, the hole in the upper wall of the lever is prevented from being exposed, and the aesthetic appearance is not deteriorated.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the lever assembly and wiper blade which can extend the rotation range of a lever, restraining height can be provided.

The perspective view of the wiper for vehicles in one embodiment. The partial exploded perspective view of the wiper blade in one embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the lever assembly and blade rubber in one embodiment. (A) The elements on larger scale of the lever assembly in one embodiment. (B) Partial enlarged sectional view of the lever assembly. Sectional drawing corresponding to the AA line of FIG. The partial expanded partial sectional view of the lever assembly in one embodiment. Sectional drawing corresponding to the BB line of FIG. The partial expanded partial sectional view of the lever assembly in one embodiment. Sectional drawing corresponding to CC line of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle wiper 1 is for wiping raindrops and the like adhering to a windshield of an automobile, and includes a wiper arm 2 and a wiper blade 3 connected to the wiper arm 2. ing. The wiper arm 2 is fixed to a pivot shaft (not shown) whose base end is reciprocated at a predetermined angle by a driving force of a wiper motor (not shown), and reciprocally swings as the pivot shaft reciprocates. Do exercise. The wiper arm 2 is urged toward the windshield (wiping surface) by a biasing mechanism (not shown). A wiper blade 3 is connected to the tip of the wiper arm 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wiper blade 3 has a lever assembly 11, a backing 12 (see FIG. 5) gripped by the lever assembly 11, a blade rubber 13, and a concave shape having an opening on the lever assembly 11 side. And a synthetic resin cover member 14 that houses (covers) the lever assembly 11.

The lever assembly 11 is constructed in a tournament shape by pivotally connecting the longitudinal center portion of the lower lever to the longitudinal end portion of the upper lever.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the lever assembly 11 according to the present embodiment includes an uppermost lever 21, two middle levers 22, two inner lower levers 23, and two outer lower levers. 24.

  Each lever, that is, the uppermost lever 21, the middle lever 22, the inner lower lever 23, and the outer lower lever 24 is formed by processing a metal plate material, and the longitudinal directions of the upper walls 21a to 24a and the upper walls 21a to 24a, respectively. Are formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section having both side walls 21b to 24b extending downward from both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the cross section. The width of the upper wall 21a of the uppermost lever 21 (width perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) is set larger than the width of the upper wall 22a of the middle lever 22, and the width of the upper wall 22a of the middle lever 22 is The inner lower lever 23 and the outer lower lever 24 are set to be larger than the width of the upper walls 23a, 24a.

  And the longitudinal direction center part 22c of the middle lever 22 is connected with the longitudinal direction both ends 21c of the uppermost lever 21 so that rotation is possible. In addition, a longitudinal center portion 23c of the inner lower lever 23 is rotatable at the inner end portion 22d, which is an end portion of the middle lever 22 located on the lower side of the uppermost lever 21 in both longitudinal ends. Connected. Further, the outer lower end lever 24 has a longitudinal portion at an outer end portion 22e which is an end portion (an end portion located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction) at a position away from the uppermost lever 21 in both longitudinal end portions of the middle lever 22. The direction center part 24c is connected so that rotation is possible. In these connections, the inner side in the longitudinal direction of the lower lever (the side positioned below the upper lever) is accommodated in the upper lever (covered by the upper walls 21a and 22a and the side walls 21b and 22b). In this manner, the pin 25 (see FIG. 3) penetrating the side walls 21b to 24b of each lever in the width direction is used.

  Further, a clip connecting hole 21d is formed at the longitudinal center portion of the upper wall 21a of the uppermost lever 21, and the tip of the wiper arm 2 is fixed therein as shown in FIGS. The clip 26 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis along the width direction.

  Further, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner lower lever 23 and the outer lower lever 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, gripping portions 23d and 24d for gripping the backing 12 (see FIG. 5) and the blade rubber 13 are provided. Is formed. The blade rubber 13 is formed of a rubber material in an elongated shape, and is used for wiping the wiping surface by sliding on the wiping surface (front glass). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the backing 12 has a leaf spring shape that is attached to the blade rubber 13 and imparts rigidity and elasticity to the blade rubber 13 over the entire longitudinal direction.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover member 14 of the present embodiment includes a center cover portion 14a corresponding to the uppermost lever 21 and two longitudinal sides of the center cover portion 14a. The side cover portion 14b is provided so as to follow the rotation of the middle lever 22 with respect to the uppermost lever 21. The cover member 14 (center cover portion 14a and side cover portion 14b) is attached to the lever assembly 11 so as to substantially accommodate (cover) the lever assembly 11 excluding the gripping portions 23d and 24d. Note that fin portions 14c for converting traveling airflow to pressing force toward the wiping surface are formed in substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the cover member 14 (center cover portion 14a and side cover portion 14b).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, there are holes (inner end corresponding holes 21e described later, uppermost shaft vicinity holes 21f, middle inner shafts) at positions where the rotation range of the lever on the upper walls 21a to 24a is widened. A near hole 22f, a middle outer shaft near hole 22g, a middle center opening hole 22h, an inner lower center opening hole 23e, and an outer lower center opening hole 24e) are formed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 (a), 4 (b), and 5, the inner end 22 d (the inner lower lever 23 and the lower lever 23) of the middle lever 22 is formed on the upper wall 21 a of the uppermost lever 21. The inner end corresponding hole 21e is formed at a position corresponding to the connecting position).

