JP3943327B2 - Vehicle wiper device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle wiper device that is used in a vehicle such as a passenger car and wipes wind glass.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In vehicles such as passenger cars, buses, and trucks, wiper devices are used to wipe off deposits such as raindrops attached to the front window glass and rear window glass. The wiper device has a drive head attached to a drive shaft on the vehicle body side, a wiper arm attached to the drive head at a base end portion, and a wiper blade attached to a free end of the wiper arm. The wiper blade wipes the surface of the wind glass by swinging and reciprocating by a motor incorporated in the vehicle body.
[0003]
As a wiper arm in a vehicle wiper device, there is generally one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-43019. However, this wiper arm has a U-shaped cross section in which one end is opened by a pair of side walls and an upper wall. Is formed. Further, in the wiper arm structure of this application, the pair of side walls of the wiper arm is formed to be overhanged in a direction in which the respective leading edge portions approach each other, thereby reducing wind noise during vehicle travel. I have to. Also, as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,720,072 and European Patent Application EP0845394A1, there are those using resin as a material, and this type of wiper arm has a surface wall portion and side wall portions integrally connected to both sides thereof. And has a U-shaped cross section.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the wiper arm as shown in the above-mentioned JP-A-11-43019 is generally formed by bending a steel plate material, it is easy to ensure the strength, but it may be disadvantageous in terms of design and weight. . Further, in a wiper arm molded into a U-shaped cross section using resin, a plurality of ribs extending in the width direction are provided inside the wiper arm so as to connect both side wall portions in order to ensure the strength of the wiper arm. Yes. The back side of each rib is a flat surface almost perpendicular to the side surface of the wiper arm, and the wiper arm swings and reciprocates along the glass surface near the wind glass. They will face each other in parallel.
[0005]
Therefore, when a large number of ribs are provided, the entire substantially flat facing surface on the back side of each rib faces the indoor side through the window glass, so that light incident on the facing surface of the rib, that is, the back surface, from the surface of the wind glass enters the vehicle interior. Depending on the incident angle of light with respect to the rear surface of the rib, the entire rear surface of the wiper arm can be seen from the vehicle interior side. Since the incident angle to the rib always changes during driving depending on the direction of the vehicle body and the inclination angle, flickering and total reflection occur from the back surface of the wiper arm. In particular, the amount of reflected light from the gaps between the ribs is small, and the reflected light from the ribs is conspicuous due to the contrast between the reflected light from the gap and the reflected light from the opposing surface of the rib.
[0006]
In the steel plate wiper arm shown in the above prior art, since the pair of side walls are formed by overhanging in the direction in which the respective leading edge portions approach each other, the reflected light from the side wall edge portions can be diffused, Since the side wall itself is bent, there is a problem that the design of the appearance is impaired.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to prevent the rear surface of a wiper arm having a rib from being conspicuous from the vehicle interior side.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vehicle wiper apparatus of the present invention, a drive head attached to the vehicle body side of the drive shaft, the wiper arm having a base end portion molded by a resin wherein the drive head is mounted, the wiper blade being attached to the distal end of the wiper arm A wiper device for a vehicle that oscillates and reciprocates on a window glass around the drive shaft, wherein the wiper arm is integrated with a surface wall portion and both sides of the surface wall portion. I U-shaped section der comprising a side wall, and a plurality of ribs extending in the width direction of the wiper arm so as to connect the pair of side wall portions, vertically positioned at the central portion in the width direction of the wiper arm A rib extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of ribs extending obliquely on each of the pair of side walls are integrated with the opening side of the wiper arm facing the window glass. The plurality of ribs extending in the width direction on the wiper arm, the rib extending in the vertical direction of the wiper arm, and the plurality of ribs extending in an inclined manner have ridge lines, and are opposite to each other on both sides of the ridge lines. And having two inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the window glass .
[0009]
The vehicle wiper apparatus of the present invention, on the back side facing the window glass of the pair of side wall portions, and having an inclined surface inclined with respect to each of the window glass.
[0012]
In the present invention, the back side of the rib facing the window glass is not parallel to the window glass, but is an inclined flat surface or curved surface, so that the light incident on the back surface of the rib is in the vehicle interior. It is prevented from being reflected as it is, the amount of reflection is limited, or it is reflected as diffused light. Thereby, the rib provided in the wiper arm does not stand out to the occupant. If the back surface of the side wall portion of the wiper arm is inclined along with the rib, the wiper arm including the side wall portion becomes inconspicuous to the occupant.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle wiper device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle body, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle wiper device 10 is mounted on the vehicle body 11 in order to wipe off deposits such as rainwater adhering to the front window glass 12 of the vehicle body 11. The wiper device 10 has a wiper blade 13 that comes into contact with the surface of the wind glass 12, and the wiper blade 13 is attached to a tip portion 14 a of a wiper arm 14. The wiper arm 14 has a bearing recess 14c at its base end 14b pivotally mounted on the shaft 15a of the drive head 15 shown in FIG. 2 so that the fixed hole 15b of the drive head 15 is incorporated into the vehicle body 11 (not shown). After being fitted to the drive shaft 16 driven by the motor, the nut 16b is screwed into the screw portion 16a at the tip of the drive shaft 16 to be fastened and fixed. A head cover 17 is fixed to the drive head 15.
[0016]
The wiper blade 13 has a primary lever 19 to which a connecting pin 18 is attached. A secondary lever 21 is pin-coupled to each end of the primary lever 19, and a blade rubber 22 that contacts the wind glass 12 is connected to both the secondary levers 21. Is held in.
[0017]
A mounting groove 23 is formed at the tip of the wiper arm 14, and the connecting pin 18 is rotatably engaged with the mounting groove 23, so that the wiper blade 13 has an axis A 1 of the connecting pin 18 extending in the width direction of the wiper arm 14. Rotate around the center. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 16 swings and reciprocates about the axis A2, and the wiper arm 14 is rotatable about the axis A3 perpendicular to the axis A1 with respect to the drive head 15. .
[0018]
A tension coil spring 24 having one end engaged with the drive head 15 and the other end engaged with the wiper arm 14 is attached between the drive head 15 and the wiper arm 14. The resilience in the direction toward the wind glass 12 is urged.
[0019]
3 is a front view showing the wiper arm 14 and the drive head 15, FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. The shape of the wire arm 14 in FIGS. 3 to 5 is illustrated as a straight line for the sake of convenience.
[0020]
The wiper arm 14 is integrally formed of a resin as a raw material by a resin molding technique such as injection molding, and has a surface wall portion 25 and side wall portions 26 and 27 integrally formed on both sides thereof, and has a U-shaped cross section. It has become. Therefore, the cavity portion 28 is formed inside the wiper arm 14, and the back side of the cavity portion 28 facing the window glass 12 is opened.
[0021]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion A of the wiper arm 14 in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
[0022]
In order to reinforce the wiper arm 14, the hollow portion 28 has a plurality of ribs 31 extending in the width direction of the wiper arm 14 so as to connect both side wall portions 26 and 27, and a central portion in the width direction of the wiper arm 14. A rib 32 extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of ribs 33 extending in an inclined manner so as to connect the rib 32 and one side wall portion are integrally provided on the wiper arm 14.
[0023]
The rear side portions of the ribs 31 to 33 with respect to the vehicle body 11 have a V-shaped cross section and are not parallel to the wind glass 12 but are opposite to each other on both sides of the ridge line 34. The two inclined surfaces 35 which incline are formed in the back surface side part of each rib 31-33. Although FIG. 7 shows the cross-sectional shape of the rib 32 in the vertical direction, the back side portions of the other ribs 31 and 33 have the same cross-sectional shape. As a result, the reflection of light incident on the back side of the wiper arm 14 from the window glass 12 into the vehicle interior is halved or eliminated, and the back side of the wiper arm 14 is inconspicuous to the occupant.
[0024]
FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing the same parts as in FIG. 7 in the modified example of the wiper arm 14. In the wiper arm 14 shown in FIG. Two flat inclined surfaces 35 are provided. The back surface of the rib 32 shown in FIG. 8B is an arc surface, and a curved inclined surface 35 is formed on the back surface side of the rib 32. Thus, each inclined surface 35 is not parallel to the window glass 12 but inclined. In FIG. 8, only the ribs 32 are shown in cross section, but the back surfaces of the ribs 31 and 33 have the same cross-sectional shape.