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the axially adjacent hole is formed in the longitudinally inner portion of the longitudinal end portion 21 c (connecting position with the middle lever 22) of the upper wall 21 a of the uppermost lever 21. The uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 (a), 4 (b), and FIG. 5, the longitudinal direction at the inner end 22 d (connecting position with the inner lower lever 23) of the upper wall 22 a of the middle lever 22. A middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f as a shaft vicinity hole is formed in the inner portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, the axially adjacent hole is formed in the longitudinally inner portion of the outer end 22 e (connection position with the outer lower lever 24) of the upper wall 22 a of the middle lever 22. A middle outer shaft vicinity hole 22g is formed.

  The inner end corresponding hole 21e, the uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f, the middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f, and the middle outer shaft vicinity hole 22g are arranged so as to widen the rotation range of the lower lever (rotation is performed). It is a lower turning hole formed in the upper wall of the upper lever (so as not to interfere).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a middle central opening hole 22h as a central opening hole is provided in the longitudinal central portion 22c (connecting position with the uppermost lever 21) of the upper wall 22a of the middle lever 22. Is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 (a), and 5, a central open hole is formed in the longitudinal central portion 23 c (connecting position with the middle lever 22) of the upper wall 23 a of the inner lower lever 23. The inner lower central opening hole 23e is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, an outer lower central opening hole 24e serving as a central opening hole is formed in the longitudinal central portion 24c (connecting position with the middle lever 22) of the upper wall 24a of the outer lower lever 24. Is formed.

  The middle center opening hole 22h, the inner lower center opening hole 23e, and the outer lower center opening hole 24e are formed so as to widen the rotation range of their own levers (so as not to prevent the rotation). It is a rotation hole.

Next, the operation of the vehicle wiper 1 configured as described above will be described.
In the vehicle wiper 1, when the wiper arm 2 is reciprocally swung by the driving force of a wiper motor (not shown), the blade rubber 13 of the wiper blade 3 is in sliding contact with the wiping surface (front glass) while following the curvature. The wiping surface is wiped off. At this time, each lever of the lever assembly 11 rotates according to the curvature of the wiping surface, etc., but the holes (the inner end corresponding hole 21e, the uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f, the middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f, the middle The outer shaft vicinity hole 22g, the middle center opening hole 22h, the inner lower center opening hole 23e, and the outer lower center opening hole 24e) reduce the hindrance to the lever rotation, in other words, the lever rotation range. The follow-up property is improved by spreading.

Next, the characteristic effects of the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) There are holes (inner end corresponding hole 21e, uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f, middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f, middle outer shaft vicinity hole in the positions where the rotation range of the lever on the upper walls 21a to 24a is widened. 22g, a middle center opening hole 22h, an inner lower center opening hole 23e, and an outer lower center opening hole 24e). Therefore, the lever rotation range can be expanded while suppressing the height of the lever assembly 11. As a result, for example, it is possible to cause the blade rubber 13 to follow the curved wiping surface satisfactorily while improving the aesthetics and the view of the passenger.

  (2) Since the hole includes an inner end corresponding hole 21e formed at a position corresponding to the inner end 22d of the middle lever 22 in the upper wall 21a of the uppermost lever 21, the inner lower lever 23 rotates. It is possible to avoid the inner end 22d of the middle lever 22 that is enlarged by being connected so as to collide with the upper wall 21a of the uppermost lever 21 within a small rotation range.

  (3) The hole includes the uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f as the shaft vicinity hole formed in the inner side in the longitudinal direction at the longitudinal end portion 21c of the upper wall 21a of the uppermost lever 21. The hole includes a middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f as a shaft vicinity hole formed in a longitudinally inner portion of the inner end 22d of the upper wall 22a of the middle lever 22. Further, the hole includes a middle outer shaft neighboring hole 22g as a shaft neighboring hole formed in a longitudinally inner portion of the outer end 22e of the upper wall 22a of the middle lever 22. Therefore, even if the longitudinal center portions 22c to 24c (connecting portions) of the lower levers are substantially square when viewed from the rotation axis direction (see FIGS. 4B, 6 and 8), It can be avoided that the (substantially square portion) collides with the upper walls 21a and 22a of the upper lever within a small rotation range. In addition, the longitudinally outer portion (that is, the longitudinal endmost portion) of the upper end walls 21a, 22a of the upper lever at the longitudinal end portions 21c (inner end portion 22d, outer end portion 22e) is not formed with a hole. By leaving the walls 21a and 22a, both side walls 21b and 22b are connected. Therefore, even if the uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f, the middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f, and the middle outer shaft vicinity hole 22g are respectively formed, the longitudinal end portion 21c of the upper lever, which is a portion to which the lower lever is coupled, is formed. It is possible to prevent the rigidity of the (inner end portion 22d, outer end portion 22e) from being significantly reduced.