[0025]
In both side walls 26 and 27 of the wiper arm 14 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, an inclined surface 36 is formed on the back surface facing the window glass 12. In FIG. 8A, the inclined surface 36 is formed. 36 faces the inner side of the wiper arm 14 and faces the outer side in FIG. As described above, by providing the inclined surfaces 36 on the both side wall portions 26 and 27 as well, it is possible to reduce the reflection of the light incident on the back side of the both side wall portions 26 and 27 from the window glass 12 into the vehicle interior. The cross-sectional shape of the back side portions of the side wall portions 26 and 27 is not limited to the case shown in FIG. 8, but may be V-shaped or arcuate as in the shape of the back side of the rib.
[0026]
FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing a part of a wiper arm 14 of another modified example, and the back side of the rib 31 formed in the width direction inside the wiper arm 14 has an elliptical arc shape. The back surface of 31 is not parallel to the wind glass 12 but is an inclined surface 35 that is curved in the width direction of the wiper arm 14. Although the wiper arm 14 shown in FIG. 8C has only the lateral ribs 31, the longitudinal ribs 32 and the inclined ribs 33 may be provided in the same manner as described above.
[0027]
Also for the wiper arm 14 shown in FIG. 8C and FIG. 6, inclined surfaces 36 may be provided on both side walls 26, 27.
[0028]
FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a reflection state of light incident on the rib 31 formed with the inclined surface 35 curved on the back surface as shown in FIG. 8C, and FIG. 9B is a comparative example. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a reflection state of light from the rib 31 whose back surface is parallel to the window glass 12. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the back surface of the rib 31 is a surface parallel to the window glass 12, the light incident on the back surface of the rib 31 is directed toward the vehicle interior at the same reflection angle at each part of the back surface. Will be reflected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the back surface of the rib 31 is not parallel to the window glass 12 but is curved and inclined, the reflected light has different reflection angles at each part of the back surface, and the reflection is reflected. Light will be scattered or diffused. Therefore, the back side of the wiper arm 14 becomes inconspicuous for the passenger in the vehicle interior, and the wiper arm quality can be improved.
[0029]
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.
[0030]
For example, although the illustrated wiper arm 14 is formed of resin, it may be formed by a casting technique using a light metal such as aluminum. The vehicle wiper device may be used not only for the front window but also for the rear window.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, from the back surface side of the wiper arm provided with the rib, the back surface of the rib is not parallel to the window glass but is a flat or curved inclined surface. It is prevented from being reflected in the passenger compartment, or scattered or diffused. Thereby, the back side of the wiper arm does not flicker or become conspicuous during the wiper operation, and the quality of the wiper device can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle wiper device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle wiper device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a wiper arm attached to a drive head.
4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 3;
6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part A in FIG. 5;
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing the same part as in FIG. 7 in a modified example of the wiper arm, and FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing a part of a wiper arm in another modified example. .
9A is a cross-sectional view showing a reflection state of light incident on a rib having a curved inclined surface formed on the back surface, and FIG. 9B is a comparative example in which the back surface is parallel to the window glass. It is sectional drawing which shows the reflection state of the light from a rib.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle wiper apparatus 12 Wind glass 13 Wiper blade 14 Wiper arm 15 Drive head 16 Drive shaft 17 Head cover 22 Blade rubber 25 Surface wall part 26, 27 Side wall part 31-33 Rib 35, 36 Inclined surface

Claims (2)

A drive head attached to the vehicle body side of the drive shaft, the wiper arm having a base end portion is mounted on the drive head is formed by a resin, and a wiper blade which is attached to the distal end of the wiper arm, the drive shaft A wiper device for a vehicle that swings and reciprocates on a window glass at the center,
The wiper arm is on both sides of the surface wall and the said surface wall portion I U-shaped cross-section der consisting of a pair of side wall portions together,
A plurality of ribs extending in the width direction of the wiper arm so as to connect the pair of side wall portions;
A rib extending in the longitudinal direction located in the center of the width direction of the wiper arm;
A plurality of ribs extending obliquely to each of the longitudinally extending ribs and the pair of side walls;
Is integrally formed on the opening side of the wiper arm facing the window glass,
The plurality of ribs extending in the width direction on the wiper arm, the rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm, and the plurality of ribs extending in an inclined manner have ridge lines, and are opposite to each other on both sides of the ridge lines. A vehicle wiper device having two inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a window glass . The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1,
The vehicle wiper apparatus characterized by having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the window glass on the back surface side of the pair of side wall portions facing the window glass.

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