  (4) The hole includes a middle center opening hole 22h as a center opening hole formed in the longitudinal center portion 22c (connection position with the uppermost lever 21) in the upper wall 22a of the middle lever 22. The hole includes an inner lower center opening hole 23e as a center opening hole formed in a longitudinal center portion 23c (a connection position with the middle lever 22) in the upper wall 23a of the inner lower lever 23. Further, the hole includes an outer lower center opening hole 24e as a center opening hole formed in the longitudinal center 24c (connection position with the middle lever 22) in the upper wall 24a of the outer lower lever 24. Therefore, the height (vertical width) of the longitudinal center portions 22c to 24c of the lower levers (the middle lever 22 with respect to the uppermost lever 21, the inner lower lever 23 and the outer lower lever 24 with respect to the middle lever 22) is reduced. can do. Thereby, it can avoid that the part (longitudinal direction center part 22c-24c) colliding with the upper walls 21a and 22a of a high-order lever in a small rotation range.

  (5) Since the lever assembly 11 is the wiper blade 3 accommodated in the cover member 14, the holes (inner end corresponding hole 21e, uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f, middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f, middle outer shaft) The proximity hole 22g, the middle center opening hole 22h, the inner lower center opening hole 23e, and the outer lower center opening hole 24e) are prevented from being exposed. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance does not deteriorate.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In the above embodiment, as the holes, the inner end corresponding hole 21e, the uppermost shaft vicinity hole 21f, the middle inner shaft vicinity hole 22f, the middle outer shaft vicinity hole 22g, the middle center opening hole 22h, the inner lower center Although it was set as the structure provided with the open hole 23e and the outer side lower center open hole 24e, as long as at least 1 hole is provided, you may change.

  In the above embodiment, the wiper blade 3 in which the lever assembly 11 is accommodated in the cover member 14 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a wiper blade that does not include the cover member 14 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the lever assembly 11 is configured in a tournament shape with seven levers (the uppermost lever 21, the two middle levers 22, the two inner lower levers 23, and the two outer lower levers 24). However, it may be embodied in lever assemblies having different numbers of levers. For example, the outer lower lever 24 may be eliminated, and a gripping portion for gripping the blade rubber 13 may be provided on the outer end 22e of the middle lever 22, and the blade rubber 13 may be gripped at six locations by the lever assembly.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Lever assembly, 12 ... Backing, 13 ... Blade rubber, 14 ... Cover member, 21 ... Top lever (lever), 21a-24a ... Upper wall, 21b-24b ... Side wall, 21c ... Longitudinal end, 21e ... Inner end corresponding hole (hole), 21f... Uppermost shaft vicinity hole (hole and shaft vicinity hole), 22... Middle lever (lever), 22c to 24c. Direction end), 22e ... outer end portion (longitudinal end portion), 22f ... medium inner shaft vicinity hole (hole and shaft vicinity hole), 22g ... medium outer side shaft vicinity hole (hole and shaft vicinity hole) , 22h: middle central opening hole (hole and central opening hole), 23 ... inner lower lever (lever), 23e ... inner lower central opening hole (hole and central opening hole), 24 ... outer lower lever (lever) 24e ... outer lower center opening hole (hole, Fine center open pores).

Claims (5)

A plurality of levers having an upper wall and both side walls extending downward from both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall, and a longitudinal center portion of the lower lever with respect to a longitudinal end portion of the upper lever Is a lever assembly configured to be a tournament by being rotatably connected,
A lever assembly, wherein a hole is formed in the upper wall at a position where a rotation range of the lever is widened. The lever assembly according to claim 1,
The lever includes an uppermost lever, a middle lever that is pivotally connected to a longitudinal end portion of the uppermost lever, and both longitudinal ends of the middle lever. An inner lower lever whose center in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to an inner end that is an end located on the lower side of the uppermost lever;
The hole assembly includes an inner end corresponding hole formed at a position corresponding to the inner end in the upper wall of the uppermost lever. The lever assembly according to claim 1 or 2,
2. The lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hole includes a shaft vicinity hole formed in a longitudinally inner portion of a longitudinal end portion of the upper wall of the upper lever. The lever assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The said hole contains the center open | release hole formed in the longitudinal direction center part in the said upper wall of the said lower lever, The lever assembly characterized by the above-mentioned. The lever assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A backing and blade rubber gripped by the lever assembly;
A wiper blade comprising: a cover member that is formed in a concave shape having an opening on the lever assembly side and that houses the lever assembly.

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